A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers Read Free Book Online

approached Tamar. She drew back instinctively, but he caught hold of her arm and pulled her close. “I’ll miss you, my sweet.” His expression mocked his words, and his fingers bit into her flesh. He let go of her and pinched her cheek. “Don’t pine. I won’t be gone long!”
    Judah sighed with relief when his son was gone. He scarcely noticed Tamar’s presence. Leaning forward, he held his head as though it ached.
    Tamar hunkered down quietly and waited for him to command her to leave. He didn’t. When Acsah came in with bread, Tamar rose and took the small basket from her nurse, nodding for her to take a place on a cushion near the door. Propriety must be maintained.
    “Acsah has made bread, my lord.” When he said nothing, Tamar broke the loaf and placed a portion before him. She poured a cup of goat’s milk, took a small bunch of grapes from a platter, and cut into a pomegranate. She broke the fruit open so that the succulent red beads could be easily removed. “Is your father, Jacob, well?”
    “As well as can be expected for a man mourning the loss of a favorite son,” Judah said bitterly.
    “One of your brothers has died?”
    Judah raised his head from his hands and looked at her. “Years ago. Before you were even born.”
    “And still he grieves?” she said in wonder.
    “He’ll go to his grave grieving for that boy.”
    Never had Tamar seen such a look of torment. She pitied Judah and wished she knew some way to draw him from his sorrow. His expression softened slightly. The intensity of his perusal discomforted her, especially when his eyes cooled. “He marked your face!”
    She covered her cheek quickly and turned her face away. “It’s nothing.” She never spoke of Er’s abuse to anyone. Even when Acsah asked her questions, she refused to be disloyal to her husband. “Do you also grieve for your brother?”
    “I grieve over the way he died.”
    Curious at his tone, she glanced at him again. “How did he die?”
    Judah’s face hardened. “He was torn apart by an animal. Nothing was found of him but his coat covered with blood.” The words came as though he had said them over and over again and loathed repeating them. When she raised her brow, his expression was one of challenge. “You don’t believe me?”
    “Why should I not believe you?” She didn’t want to anger him. “I would like to know more about my family.”
    “ Your family?” His mouth curved ruefully.
    Heat filled her cheeks. Did he mean to exclude her too? Anger stirred, along with hurt feelings. It was Judah who had brought her into this household, Judah who had chosen her for his son! Surely he would do right by her. “The family into which you brought me, my lord, a family I want to serve, if only I am allowed.”
    “If God is willing . . .” His mouth curved sadly. He took a piece of bread and began to eat.
    “Will you tell me nothing?” she said weakly, her courage dwindling.
    “What do you want to know?”
    “Everything. Anything. Especially about your god. Where does he dwell? What is his name? How do you worship him? Is he unseen, as my father claims? How do you know he exists?”
    Judah drew back. “I thought you wanted to know about my father and my brothers.”
    “I have heard that the god of your father destroyed the cities that were in the salt flat where the marsh now expands.”
    “That’s true.” He looked away. “The Angel of the Lord told Abraham He would destroy them unless ten righteous men could be found among those living there. Abraham saw with his own eyes the fire and brimstone that came down from heaven.” Judah looked at her solemnly. “It doesn’t matter if you can’t see or hear Him. He doesn’t live in temples like the gods of your father. He is . . .”
    “Is . . . what?”
    “Just . . . is . Don’t pester me with questions. You’re a Canaanite. Just go and pick an idol from Bathshua’s cabinet and worship it!” His tone was derisive.
    Her eyes pricked hot