Architect Joy Carlisle welcomes the change of scenery as she drives from Atlanta to Florida's Panhandle to remodel an old beach house. She's just discovered that her fiancé, Alan, is having an affair with his legal assistant, and Joy wants to put as much space between them as possible. Upon arriving at the beach house, Joy becomes absorbed in the white sandy beaches, the beautiful gulf water, the flavor of the old south, and the caring community. She also becomes attracted to Rowe Cutter, the brother of the owner of the beach house. Hard-working and morally upstanding, Rowe owns both a fishing enterprise and a construction business and is considered the area's most eligible bachelor. But Alan, who treats Joy as more of a possession than a loving companion, is not ready to accept that their relationship is over, he won't give up without a fight. While working hard to prove herself in her chosen profession, Joy must also look deep inside herself for answers to the quandary in her personal life. Will she honor her commitment to Alan, or will she follow her heart with Rowe?