The Stonecutter: A Herod Chronicles Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

marred the blond wood. Mary ran her finger over the ash-soft vein. Cephas promised to stand by the trunk, waiting for her. She pulled her hand away as if burned. Why did she allow the idea of marrying frighten her so? Cephas would be a kind, gentle husband. She wouldn’t blame him if he grew disgusted with her encouraging his attention one moment, then treating him with disdain the next, and turned his attention to someone else.
    Stomach knotting at the thought, she plunged deeper into the orchard and entered a patch of saplings. A single plump olive clinging to a slim shoot drew her. She snapped the olive free and inhaled the light, fresh scent, then bit into the juicy purple fruit, filling her mouth with the soothing taste.
    “Mary,” a rough voice said.
    She twisted around. Cephas stood in the bright opening between the old and young groves, his eyes dark and intent. “I have a gift for you.” He started toward her, his movements slow and sure.
    She swallowed the now tasteless olive. “You do? W...why?”
    Cephas stopped in front of her, radiating warmth and vitality. “It's to help you remember your guardian angel.”
    “Who?”
    He brushed his finger down her chin, his impish grin dimpling one cheek. “I never knew olive juice could be so distracting.”
    A delicious shiver went through her. “Sorry...what were you—”
    “Your guardian angel.” He opened his other hand, revealing a flat, polished stone incised with gently curved vertical lines.
    She touched the smooth pink sandstone. “It's beautiful.”
    He traced the delicate lines. “I carved them to look like blades of grass.”
    It was perfect and breathtakingly exquisite; she glanced up in wonder. “You carved this...for me?”
    He gave a modest shrug. “The grass is waving from the passing of an angel. I made it to remind you, no matter where you go or what you do, you are not alone. Your guardian angel will be there to watch and protect.”
    Deeply touched, she struggled to speak. “I hope to leave the disturbing dreams behind when I go.”
    He pressed the smooth, rosy stone into her palm and folded his fingers over hers. “I hope you find peace. Even so, living far from everything you know will take getting used to. I'm certain I will find it as difficult when I go to Syria.”
    “Syria? Why are you going so far from home?”
    “To carve decorative stones for the Roman governor's sculpture garden.”
    “When will you go? How long will you be gone?”
    His eyes grew solemn. “As soon as I finish the reflection pool in Dabaritta. I won't know a soul when I get there.”
    “I hate the idea of you being alone.”
    His thumb stroked hers. “I had hoped to marry.”
    Her blood pulsed faster. “There's still time.”
    “It will take a special woman to marry a man whose trade keeps him moving from spot to spot.”
    “I thought I knew what I wanted, but…could you be patient? Give me time to consider matters?”
    He squeezed her hand before releasing it. “My patience has limits, Mary.” His gentle voice contrasted with his firm stare. “I will leave the farm immediately after the harvest celebration. It might be years before I return to Galilee.”
    Though quiet and reserved, it was clear he wouldn’t be pushed around. She liked him more for it. “I will give you an answer at the Maidens’ Dance.”
    He flashed his gorgeous smile. “You know where you will find me.”
    Her heart beat loud in her ear. “Next to the lightning-struck tree.”
    “I told Nathan and Pinhas I wouldn’t be long.” He backed away, then turned and disappeared into the grove.
    The pink sandstone radiated a comforting warmth. She opened her hand and marveled at the field of waving grass captured in polished stone. A combination of hardness and softness, a perfect reflection of Cephas.

 
     
    CHAPTER 8
     
    The next afternoon Mary sat with Alexandra in the shade of the stone house, pitting dates for the special sauce her mother always prepared for the