Isobel Linehan is never going to have a normal life looking like a warmed-up cadaver with the dogs next door keeping her up every night, and neighbour, Findlay O'Connell, a writer with Asperger's, finds it a challenge fitting into the world, especially since the sudden demise of his parents.
When Isobel suffers an accident on his property, Findlay guiltily offers to take her in to convalesce; much to the relief of her selfish mother, Grace, who is far too busy in her undertaking of all things Parish-related and the coddling of Isobel's father.
Once in Findlay's home, Isobel begins to have peculiar visions as their relationship begins to subtly shift. In a brazen deception, Findlay pretends he is going to re-home the troublesome dogs, and in an attempt to win her over, Findlay takes Isobel to visit his Uncle Archie and Aunt Elena at the ancestral home in Scotland. After a few inexplicable happenings, Isobel and Findlay begin to find comfort in each other, however as they fall asleep in each other's arms, they wake the next morning to their horror in Findlay's ancestor's sixteenth century Scotland. Isobel, still recovering from her injury, must for once depend on Findlay's resourcefulness to keep them both alive, and finds herself needing him more and more. Findlay assumes full responsibility for Isobel's welfare as they attempt to avoid his ancestor, Alasdair Ciar MacLeod at all costs, however things are not going according to plan. Together with a troublesome rival clan, Laird Alasdair's mother, Elspeth is causing him grief with her dreams of a strange woman while the enchanting Rosamunde of the Woods sees danger for the laird in the flames of her fire and, given a chance to better herself, must deceive her cruel step-father while unwittingly catching the eye of Laird Alasdair himself.
Findlay's uncle and aunt uncover startling evidence that Findlay and Isobel were present during the sixteenth century and after a few ghostly sightings, enlist the help of rector, Angus to try to bring the young couple home, desperate to share a long-held family secret and help Findlay discover his true origins.