At its peak, Carolee Burns's celebrated career as a jazz pianist took her all over the world. Then, eighteen months ago, she dropped out of sight, emerging only occasionally to perform at a tiny suburban Seattle club.

Max Wolfe had seen her play in New York, but it's here at Bistro Brandy that Carolee Burns -- her music, her melancholy, her haunting face -- works an irresistible magic on him. Drawn to her sadness, compelled to know the reason for her sudden withdrawal from an apparently idyllic life, Max searches for answers to his questions...by going straight to the source.

Carolee won't talk about the ruin of her life: the crashing end to her once-happy marriage, the agonizing estrangement from a daughter who needs her now more than ever, her ex-husband's vindictive behavior. Hiding herself away from everything and everyone has seemed the best way to regroup.

But when Max becomes involved in her life, Carolee must confront the consequences of allowing love back into her world -- and deal with secrets that jeopardize her fragile hold on happiness.