Suddenly [abridged]

In the idyllic small town of Tucker, Vermont, life flows at a rhythmic pace for pediatrician Paige Pfeiffer. But when Mara O'Neill, her best friend and medical partner, inexplicably kills herself, Paige's comfortable world is suddenly shattered. Temporarily caring for Mara's newly adopted baby daughter while she comes to grips with her grief, Paige clings to the hope that, in time, her orderly life will return.

What she hadn't counted on were the unforeseen joys that often come with change, including the attentions of Noah Perrine, acting head of the private school where Paige coaches girls' athletics. Noah fills Paige's life with hope, and offers her things she never thought she wanted. Paige never expected to find the meaning of life in the death of a friend.