Sam d'Bear, a big Newfoundland dog, comes into David Montgomery's life by accident and makes a home for himself. Sam seems to know when someone needs a friend, and his arrival creates both opportunities and problems for David. As their story unfolds, they are confronted by fires, snowstorms, and even a mountain lion. David is a local businessman and photographer who finds himself drawing the attention of two very different but extremely attractive women. Sharp Bateman, a lonely boy with a troubled past, becomes involved with two rebellious teenage girls who are setting fires around town. When David's house is set on fire, Sharp's only friend is David, who does not believe what everyone else assumes.