An ambitious smalltown girl, unlucky in love, is called back home from New York City upon inheriting her eccentric aunt's estate, but the will is fraught with off-the-wall clauses involving work, family, and having to find a husband by next year.

Fun-loving and spontaneous artist Willow West meets buttoned-up, retired English teacher George Emerson and makes it her mission to loosen George up and teach him to embrace life.