Charleston, South Carolina, bustled with the excitement of military life in the eighties. A vast difference to the small farming community left behind. The small Midwest town stagnated by a recession, Tom Clearwater reenlists in the U.S. Navy. His young wife Terri and son Thomas join him to his new station in Charleston. A beautiful city full of scenic views of the ocean and warm inviting weather, Terri is mesmerized by the South's allure and hospitality. Young and impressionable, Terri Clearwater's chance encounter with one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the city, leads her on a journey that spans twenty-five years. Her many adventures lead her back to him and the unconditional love and solace he offers. Through age and maturity, Terri learns the unshielded truth and the evils of greed and putting money above all else, eventually finding love, and the true value of family, dreams, and life.