Olivia Campbell looks forward to a warm Christmas with her extended family at Circle C Ranch. She'll spring a surprise on them this year and anticipates their delight.

But Olivia's gift is stopped in its tracks when her oldest friend, Sam Farrell, charges back into her life and reveals a stunning secret Olivia's late husband kept from her.

Sam arrives in Riverbend knowing he's seeking more than a family Christmas. He's come to see Olivia, the woman he's never been able to forget.

But will she forgive him for revealing truths about her past she might not want to face? Sam works his butt off to resolve the problems that have reared into her life, but he fears his intervention will only tear him and Olivia apart.

The Riverbend community-the Campbell brothers and their families, the Malorys and theirs, and the intrepid Karen Marvin-draw behind their beloved Sam to try to make Olivia Campbell's Christmas the best one of her life.