Amid heartbreak and family expectations, Nicole's holiday plans unravel, leading her to Montana where surprising connections ignite. The New Year brings a new choice: continue as the obedient daughter or follow a new path.

When University of Washington co-ed Nicole Bryant discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Nathan, is engaged to one of her Gamma Alpha Beta sorority sisters, her dreams of reconciliation shatter. Humiliated, she returns to her hometown of Ellensburg just before Christmas 1991, dreading her parents' disappointment over the loss of the perfect son-in-law.

Nicole's sorority sister, Amy, offers a lifeline: a few days away at Big Mountain ski resort, complete with a blind date. The trip takes an unexpected turn, however, leaving Nicole stranded at a hunting and fishing lodge in Montana. There she meets Dusty Malloy, the owner, and his assistant, Sam 'Johnson, ' whose backwoods demeanor masks his intelligence and compassion. Just as their smoldering attraction is about to ignite, Amy whisks Nicole away.

Enter Beej Paxton, legendary UW quarterback and alumni, and Nicole's date for the vacation. Intimidated by his rakish reputation, Nicole is cautious but thaws to his engaging personality.

The magic of Montana disappears when Nicole returns home and Nathan comes crawling back, begging forgiveness, after his engagement abruptly ends. Thrilled, her parents pressure Nicole to take him back.

It all comes to a climax on New Year's Eve as a concealed identity is revealed, an old rivalry mended, a controlling father evaded, and a bitter ex-boyfriend unwilling to accept it's over. In a moment of truth Nicole must choose: submission or rebellion.