The Porters and Sanders families were mainstays in the community. Tom and Louise had married right out of college and yet, Lizbeth knew little of her family history on either side. What were the secrets no one had ever told her? She was always curious about the stories she heard, not all of them good. Family skeletons rattle in every closet and the Porters and Sanders had more than their fair share.Lizbeth was a Daddy's girl, but anyone who knew Louise could understand why. She seemed to have little interest in her beautiful daughter. There were occasional outings, but for the most part she left Lizbeth's upbringing to her nanny, Maddy, and her father, Tom. Lizbeth had a hard time understanding her mother's lack of interest and decided knowing her past might help explain her.

She knew Louise was from a rich family, but there had to be something to explain her mother's issues. How had the events of the past turned Louise into such a cold hearted woman? As always, the only one Lizbeth could talk to about family matters was Maddy. Though, there was more to Maddy too it seemed, but Lizbeth only suspected. Maddy tried to maintain her place in the Sanders household, but Lizbeth was like her own child and helping her was paramount in Maddy's mind.Then there was Peter and Doug. How was she supposed to choose between them? At nineteen either of these men would turn a girl's head. Peter had been in her life since childhood, but she hadn't seen him for a few years. Seeing him again made her realize;"What a peculiar feeling she got when she saw him.

He was always taller than she was, but now he was so muscular and athletic. In truth he had always been athletic, she just hadn't noticed. She did notice he was a good looking young man, one she'd always liked." Yet, Doug touched another place in her heart. His kindness and the good times they'd had together, even under the circumstances of their meeting, made her realize she feelings for him, yet she couldn't quite accept his marriage proposal. She thought making love to each of them might help her make up her mind.Her life was changing on all sides. Maddy's brother Jared returned home after being away for eighteen years.

Where had he been and why did he leave? She couldn't imagine how deeply he would affect her life and how much turmoil it would cause. Maddy was thrilled to see him, but he brought secrets he'd been keeping all these years. Secrets that would rock Lizbeth's world.Lizbeth was facing adulthood and had to learn how to deal with the secrets she seemed to be finding out day after day. How did Alice appear in her mother's life? How did she become so necessary to her mother's well being after her grandfather died? Lizbeth was a good girl who just wanted a normal life, but it didn't seem as if she was going to get one. The family history of the accidental murder, the illicit love affairs of more than one family member, Jared's reappearance, all added up to matters she had never dreamed of, matters that would change the way she looked at things. How would all of this affect Lizbeth? Would she have a normal life or would she be like them?.