On the idyllic banks of the Dog River, in the lush green countryside of Vermont, Charlie has built a life for himself. He's happy enough running the family restaurant, and his only real regret is the absence of his brother, Owen. Once close, Owen and Charlie have not seen each other for years now - the ties of brotherhood were torn apart by their father's strange legacy - and a trail of postcards is all that is left. Charlie's is a solitary existence until he hires Claire to assist him in the restaurant and suddenly his life feels complete. They begin a passionate affair and, in Claire, Charlie feels he has found his reason for living. But when Owen returns it seems suddenly that the past is destined to threaten both brothers' future...