Henry Kitteridge, the pharmacist of the town of Crosby, reflects back on a time when he employed the timid newlywed Denise Thibodeau.

Denise's husband is also named Henry and Henry Kitteridge feels affection for Denise, whose personality he finds similar to his own, and her husband who bears his name.

When Denise's husband dies in a freak hunting accident Henry takes Denise under his wing and tries to help her rebuild her life.

The two have an emotional affair and Henry daydreams of taking care of Denise though he still loves his cantankerous wife Olive and can't conceive of leaving her.

Jerry McCarthy, the delivery boy who is slightly younger than Denise, eventually proposes to her and Henry urges her to accept.

Denise and Jerry move to Texas and do not appear to have a good marriage.

Denise maintains contact with Henry through a yearly birthday letter. Receiving a letter from her decades later, Henry notes that Denise has finally signed "love".