by Bree Cariad
“Yeah. Maybe that means he wants to beat his wife,” Kayla replied. “Maybe you’re getting off easy.”
“Zachary isn’t the beating type. He’s a very nice man. Why Hyacinth?”
About to go down and tell the woman that Hyacinth was not so bad, DeLynn paused when she heard the name Zachary. Were they talking about Zachary Styles? Was he moving to Hyacinth? Her heartbeat sped up as a little hope bloomed in her chest. If he moved there, then maybe…Shaking her head at her ruminations, she grasped the rail again and started down the stairs.
“Has he bought the house yet? He seems to be the type to want a house before he takes a wife. Maybe he thinks he’s doing a nice thing and not realizing just what it means to live in such a backwater town.”
Anger bloomed in DeLynn’s chest. Hyacinth wasn’t a horrible place. How dare they! The stairwell was in four sections and she had just traversed the second when she heard a deep voice that made her spine tingle.
“Hello, Karen, Kayla. How are you doing today?”
Pausing at his wonderful voice, DeLynn knew that listening to their conversation was wrong but she wanted to know if this was who they were talking about.
“I’m good,” Kayla responded. “Karen says you’re moving to Hyacinth?”
His warm chuckle resounded up the stairwell. “I’ve made an offer on a house but haven’t heard back yet. It will be nice to own rather than rent.”
“But there are some wonderful homes available in Longdale or even to the east in Mikenden. Why would you want to live an hour away in such a provincial town?” Karen asked, her tone a bit miffed.
“Karen, Hyacinth is not provincial in any way. They have very traditional values, which I find charming. The people I have met have been welcoming and they are an incredibly educated community. There is nothing rustic about them.”
“Except their views on women,” she responded in an intense acerbic tone.
“The Hyacinth way is not for everyone,” he agreed. “But don’t think that women are second-class citizens. They aren’t. The ladies in Hyacinth choose to follow a very traditional lifestyle where the man is the head of the house, but that doesn’t mean they are relegated to anything they do not desire. They have careers, make a difference. And the couples I’ve met are close, incredibly close. Maybe you should go there and check it out, Karen,” he added gently.
“No, thank you. The last thing I need is a man who wants to beat me. I need to get back to work.” Heels clacked on the stairs and DeLynn realized she was in danger of being caught listening. Figuring there was no way around it, she continued on her way, soon coming upon the woman who had first shown her and Chrissa around the school. Her eyes met DeLynn’s and she straightened up. “Tell me. What do you think of Hyacinth’s old-fashioned views?” she asked loudly, no doubt wanting herself heard.
Staring at the woman next to her, DeLynn drew herself up to her tallest and answered. “We aren’t provincial or backward, Karen. Men don’t beat their wives or children. Discipline is something we live by and we do believe that there should be a set order to things. It’s unkind to speak of something you don’t understand.” Turning away, she continued down the stairs, Karen gawking at her. At the bottom of the fourth set of stairs stood Zachary next to a short, rounded woman with thick glasses.
“I apologize, DeLynn,” he said kindly. “Many people don’t understand the Hyacinth way.”
“Obviously,” she replied tersely, annoyed, angry, and wanting to go home and sulk. Was this how people truly saw Hyacinth? Did they think she was an abused woman? “What activity will be today?”
Kayla watched them, almost hungrily, and DeLynn felt she would probably gossip about whatever she overheard. Zach must have gotten the same impression. “I was just about to start getting things ready,” he said, turning toward the chapel doors. “Would you like to help?”
Nodding, she followed him, glad when he shut the doors behind them, blocking off Kayla who was still watching them.
“I apologize that you had to overhear that,” Zachary said, walking over to his office and unlocking the door.
“Does everyone think Hyacinth is so bad?” she asked, slowly following him inside.
“Depends on who you talk to. Most people don’t understand the concept that discipline can be positive,” he admitted, leaning back against his desk. “I’ll admit, I was inclined to think adversely about your wonderful little town until my mentor told me to go check it out for myself. I spent a summer there and it changed my opinion incredibly.”
“You spent a summer in Hyacinth?” she asked, sliding into one of his chairs.
“Yes, between my bachelors and masters programs.” Moving over, he took the chair next to hers. “I worked with the leaders of three of your churches, volunteering, getting to know more about how things worked from their side and at the same time, learning about loving discipline and the Hyacinth way of life. It—” He paused and then looked her right in the eyes. “You have a rare gift in that town, DeLynn. Yes, people have troubles, but the couples I met were more in love and more on purpose than anyone I’d ever met before. Over the last four years, I’ve realized I want that more than I’ve wanted anything else. To have a wife who is as dedicated as I am, who will support me as I support her, and who will trust me as her head of house.”
“All the girls in their courting year will be thrilled there’s a new eligible man in town,” she said, trying to inject pleasure into her tone. The fact was, she figured he would overlook her once he saw the fresh eighteen year olds come next Memorial Day Picnic.
Snorting, he grinned and shook his head. “That’s a scary concept. I’m used to being overlooked except in my job as chaplain.”
“Why? I mean you’re a really nice guy and good looking, too. I’d think tons of girls would be after you.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she slammed her hand over it and stared at him in horror as her cheeks filled with heat.
His eyes warmed. “Thank you, DeLynn. So…can you tell me how this courting thing works?” Leaning back in his chair, he hooked his elbow over the side and turned, facing her.
“Well…” She started out slowly, not sure how much he knew or surmised, but every time she paused, he asked another question and before she knew it, she had described the entire courting ritual. “And Memorial Day is big in Hyacinth,” she added. “It’s like the beginning of the official courting season. All the new courtable girls are out in droves as well as the men who have announced their intention to court. It’s fun. Which house are you trying to buy?” she asked, wanting to keep talking to him.
“The real estate agent wasn’t sure if it was officially in Hyacinth or Hins Creek. It’s a two-bedroom cottage on five acres. Surrounded by trees and incredibly quiet.”
“One of my best friends lives in Hins Creek with her husband. Well, she’s lived there since she moved in seven years ago. She loves it there. But Hyacinth’s wonderful, too.”
“Zach?” The interruption made her jump and startled she looked up to find one of her fellow students at the door to his office. Standing about five feet, five inches tall, the girl was pretty with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair and bright blue eyes.
He turned and smiled at the newcomer. “Heather, are you ready to decorate?”
“Maybe,” the redhead said cautiously. “Just don’t put me on a ladder.”
Laughing, he nodded. “As if I would forget. Heather, have you met DeLynn? She’s new this year.”
“Hi!” Heather said with a welcoming grin, walking forward with her hand held out. DeLynn shook it. “I’m a sophomore. Will graduate with my associates in June and then I’m transferring to UW. Do you know what you want to study yet?”
“No,” DeLynn admitted. “Not yet.”
“I don’t know yet either.” Heather laughed. “I have to declare a major when I fill out my transfer application and I still don’t know what I want to major in.”
“I told you this would happen,” Zach said in
a teasing voice and she stuck her tongue out at him making him laugh.
“Zach’s kind of like an annoying older brother,” Heather explained as DeLynn watched their exchange. “Emphasis on annoying,” she added with a giggle. “Have you joined any groups on campus?” she asked, taking the seat Zach vacated as he stood up and walked around his desk.
“No. I’m still finding my way around. And I live an hour away so getting involved isn’t easy.”
“What days are you on campus?”
And just like that, DeLynn made a friend. Heather was outgoing and in many ways a lot like Chrissa and Deeka, only a lot more worldly. Nobody else showed up so it was just the three of them. Zach had volunteered them to help set up for a wedding at a nearby church and as they wrapped flowers and prepared the space, she got to know her new friend pretty well.
“Of course, I don’t think I’ll be dating Brian much longer,” Heather said as they decorated the altar. “He’s horrible in bed.”
Startled, DeLynn stared at her in surprise.
Zach cleared his throat. “Heather, DeLynn’s from Hyacinth.”
“Oh! So you’re a virgin?” Heather asked, as if this was normal conversation.
“Yes.”
“Good for you. I mean, I couldn’t have done it, but I have respect for the girls who do. And I know Zach does, too,” Heather added with a strange grin. To DeLynn’s surprise, he actually looked a little embarrassed and walked away. Leaning in, she whispered, “Do you like him?”
“Like who?” DeLynn whispered back.
“Zachary.”
Blushing, DeLynn didn’t know what to say.
“Good. He needs a good girl and I think he likes you. And once he moves to Hyacinth you’ll be in shouting distance of one another,” she added with a giggle. “Dangit! Why won’t this work?” Heather exclaimed, watching the roses she has just painstakingly set up, fall off the altar.
They got the room decorated by four and DeLynn thought it looked lovely. She would have enjoyed it if she was the bride.
“Thanks for your help,” Zach said, as he walked her back to her vehicle after Heather split for a meeting she was late for. “These kinds of activities tend to draw less involvement, but I find them uplifting.”
“It was fun. I should be able to help out most Fridays at least through Thanksgiving. I’m using my step-dad’s truck, so as long as he doesn’t need it, I can use it.”
“Who’s your step-father?” he asked once they reached her truck.
“Barrett Williams?”
“I don’t believe I’ve met him before. I’ve heard there’s a town council meeting every two weeks. Maybe I should drop in at one and start finding a bit more about my future town.”
“When will you find out about the house?”
“I gave them two weeks, so they have to give me their answer soon or the offer expires.”
“Good luck.” He opened the door of her truck and closed it once she hopped in. As she pulled out of the parking lot, he waved before heading toward the administration building. Remembering what Heather had said, she crossed her fingers that her new friend was right and that Zachary Styles liked her. Maybe she shouldn’t give up on courting just yet.
The next couple weeks sailed by and while she only saw Zachary once a week, it was definitely a highlight. However, once mid-terms hit, schoolwork ratcheted up as DeLynn realized there were only a few weeks left in the term and she still had so much to do. Chrissa was having fun doing the social side of college and wasn’t too interested in studying beyond what she absolutely had to, so on Tuesdays and Thursdays DeLynn took the bus to Longdale Community College to be able to use the library.
It wasn’t until Thanksgiving week came that she realized she hadn’t seen Zach since mid-terms. Her studies had become so important that instead of going to activities, she had spent her time in the library. As she had a steady A in every class, she knew her work was paying off, but she hoped come winter term that she would have more time to see him.
“So, what are you going to do on Wednesday?” Chrissa asked on their way home from school on Monday.
“School, what else?” DeLynn giggled. “Oh, and I need to help Mom start Thanksgiving prep.”
“Come on!” Chrissa said with a small whine. “Nobody’s going to school on Wednesday.”
“What do you mean? Professor Karr said to expect a quiz.”
“Only you,” she said in a derisive tone, shaking her head. “Well, I’m not going. A few girls I’ve gotten to know are going skiing this weekend and invited me along. We leave tomorrow night. So, you’ll have to find a ride.”
“All right,” DeLynn answered quietly. It had seemed over the last few weeks that Chrissa’s new friends had taken a huge chunk of her time. She was always going out to do things with them. Thankfully the blue hair was gone, but there was a hard side coming out in her friend she wasn’t sure about. She was caustic and there was a waspishness to her tone that was just so wrong. Sure, Chrissa had always had foot-in-mouth syndrome, but she’d never done it meanly. Now, it felt like every horrible thing she said was with intent. After term was out, Deeka had mentioned she wanted the three of them to get together. DeLynn hoped their married friend could help her figure out what was going on. She was half afraid to wake up one day and find out that Chrissa had turned into a completely different person.
The rest of the ride was filled with chatter from the radio and when DeLynn stepped out of the car, she didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye before Chrissa took off. The house was quiet as she stepped inside which was never a good sign. “Hello?” she called out.
“In here, DeLynn,” Barrett called back from the kitchen.
She followed his voice and grinned as she spotted him in front of the stove with one pot steaming in front him. While DeLynn knew that he and Deeka had traded cooking duties, it was still strange to see him in her mother’s kitchen. “Hi, Barrett. Where is everyone?”
“Your mom isn’t feeling well so I sent her up to bed and your siblings are studying and staying quiet so she can rest. Will you get some bowls out for me?”
As she set the table, her mind went over everything going on.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently and she looked up startled to find him standing next to her with a concerned look on his face. “You look worried about something.”
“Chrissa,” she admitted.
“Ah. She’s always been one to take the hard path.”
“I know, but I hoped college would settle her somehow. Instead, she seems wilder…and meaner,” she added quietly.
His hands rested gently on her shoulders. “Go and get your siblings for me. They can eat in here. Why don’t you and I go into my study?”
Relieved because she could talk to Barrett in ways she couldn’t talk to her mother, DeLynn nodded and rushed out of the kitchen. Once they got the four settled at the table, they carried their bowls into his study and he shut the door. Instead of sitting behind his desk, he took the seat next to hers. “Talk to me,” he offered as they began to eat.
In many ways it was like being a teenager again over at Deeka’s house. DeLynn had always felt comfortable talking to her friend’s father and since he had married her mother, their relationship had become closer. Sometimes he truly felt like a father to her.
“There’s just so much going on,” she admitted. “School’s tough, tougher than I expected, but I do enjoy my studies. I’ve been so busy studying though, that I haven’t had time to go do anything else. Chrissa does everything but study and on the way home tonight…” She took a bite of salad and shrugged. “It felt like she was putting me down because I’m going to class on Wednesday. In some ways I wish I could be a little more light-hearted about school so I could do things like meet new friends and hang out with people, but that’s not who I am.”
“No,” he agreed. “You’ve always been the sensible one. Your mother won’t be happy with this suggestion, but I’m going to put it out there anyway. Have
you considered staying on campus next term? That way you wouldn’t have to drive to and from. Maybe you could find more time to have a life outside of study.”
She took a sip of water while she thought about it. “Live on campus? I hadn’t thought about it.” It was scary. Living an hour away, with other people she didn’t know.
“It’s just something to think about. Going to college and living in the dorms is a unique experience.” He paused as they ate in silence for a few minutes. “How are things with the chaplain?”
Grinning because leave it up to Barrett to actually remember what she had mentioned, she shrugged. “I haven’t seen much of him to be honest. I’ve been studying so hard.”
His eyes softened. “Honey, don’t study so hard you miss out on life. Yes, your studies are important, but you also need to make friends, enjoy yourself, and open your eyes to new ventures.”
“I’m caught between two worlds, Barrett,” she admitted. “The life I grew up with, values I believe in, and this new life that is so foreign to me.” Without thinking about it, she launched into the tale about Karen and her derision about Hyacinth and Hyacinth women. “Zachary tried to set her straight but it was obvious she thought we were all a bunch of stupid, abused women. I didn’t know how to defend myself against that.”
“And you shouldn’t have to,” he said firmly. “People are afraid of what they don’t understand and discipline is something far too many people equate with abuse. It isn’t. You know it and I know it. Now, if some man tried to hit you without the right or the correct reasoning behind it? It would be abuse and he would find himself at the wrong end of my gun so fast he wouldn’t know what hit him. But wanting a relationship where you feel safe letting someone else lead and feel comforted and loved when he helps you? DeLynn, you’re giving him as much of a gift as he is giving you. Being with your mother has been a wonderful thing for me. While Deeka accepted my discipline, it’s different. Having your mother welcome my discipline as her husband? I can’t even explain how amazing that is. And one day,” he said quietly, placing his hand on her arm, “you’re going to find an amazing man you want to lean on that way. You deserve the best, DeLynn. Don’t even sell yourself short.”