US Army sergeant Cody Cullen’s horror tour in Afghanistan ends when his mate Jonesy is blown to pieces while they deliver medical supplies in Nurestan. Cody is sent home to return private possessions to Jonesy’s bride turned widow. On his way home he passes Nevada City, California, where he meets Faith Spelman, who writes the parish’s Christmas cards to lonely soldiers, coincidentally including him, an orphan. He happens to save her dad Luke from a serious car run-over. The Spellmans invite Cody home for dinner, then the Christmas tide. He proves a great help in the family logging firm. Vietenam vet Luke wants Cody as son-in-law, but although charmed, Faith still seems committed to rarely present fiancé Paul, a wine broker.

Alison Dodge, a 17-year old raised by her mother, decides on her own to spend her last summer before college getting to know her father