My Enemy, My Love (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Read online

  “I don’t need your help. I will go on my own.”

  Leah stared at her in surprise, the young Jew gazed at her with no expression in his eyes at all, and Barak chose to ignore her. To Anna, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She marched across the space between them and tried to jerk the money bag from Barak’s tightly closed fist. It was no use.

  “Don’t be a foolish child,” he told her in aggravation. “I will see you safely to Sychar, and that is the end of it.”

  Leah’s soft voice quelled the anger rising in Anna. “Please, Anna. I can’t worry about you now, too.”

  Anna’s shoulders slumped with defeat. Leah was right again. She turned to the older woman. “You will get word to me about Sentius?”

  “I will.”

  They could hear someone moving toward them through the trees. Adonijah lifted himself from the tree where he was leaning. His look met Barak’s.

  “Miriam. I will lead her away. Jehovah be with you, my friend.”

  He quickly left them and they could hear his voice not far beyond in the trees. Barak held his breath until they could hear the two moving away. He turned to Anna.

  “Let’s be on our way.”

  The two women hugged, tears shining in both pairs of eyes. Together, Barak and Anna watched Leah quickly disappear among the trees.

  Barak and Anna made their way in total silence to where the caravan was situated just beyond Jerusalem’s western walls.

  Already, many in the caravan had retired for the night in preparation for the long and tiring journey on the morrow. Still others were gathered around their campfires chatting and laughing. A mood of revelry permeated the atmosphere and Anna realized that it was probably due to the fact that these people had traveled far and were close to their journey’s end. She, on the other hand, was just beginning hers.

  Still, Sychar was only about thirty miles from Jerusalem, so it would take them less than three days to reach their destination.

  Night had spread its dark fingers to the farthest corners of this camp, yet the interior was bright with the lights of many small fires and torches. The caravan seemed small, yet it would swell in the morning when others from Jerusalem would add their company to this small group. It was much safer to travel in the comradeship of others.

  Barak touched her lightly. “Wait here. I will see if I can find the caravan commander and make arrangements.”

  Anna was reluctant to be left alone, but she remained obediently where Barak had left her. It took some time before Barak returned to her, a short, rotund man following in his footsteps.

  When the man smiled, his mouth sported a multitude of missing teeth.

  “Welcome.” He bowed low before Anna. “Your servant has told me of your problem and we will gladly make room for you among one of the tents of our women. Please come this way.”

  Anna stopped beside Barak. “What of you?”

  “He will find room among the other servants. Do not worry.”

  Bothered by the caravan commander’s statement, Anna opened her mouth to protest. She snapped it shut tightly when Barak shook his head at her, his dark eyes warning her to be careful of her speech. Turning, she followed the commander without further comment.

  “My name is Azuba, mistress. If I can be of assistance, please let one of the servants know.” Bowing, he left her standing beside a large tent where a series of giggles could be heard as the women within prepared for the night.

  What had Barak told the man, anyway, to cause such an attitude of servitude? She would ask him tomorrow, but for now she would take advantage of this opportunity for rest. Though her mind was filled with worries, her body was craving respite from any further physical exertion.

  Feeling shy, she was relieved to find that the other women of the tent were ready to welcome her among them. They even provided clothing for her night’s rest, for which Anna was thankful. The silky material slid softly over her as she moved about the tent, giving her morale a much-needed boost.

  When she lay down that night, all of the thoughts she had been holding at bay suddenly crowded in upon her. She closed her eyes, wondering how Sentius was and, for that matter, whether Leah had arrived safely among the city’s walls. She prayed fervently for all of them, even Barak’s family, who she supposed would be anxious about his sudden departure.

  Had it only been ten hours since she had left the villa? It seemed a lifetime. If anyone would have told her this morning that she would be on the road to Sychar with a man who obviously despised her, she would have laughed. But this was no laughing matter.

  What would happen to her father when he received Aunt Bithnia’s message? She prayed to Jehovah that he was stronger of health than Aunt Bithnia believed.

  That night she had a dream. A man stood before her, His clothing sparkling like white snow. She couldn’t see His face, but when He held out His hands to her, she could see scars in the palms of His hands. His words shivered through her intensely, though softly spoken.

  “You must teach him about me.”

  Before Anna could ask His meaning, He disappeared.

  ❧

  Barak lay on the rough mat with his hands crossed behind his head, staring up at the twinkling stars above him. He couldn’t remember a time when he had done anything so impetuous. He had always been a thinker. A planner.

  He closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would come. It was no use. His mind was so active it would never allow him to sleep. Giving in to the inevitable, he allowed his thoughts free rein.

  The thing that bothered him most was the fact that despite his resolve, he felt something for the Samaritan girl. What exactly, he wasn’t certain, but there was something powerfully alluring about her. Her extraordinary eyes held such peace that he felt himself drawn into their compelling depths.

  And what of Miriam? He still didn’t know if he was betrothed or not, probably because he was afraid to stay around and find out. He closed his eyes and sighed. Could two women be more different than Anna and Miriam? How was it that being near Anna sent his pulse pounding when he should feel nothing but disgust, and whenever Miriam came close, he felt nothing but aggravation?

  His eyes popped back open when the man nearest him shifted on his mat. A loud snore followed and Barak grinned slightly. Already the murmurs of irritation drifted across to Barak from others trying to sleep.

  The smile left Barak’s face as he remembered his mother’s face when he had left her. For years now, he had been the one to care for her. He didn’t take his responsibility lightly, and it bothered him more than a little that he had had to leave her in Adonijah’s care.

  How long this journey would take, he was not certain, but he felt uneasy as he contemplated the task ahead. He would be doing well if he could manage to refrain from arguing with the girl at every opportunity. It was either that or fall under her tantalizing spell. No woman had ever touched him as this one had. Jaw clenched tightly, he contemplated the stories he had heard of Samaritan women. A tick formed in his cheek. He would not let that happen to him.

  The last sound he heard was a dove cooing softly as it settled among the trees.

  Six

  The bright morning sun warmed Barak as he walked along beside the carpentum he had rented for Anna. The two-wheeled cart would serve dual purposes. It would save Anna from having to walk among the dust being scattered by the plodding camels, and it would also help to keep her from prying eyes as long as she kept the drapes pulled.

  The low-lying hills to the east were already turning a flourishing green. A carpet of red, green, purple, and white spread across the hills on both sides, giving the area an energetic feeling of life.

  Walking along the hot, broad, valley floor, Barak could almost imagine himself returning to his own home in Jotapata. Spring was upon the land, and it felt good to be alive. He yearned to be home in his own fields, the freshly turned soil sliding silkily through his fingers. There was nothing he would rather be than a farmer.

 
As the morning progressed, so did the intensity of the heat from the sun. Before long, Anna pushed back the drape of the carpentum and peered out. “I would like to walk.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Sighing, she gave him an indignant glare. “I think it is. It’s hot in here.”

  Barak studied her flushed face, dewy from perspiration. Perhaps she was right; they were now several miles from Jerusalem. Stopping the two horses, he helped Anna from the cart.

  She took a moment to look all around her and a broad smile lit her face. “How beautiful! I must say, it didn’t look like this when we traveled this way last year. There was nothing but dirt and dried thistles everywhere you looked.”

  Clucking to the horses, Barak began moving forward again. “And it will look that way again in just a few months. We’re fortunate to be traveling in the spring.”

  Anna agreed, walking amicably beside her rather taciturn escort. She couldn’t help but notice how well he handled the horses. He had a feel for them that transcended mere ability.

  “You have horses of your own?”

  Surprised, he flicked her a swift glance. “No, but we have many oxen. There is very little difference, I think.”

  “Tell me about yourself,” she coaxed.

  He shrugged. “There is nothing much to tell. I am a farmer from Jotapata. Our family can trace our ancestry back to Adam.”

  Anna was aware of the slight, but she chose to ignore it. Many Jews thought themselves superior because of their pure heritage. While it was true that not many Samaritans could trace their lineage back as far as Barak claimed, it didn’t make them less of a people in God’s eyes.

  Deciding not to respond to the challenge in his tone, Anna instead studied the hills to her left rather than look at her companion. “You are breaking Passover law to help me,” she told him softly.

  Barak was breaking all the unwritten Jewish laws by helping a Samaritan anyway, regardless of Passover. He shrugged. What was done, was done.

  “It is no matter.”

  “I think, perhaps, for someone like you it is. You don’t strike me as the kind of person to flagrantly defy God’s law.”

  He gave her a look of haughty disdain. “What do you know of God’s law when you only have the Torah. Your people deny the writings of the prophets and kings, and you speak to me of Jewish law? And what of you? Are you not breaking Samaritan law by being in Jerusalem on Passover instead of on Mount Gerazim?”

  She was surprised by his vehemence, although she probably shouldn’t have been. “I have never denied being a Samaritan by birth, but that does not make me one in faith.”

  Stunned, he turned to her, but she kept her face averted as they continued to walk along.

  “You are not Samaritan?”

  “Only by birth.”

  He frowned. “Then are you Jewish?”

  Anna licked dry lips, knowing that she was suddenly on slippery ground. “I accept the writings of the kings and the prophets,” she answered hesitantly.

  Anna could see Barak trying to assimilate what she was saying and what she was not saying. It would be far better to change the subject.

  “What will you do when we reach Samaria?” she asked him.

  Reluctantly, he discontinued their previous conversation. Perhaps he sensed that there were things better left unsaid, things that would only cause more dissension between them.

  “I will take you to the home of your father.”

  The glittering determination in his brown eyes turned them to a polished bronze. Anna had no doubts that he would do just that and that nothing on this earth would stop him.

  “And if we happen upon Amman?”

  The light in his eyes deepened. “Leave that to me.” His look passed over her briefly before he once again focused his attention on the horses. “Anna,” he told her. “I will do all in my power to see that nothing happens to you.”

  She wanted to again ask him why, but she was too afraid of the answer she would receive. There was something in his eyes when he looked at her that made her breath catch in her throat. She was too inexperienced in the ways of men to understand the feelings this Jew aroused in her.

  They traveled in silence for several miles. Anna’s throat soon became parched from swallowing what seemed to be fields of dust. Still, she refused to say anything, because she knew that if she did Barak would more than likely insist she return to the carpentum.

  Before long, Barak reached into the cart and lifted out a water flask. Opening it, he first handed it to Anna.

  Smiling her appreciation, she took a hearty swallow, swishing some of the warm liquid around in her mouth to relieve it of the sand clinging to her teeth. She handed the flask back to Barak, and he did the same.

  Up ahead, carrion birds could be seen circling an area to their right. Anna shivered as she realized what the huge birds meant. Barak’s serious face turned her way.

  “It is time for you to return to the carpentum, I think.”

  Anna made no demure as Barak lifted her into the cart. His hands remained at her waist as his eyes were caught by hers. A long look passed between them until Barak was brought to his senses by the man following behind him shouting for Barak to move forward.

  Barak dropped the curtains into place on the cart, not so much for Anna’s protection from prying eyes, but more for her protection from a sight that he was sure would be quite grisly.

  As they passed the area, a couple of men lifted a body from the ground and wrapped it carefully in a blanket. No doubt a lone traveler had defied the odds and received his reward. These hills were notorious for hiding thieves and murderers. Someone would return with the body to Jerusalem.

  The caravan commander had told them they would be stopping at a caravansary in Lebanoh for the night. This pleased Barak. The safe walls of a caravansary would be a welcome relief to him after having witnessed such a sight.

  They were about halfway to their destination when Azuba called for a halt to water the animals at a small wadi still full from the winter rains. Anna climbed from the cart unassisted and made her way to the watering hole.

  She was unused to walking among the rough terrain, and already her ankles sported blisters from her previous trek. She took off her sandals and scooped up handfuls of water to pour over her burning feet. She sighed with pleasure at the blessed relief.

  Barak joined her, leading the two cart horses. He smiled slightly at her euphoric expression.

  “Feel good?”

  “Mmm.”

  She watched Barak go further upstream to refill the water flask. Kneeling, he filled the bag and then plunged his own head beneath the cool water. He came up shaking droplets in every direction, the sheen from the water droplets adding a silver tint to his dark hair and beard.

  He returned to her and held out a hand. Placing her small hand in his larger one, Barak lifted her easily to her feet.

  Taking the horses by the reins, he led the way back to the cart. Already others were preparing to leave. There was in reality no need to make such a stop, but the water had looked refreshing, and Azuba had wisely decided to save his own supplies.

  Barak drew back the curtains so that Anna could climb into the carpentum. After that last encounter, he would not touch the girl again. His pulse had accelerated to such an extent that he had found it suddenly hard to breathe. He motioned her into the cart, but Anna remained where she was standing, her hands folded behind her back. “I wish to walk again.”

  Barak raised his eyes heavenward, sighing. Why me, Lord? I know this is not a good idea. Still, he wouldn’t like being stuffed into a cart all day, either.

  “As you wish.”

  He could only hope their conversation wouldn’t end up in some kind of argument. Perhaps she would remain silent as before. This hope was not to be realized.

  “Barak, what do you think the Messiah will be like?”

  “What?” Such a question was totally unexpected.

  “Th
e Messiah. When He comes, what do you think He will be like?”

  “He will be a king who will rule on the throne of David. He will set our people free as Moses did long ago.”

  “And do the Scriptures say that He will be a king?”

  Barak tried to curb his impatience. After all, she was but a woman.

  “The Scriptures say He will rule on the throne of David. I have just said that.”

  Anna wrinkled her forehead, her face twisted with intense concentration. “And does ruling always mean being king?”

  Suspiciously, he studied her averted face. He had the oddest feeling that the woman was deliberately leading this conversation. “What else could it mean?”

  She tapped her lip thoughtfully with a finger and Barak found himself mesmerized by the innocently alluring gesture.

  “Well, my father rules our house.”

  “That’s true, but it is something quite different. The Messiah will free His people. Only a ruler can do that.”

  “Moses was not a king. Did he not free the Jews?”

  Although her voice was completely innocent, Barak suspected these questions were more than idle curiosity, and he had no idea what it was that was putting him suddenly on the defensive.

  Anna returned her gaze to the road. “What exactly do the Scriptures say about the Messiah?”

  “What I have told you.”

  “And that is all?”

  Barak stopped suddenly, taking Anna by the arm and turning her to face him. His eyes narrowed warily. “Why are you asking these questions about the Messiah? What do you wish to know?”

  She met his look boldly. “The Samaritans have only the prophecies of Moses. I understand there are more. Do you know them?”

  Unwilling to admit his ignorance, Barak shrugged. “Some.”

  “Well, what do you know?”

  The horses with the cart had gone on without them. Barak hurried to catch up. When he looked back, he noticed Anna limping after him. His brows drew down into a frown. Without a word, he lifted her into the cart and, walking by its side, he drew the sandal from her foot.

  The blisters had burst and dirt clung to the wetness. If something wasn’t done soon, infection would set in.