Shelby Simon writes an advice column called "Ms. Simon Says" for a Chicago newspaper. Only she finds herself temporarily out of a job when a series of letter bombs are sent to her. A scruffy-looking undercover cop, Mick Callahan, is assigned to look after her until the letter-bomber is caught. A supposed safe haven is Shelby's family property on a lake in rural Michigan. However, it proves anything but peaceful when Shelby discovers that her parents' marriage is unraveling. Shelby is used to solving people's problems, but her own parents cheerfully decline her attempts to interfere. And it doesn't help when she becomes more attracted to Mick, who's trying to keep her away from his own secrets and his heart.