Alyx Ivey Spencer, a high school English teacher, lives in the small town of Dexter, Montana. She loves her easy-going life, but one complication is her crush on Wil Granger. A former Hotshot firefighter from Indiana, he's preoccupied with becoming a Smokejumper. He isn't interested in anything more than a few casual dates.

To impress Wil and gain his serious attention, Alyx reaches out to Mr. Sherman, a retired teacher and former Smokejumper from the 1960's. She hopes to learn all she can from him about jumping from planes and putting out forest fires in remote wilderness areas.

It isn't until Alyx has a close call with a forest fire that Wil gives her his undivided attention. His firefighting skills and concern for her safety draw them closer together. When Mr. Sherman hears of the fire incident, he welcomes both Alyx and Wil into his inner circle.

They enjoy the old jumper's company and are fascinated by his smokejumping stories. But when Mr. Sherman involves them in his eccentric plans for the future, they question his motives. If they agree to help him fulfill his dream, their own plans for the future will be altered forever.