cary scott is a rich widow. her social life is dull. it centers on her two adult children, her country club friends, and a couple of men with romantic hopes. she falls in love with young landscape designer ron kirby. he is her social inferior. he proposes and she says yes. her children and friends disapprove. because of this, cary ends the relationship with ron. cary returns to her lonely life. she sees other women getting engaged and living lives of happiness. she finds the courage to defy social norms and commits to loving ron.