Four generations of Dr. Sam Crochet's family have called rural Lacroix, Louisiana, home; Sam was the second to do it in the capacity of town doctor. He had never considered practicing medicine anywhere else. At the same time, Sam gave his love to Claire Lemoine- a woman he has known since childhood-only to find her unattainable. Trapped between what he desires and the reality of Claire's life and marriage to another man, the contentment he seeks drifts further away. Then a life-altering event forces him to question his profession. Claire suddenly falls ill with a debilitating liver disease and dies weeks later. As Claire's physician, Sam is consumed with the conviction that her spouse, Cooper, was responsible for her death. His investigation becomes deadly, threatening not only his life, but the lives of those he loves. With the help of a reluctant detective, Sam slowly learns the truth of what happened-confirming his greatest fears.
Tragically, it is at the moment of this triumph and vindication that he is taken down again with the sickening realization that he was wrong all along, and that his love for Claire was the likely cause of her demise.