Shadow of the Past: Keepers of the Faith 4, #1

By Susan Preston

Will Elizabeth allow a shadow of the past to ruin her life?

Like many women, even in our world today, Elizabeth is a competent person. But she has an area of vulnerability she has never had to deal with until a shadow of the past appears in her life.

• What is it?

• Who caused it?

• How does she cope with it?

There are few choices for a widow in the 1st century AD

Shadow of the Past is a look into a woman's soul. Journey with her as she is forced to overcome her vulnerability.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Preston
• Release date: Jan 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393942382

Susan Preston

The fact I am alive today is a miracle. The surgery for aneurysms resulted in most of my aorta having a very long graft. Three surgeons had called me called a walking time bomb. But here I am. Well and busy. I was born in Peebles, a town in the Scottish borders, but moved to Australia in 1975. I live in Perth, Western Australia. I have worked as a shop assistant, double loom weaver, trained as a Psychiatric nurse and worked as an After-care Nursing Sister in an outpatient clinic and in the community. My last job (before being bitten by the writing bug) was as a certified computer trainer. (Certificate IV in Training and Assessing). The holder of a Microsoft Master qualification in Office 2007, I enjoyed my work in a Registered Training Centre. I also had some private students and wrote manuals for them re-interpreting the jargon filled, missing steps manuals that left beginners wanting to quit. I loved the 'aha' moment when it clicked for a student, especially mature aged learners. So far two books in this series have been published. Hold the Faith, and book 2, Grow in Grace. After the death of my husband, I was unable to concentrate for long, so spent my writing time completing 'Geoff's Last Journeyings', a record for friends and family my husband's last year in the battle with Pulmonary Fibrosing. I have also kept up my blogs... Hold the Faith. Now, it is time to start work on the existing first draft of book three in the Apostle John series . Christian history fascinates me and a Bible Study on the Apostle John inspired me to set this history down. I am a practising Christian, a Sabbath keeper and member of a very supportive church.

Book preview

About Shadow of the Past

FEATURING SOME OF THE lesser-known characters from the Apostle John Series, Shadow of the Past is the fourth and final novella in the companion series.

This novella features Elizabeth. Like many women, even in our day, Elizabeth is a competent person, but she has an area of vulnerability she has never had to deal with, until a shadow from the past appears in her life.

Shadow of the Past brings in characters who have roles in one or more of the five books of the Apostle John Series, as well as the previous three novellas.

It can be read as a standalone book, but is a fuller experience for those who have read the other books.

About betrothals: A betrothal was as binding as a full marriage and the only way it could be ended was by a bill of divorcement. The man ‘prepared a place’ for his bride, and she prepared her clothing, household linens etc.... all by hand.

Susan

Hope you enjoy this final episode...

About Shadow of the Past

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

The Apostle John Series, in order:

The Novellas, in order

Chapter One

AFTER THE FEAST OF Tabernacles 100 AD

You should have finished preparing the meal a long time ago Chava, Elizabeth chided, when she hurried into the kitchen and saw the girl cooking the bread rounds. Samuel is bringing a guest; he has not brought a stranger home since Naomi died so we need everything to be ready.

Sorry Elizabeth. I had difficulty with the fish.

Oh Chava, Elizabeth, conscious of the time, sighed, you said you knew how to prepare it, that is why I left you to do it while I went upstairs and prepared the guest chamber.

I do know how to do it. I simply forgot to add the spices, and put it on to cook. Then I realized what I had done and had to take it out of the clay oven. After seasoning it, I put it back.

At least you put it in the correct oven. What is wrong with you girl? You have been distracted since you came home from visiting your family for the festival. Is one of your family ill?

Chava’s cheeks flamed as she shook her head and lowered her eyes.

Elizabeth smiled. So, it is a young man.

How did you know?

Child, I was young once. I was not born this age.

Chava looked up, chuckling at the thought.

Are you sure you have seasoned the fish properly now? We need everything to be ready and in order for Samuel and his guest.

Sometimes Chava struggled to keep up with the chores and please Elizabeth. She sighed and said, Yes Elizabeth, it is properly seasoned and cooking. You prepared the guest chamber, so all will be ready for Samuel’s guest. It was the nearest she could come to telling Elizabeth to calm down.

Elizabeth sighed. She saw the flustered look Chava was giving her. She said, You will be going home soon. After I serve the meal, I will go next door to my home. Naomi is not here, so anything that is not ready, or we have overlooked, will not be done. This is why I want everything in order for Samuel’s first guest since the death of his wife.

Yes, Elizabeth, I understand it is important. As she worked, she slapped the bread rounds on the hot stone, then when they were cooked, she put them into the basket and covered them with a cloth.

Following her own thoughts, Elizabeth said, Perhaps one day it will be safe for us to travel home after sunset and guests will not have to stay the night. For now, it is not possible.

Chava did not know what to say, all the time she had lived in Ephesus it had been the same.

You had better go and see to the fish, Elizabeth directed, knowing there was no answer to her observation.

Shall I bring it in if it is ready?

Chava! What else would you do, leave it in the oven to burn?

There was a loud rapping at the main door, and both Elizabeth and Chava jumped. No brethren used the main street door. Drawing in a deep breath, Elizabeth said, I will see to it, you go and check on the fish.

What if it is Roman soldiers?

Then I doubt you would be able to stop them, Elizabeth smiled. Now, go and check that fish or there will only be bread and broth for Samuel and his guest.

When the rapping on the door started again, Chava gave an apologetic look at Elizabeth and hurried up the path to the outdoor oven, her robe flapping against her legs.

Not so fast or you will trip, Elizabeth called after her, then seeing the girl slow down, turned to respond to the rapping on the main door.

Unlatching the door and nervously drawing it open, Elizabeth stared at the man standing there. He was not a Roman soldier. She screwed her eyes up and studied him in the fading afternoon light. He looked familiar, but he was not one of the brethren. If you are looking for Samuel, the owner, he is not home yet, she said.

He invited me to share his evening meal, Simon replied, studying her.

You must be the guest, Elizabeth murmured more to herself than the man standing there. I thought Samuel was bringing you. She smiled a greeting and said, He is not home, but should be soon. You had better come in. She was not about to tell him about the rear access, if Samuel wanted him to know, he would tell the man.

Thank you.

Elizabeth opened the door fully and beckoned him to come in, before turning to lead the way.

Nodding, Simon followed her, watching the way she moved and turned her head. It was her! The woman who should have been his wife!

Elizabeth!

Recognizing the way he said her name, she spun around.

Elizabeth, I am Simon ben Simon. I have come home to Ephesus. Have you forgotten me?

Studying his face, looking for the young man to whom she had thought her father was arranging her betrothal, she saw it was indeed Simon.

Chava came in from the outdoor kitchen carrying a platter with the cooked fish. Seeing a strange man in the foyer, she stopped in surprise before realizing he must have been the person at the street door. Why had Elizabeth invited a stranger into the house?

Hello Simon, Elizabeth responded, her voice shaking. She did indeed remember him, and it was not wholly a pleasant memory. Fidgeting with her head covering, she said, I did not know you were Samuel’s guest tonight.

I have that honor, Simon replied, smiling at her.

Oh, she murmured, lost for words. The memories he stirred up were a mixture, some of girlish joy, but mostly hurt and disappointment.

Noticing the girl standing uncertainly behind Elizabeth, Simon wondered if she was Elizabeth’s other daughter. She looked nothing like his daughter-in-law Esther, but then sisters did not always look alike.

Elizabeth watched him, puzzled. She was lost for words. How did she speak to him, this man who had filled her young dreams, but rejected her father’s offer of betrothal between them?

Seeing the girl had no head covering Simon realized she was a maiden, unmarried, and then he noticed how young she was. Too young to be Esther’s older sister.

Turning to see what had absorbed Simon’s attention, Elizabeth noticed Chava standing there uncertainly. Chava, if the fish is cooked take it to the indoor oven to keep warm.

Yes, Elizabeth, Chava responded and made her way through the door to the indoor kitchen.

You know the girl? Elizabeth asked.

No, no. I saw her standing there and wondered who she was.

She is a servant, originally hired by Samuel’s wife to do the heavy work in the house. Now she helps me.

I thought someone said that Samuel’s wife had died, Simon said carefully, wondering if Elizabeth had married Samuel.

She did, Elizabeth replied. She was more than an employer to me, she was a dear friend.

I am sorry for your loss, Simon said automatically.

Would you like to wait in the garden? A seating area there is where the family always gather. Judging by the fading light, it should not be long until Samuel comes home.

I would like that. It is a long walk from where I am living, and I would enjoy a chance to rest. He wished he could invite her to sit with him, but guessed that would alarm her. He wanted to know if his brother had beaten her. Then he noticed she had continued walking and was saying something.

Forgive me, I should have offered you refreshment. Elizabeth looked back toward the house and called, Chava, bring some of the watered wine. Then she continued leading Simon to the area that they all still called ‘Saba’s bench,’ although John no longer lived there.

Chava hurried toward them with a jug of wine and a goblet.

You had better leave now and go home, Chava.

Chava looked uncertainly at them. Even though Elizabeth was old, it was wrong to leave her alone with a man not of her family.

Samuel should be here soon, and you need to be home before sunset. Rhea will worry if you are late, Elizabeth said.

If you are sure, Chava replied, looking anxiously from one to the other.

I am sure, now go. Often the soldiers patrol this area at this time of the day. Even yet, they hope to find someone out after sunset although none of us break their curfew.

As Chava walked up the path to the rear door, Simon asked Elizabeth, Does the girl have far to go?

No, only across the road. She lodges with Rhea, a healer.

The sound of the bar being slid from the door attracted Simon’s attention. You have to bar your door? He was astounded.

Do you latch and lock your door at night?

I am staying with my son and his family. As well as their home they have a shop, so yes, they secure the door at night.

Inwardly cringing at the thought of Simon living with her other daughter, Elizabeth replied coldly, Drink your wine. I need to go and see if Samuel is nearby, otherwise I will bar the door again.

Simon poured some of the watered wine into the goblet, puzzled by the withdrawal he had sensed in her.

Trembling, Elizabeth walked up the path, trying to push down her hurt of years ago, wondering ‘what would my life have been like if I had been married to him instead of his brother?’ She pushed the question away and another replaced it. How she could ask Simon about Esther? He said he was living with a son who owned a shop. It must be his son Judah, who was married to her daughter, Esther. In that case, he must know there was no communication between them.

Sipping his drink, Simon looked in Elizabeth’s direction. What he really wanted to ask her was about her life, how she was...had she married again? She was still a beautiful woman; she could have married again. As he watched her move, he remembered she had lost much in changing her faith. He wondered if he should say anything about Esther and her boys, or if it would be too hurtful. Besides, the relationship between him and his son Judah and his wife was strained. If he followed this course towards the faith of these ‘heretics,’ he knew they would reject him as they rejected Elizabeth when she had chosen the faith of these ‘heretics.’ He was not so sure they were ‘heretics’ and something was drawing him to their beliefs. So, although it was a little crowded in the small home of his other son, Elazar, and his family, he was comfortable with them. They did not judge him over his interest in the faith of the Way.

Elizabeth was almost at the rear door when she heard Samuel call out, Do not bar the door, Elizabeth. I have just seen Chava leave.

I was just about to look to see if you were in sight, and if not, to bar the gate.

I am sorry I am a little late, a last minute customer.

Your guest has arrived, Samuel.

Chava mentioned it as she hurried by.

He has some watered wine and is sitting by Saba’s bench.

Good. I will just wash the dust off and come inside for our meal.

Elizabeth blanched. She had forgotten one of the simple rules of hospitality. Your guest will need to wash the dust off too, she admitted.

Samuel looked at her, puzzled, but said nothing. "Then I