Joe Stallings has woman trouble. Stacey, his pathologically controlling, unfaithful ex-wife, is stalking him. She wants revenge and is hurling threats. At the same time, he's trying to finish his PhD in applied genetics by analyzing an ancient skull, one of forty or fifty gleaned from a cave near Lovelock, Nevada.

Joe is determined to find out where the giant man came from and when he lived by researching the DNA. He joins forces with Penny Echeverria, assistant director of the Winnemucca Museum, to determine the ethnicity. As they work together, they fall in love. However, Penny harbors a terrible secret from her past that threatens their bond.

With just two goals in mind--earning his PhD and settling down and starting his own family--Joe journeys through life's challenges and joys. He gets involved with his boss, Hope, at his day job; she's in a bad relationship with her boyfriend. In addition, Joe must fend off an attacker intent on killing him.