Driving from New York to California with her five-year old daughter, Monica Russo was more than ready to start a new life and leave her old one, and her cheating ex-husband, behind.  The last thing she expected was for her car to break down in the small town of Celebration, five days before the Fourth of July holiday.  When a ‘knight in shining armor’ comes to her rescue, complete with pick-up truck and adorable dog, and proposes they stay at his parents’ home, she’s hesitant, but a lack of accommodations in town leaves her no choice.  Welcomed with open arms, it doesn’t take long for her to feel like part of the family.

Joe Callaghan has never quite recovered from his disastrous marriage, or the guilt he feels for not being there when his father fell ill.  Now living in an apartment above his parents’ garage, he leads a quiet life, running his own carpentry business and hanging out with friends.  When he happens upon a woman and her daughter stranded on the side of the road, he plays Good Samaritan and offers them a place to stay.   It doesn’t take long for him to become enamored with Monica, and when sparks fly, he knows he’s finally found the right woman.  All he has to do is persuade her to give up her plans and start a new life in Celebration… with him.

The Fourth of July picnic is his last chance to convince her to stay.  Once the fireworks fade, will their destinies be changed by dawn’s early light?