Kevin Emerson never envisioned inheriting his grandfather's tree service, but at the reading of the late John Emerson's Will, it happened. He also was unaware of the forces resentful of that happening, forces intent on their own possession of the company. Living in the same town was Margaret Shafer, barely in the high school memory of Kevin Emerson, but he did recollect something had happened to her back then, something undefined. It drove her into an emotional shell, a reclusive lifestyle. When a spring ice storm wrecked havoc on the town, Emerson Tree Service was called into action. After Emerson's office called the temp service for help, Margaret Shafer appeared in Kevin's office as the requested CDL driver; it was the second time he had seen her. The first time was at a recent jazz concert where they had spoken in passing, Kevin in his usual good-natured approach, her in a clearly dismissive manner. How would she handle being his employee, and how would he handle things if she somehow became more than an employee? That was not likely given her outward characteristics, but there was a tiny flaw in her shell. Not really visible, but there anyway. Would it widen enough for Kevin to bring her back to a good life, or was it already too late to save this woman for whom his feelings were unexpectedly taking root?