around his neck. He felt a hand on his arm.
“Dear, please eat something,” Miriam encouraged.
“Thank you, Miriam, but I just don’t feel like eating right now.”
Miriam patted him on the back and then went about her business tidying up the table. Earlier, she had served breakfast to Rachel and her new friend of Gideon, Abigail.
“What a sweet young lady,” Miriam whispered as she wiped crumbs onto a plate.
Uzziel heard her. He got up from his chair and kissed his wife on the cheek.
“I’m off to find our daughter. Rachel said she wanted Abigail to see the temple. Did Eli and Jonathan say where they were headed this morning? I’d like us all to worship together.”
“They left without eating-said they were in a hurry, but they did mention being back in time for Sabbath services.”
“Very well. Can I take something to eat with me?”
Miriam handed him a cloth pouch, already stocked.
“I knew you would ask,” she lovingly said.
“Thank you. I’m not sure what I would do without you…” Uzziel’s voice trailed off. He kissed her and left.
“Pekah?” Jonathan asked as they sat at breakfast in Tavor’s home. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“I’ve never felt better. In fact, I awoke before the suns. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Of course you couldn’t sleep. You got your rest during a long afternoon nap,” Eli joked. That got a laugh out of all of them. Even Sarah giggled softly as she glanced over her shoulder from tending to Tavor’s young sons, who were eating at a separate table.
Jonathan studied Pekah. He had been laughing, but now had a far-off look in his eyes as he rubbed his chest.
“Does it hurt?” Jonathan asked.
“What?”
“Your chest-does it hurt?”
“No-why do you ask?”
“You were rubbing it as if it did.”
“I was? Hmmm.” Pekah rubbed it again as if he expected a sore spot to be there. “No, it’s fine. I suppose it’s just the memory of the wound that is painful. It seems so strange. I can remember Rezon stabbing me. I even remember the initial pain. For a moment everything became dark, as if I had fallen asleep standing up. But then…” Pekah’s voice trailed off. He touched his chest, pointing. “There’s not even a mark.”
Jonathan smiled. “I’m glad.”
“Thank you both,” Pekah said, looking at Jonathan, then Eli. “I’m indebted to you-and very happy to be alive. I wasn’t ready to go.”
“Are you sure?” Eli asked, an eyebrow raised. “I thought the other side wouldn’t be so bad.”
Pekah’s eyes closed. After he opened them, Jonathan saw that his eyes were moist. “No, it wasn’t bad. In fact, it was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had, but I knew I needed to come back. My mother was there, and she told me.”
Stillness settled upon the room. No one said a word, not even Sarah. Jonathan felt particularly hesitant to delve deeper into Pekah’s experience. Only once before had he heard someone tell of spending time in the world of spirits. He yearned to hear more about the afterlife-to know what it might be like for his own parents who were there, to glimpse in his mind’s eye the scenery, the people, the feeling, the light-but he simply could not ask. Pekah would have to volunteer it.
“Jonathan?” Pekah asked.
“Yes?”
Pekah fidgeted with the last apple slice sitting beside the leftover bread crumbs on his plate.
“Yes?”
Pekah looked up. Intense sadness pulled at his mouth and brow. “Lady Abigail… I wonder if Jasher has…” Pekah did not finish either of his sentences.
“I’m not sure what you’re asking. What about Jasher?”
“If Jasher has brothers who are not married, then shouldn’t one of them take Abigail to themselves and provide for her?”
Eli spoke before Jonathan could reply. “Yes, Pekah, I think you’re right. That would be proper. And besides, there is-”
Jonathan held up his hand. Eli stopped and stared at him.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Eli, but Amon told me several things I need to share with Pekah.” He turned toward the Gideonite captain. “The night Jasher died, I also wondered if he had any family. I took General Amon aside, and we had a conversation about it. I asked the same questions.”
Although tempted to share the reason for his asking, he did not. I’ll tell Pekah about the dream later, he thought. Besides, I’m not sure what it means anyway. He decided to keep it simple.
“Pekah, Jasher had no brothers. He was the oldest of five, and his siblings were all sisters. He had no male cousins. It seems as though there is not a single living male member of his family who can fulfill this duty. Is that what you needed to know?”
Pekah’s head bowed low under the weight of what he had heard. Jonathan gave him time to absorb the information. When Pekah finally looked up at Jonathan, concern still clouded his face. “How can I do this? Why did Jasher choose me?”
Jonathan didn’t answer right away. Trying to offer Pekah a reassuring look, he said, “Jasher had been deeply impressed by you. Your experience as you stood before Manasseh was sacred to him. He saw you protected by the power of the Holy One, and commented on it several times as we rode between Ain and Hasor. Jasher watched you intently during those two days.” Jonathan placed his hand on Pekah’s shoulder and finished with, “Amon himself said, Jasher could not have chosen better.”
The distress in Pekah’s face visibly softened. “I will not force her to marry me.”
“I would not expect that. Abigail must choose this on her own. Take some time to get to know her. If she’s comfortable with the idea, she’ll let you know.”
“From what I’ve seen, Abigail won’t have a problem with it,” Eli said. “Jonathan, did you not see the woman rush to him after he walked out of the tent?”
Jonathan nodded with a grin, and Pekah blushed at the memory. He hadn’t expected Abigail to throw her arms around his neck like she did, once she’d overcome her surprise. She obviously did not consider him revolting.
Popping an apple slice into his mouth, Pekah stood. “I appreciate your ideas-you’ve made me feel much more comfortable. Abigail may still choose to go a different way, but if she decides to honor Jasher’s request, I will at least consider it. Sarah?”
Sarah glanced back from feeding the boys.
“Thank you again for your hospitality.”
Jonathan, Eli, and Tavor all stood and offered their thanks. Tavor stepped to his wife and kissed her.
“You’re welcome. Where are you all going this morning?” Sarah asked.
“We’re meeting General Amon at the city gates,” Tavor replied. “Some unfinished business-and then we’ll be back for Sabbath worship services.”
“Unfinished business?”
“A party is being sent into the mountains tomorrow to seek out Rezon and those who escaped with him,” Eli responded.
Sarah threw Eli a chastising look. “Surely you and Jonathan are not joining them? What of your own wounds? You both need rest.”
“Thank you for your concern, Sarah,” Jonathan replied. “But my leg is well enough that I can travel by horseback.”
Eli shrugged his shoulders. His left forearm was still thickly bandaged, but Jonathan knew his stubbornness would not allow him to sit idly by.
