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Rivkah held the pictures up to the lamp, Rose hoving nearby.
"James is looking well. Did he enjoy the party?"
"Yes, he was in good spirits. I especially love this picture of him and Aziel together. Isn't it just priceless? You'd never know by looking at it, they had only just met."
"It is very sweet," Rivkah agreed, setting the picture aside before moving onto the next. "Was there a large turnout?"
"No, it was rather small. Just family. David was unable to make it in time," she glanced over at her husband who sat toying with the handle of his mug.
Lachlan had gone to Washington after the reunion, Josiah returning home. He wouldn't be staying at the farm long, but with a bit of rearranging of his schedule and sending Owen along with Lachlan, he'd freed up a few extra days.
Rivkah held the picture of her son and Arlana sitting together. Neither were posing for the picture. They looked good together. Natural.
"I am going to visit Arlana tomorrow. Oh, Josiah, I am nearly bursting at the seams trying to keep this secret."
David laughed, "It is true...Rose talks of little else since the reunion. She is certain Arlana is your bride."
A slight flush dusted Josiah's cheeks before he looked away. "I am not certain..."
His response caught Rose off guard.
"Josiah, I don't expect you to be in love with her. Did you know that I wasn't in love with David when we married? It was nothing at all like in romance novels. No, I knew he was a good man and he treated me so well. I knew I could trust him. In time, I grew to love him..."
Rose's words trailed off as she glanced over her husband. Unlike so many young couples who marry and then divorce just as quickly, their love had endured, standing the test of time.
"I would have no objection to your betrothal," Rivkah dabbed her moist eyes as she passed the photograph to Josiah. Perhaps he needed a reminder.
Josiah looked down at the photograph, a muscle clenching in his jaw, but remained silent. There was much on his mind and it would be foolish to make such a rash decision. He had yet to speak with Shaul on the matter, postponing calling his brother. He was running out of excuses for not returning to Israel, Shaul refusing to acknowledge the ones he had already given as valid.
Arlana's expression was soft, perhaps wistful as she gazed at him in the photograph. He'd seen that expression numerous times between David and Rose. Of course, he could love Arlana in time, but it wasn't something he was ready to announce to everyone.
Still holding the photograph, Josiah rose from the table. "Then we must call Shaul..."
****
"IT IS WONDERFUL THAT she shares our faith, but she must convert. You know this is necessary. Did you speak to her about the matter? No, perhaps it is too soon. If she converts, I will bless your marriage. You need a wife, my brother, especially if she can talk some sense into you and convince you that your place is here..."
There it was again.
"Rose has suggested a betrothal between us..." Josiah's voice was suddenly husky, his eyes focused on the picture.
"Yes, of course, but as I said, you cannot have a wedding until she converts but from all you have told me, it will be soon. Mother can speak of this with her. Guide her. It sounds as though she is looking for the guidance we can give her. If she is already raising her son in our faith, well, it is just another step forward from there. I am looking forward to meeting Arlana when I visit at the end of the month."
"Thank you, Shaul. I will continue to look after her until you arrive and we can speak more of this. Would you like to speak to Mother?"
"Please tell our mother I will call this evening. I was just running out of the door when you called... Oh, before I go, I received a copy of your book. Josiah, I am very proud of you and what you are accomplishing. The book was wonderful and I pray it will open many hearts, but you know...you can continue to write from Israel in between your studies. The written word may reach far more than you can in person. You are needed here, my brother. Bring Mother and your Arlana. Canada will never truly be your home. Israel is in your blood. Your responsibility is here. Be wise, Josiah. It is time to come home...."
"I am listening," Josiah sighed.
"Yes, you are...but you are not hearing me. Prepare to come home Josiah. It is for the best."
****
JOSIAH TURNED BACK to his mother and their guests after he had replaced the phone.
"I cannot stay here much longer. I promised Lachlan I would join him as soon as I reached Shaul." He didn't mention he had wanted to see the pictures Rose had taken before he left. "May I take this one with me?" Josiah hurried to explain, although it wasn't necessary, "Shaul has given his blessing on our betrothal, however, she must convert before there can be a wedding."
A tear tumbled down Rivkah's cheek. "Adonai has heard my prayers...I cannot wait to meet my grandson and daughter-in-law."
Josiah brushed away his mother's tear with his thumb. Was he doing this for his mother? To appease Rose? He'd sort through his thoughts on the drive to Washington. Whatever the truth was, he couldn't bear to break his mother's heart. Especially now. No, he would love Arlana and give his mother the grandchild she longed for. Once he put his mind to something...
"I am going to visit Arlana in two days. I promise I won't breathe a word of this although it will be extremely difficult. What is the plan? Will you tell her tonight when you message her?"
"Of course not." Josiah reached for the pot of coffee. "She must come to this decision on her own without interference - especially from me. When she faces the rabbinical council, she cannot have converted out of love for me..."
The words felt odd on his tongue. Another item to think about later.
"I will just message and offer support. It is the right thing to do..."
Rose looked down at her interlocked fingers.
"Perhaps I should have mentioned this before...I just got so carried up in the excitement of everything, but Arlana told me she is currently living with Aziel's stepfather."
Josiah frowned, gripping his mug.
"Oh, it is not like that..." Rose quickly explained. "They are like roommates but he is extremely hard on her. She doesn't know me well enough to feel comfortable confiding in me, I suppose, but she did ask me to visit after he leaves for work. He doesn't approve of her having visitors. That's all she would say, but of course, I agreed to message her first and see if he was gone. I wouldn't want anything to happen to her because of my visit. I don't feel good about it at all but, well, I am just praying for wisdom in the meantime. What I am trying to say, Josiah, is that courting Arlana might be a challenge with you being away so often and her living with this man who sounds extremely controlling and, I fear, abusive. I could see the fear in her eyes when she mentioned him..."
Josiah swallowed hard, a shadow darkening his eyes.
"Are you having second thoughts?" David stepped towards Josiah, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Even if it doesn't work out between you and my wife's cousin, that little boy would benefit from having you in his life. You're a good man he can look up to. He has me now, of course, but I can only be a grandfather figure in his life and all I know is Christianity. You could be a father figure to Aziel and guide him and his mother in your faith..."
"I am up for the challenge, David, but I have much to pray about. I only met Arlana and yet I hate the thought I am powerless to help her...to protect her from that man. I cannot find words to express this feeling of having my hands tied and now I must leave. Lachlan needs me. By tonight I'll be in a different country..."
"...You love her...." Rivkah murmured, her face erupting in a smile.
David chuckled at the look of shock on Josiah's face.
Was it possible? There was no other explanation.
"Rose, can you bring her out to the farm?"
"I would love to...but if Jorken returns from work early...and she has to go back there... Trust me, I have thought of it too, but I believe it will make it far more difficult for her and then there is the child... I might just be reading between the lines but I know what I saw on her face when I pulled into the driveway. Arlana was terrified to be back home. I've worked with abuse victims for so many years...her body language was screaming for help. What could I do? Oh trust me, I regretted dropping her off. I've felt sick ever since and have been praying for wisdom. David will tell you I was looking forward to today's visit. Of course, I wanted to show you the pictures, but there is more to this visit. Will you join me in praying for guidance? For God to show me...us...how we can help her and Aziel?"
"Thank you for sharing this information with us," Josiah rubbed the back of his neck. "I wish I could stay but it is impossible. Did Arlana say when this man, Jorken, was it? Does he have a set schedule we could work with?"
"She asked me not to come until after 2 pm this week. I will ask her when I visit..."
"Then I will message her this evening..."
"I know you wouldn't but please do not mention I said anything about Jorken. I wouldn't want her feeling betrayed when I only want to help."
Josiah nodded, adding Arlana and Aziel to his list of responsibilities. He would take it personally if anything happened to them now.
"Let me make some arrangements. In the meantime, Rose, find out what you can. Mother, I think we should wait a bit for you to meet her. Let's establish a well thought out plan first. Shaul is returning at the end of the month. Regardless of how I feel about moving to Israel, Shaul is wise and will help us decide how best to proceed."
David leaned against the counter. He was naturally much less talkative than his wife,
"The farm...Rose, why don't you offer her the farm? You know our boys aren't interested in it and between James and us, we are too old. It isn't anything spectacular, but I'm sure it would be a welcome change of scenery. Jorken would never think of looking for her here, and Josiah can court her as she will be his neighbour. She will have you, Rivkah..."
"James wouldn't mind at all. He took a real fancy, especially to Aziel. David, it is a wonderful idea and a good backup plan. Let's see how the visit goes, in case I am wrong about the situation."
"You haven't been wrong yet..." David pondered his next statement. "I will come by this week and help get the farm ready. She will come."
"My cousin will be The Remnant's first official rescue..."