Plot Synopsis

The 377th original film in the Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Based on the novel by Marie Bostwick. Just before Christmas, corporate lawyer Lucy Toomey learns of the passing of her beloved sister Alice, who had long suffered cognitive difficulties after a car accident in her early twenties. She returns to her hometown to attend the memorial with her uncle Barney and discovers that her sister had a positive and lasting impact on just about everyone in town. She also reunites with her high school love Peter Swinson, who she had left abruptly after Alice's accident years ago. Peter, who was Alice's lawyer, explains that her will dictates that Lucy lives in Alice's house for four weeks. Though she is wary about taking time away from work right when she is on the brink of a promotion, shhe agrees and settles into the house. She soon finds joy attending the town's holiday festivities and spending time with Peter, who confesses he never stopped loving her. Most importantly, Lucy sees that despite Alice's impairments from her car accident, she lived a joyful and fulfilling life. This helps relieve some of the guilt that she had long harbored over her sister's accident. Lucy, who had initially planned to sell the house, has a change of heart when she learns that the realtor's plan is to tear it down and build condos. At a Christmas celebration hosted by his mother, Mrs. Whitfield, Peter reveals a secret from Lucy's sister's past. Lucy is conflicted about what to do with this news and hurt that he had kept it from her all this time. As Christmas approaches, she must decide how to handle this revelation about her sister's life, and if her new friendships and rekindled relationship with Peter will keep her in her hometown permanently.