Flint Kirkland: A nature photographer who lives in the mountain community of Belden. He is very reclusive, due to the deep scar running from his temple to his nose which resulted in the loss his eye -- the empty socket covered by an eye patch. He has no friends, preferring his own company and that of his dog, Tank, to having to deal with people he believes either pity him or look at him with disgust. Ryan Hartman: He left Belden to seek 'fame and fortune' as a costume designer. It didn't work out so, ten years later, he's returned to town to work at the family restaurant. The two men meet during Oktoberfest. There is a mutual attraction which Flint fights, not believing Ryan can be interested in him, as damaged as he is. Ryan prevails; inviting Flint to go out for coffee one evening after the festival closes for the day. As they begin to learn more about each other, can Flint trust him when Ryan says his outer appearance doesn't matter to him? It's the man behind it he cares about. Very slowly, Flint begins to, because he's fallen for Ryan, as much as he knows he shouldn't have. All Flint has to do to start believing in his own worth as a man -- and in the possibility of love with all it entails.