Reputation

Jess's beloved husband dies after a long illness, leaving her to raise two sons. The executor of his estate, Frank Everett, arrives to offer comfort and becomes a steady presence in her life. This event sets the emotional tone for the ensuing months.

Following her husband's death, Jess tries to reconnect with friends, hoping for normalcy. She finds that the social circle reminds her of what she has lost, making gatherings feel hollow. The grief subtly reshapes her relationships.

George Van Orman, an old friend, forces himself on Jess. She firmly rejects his advances and makes her boundaries clear. The incident heightens her wariness of male attention during her period of grieving.

Seeking support, Jess visits her friend Ginna Abbott and joins Ginna and her husband Cary on a vacation to Lake Tahoe. The trip provides a respite from grief and a chance to reorient emotionally. The scenery and companionship help her begin to heal.

During the Tahoe trip, Jess is lost with a broken ski and is helped back to the Abbotts' lodge by Major Scott Landis. They start to get acquainted, though Jess initially resists any romantic connection. This encounter plants the seed of a complicated attraction.

Back at the Abbotts' lodge or after returning home, Jess spurns Scott's advances and tells him to leave, keeping the relationship strictly platonic for the moment. Scott respects her boundaries but continues to be a presence in her life. The friction between them deepens the underlying tension.

Back in Lake Forest, Jess learns that Scott has been seen at a local club, prompting her to seek him out. She discovers he is stationed in Chicago and is waiting for military orders, yet he withholds his upcoming deployment from her. The discovery complicates their growing feelings.

Gossip spreads among Jess's circle, including George's wife Riette, fueling tension and rumor. Jess's mother Mary confronts Scott on Christmas Eve, forcing a clash between family loyalty and romance.

Despite earlier platonic boundaries, Jess's feelings for Scott begin to soften as the gossip continues. She starts to reciprocate his affection, finding in him a potential partner who understands her grief. The dynamic shifts from caution to cautious hope.

On New Year's Eve, Jess confronts the gossipers at a party, defending her choices and asserting her independence. Riette expresses disapproval, while Jess denies any wrongdoing and stands her ground.

After Jess tells Scott that she loves him, he reveals that he must report to New York the next day for another overseas assignment. They decide to meet at the train platform, hoping for a last moment together.

In the early morning, Keith and Kim flee to their grandmother Mary's house, fearing news of the rumored relationship. Jess reassures them that she can love them and also love Scott in the future.

Jess hurries to the train platform to meet Scott, but decides she cannot accompany him because the boys are too young to understand. Scott declines to delay his duty, asking her to wait for his return as he departs on the train.