35

Othniel wrapped her in an embrace, not too tight, but with enough pressure that she could feel the boom of his heart.

She nestled her face into his dark curls. His skin was warm and he smelled of sunny days and afternoon breezes. To leave his arms would be torture, but with an open window and a door ajar, she eased enough to separate their bodies. For now.

She stroked his beard. He was truly here, in her storeroom, and not in a dream. “I prayed God would watch over you and bring you back to Jerusalem.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Truthfully, I prayed He would bring you back to me.” She blinked back the wetness threatening to spill. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“You were always with me.” He slid his hand down her side and rested it upon her hip, holding her close. “Every time I unearthed a root or found a new flower, I hid it away for when I returned.” He drew her wrist to his face and inhaled against her skin. “Mmm, violets. You’re my blossom.” His voice was but a soft rumble. “I had to come back.”

His breath rushed by her cheek and caressed every bone in her body.

Reaching for his hand, she lifted it from her waist to her lips, and kissed it. “God did not forsake us.”

“No, He did not.” His smile lit up the corner like a freshly oiled lamp. “And I hear your perfumes are sought by all of Persia.”

“Did you hear that on the street, or did you call on your mother?” A hint of disappointment choked her words. She wanted to be the first woman he sought.

“I saw her briefly.” He swept a finger across her lower lip.

How could she complain about his visit home when his gaze beheld her like an angelic vision and her lips begged for another touch?

“My mother is busy bartering again because of you.” He let go of her hands and stepped backward into the shadows.

No!

But then he took both of her hands and drew her close once again.

Yes!

Othniel leaned in, his expression serious. “Telem came and arranged for my release.”

“Telem?” An excited shiver chilled her flesh. Could her joy be more complete? “Did he return with you? Is he in the city?”

“He’s here, and I believe he’s seeking your father.” He raised his eyebrows as if what he was going to reveal was well known between them. “About Judith.”

She squeezed Othniel’s hands. “Oh, to see Judith so happy. How did he find you?”

“I don’t know.” Othniel caressed her skin with his calloused fingers.

The pattern he branded into her hand with his firm hold and wandering thumb caused her mind to lose all thought.

“Telem helped me prepare my master’s fields so I could leave. He paid the price for my freedom.”

Master? She stiffened. Thank you, Lord, for freeing my Othniel. “I will have to thank Telem for returning you to me.”

“Then it will be mutual.” Othniel sobered. “For I believe he is grateful we sought him to leave his cave and return to the city.” A teasing grin burst forth. “Never once in Kadesh-Barnea did he ever call me ‘boy.’”

She rocked forward in awe of how God was working in her life. God had not forsaken His servants. “I believe Telem is in love with my sister.”

“I know about love.” Othniel slipped a finger underneath her necklace. Every rotation of a bead sent a flutter through her chest.

“From what I saw and heard on the path home, Telem intends to be your brother-in-law.” He stilled his hand. “As for me…” His breath, soft as a petal, bathed her chin. “I intend to be your husband. If you’ll have me.”

Selah! “Yes,” she blurted out with a slight hop that pinned him in the corner. His declaration almost buckled her knees, but she held fast, for there was no other place she wanted to be than here with her Othniel. “I would be honored to be your wife.”

He steadied himself. “I don’t have much to offer you. I’m the fifth son of a man with parched lands.”

“I’ve known that fifth son all of my life. He led me through the darkest cave.” She matched his stunning smile, but even in all her happiness, thoughts raced through her mind of time and place and orders. She bit her lip.

“What is that frown?” His grip tightened as if he expected her to slip away.

“I have several orders to fill—”

“And I know where to find everything you need.” With a glance toward the door, he pulled her closer. “Make all the fragrances you want. When we wed, your buyers will have to wait.”

Her stomach jumped and twirled at the image of a marriage bed. “For how long?”

“Until we are ready.” And like the day he arrived at Zipporah’s storeroom and found her the pearl bottle, he bent forward and bestowed upon her something she needed. Needed desperately. A long and tender kiss. The kind of kiss she had desired while he was away.

When she caught her breath, she paid him back in abundance.