Esther Downing, 29, lives contentedly as a single woman with a part-time computer research business and a job at the library. Yet Esther has a problem. Her younger sister Rachel has fallen in love and their father, like Old Testament Laban, believes the oldest daughter should marry before granting his youngest’s hand in marriage. Though the sisters try to persuade him his belief is outdated, he challenges their faith. As staunch Christians, they have struck a brick wall—their father.

Esther feels guilty, but is determined not to marry unless it is God’s will. She looks for acceptable ways to change her father’s thinking and reminds him that his rule is not part of the ten commandments. But honoring parents is she’s always respected God’s Word.

Esther is oblivious to Ian Barry’s interest in her. He’s an employee at Bay Breeze Resort and a visitor to the library. As he refurbishes a sailboat and works on various projects for the resort, he frequents the library and has developed a friendship with Esther. But in truth, Ian has been attracted to Esther for months, yet struggles with rejections from his past. Ian was a "nerd," and he cannot forget the brush-offs of his past. He was even rebuffed by the woman married to his boss.

Bay Breeze Resort’s owner, Philip Somerville asks Ian to research adding a fleet of charter boats to the resort. The task is perfect with Ian’s interest, and Ian sees God at work again. Needing to research gives him a legitimate reason to spend time with Esther who’s become standoffish.

Esther’s sister, Rachel, deals with fiancé Jeff who insists they elope and seek her father’s forgiveness later. Rachel stands firm but, hearing Jeff’s suggestion of another tactic, agrees to help find a husband for her elder sister. Esther is invited to a variety of contrived activities by her sister and is thrust into the company of a variety of unappealing men until Esther is taken under Ian’s wing.

To achieve his goal, Ian formulates a plan. If he and Esther spend time together, Rachel will think they are dating. Esther has also become attracted to Ian, but fears his love for sailing. When she was younger, a favorite uncle was drowned in a sailing accident. Losing him and watching her aunt’s grief has left Esther with negative feelings. Still, finding Ian’s charade a good solution, Esther agrees and controls her emotions.

As their masquerade continues, they escalate the appearance of their relationship to avoid suspicion. Hand-holding grows to kissing, and Esther even enjoys a sailing experience. Yet Esther faces two problems. First, she feels guilty, knowing she is lying to her sister. Second, Esther’s emotions are no longer a pretense. She is falling in love with Ian. Not realizing that Esther has amorous feelings toward him, Ian struggles with his own guilt, knowing that he duped Esther into this dishonest masquerade. Deceit being a sin, the deception lays on both their hearts.

Esther decides to drop the charade and confronts Rachel with the truth. Sorry for her deceit, Rachel promises to stop her matchmaking, facing she can’t force her sister’s will nor God’s. When Rachel tells Jeffrey they must give the Lord their problem, he’s angry. A wall rises between them, and Rachel returns Jeffrey’s ring. This causes stress between Rachel and Esther. As well, Esther feels anger toward her father who created the situation from the beginning.

Devastated by Rachel’s shattered engagement, Esther blames Ian for the idea. Hurt, Ian walks away, unable to handle her rejection. He can’t tell her know his true feelings.

While Jeffrey begs Rachel for forgiveness, she turns to Esther who admits her own guilt and need for forgiveness, not only with Rachel, but with Ian. The conversation brings peace and love to the sisters. Together they go to their father, and he admits longing to see both his daughter’s happily married so he has used God’s Word hoping they would both find husbands. He asks their forgiveness and gives Rachel permission to marry. After talking with Jeff, she accepts the ring.

Esther admits her part in the charade and wants to apologize to Ian, but she learns he has gone sailing with a storm brewing, Esther’s deepest fears flares. She hurries to the marina as the storm breaks. She waits until Rachel and Jeff drag her from the marina. Ian, meanwhile, fights the raging storm in his small cutter. Jeff contacts the coast guard with no news.

Ian is nearly swept over board and asks God to calm the water. He finally heaves to and goes below to wait out the storm or drown. When the storm quiets and the wind dies down, Ian calls the coast guard and Esther hears the news. Learning when he should be back, she heads for the marina only to find the boat tied up and Ian gone, but he appears from the marina, and they declare their love and forgiveness. Ian proposes.

Epilogue - A double wedding and the two couples are married with their earthy father and Heavenly Father’s blessings.