The action begins during a springtime storm with a three-car accident. A young driver plows his truck into Charles' large sedan, causing Charles to careen into Andrea's compact car. While Andrea recuperates at home, Charles shows up with a bouquet of tulips for her. When he denies her insurance claim, she feels betrayed. Her boss appears to be in love with her, and her brother-in-law is a hot, live wire that she is afraid to touch. Charles continues to be a presence, but Andrea is unsure of his intentions. The author gives the book an international flair by making some of the characters Swedish, Danish, and Irish, and by describing journeys to France and Denmark.