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when I received news of her imminent betrothal. It was too late.”
    There was one more thing Jared had to know. “You are not put off by her illness?”
    “I understand Mary. I could live with that. I would do everything in my power to see her healed.”
    Jared could scarcely believe his ears. Was there hope for Mary after all? “And now that the cousin has departed?”
    The young man’s face was earnest now. “I still wish to make her my wife. That is, if you would agree.”
    Jared stroked his beard. “And Mary’s feelings for you?”
    “I believe they are returned.”
    Joy leaped in Jared’s heart. Mary would at last have a husband who loved her and would take care of her. The Holy One had answered his prayers.
    He smiled and clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “You have answered my concerns, Nathan, and considering what you have told me, I will agree to the marriage.”
    Now it was Nathan’s face that lit up with joy. “You will agree?”
    “Yes.”
    Nathan jumped up and raised both arms to heaven. “Thanks be to HaShem! Thank you!”
    Jared smiled to himself and rose slowly. “I will return home and approach my daughter. It is her decision to make. If she says yes, we will arrange the betrothal ceremony.”
    Nathan’s eyes shone with joy. “I will look forward to it.”

    When Jared reached his home, he nodded to Mary and went into the house to speak with Rachel. He glanced outside to make sure Mary was occupied and spoke in low tones. “Wife, there is a solution to our problem with Mary.”
    “A solution? To what problem, her illness?”
    He put up a hand for her to lower her voice. “The problem of marriage. I have a husband for her.”
    Rachel rolled her eyes. “Now, who have you sent for? It will end the same as the matter with your cousin.”
    Jared allowed himself a pleased smile as he delivered his momentous news. “It is Nathan. He loves our daughter and now that the other betrothal is off, he wants to marry her.” He ended the last words on a triumphant note.
    Rachel stared at him. “So it has taken you this long to see what anyone with eyes can see for themselves?”
    “You knew? Why did you not say anything?”
    She put a hand on his arm and looked up at him fondly. “You had already sent for your cousin. What good would it do?”
    He sighed and sank down on a cushion. “Is the father always the last to know what is going on under his very nose?”
    “You were doing what you thought best, dear husband. I understood that. Mary loves you and didn’t want to disappoint you.”
    He thought a moment and then rose slowly. “I have been remiss. I shall speak to Mary immediately.” His eyes twinkled. “It appears you will have a betrothal feast to prepare for after all.”

    As her father approached her with purpose in his step, Mary looked up. Now what did he have in mind?
    “It seems a matter has come to my attention that needs to be resolved immediately.”
    Mary regarded him warily and waited.
    “It seems a certain young man feels very strongly about my daughter and wants to marry her. Would you be agreeable?”
    A slow warmth radiated in her heart. “A certain young man—?” As he stood there beaming at her, the truth began to dawn. She knew. “Nathan? Oh Abba, is it Nathan?”
    He nodded, smiling, and was almost bowled over as she threw herself at him in an exuberant embrace.

    When Mary and Nathan agreed, her father set the wedding for the fall, in the month of Sivan when the boatbuilding began to slow down for the winter. Nathan’s position in the shipyard would be changed. He would be family and needed to learn the business side of building the boats.
    Mary knew Nathan was well-liked among the men and they respected his father, Beriah, who took care of the accounting. Nathan confessed to her that some were apprehensive about the marriage, aware of the problems the family had with her illness, but they all knew it was a love match. In spite of whatever apprehensions they felt