Land of Promise: Saga of Ether

By L.A. Pattillo

He has two weeks to find a wife,

or his parents will choose for him.

Will his eyes be opened in time to see what's right in front of him?

 

A new land, a new life, a new...wife. Nathaniel is one of the youngest children of the prophet Mahonri Moriancumr and as such, his parents are determined that he will be the first to marry in their new land, setting the example for the rest of the believers. The woman they have chosen, however, is not someone Nathaniel can see himself tied to for the rest of his life. In desperation, he negotiates two weeks in order to find his own bride. Now he must actually find one he thinks he can get along with. 

 

Rhoda has resigned herself to being invisible and alone. She has spent many years pining for the younger son of the prophet, but after his attention went to her best friend instead of her, she decided she must make a change. Throwing herself into as much work as possible, she knows she will spend her life serving others, rather than raising a family of her own. She refuses to enter a marriage that doesn't contain the same love and happiness she has watched her family and friends enjoy.

 

To her surprise, Nathaniel approaches her with a deal. Let him court her with the hope that they can form a union, one based on respect rather than the love she craves. The offer is nothing like what Rhoda hoped for, but the love she has held in secret for Nathaniel refuses to be tamed. 

 

Will Nathaniel ever see Rhoda as more than a means to an end? Or will she have to walk away just to keep her dignity?

 

"Land of Promise" if the third book in the "Saga of Ether" Romance series, by Book of Mormon Fiction Author, L.A. Pattillo. It is based on the journey of the Jaredites from the Book of Ether in the "Book of Mormon".

Other books by LA Pattillo

SAGA OF ETHER
Babylon's Tower
Journey Through the Deep

Land of Promise

WOMEN OF FAITH
The Faith of a Bride (FREE by signing up for my newsletter)
The Faith of a Wife
The Faith of a Queen
The Faith of a Servant

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Ann
• Release date: Jun 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201496357

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

L eah! Come back here ! Rhoda called out after her niece. Rhoda huffed heavily as she picked up her skirts to run after the laughing toddler. I have you! Rhoda grabbed the squealing girl around the waist and swung her up into her arms. Leah’s scream of joy was so loud that Rhoda was sure her own ears would burst. Wincing, she put her wiggling niece on the ground and grabbed her hand. Now. We will go back to your mother and you will tell her all about how you broke that dish.

Leah’s bottom lip poked out and began to quiver. It was not me, she said in a trembling, tiny voice. The yells of excitement had quickly dissipated in the face of having to face the broken pottery.

It was you. Rhoda crouched down and tapped the pert, freckle covered nose. I saw you drop it. She softened her words with a smile when tears began to spill over. You must take responsibility for what you have done, but I know it was an accident. We will tell your mother so. Rhoda stood. Are you ready?

Leah’s head hung down to her chest, but she nodded.

The short walk back to the tent was quiet between the two girls, the sound of the village, however, was anything but. Shouts, hammering and general construction were a constant background in their lives at the moment. They had only arrived in the Promised Land two months prior and were working fiercely to establish their lives and build a city.

There you are! Eve, Rhoda’s older sister, exclaimed as Rhoda and Leah walked into the tent. What happened? The question was as much for Rhoda as little Leah. Eve held another young child in her arms, rocking him back and forth as she waited for an explanation.

Rhoda looked down at Leah, who squinted up at her aunt. Go ahead, Leah.

Leah sighed and peered at her mother from under her eyelashes. I broke a bowl.

Eve frowned. Why did you break it?

Leah shrugged, so Eve looked up to Rhoda.

We were playing a game and there was an accident, Rhoda explained. Leah decided the noise was fun, so she picked up the pieces and smashed them again before running away.

Eve tsked her tongue. Leah, you could have been cut. We should never play with broken dishes. Her eyebrows furrowed. And we need to tell mother when we break something, not run away.

Leah nodded, then wiped her nose on the back of her hand while sniffling.

Eve sighed and got down on her knees, extending her free hand toward the little girl. Come here, my daughter.

Leah rushed over, a sob breaking into her mother’s shoulder.

Rhoda huffed quietly. Her niece always seemed to be at one extreme or another. Happy or in despair. There was never an inbetween. She caught Eve’s amused gaze and they shared a smile. I shall go see if Mother needs help, Rhoda said quietly, stepping back to the tent entrance. And I shall bring by another bowl for you from Father’s collection.

Eve waved her off and went back to Leah.

Rhoda took a deep breath of air when she slipped through the entrance. It felt so good to have solid ground under her feet. In order to reach this land of promise, her people, led by the Prophet Mahonri and his brother, Jared, had spent nearly a year on barges crossing the great ocean. It was the longest journey Rhoda had ever taken and had been fraught with dangers, both internal and external.

The sounds of construction once again caught her attention, and Rhoda allowed her feet to drift toward the work. She loved watching the progress of their upcoming city. Rock was being mined out of nearby areas, along with the chopping down of trees and lumber. The first city in the Promised Land was sure to be beautiful and satisfying.

Men hurried here and there as Rhoda stood watching. The heat of the afternoon sun beat down on her head and she absentmindedly pulled her scarf up to shade her eyes. The first of the buildings had strong footings and each day they seemed to grow just a little bit higher, making it easy to record the progress from day to day.

Rhoda’s days, on the other hand, seemed to blur from one into another. Although she was of age to marry, she had no husband of her own. She spent her time taking care of her younger siblings and helping her sister, Eve, with her growing family. The work was wonderful, but did not fill the hole in Rhoda’s heart.

Is it wrong to wish for my own children to take care of rather than spending my time taking care of all the others? Rhoda sighed and shook her head. Guilt trickled into her chest as it always did when she allowed herself to dwell on what she lacked. Forgive me, she murmured as she turned away from the building and headed back toward the tents. I should not spend my time regretting my service. If this is the life Thou would have me live, then help me learn to be grateful and not desire more.

Rhoda!

Rhoda’s head snapped up and she immediately smiled at her friend, Grace. It is good to see you, Rhoda said, hugging the one who was more like a sister than a friend. Rhoda pulled back but kept her hands on Grace’s arms. You look well. Marriage agrees with you.

Grace’s cheeks turned red and she looked away. Any woman would say such a thing if they were married to Orihah, Grace whispered, glancing slyly at Rhoda. The two women paused, then burst into giggles.

Grace’s struggles were one of the reasons the trip across the sea had been so difficult. Her mother had been sick before they left, and had only grown worse during their travels. During the course of their journey, she had given birth to Grace’s younger sister and then passed away only days later. The loss had sent Grace into a severe depression and caused her to push away from all those who loved her, including Orihah, the youngest son of Jared.

Their happy ending had eventually come, however, and Orihah and Grace were married almost as soon as the parties had landed on the seashore.

I do not think you should speak so boldly, Rhoda teased. Do you wish for those of us who are single to seek out your husband’s attention?

Grace laughed again and hooked her arm through Rhoda’s. What have you been up to? she asked as the women began to walk. I rarely see you any more.

Rhoda pursed her lips. The same things I always am. I help with my younger siblings, do the laundry, help Eve, do the laundry. She grinned at Grace. Are you seeing a pattern?

Grace pushed her shoulder against Rhoda’s in a joking manner. Perhaps if we were to find you a man, you would have to spend less time scrubbing soiled clothes.

Rhoda sighed. If only there were a man who could take such a chore from me. Alas, I have never once seen one who washed clothes, so I suppose I am out of luck.

Grace shook her head good-naturedly. You know what I was referring to. Do not pretend otherwise.

Rhoda grew more serious. We cannot all find a love match such as the one you share with your husband. She blinked rapidly, striving hard not to show how much those words hurt. Perhaps I am meant only to be a helper, not a mother.

Do not say such a thing, Grace scolded. You will yet find your husband. Grace straightened. I will see to it, if I must. But your time will come, Rhoda. I know it.

Rhoda squeezed her friend closer. You are a good friend, but only the Lord knows what the future will bring. We are a small people. Not all of us are meant to carry on the next generation. She held up a hand before Grace could argue. But for now...let us simply be grateful we are on solid land and we have a future. No matter where it leads us.

NATHANIEL WIPED THE sweat beading on his brow. Is it time for a break yet? he asked his cousin, Orihah. It feels as if we have been working here for much longer than half a day.

Orihah chuckled and took a drink from his waterskin. We have, he answered. We have been working for weeks. Not simply half a day.

True enough, Nathaniel agreed. He put a hand over his eyes to shade them from the afternoon brightness and surveyed the area. I have never built a city from the ground up, he murmured. We have put in much work and yet we have so far to go.

Orihah nodded. Indeed. It will be many years before we can say it is done. But long before that time we will have homes and buildings along the way.

Let us hope that is so. I, for one, am tired of living in tents.

Orihah shrugged. They are not so bad. Though it will be nice to have a place more permanent.

We do not know what the weather is going to be like here, Nathaniel pointed out. What if the winters are bitter cold? Our tents will not be the best place for us.

What nonsense are you two spouting now? Mahah asked, coming up and slinging his arm around Orihah’s shoulders. Can you not think of anything more important to do than to stand around gossipping like old women?

Orihah gave his older brother a glare before pushing his arm off his shoulders. I believe that is your job.

Mahah glared back while Nathaniel chuckled. He had always enjoyed his cousins, but these two in particular were closest to his age and were always getting into mischief. Which had made life fun growing up together. Now that they were adults, things weren’t always as carefree, but Nathaniel still enjoyed their company.

Mahah had married just before their company left Babylon and now had two children born to him, a girl and a boy. His wife, Eve, was the eldest daughter of the potter, Abiah, and had grown up alongside Nathaniel and his cousins.

Orihah was more recently married. His wife, Grace, was the beekeeper’s daughter and their romance had bloomed during the sea journey to come to the Promised Land. Nathaniel rubbed the back of his overly hot neck, the memories causing him to overheat as much as the sun above.

He had once tried to gain Grace’s attention. She was a strong, opinionated woman, different from the other girls of their acquaintance. Her determination to be involved and have her say were attractive to Nathaniel and he had thought to further their acquaintance from friendship to something more.

Not far into the courtship, however, it had become clear that Grace’s heart was elsewhere engaged. Although she and Orihah had many struggles before becoming engaged, their hearts were already given to each other long before their wedding. When Nathaniel recognized that, he had stepped back, not willing to interfere.

I do not believe it matters what the weather will be, he inserted, attempting to bring his cousins back to the original conversation. We will all be happier and feel better once we are settled in permanent structures, rather than our drafty temporary structures.

Mahah and Orihah both nodded their agreement, but when Mahah gave Nathaniel a sly look, Nathaniel backed up a step. And where will you be living when these homes are built? Mahah asked. With your parents? Or will you finally be taking a wife of your own?

Nathaniel put his hands in the air and backed up some more. When the time is right, I will approach a woman for that purpose. We have only been in the Promised Land for a couple of months. Surely, I can be forgiven for not running to the altar right away.

Orihah grinned. Running to the altar was not a bad choice at all, he said with a laugh.

The men chuckled and Nathaniel shook his head. You two are welcome to your lives. I find myself content as I am, for now.

Orihah raised his eyebrows. That will not last for long. Our mothers were speaking the other day. You are the last one of marriageable age in the family who has not settled down yet. If you are not careful, they will choose a bride for you.

Nathaniel sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew his mother was eager to see him settled, but surely she would not go so far as to pick him out a bride. His many brothers had been given the chance to choose a woman to spend their lives with, and Nathaniel did not expect to be given less. Mother will not force anything on me, he said. And now is not the time to try and court a woman. We are still building our city.

If you wait until the city is built, you will be too old for a wife, Mahah teased.

Nathaniel gave his cousin a wry look. You think you are funny, Mahah, but there is nothing amusing in your words.

Mahah laughed. Only a man in denial would say such a thing. He clapped Nathaniel on the back. It cannot be helped, cousin. The next step in your life is to find a woman, and I can guarantee there will be no relief from your parents or family until that happens.

And just who do you propose that I marry? Nathaniel asked somewhat snippily. He was a man who did not struggle with anger, but right now he was growing frustrated with his cousins. It was not that Nathaniel did not wish for a wife. But the only woman who had captured his eye was taken. There were very few other women of marriageable age, and none who kept his interest.

What of Rhoda? Orihah asked, his eyes glancing at Nathaniel sideways.

Nathaniel smiled. Rhoda is a wonderful girl, but she is barely old enough to be considered marriage material.

She is the same age as Grace, Mahah pointed out.

Nathaniel frowned. She is? He thought of the pretty girl who was often in Grace’s company. She had a slightly mischievous smile and always seemed to be spending time with the children in their camp. Nathaniel had assumed she was younger than Grace, even though the women were obviously friends. She is a very small woman, he said. I had assumed she was younger than Grace.

Orihah shook his head. Nay. She very much enjoys children and is often helping her sister or Grace’s family, but her birthdate is only a few months behind Grace’s. She has been of marriageable age for several years.

Nathaniel nodded. Interesting. He grabbed the hammer at his side. Well, shall we get back to work? He pushed the thought of Rhoda and single women out of his mind. There would be plenty of time to think on that later, but right now, he needed to continue helping build the city in the Promised Land.

He would find a wife when the time was right...and right now was not it.

CHAPTER 2

G ood morning, Rhoda called out cheerily as her brothers began to stumble into the kitchen for breakfast. She grinned at their messy hair and the way they rubbed their eyes. It did not seem to matter their age, every morning they appeared like young boys.

Good morning,  Darius grumbled. He took the offered bowl of porridge. Thank you, Rhoda.

She nodded.

What plans have you for the day? Darius asked as he greedily filled his belly. He had been growing much lately and it was evident in the amount he had begun to consume in their meals. Soon his lanky limbs would fill out and Rhoda would struggle to call him her little brother anymore.

Rhoda shrugged. The same as before, I suppose. I will see if Grace needs help or perhaps Eve. She huffed. "Just because you men are building