When high school English teacher Cassandra Reilly is laid off, she takes a poorly paying part-time job at a local nursing home to make ends meet. Her employment problems may be solved when one of her patients passes away after naming her in his will as the director of a new literary research center. But Cassie isn't sure she can handle the position, and her doubts increase when she receives a threat against her life.

The lawyer who administers the will proves to be a source of support and comfort, and Cassie hopes their friendship will deepen into love.  As the danger increases and Cassie faces her doubts about her own abilities, she begins to develop a new strength of character that will help her achieve her life's goals.