Laura is forced to confront the moral values she has grown up with, and the necessity to give up her own career with the school children she loves. She is caught in a horrible dilemma.
Sandy writes a letter to Laura on the excuse of sending her photos he took on their afternoon at the beach with her cousin's children. In the letter he confesses his newfound feelings for her and his wish that they might somehow see one another again.
Laura is touched by Sandy baring his feelings to her, but his message has created another dilemma for her. She admits to herself her own attraction to Sandy, but knows it is futile to even think that way. She is engaged to be married. She must find a way to gently tell Sandy to back off.
Exposure to the Scottish culture and laid back lifestyle of friends and neighbors in the village causes Laura to have misgivings about the obsessive career ambitions of her fiancé and the possible effect on their future married relationship. In her heart she begins to have doubts about herself and her commitment to her fiancé.
Laura worries herself almost into a state of panic. He fiancé is extra busy at his business and has not called. She does not know what he is thinking. A visit with her local minister and a heart to heart chat with her cousin convince her she must talk with her fiancé. Should she fly back home? No, he would think she was silly. She finally decides she must phone him.
After several frustrating attempts she gets through to him at work in Ottawa. Outpouring her pent up emotions, they finally have a frank, open and honest discussion. Suddenly, by mutual agreement, the engagement is broken off.
Laura is torn between remorse and relief, but knows she must get on with her life. Working together with a neighbour on her house renovations, she hears all the local gossip. Rumors persist of the mining development about to threaten her property. Circumstances deepen her suspicions that Sandy may be involved.
Laura decides a day with her cousin's children is what she needs to take her mind off her troubles. She invites them for a shopping and sightseeing car trip to Baddeck. As they make their way along Main Street the girls spot Sandy, and then mob him when he stops to talk with them. They all end up having lunch with Sandy at a street front restaurant. But the girls monopolize the conversation so she and Sandy have no chance to talk privately.
Sandy is in contact with Laura's cousin and learns the engagement is off. He works up his courage to make a move, determined to present himself in a better image.
Still filled with her own lingering self-doubt about the end of her engagement, Laura receives a call from Sandy inviting her to dinner. She hesitates before accepting, still suspicious he may not be as he appears. But the dinner date turns out to be fun; a time of mutual discovery.
Laura and Sandy spend the next day together, playing tourist and sharing a picnic in the fabulous scenery along the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton Island. Her attraction to Sandy becomes too great to deny.
On the eve of another date, Sandy mysteriously disappears. As the hours pass, anxiety turns to disgust when Laura decides Sandy has stood her up. She remembers all the rumors circulating in the village about the proposed mining development and assumes the worst. In her anger, she concludes Sandy must be working on that dreadful project. Perhaps he only befriended her to get his clutches on her land.
Laura is devastated by how she has fallen for each of the recent two men in her life. Somehow the pain is worse this time. Deep in her heart she knows the reason.
The next morning, still furious as she attempts to get back into her daily routine, a terrible roar fills the air, approaching from over the mountain behind the farm. An orange helicopter settles into the hayfield at the edge of her yard. Out steps Sandy.
While on an urgent reconnaissance survey for the government, Sandy had been stranded deep in the highland wilderness when a severe storm grounded the helicopter. When rescued, he convinces the pilot to drop him into Laura's yard to explain and apologize.
Laura realizes she jumped too quickly to judge Sandy guilty of skipping out on their date and of being involved in the mining project. Her worries about the environment being devastated near her property have all been groundless. She recognizes that Sandy's values are the same as those she has learned in the past two weeks matter so much to her.
Sandy too has changed his perceptions. Huddled over a small campfire while stranded in the wilderness gave him the opportunity to consider what is really important in life. It is time to think long term loving relationship rather than short term fun.
Laura and Sandy are able to renew their courtship with a romantic candle-lit meal in the renowned dining room of the Keltic Lodge Resort, in the national park.
The following day is a wonderful time of picnics and sightseeing in the magnificent scenery of Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail. Late in the evening at the end of a fabulous day, it is too late for Sandy to make the hour and a half drive back to his hotel room in Baddeck. Laura asks him to stay with her. An overnight together leads to other intimate discoveries.
Laura and Sandy settle in on the living room sofa of the old farmhouse to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the crackling fireplace. The cozy ambience and the close familiarity that has built between them leads to sizzling kisses and happy cuddling, until Laura suggests they move to her bedroom. Slowly and tenderly the two discover in one another the ultimate fulfillment of their new relationship.
Sandy realizes he is no longer at a loss for words with Laura. They are so compatible, so comfortable together; and, as he had imagined, they fit so well together in other interesting ways. His fantasy has become reality. Laura is the soulmate he has dreamed of finding. Intimacy flows easily.
Sandy's understanding of what "the good life" comprises moves to a higher level. He makes a momentous decision. He tells Laura he loves her, and asks her if she will marry him.
Laura does not hesitate. She is happier than she has ever been, knowing in her heart Sandy is the man she wants to marry and be the dad of their children. He is the man who will be her mate and partner, sharing all the joys and responsibilities of an ideal marriage.
The wedding will be held in the little church in Ingonish and they will keep the old homestead for special times together.
July in Ingonish is a time for the revival of old values, and the resolution of new dilemmas. The future holds prospects for happy everafters.
