Page 34 of The Guardian's Promise

“Jesse, my brother!” Ari beamed, clasping the man in a hug before kissing each cheek.

Ari was a tall man, but Jesse towered over him. His shoulders were much wider than Ari’s, but his arms weren’t as muscular. The color of their hair was the same silky straight strands, although Jesse’s curled at his shoulders. Ari’s barely brushed his. Where Ari’s chin was clean-shaven, Jesse wore his beard in the same fashion as Ari’s father and uncles. Their eyes were the same shade, their noses the same aquiline. And their smiles were identical, like Anna’s. She looked to Jacob, and then to Anna and wondered how these two average people could produce giants.

“I see I have frightened our guest,” Jesse said. “Look, I’ve brought another guest.” He motioned his hand toward the opening. Her cousin stood in the entrance.

It was then Mira had noticed all eyes were on her and Joash, who squirmed within her arms.

She released him and he rushed forward giving Tama a quick hug before darting toward the men. Mira rose from where they had knelt. “Tama, you are well? What of my mother and father?” She pulled her cousin close.

“Ay, I am, as are your parents. It is glad I am to see you two alive,” Tama returned. Her gaze fell to Joash and she smiled. “And you, what a brave boy you are.”

Joash tugged on her hand and pulled her to a bench where he proceeded to tell her of his adventures.

“Jesse,” Ari said, sauntering to Mira’s side and taking her hand. “This is Mira, the daughter of my master. Tama’s cousin. Her protection of the child is fierce.”

She took great comfort in Ari’s presence. The warmth of his touch. The mint leaves that seemed to belong to him. She bit her tongue against any wayward speech that might threaten to spill from her mouth. The mention of her father, not knowing if he was truly well, the idea of Ari, this priest, as a bond servant left vinegar churning in her stomach.

“A pleasure.” Jesse bowed to her. She returned the gesture.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lydia mop the spilled water. Mira made a sound of distress and pulled her hand from Ari’s.

“My forgiveness.” She knelt beside the girl and took the cloth from her. “Allow me.”

“It is no matter,” Lydia returned. “I have often spilled a jug.”

“Or two,” Jesse teased. The young girl’s cheeks turned rosy.

“Jesse,” Anna called. “Leave the child be. She is coming along nicely. She’ll make some man a wonderful wife one day.”

“Let us not be hasty, Anna,” Ishiah spoke.

Mira rose with the dripping rag. She glanced around, unsure where to place it. Anna pointed her in the direction of an ornate blue hand-painted bowl, the same used to wash their feet when they had entered this cozy, dark cavern. From all that she had seen they were a very loving family. Not what she had expected from a long line of men dedicated to carry out God’s edicts.

She had expected...what? Less love, more sternness? It was a pleasant surprise even if a double-edged sword, for it was something she would never be a part of. Not that her family wasn’t loving. They were very much so, except for the occasional spat with Rubiel.

“Abba, you’ll have to let her go sometime,” Jesse answered.

“But only when she is ready, is that not right, Elam?” Ishiah turned the conversation to his brother. “You have been blessed with a quiver of daughters and not one remains.”

“And you’ve been blessed with a quiver of sons and have gained only two daughters beside your own.” Elam took a sip from his cup.

Mira found the talk of marriages disturbing. A son took a wife and brought her home to his parents. The reminder was like a seal upon an earthen jug. Ari would never be free to leave his family. Just as she would never be free to leave hers. And now that she fully understood that Ari’s constant help with her chores didn’t grow from pity but from a sincere kindness in his heart, now that she knew the sensation of his hand, she’d never be able to marry another. Not for love.

“Tell me, brother, how was it serving your master?”

Guilt gnawed at her insides. Her father had never treated him badly. But she had, not as unkindly as Rubiel, but she’d been unkind nonetheless.

Ari laughed, sending a thrill of awareness to her toes. “It was more blessing than anything. The Lord’s plans are much greater than anything I could have fathomed. As we will all see in due time.”

His dark eyes forced their way into her soul. It was as if he were conveying a message to her. A message she wanted to reject wholeheartedly. Except for that one little piece that caused her heart to soar to the heavens. Surely, Ari knew the impossibility of their match. For he would never give up his ambitions. And she would never ask him to.

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