Relieved, Anna dropped to her knees and gathered their last remaining morsels. Three leathery olives and a hard crust of bread. She set these on a tray and followed quickly behind her father.

When they came to the well, a shepherd approached Yoseph. He was a wall of a man with a reddish beard and eyes the color of doves. In his hand he wielded a shepherd’s staff. “Greetings of the day,” he said.

“And to you,” Yoseph muttered.

The shepherd’s gaze fixed on Anna. As if he were studying her.

Anna lowered her cheeks deeper into her shawl, though the press of the fabric made her jaw ache.

The man turned to Yoseph. “I am in need of more hands to tend my flock,” he said. “Would you know of any family who might be willing to offer their son?”

Yoseph’s eyebrows rose.

“I pay well,” the shepherd added.

Yoseph opened his mouth as if to say something, then shook his head. “No, I do not,” he said. “The sons here are much wanted,” he added and continued on his way.

Anna strained to look back at the man, thinking something seemed familiar about him, but Yoseph hissed at her hesitation and dragged her behind him.

When they arrived at her grandfather’s house, Yoseph pushed Anna through the door alone. Through a small window, she saw him tighten his sandals and trudge toward Sepphoris. Watching him depart, she thought it odd that he had not greeted his father and offered him blessings for the day.

While her mother slept, Anna went to the olive groves. She wove between the shaggy trunks of the trees, scanning the ground. She lifted the belly of her robe in front of her like a bowl and collected fruits overlooked by the farmers.

As she neared her house, Anna felt that something was wrong. Something in the air was taut, like an overstretched goatskin. It made her bones hum. Fearful of entering the door, she stood outside the camel hide and listened. She heard the voice of a woman, but it was not her mother. Then she heard her father’s voice.

What was he doing home?

The voices rose, reaching a hysterical shrill.

“What has happened? What has happened, Yoseph?” the woman shrieked. Anna heard her father trying to calm the woman. Fearing for her mother’s safety, Anna yanked back the camel hide and ran straight into Daniel’s mother, Rebecca. The collision sent Anna’s olives flying through the air like sluggish confetti. Rebecca grabbed Anna and dragged her from the house. But not before Anna caught a glimpse of her mother. Mari lay on her mat. Still. Her mouth open. Her face blue. Her eyes unseeing.

Off to the side Anna spotted her father, his face hidden in shadow.