Margaret Tate Is a executive editor in chief of a book of a publishing company. After learning she is about to be deported to Canada because of an expired Visa , she persuades her assistant , Andrew Paxton , to marry her . Mr Gilbertson , a U.S. immigration agent , informs them that he suspects they are committing fraud to avoid Margaret's deportation . Gilbertson tells them that they'll be asked question about each other separately . if their answers don't match , Margaret will be deported to Canada and Andrew will be convicted of a felony punishable by a $250.000 fine and five years in prison . Andrew insists that Margaret make him an editor after their marriage and publish his book . Margaret agrees.
The Couples travels to Sitka , Alaska , Andrew's home town , to meet his family . Margaret meets andrew's mother Grace Paxton and Grandmother Annie A.K.A " Grammy" . During the trip to the family home , Margaret notices that nearly every shop in town carries the name Paxton and learns that Andrew's family is in fact very wealthy . During a welcome home party , Andrew confronts his father , Joe Paxton , Who's angry about andrew's dating the boss he has so long disliked and thinks he is using her to get ahead in his career . After their argument , Andrew announces the engagement to everyone . Margaret also meets Gertrude , Andrew's ex- girlfriend . After the party is over Grace and Grammy show Margaret and Andrew the bedroom they will share during the weekend .
The Next Day , Grace and Annie take Margaret to a local bar to watch a strip dance by a locally famous but over - the -hill exotic dancer , Ramone stepping away from the show , Margaret learns from Gertrude that Andrew wanted to become a editor and make his own life and that Andrew had proposed to Gertrude . However , Gertrude refused because she didn't want to leave Sitka for New York . Returning Home , Margaret learns of the conflict between Andrew and Joe . That night , Margaret asks Andrew about this relationships with his father , but Andrew refuses to talk . instead , Margaret opens up to Andrew.
The Next Day , the family convinces them to marry while they're in Sitka . After Margaret realizes how close Andrew ' s family is , she becomes upset , gets on Andrew's boat , and speeds away from town with him . She tells him she has been alone since she was sixteen years old after her parents died and had forgotten what it felt like to have a family . She lets go of the helm and stumbles to the back of the boat . Andrew makes a sharp turn to avoid hitting a bouy , and Margaret falls out of the boat . Andrew quickly turns the boat around and saves her . At the wedding ceremony , Margaret confesses the truth about the wedding to the guest , including Gilbertson , who informs her she has twenty four hours to leave for Canada . Margaret returns to the Paxton home to pack her things . Andrew rushes to their room only to find Margaret has already left , leaving his book manuscript with a note of praise and a promise to publish it . Gertrude attempts to comfort Andrew and asks if he is going to go after her . As he rushes out of the house to find Margaret , another argument arises between him and Joe . Annie fakes a heart - attack and convinces them to reconcile before she "passes away " Annie admits faking the heart - attack . Andrew 's parents realizes he really loves Margaret . Andrew goes to New York and tells Margaret he loves her in front of the entire office staff . They kiss and then go to Gilbertson and inform him they are again engaged , but for real this time .
" The End "
