A brother's call for her immediate presence in Palm Springs draws Margot Madison-Cross from her beloved Chicago waterfront to California's uncompromising Mojave Desert. The only possible bright spot is the opportunity to see her niece Camille. Still, even before she leaves the comfort of her penthouse, Margot senses inexplicable danger, and fears the worst for her brother. Indeed, Margot quickly realizes she is ill-prepared for Graham's actual news, Camille's medical world, and the Mojave - including its inhabitants. And before she can deal with her brother and unpleasant family secrets, murder rears its ugly head in wind-battered Mojave County, putting her niece's safety and future in peril.

Margot needs to think and act fast. But a monumental sand storm, a cave-like Quonset hut, repercussions from past events, and a torrential rain storm conspire against her. All the while, Graham's horrible secret hangs over all their futures. And though Margot's enviable panorama of Lake Michigan's waterfront is worlds apart from her niece's kitchen-window desert view, the two women are inexorably bound by genealogy, medical connections, and most importantly - love. Nonetheless, so much of their worlds, relationships, and what Margot must do, is based upon lies of convenience.