38

Mahlah’s knees almost gave way as Reuben strode toward her. This had to be a dream. Her bones became weightless as a feather. The smallest puff could have sent her wafting toward the heavens.

“Reuben? You are entering a tent of unmarried women. Is this wise?”

“I’ve been waiting many days to give you a kiss.” His gaze captivated her as he drew closer. “Shall I do it on the path and stir more gossip?”

“It is dark outside,” she mumbled.

“It is dark in here.” He tipped her chin.

Shushed giggles filled the shadowed night.

“Sisters, face the side of the tent.”

On tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his and then tried to pull away. His strong arms held her to his chest. He deepened their kiss. Her body awakened as if from a long trumpet blast. All the years of loving him were made right in this simple expression of his love.

Whatever the future held for her, she would face it with her God and her family. Her new family. Her growing family.

She broke his kiss and settled on her feet, her hand covering her lips. The touch of him still lingered. Forceful, yet smooth and gentle.

She glanced at her sisters’ darkened forms and met the twinkle of eyes.

“When did you turn around?”

A shuffling sound at the tent flap interrupted her reprimand.

Jonah crawled into the tent.

“Me, too.” Hands raised, he opened and closed his fingers.

Reuben lifted his son and kissed his cheek.

“All this kissing,” Milcah huffed.

“Jonah, come back here.” Susanna followed her grandson through the flap. “Oh.” She stifled a grin. “Is the asking over?”

Basemath joined her mother. “She must have agreed if he’s inside their tent.”

Noah stepped forward. Her breath tickled Mahlah’s ear. “We definitely need three tents. I’m not sharing a tent with Basemath.”

Nemuel entered. Everyone shifted farther from the opening. “The way this family is growing, we’ll need to conquer a small city for land.”

“No grum-ling.” Jonah leaned his head on his father’s shoulder.

Mahlah pressed her lips together and glanced at Reuben.

He laughed.

She laughed.

The giggling in the tent disrupted the calm of the night. Even Nemuel grabbed his belly and joined in the raucous laughter.

Reuben, her betrothed, leaned forward to sneak another kiss.

Jonah leaned in, too.

All their cheeks met in the middle.

Joy filled her being. Toda raba, Adonai.

How blessed to be going forth into the Promised Land with God, a husband, a son, and the daughters of Zelophehad.