Heavens Before by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow

Author:Kacy Barnett-Gramckow [Barnett-Gramckow, Kacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8024-7996-9
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2004-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

ANNAH WAS aware of her sisters watching her—and Shem—all the way up the riverbank and through the trees. When they emerged from the shadows of the trees, she turned to watch their faces when they caught sight of the pen.

Haburah stared at the vast wooden structure without comment, her graceful profile unmoving, but Ayalah laughed. Haburah shoved her, snarling, “Shut up!”

“Don’t push me!” Ayalah snapped, aggrieved.

Annah bit her lip, her anxieties mounting. Her sisters weren’t even trying to be polite.

Turning to Shem, Annah saw his loathing. She tightened her fingers around his, urging him to look at her. When he glanced at her, Annah lifted her eyebrows, pleading silently: Don’t be angry. She needed him to be calm, to steady her own unsettled emotions. He smiled somberly, then lifted her hand, kissing her fingertips. Annah felt her sisters staring, fixated on his gesture of love. She doubted that K’nan was often tender with Ayalah, and knew that the best Haburah could expect was an occasional snort of condescending approval from Naham.

You’re furious with me now, Haburah, Annah thought. I can feel your rage. I think you want to tear my hair out.

By the time they reached the lodge, Noakh and Naomi were waiting in the doorway, their expressions formal and courteous. Noakh took the bundle of damp sheaths from Shem, saying, “I’ll put these in the storage room, my son, while you go wash.” As he spoke, Noakh gave Shem’s bare torso an oblique look, silently implying that Shem also should cover himself with a fresh tunic.

Shem nodded, but Annah knew he was reluctant to leave. She pressed his hand gently to reassure him. He responded by kissing her cheek and running a light hand over her bound hair before he left the main room. Again, he did not look at her sisters, but they watched him leave—Ayalah’s glance frankly appraising and admiring.

When her sisters turned toward her, Annah saw their unspoken accusations. She did not smile. This isn’t what you expected, is it, my sisters? You thought it would be amusing to come visit your nothing-creature sister, so you could laugh at her later. Instead you realize that I am happy here, and you are furious.

Reluctantly clearing her throat, Annah turned to Noakh and Naomi. “These are my sisters, Haburah, wife of Naham the Iron-breaker, and Ayalah, wife of K’nan, the tradesman.”

Noakh smiled at Haburah and Ayalah. “Welcome. Forgive me, but I’ll put these sheaths away before I sit down to visit with you.” He dropped the bundle of sheaths inside the storage room, then returned, pausing briefly to peer behind Methuwshelakh’s screen.

By Noakh’s quiet expression, Annah knew the ancient man was asleep. Please, let him stay asleep, Annah prayed. If Methuwshelakh met Haburah and Ayalah, he would probably mention the gold and tools Annah had brought from the lodge of the Tsaraph. Then her sisters would tell Yerakh. I would be dead by the end of the day, Annah thought, her stomach tightening.

“Daughter, please, come sit down,” Naomi said to Annah.

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