Alone in Grayton Beach, Dean Lynch recalled; at long range, her
marriage to Ben had been the perfect religious creed. The
amenable preacher’s wife, who had stood by her over ambitious, nagging and overbearing husband, Rev. Ben Lynch, – through ascending the gradational dynasty steps of the United Methodist Church structure – with undeserving loyalty. Yet, there had been fateful turns against the tide in their
marriage following their transfer to a bigger church in Crystal Spring, Florida.
Upon their arrival, Dean had immediately made unforeseen life changing acquaintance with the Holderfields (Augusta, Maddox and their son) – the very relationship that soon uncovered some startling fouls. Shortly after a fatal accident that snuffed out Augusta’s life, while she had made to run away with an esteemed Preacher she had been obsessed with since her teenage years, the one who also had her untimely deflowered. Dean had paid some sympathetic visits to console Maddox and also trials to ease the maternal slacks in his brooding son. Inadvertently, Dean had turned out the needy one – in light of Ben’s selfish and impassable attitude – and had found “cuddling nest” with Maddox, who had taken the advantage of Ben’s detachment and with an intent he had repeatedly shown he is much more sensitive to Dean’s needs than Ben.
At first, Dean had been reluctant after a sudden kiss and stern
confession from Maddox – of his undying love. But then, Ben had been Dean’s despair, having frustrated several attempts proposed by Dean to rekindle the torch in their marriage. Presently, Dean had gotten into her stride in secret meetings with Maddox. And before she could shake it, there, was an envious discoverer, which had tried often for Maddox’s love, and then the whole of news-mongering Crystal Spring.
Ben had taken it very badly, and then Dean had to go. Maddox had also turned her down in connection with his discovery of Dean’s treason to hide Augusta’s last letter of confession, on the day she took her lasting journey, from him.
Back in Grayton Beach, about when Dean began to recede into desperation, Maddox reappeared and assured her he understood her kind intention.
And there and then, they made the pact of their future.