Ruth by Heather B. Moore

Author:Heather B. Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical, novel, bible, scriptures, woman, Boaz, biblical, faith, courage, widow, book, story, LDS, mormon, religious
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2017-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Boaz

The woman named Ruth was afraid of him, Boaz realized. She was cowering on the ground, asking him not to be angry. What had these handmaidens told her about him? And then he realized she’d probably heard the interchange with Heber.

“I’m not angry with you,” he said, looking at the other women as well. “I’m not angry with any of you. One of my laborers has broken some rules, and we are trying to get a confession as to whom he was working with.”

Ruth raised her head, and the first thing that struck Boaz was the golden brown of her eyes beneath finely arched brows; the second thing was that she looked like she’d almost been crying. Guilt drove hard in his stomach.

She said nothing, just stared at him. He didn’t like the distress on her face.

“I know who you are and that you have been taking care of your mother-in-law, Naomi, whose husband was my kinsman,” Boaz said, stepping closer. When Ruth drew back, he released a sigh. “Please, you may stand.”

The other two women got to their feet, and Boaz reached for Ruth and took her hand, drawing her up to stand.

As soon as she was standing, he released her hand, but not before he felt a connection in their touch. She was not a young girl but a woman, a widow, and he felt protective of her. After all, she was related to Naomi, and it was natural to want to protect her, he told himself.

“Are you sure it’s all right for me to glean in your field?” Ruth asked, finally meeting his eyes fully.

In the depths of her golden-brown eyes, he felt as if he could see all the sorrow she’d endured, and he realized it was similar to his own. He also grieved, although for different reasons, but the emotions were the same. If he had something that could ease her workload, he would offer it. “Please stay in my fields, and you are welcome to stay with these handmaidens and gather whatever you have need of.” He waved a hand toward the threshing house. “You will be fed, and there is plenty of drink for refreshment as you work.”

“Thank you,” Ruth said quietly. “We ate the midday meal with the others.”

“I am glad to hear that,” Boaz said. “I must ask you something . . . ask all of you something.” He looked from Ruth to the other two women. “Have any of the laborers bothered you? Specifically Dan or Heber?”

Ruth’s gaze dropped. Boaz stared at her. Could Heber or Dan have bothered her? Not only did he suspect they broke into the threshing house, but he’d discovered that a woman had been attacked near his fields yesterday. Heber had denied his involvement, and Dan had disappeared after Gideon had spoken to him this morning. “Did one of those men hurt you?” Boaz asked Ruth. He didn’t want to embarrass her in front of the other women, but he had to know.

“No,” Ruth said.

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