A Land Remembered: Zech and Glenda

 I have chosen to focus on the relationship between Zech and Glenda for this post. I really love romance and drama, and this relationship has plenty of both. Zech is the son of Emma and Tobias. He is the main character in the second generation of the book. It is important to keep in mind that Zech lived a fairly secluded life in the woods and had no real dating experience up to this point. Zech met Glenda Turner at a Christmas frolic, and was smitten with her.  They rode Zech's horse together, and he introduced her to his beloved dogs that sadly passes not long after this encounter. I believe that Zech was experiencing his "first love" stage, and was very much in the puppy love phase. He talks a lot about Glenda and her beauty and flowery smell. It seemed to me that Zech thought Glenda was too good for him. He makes a lot of comments on her beauty, but not much about their personalities meshing. He also wonders why Glenda - such a beautiful girl - would choose him of all people. In the meantime of sorting all of his feelings for Glenda, he meets Towanda. She is a beautiful Seminole girl, and their romance flows seamlessly. At one point when Zech is ready for bed, he literally say out-loud how he missed Towanda and wished she was there with him. His feelings for Towanda and his constant desire for her complicates things. After meeting Towanda, Zech meets back up with Glenda who has been in Jacksonville for school. They dance and talk, and by the end of they night they are engaged. Glenda and Zech were married, and everything was flowing seamlessly. Glenda wanted to prove that she could be a MacIvey and a hard worker, so she helped around the house and did everything Emma did. I believe that Glenda truly loves Zech despite his self doubt. By the end of Chapter 25, we find out that Glenda is pregnant. Sadly, Glenda suffered a traumatic miscarriage during an ambush. Zech ran into Towanda not long after this incident and told her that he is now married and about the miscarriage. This did not matter to Towanda, she still wanted to be with Zech. They slept together and then Zech headed back home to his wife. He attempted to rationalize his decision to have an affair, but ultimately failed when he admitted that Glenda would not have cheated on him like he did her. I am excited to keep reading and see how their relationship turns out later in the book. Right now, this is more drama than a Real Housewives episode!

Reference: Smith, P. D. (2011). A land remembered. Pineapple Press.