My Enemy, My Love (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Page 8

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Barak’s eyes met Anna’s. He set her foot gently among the cushions.

  “I thought nothing of it,” she told him breathlessly, sucking in her lip.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Anna watched his retreating back, her breathing just now returning to normal. His hands had been so gentle, even with the rough calluses of his palms. She blew out a breath and lay back among the cushions, knowing that the horses would continue without Barak’s assistance.

  The Jew’s presence was unsettling, to say the least. She had known from the moment she had set eyes on him that their lives were bound to entwine. It was an uncanny premonition on her part. She had never had such feelings before.

  Her main problem was keeping her head in his presence. That he was handsome was undeniable. That he was strong was obvious. That he was a Jew was awkward.

  She wanted to reach out to him with the love of Christ, but if there was one thing Jews hated more than Samaritans, it was Christians. Jews believed Christians to be polytheistic, saying they worshiped more than one God. It was impossible for them to understand that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were one, yet separate. Sometimes it was hard for her to understand as well. Her mind boggled at the implications.

  If she could only get Barak to understand Jesus’ fulfillment of the Scriptures. She would try to get him to remember more, for there was a wealth of prophecy concerning Him among the Jewish Scriptures. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of the Samaritans. Believing only in the writings of Moses, they eliminated much of what it would take to see Jesus’ trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection as the fulfillment of God’s plan for mankind.

  Barak returned carrying a small amphora. He continued to walk alongside the cart as he ministered to Anna.

  First, he used some of the water to wash her blisters clean. Periodically her foot would jerk and she would wince.

  “I’m sorry, but we need to make sure the lesions are clean before I pack them with salt.”

  Biting her lip, she nodded for him to continue. After cleaning the sores as much as possible, he opened the small amphora.

  “This is going to hurt.”

  “Go ahead.”

  Her hands turned white where they clenched the cushions, but she made no sound. There were tears swimming in her eyes when he finished. Barak felt her pain as his own. Salt in an open wound was no laughing matter.

  “That should keep the infection away,” he told her, replacing the stopper on the flask. He lifted the curtains to allow the air to circulate. “You will ride from now on,” he told her implacably.

  Pivoting on his heels, he went to the front of the cart to walk with the plodding horses. Anna smiled slightly. That was certainly an effective way to keep from answering theological questions. She wondered just how much Barak really knew of the Scriptures.

  Leaning back, she fell into dreaming of Barak as a child learning among the priests and scribes. Probably he was a little imp, if the man was any indication.

  The sun was low to the horizon when they entered the outskirts of Lebanoh. Although the caravansary was not large, it was adequate for the needs of this small caravan. They entered the courtyard through the single gate and all members of the party scattered among the courtyard until the last traveler was through. The innkeeper shut the gate behind them, and Barak breathed a sigh of relief.

  Since Anna’s aunt had given them money enough to cover their expenses, Barak made use of the coins now to procure Anna a room on the upper balcony away from the noise and stench.

  He found her in the cart, her veil pressed tightly against her nose.

  Barak grinned. “I know. The smell is almost unbearable.”

  “Almost!”

  Smiling, he lifted her into his arms and carried her up the steps to the small enclosure used as rooms for the more affluent. This caravansary didn’t provide beds or bedding, so Barak retrieved some of the pillows and coverings from the cart. He could feel Anna watching him as he arranged a pallet for her to sleep on.

  Rising to his feet, he turned to her. “You’ll be safe here for the night. I’ll sleep in the courtyard with the cart and horses.” He turned to leave. “I’ll bring you something to eat.”

  When he left, he dropped the mat that covered the front opening on to the balcony to afford Anna some privacy.

  Anna could hear others moving about in the apartments around her preparing for the night. The noise in the courtyard would grow progressively louder as the evening advanced. She was thankful that Barak had procured her a room here. Hopefully he would be able to get some sleep among all the rabble below.

  He returned carrying a tray. The smell of the roasted chicken made Anna’s mouth water. She hadn’t realized just how hungry she was.

  She looked up at Barak. “Will you join me?”

  He hesitated.

  “Please. I don’t wish to eat alone.”

  One eyebrow lifted, and the smoky light from the brazier gave him a somewhat arrogant appearance. Nodding, he seated himself across from her. Anna noticed that there was nothing on the tray that would violate Passover precepts.

  As they consumed their meal, they talked of trivialities. Barak told Anna of his home in Jotapata, and she in turn told him of Sychar. Both were careful to keep away from incendiary subjects. Only when Anna asked about Miriam did Barak grow tense.

  “She is the daughter of my uncle’s neighbor and good friend. They have wished to see a marriage between us since we were children.”

  “Is she beautiful?”

  Barak’s eyes met hers, roaming slowly over her features. Embarrassed, Anna dipped her head and lifted some unleavened bread from the tray. She knew she could not compare in beauty to most women, so why had she invited the possibility of criticism?

  “Yes, she is quite beautiful.” His voice was so soft, Anna glanced at him in surprise.

  Barak’s look was intense as he studied Anna, causing her heart to catch in her throat. “But as far as I am aware, we are not yet betrothed. Thankfully, my mother has had some influence on Uncle Simon. She knows that I wish to marry for. . .love.”

  It was so unusual for a man to speak of love in such a way, Anna was taken aback. She could think of nothing to say. The silence between them grew long and uncomfortable.

  Dropping his napkin to the tray, Barak rose to his feet. “I must see to the animals.” He paused by the door, unexpectedly reluctant to leave. Anna sat in the glow from the brazier, oblivious to the enticing picture she made. For a moment he was tempted to cross the room and place a kiss on those inviting lips. How could a woman be so innocent, yet look so tempting? Shaking his head, he turned away. “Good night.”

  Anna could hear him move along the balcony until he entered the stairway leading to the courtyard. Only then did she release her breath.

  ❧

  Kasim glared at the man standing before him. He slid his knife slowly from its scabbard.

  “I should kill you where you stand, Micah. How did she manage to elude you?”

  Micah shrugged, the sweat beading across his forehead and soaking the bandage wound turban style around his head.

  “She hit me when I wasn’t looking. The old one was with her.”

  Kasim rose from his seat and came menacingly across the room. He drew up in front of Micah. “Do you know what this means? Amman will have me dropped in a wadi somewhere. So help me, Micah, you had better find the girl.”

  “We have searched all of Jerusalem. Even our people on the street know nothing of her whereabouts.”

  “And the old couple?”

  Micah lifted a dubious brow. “You shouldn’t have hurt him, Kasim. Sentius has many friends and they aren’t particularly happy with you right now. While we are trying to find the girl, they are trying to find us.”

  Kasim’s eyes narrowed. “Let them come. I can deal with a few old Jews. You find the girl. Understand?”

  Micah held his hands out helplessly at his sides. “I do
n’t know where else to look.”

  Kasim stared off into space for a moment. A sudden gleam came to his eyes. “If they are not to be found in Jerusalem, then perhaps we had better broaden our search.”

  Perplexed, Micah could only stare.

  “There was a caravan left yesterday, traveling north. It should pass through Sychar. Perhaps our little bird has managed to find accommodations among that group.”

  “They will be halfway to Sychar by now,” Micah stated skeptically.

  Kasim’s glittering eyes fixed upon the young Jew, making him swallow hard. It had not occurred to Micah until now just what dangerous men he had managed to ally himself with. In the beginning, he had thought they would help in the rebellion against Rome. They had promised weapons and support, but now Micah realized these were notorious killers bent on their own selfish ambitions.

  “Take some men and find out,” Kasim ordered. His voice lowered to a hiss. “And don’t let me see your face without the girl’s. Do you understand?”

  Micah understood all too well. Nodding, he spun on his heels and left.

  Kasim watched the young man leave, his thoughts in a turmoil. It never did one any good to seek help outside one’s own kind. He would much prefer dealing with cutthroats and thieves than these Jewish zealots.

  Even now these men were quietly supplying themselves with weapons in hopes of stirring a revolt against Rome.

  They were all fools. Rome would squash them like flies. Kasim shook his head. Better to take care of yourself than to worry about others.

  When Micah returned with the girl, he would have to do something about that young man. Although he and Amman had made much profit from these insane zealots, it was time to sever ties. It would not do to have Roman authority come down on their heads.

  Seven

  Anna was growing weary of riding in the carpentum. She much preferred the cool breezes blowing down from the surrounding hills. The road wound unendingly ahead, inclining ever so slightly upward.

  Growing more petulant by the mile, Anna pushed her lips out in a childish pout. This day would see the end of their journey and still she had been unable to converse with Barak. He was stubbornly avoiding her as much as possible.

  Flinging herself back among the cushions, she stared up at the roof of the cart. She hadn’t imagined that look in his eyes last night. Even from across the room, her blood had pounded in response.

  Whatever was happening between them was disturbing, to say the least. Anna wanted so much to be able to act with Barak the way any young woman would with the man she had chosen. But then, their relationship was hardly normal. A Jew and a Samaritan. What was worse, a Jew and a Christian.

  What would Barak say if he knew? Anna shivered at the thought. She could just imagine how cold those eyes would become. She couldn’t bear the thought of that happening, but she knew it was bound to, sooner or later. If only they had more time so that she could help him to see that Samaritans, or Christians for that matter, were only normal people.

  Funny. It had never bothered her before if others knew she was of the Way. What then made the difference?

  Sighing, she closed her eyes. She knew what made the difference. She was far too attracted to Barak, and from the look in his eyes last night, he was not indifferent to her.

  But then there was Miriam. Anna squinched her eyes tighter, biting the knuckle of her finger. She didn’t want to think of the beautiful young Jewess, for when she did, she realized how ludicrous it was to think that Barak could feel anything for Anna, herself.

  Still, there had been something in his eyes that had spoken to her deepest inner feelings. She found herself responding to him in a way she had never responded to any other.

  Barak lifted back the material surrounding the cart. His eyes met hers briefly before he reached for her foot.

  “I found some aloe. I imagine the sores are throbbing today.”

  He was certainly right about that, but they were as nothing compared to the throbbing of her own heart in his presence. It aggravated her to be so vulnerable.

  Barak gently removed the strips of cloth from her ankles and cautiously removed the salt that was still caked around them. He snapped the aloe and spread the liquid from the stems on the sores.

  Anna clenched her teeth as a burning pain shot through her foot. Before long, it began to ease and then cease altogether.

  Blowing out through pursed lips, Anna’s eyes met Barak’s. There was awareness there, and Anna caught her breath sharply as she returned his look.

  Barak fought with a curious mixture of longing and enmity. Old prejudices were hard to surmount. Dropping his gaze, he wound fresh strips of linen around Anna’s feet. He stood back, intent on putting as much distance between them as he could, but Anna stopped him with a touch on his arm.

  “Could you not walk beside the cart and keep me company?”

  One dark eyebrow lifted upward, and Anna’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue. She refused to be discouraged by that look.

  “Barak,” she told him softly. “I’m lonely in here.”

  Although every instinct told him to flee, he fell into step alongside the cart. He kept his attention focused on the horses, however.

  Anna licked suddenly dry lips. Now that she had started, how should she continue?

  “We were talking about the Messiah yesterday,” she finally said.

  Barak rolled his eyes heavenward. “If I remember correctly, you were the one talking about the Messiah.”

  Unperturbed, she agreed. “I was hoping you would share some of the Scriptures concerning Him.”

  Deciding to be honest, he told her, “Actually, I know very little of the Scriptures about him. Uncle Simon has joined with others who are studying them very thoroughly, but it seems that I am always busy with something else.”

  “I remember one,” she told him. “It says, ‘He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.’ ”

  Barak looked at her in surprise. “The prophet Zechariah said that.”

  Anna’s voice was soft with feeling. “Yes. I know.”

  Barak’s narrow-eyed look scrutinized her thoroughly. “How come you to know the words of Zechariah? Are you truly a Jew?”

  She ignored the last part of his question. “I have studied with some friends. They taught me much about the words of God.”

  Barak’s face settled into tight lines. “These friends were men, no doubt.”

  She chose to ignore him again, asking a question instead. “If He will proclaim peace to the nations, does this mean to the Gentiles, too?”

  He gave her such a dark look, Anna had to turn away.

  “The prophet speaks of the Jewish nations.”

  Anna shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense. The Jews are twelve tribes, but one nation.”

  “That shows how little you know of Jewish history. Even in Rehoboam’s time the Jews became two nations, Israel and Judah.”

  “But the prophet also says that His rule will extend to the ends of the earth.”

  Barak’s eyes glittered strangely when they fixed on her. “So says the prophet, and one day the Messiah will make this happen. The Jews will once again be the mightiest nation on earth.”

  Anna felt she was losing this argument. She had meant to help Barak see the fulfillment of scripture in Jesus, for truly His words brought peace as the prophet had foretold.

  It would take more than one scripture for Barak to see the connection, but she was reluctant to say anymore. She felt inadequate to the task. Still, she had to try.

  “But King David himself said, ‘May your ways be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.’ ”

  Anna could feel Barak’s eyes on her, though she refused to turn his way. He was quiet for so long that she hesitantly peeped at him from the sides of her eyes. He was studying her as though she were an insect among his fields of grain.

  Barak wanted to reach across the ca
rt and shake the woman. What was she trying to say? Should even pagans and infidels be given atonement by Jehovah? He thought not. But perhaps for all her denial, she was a Samaritan and, being part Gentile, wished the Lord’s forgiveness for her own idolatry.

  “Tell me,” he questioned sardonically. “Are there other Scriptures you know?”

  Anna blushed, turning her face away from his sarcastic examination. Oh, yes, she knew many Scriptures, but the most important information she could give him was not in the Torah.

  “You are angry.”

  Barak sighed heavily. She was right, but exactly what was it that was making him so? Perhaps it was the thought of a woman knowing so much of the Scriptures. Or perhaps it was the fact that this woman seemed to know more of the Scriptures than he did. More likely, it was knowing that for Anna to know so much, her friends would surely have to have been male.

  Recognizing the feeling for what it was, Barak grew angrier thinking of his jealousy over such a woman. He barely knew the girl, after all.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Anna’s apology was so soft, he scarcely heard her. Shaking himself from his irate mood, he shrugged his shoulders.

  “You have no need to apologize. You were only asking a question. It is good that you seek news of the Messiah.”

  Sighing with relief, Anna changed the subject. “We will soon reach Jacob’s Well.”

  Barak glanced ahead, nodding his head in affirmation. “Another five miles, I should say.”

  “It will be good to be home,” Anna sighed softly.

  Mount Gerazim came into view, rising upward in all its majestic glory. It was covered with a shadow of green and grew larger as they approached.

  “Your holy mountain,” Barak told her, and for once there was not ridicule in his voice. David had chosen Jerusalem as his sacred sight, but the Samaritans believed that Jehovah had chosen this mountain as His holy place. They believed this mountain to be the tallest in the world, closer to Jehovah than any other. In their own way, the Samaritans were as zealous in their beliefs as the Jews.