Up from Dust by Heather Kaufman

Author:Heather Kaufman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biblical Fiction;novels;FIC042090;FIC042030;FIC026000
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

twenty-one

The evening meal passed without any sign of Mary. My earlier curiosity now morphed into worry as my steps hastened in search of our handmaid, Nenet. I found her tidying Mary’s room and laying out her bedclothes.

It was no secret that Nenet favored Mary. The young Egyptian girl was close in age to my sister and enjoyed enhancing Mary’s already-beautiful features with powders and creams or trying new hairstyles to show off her thick curls. I didn’t mind the unequal split of Nenet’s time, but I did worry that she added to Mary’s vanity.

“Do you know where Mary is tonight? I haven’t seen her since this morning.”

Nenet jerked like a startled rabbit in a snare. “Oh, mistress! Excuse me, I did not see you there. No, I haven’t seen her.”

“Surely you have some idea where she is?”

Nenet fidgeted, worrying her hands. “She did mention, perhaps, that she had a . . . meeting tonight.”

“A meeting? With whom?”

“I couldn’t say, mistress.”

Something about Nenet’s tone caused me to look at her sharply. Suspicion clawed at my thoughts. “She isn’t meeting a man, is she, Nenet?”

“I couldn’t say, mistress.”

Biting my tongue before I let out a stream of harsh words, I silently backed from the room and retraced my steps downstairs, leaving the tight-lipped Nenet behind me.

On the heels of the suggestion of an illicit meeting came the image of Aharon, one of our recently employed fieldworkers. He was handsome and somehow always managed to be near my sister. I’d caught them conversing more times than seemed natural.

My steps turned purposeful as I exited our home and strode across the field in the direction of our workshops, the fading sunlight forming long shadows around me. I’d start with the buildings. If my search was fruitless, I’d send Samu into the fields.

As expected, the workshops were locked up tight for the night. My frenzied steps drew the attention of several watchdogs, who growled and skulked in the shadows before recognizing my voice and slinking back with whines of shame.

I was about to return home and call for Samu when soft noises from behind a storage shed arrested me in my tracks. With trepidation, I approached the small building, realizing the sounds belonged to a man and a woman.

Yahweh, please let this not be what I fear it is.

For a moment, I considered walking away, retaining my ignorance of whatever was transpiring. But I couldn’t. Fear compelled me as I slowly rounded the small building.

In the dim light, I could barely make out the two forms. As my eyes adjusted, I recognized Aharon’s broad back. He was leaning over a smaller form, his hand pressed against the shed, blocking my view. My throat tightened as he ducked his head and whispered something to his companion.

A feminine giggle greeted my ears. I recognized that soft laugh even before my eyes confirmed it as Aharon shifted and twisted her face upward for a kiss. Fear ignited into anger as my sister pressed in close, snaking her arms around his neck.

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