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about his bride-to-be, they boisterously congratulated him.

10
    Z erah stood with his arms folded, his face a mask when Jared announced the betrothal.
    “What foolishness is this, brother? How can you be so sure this will work?”
    Jared shrugged. “He loves her, and though he knows of Mary’s illness, he is willing to marry her.”
    A slight sneer crossed Zerah’s face. “Are you sure it is your daughter and not the boatbuilding business he is marrying?”
    “Do you underestimate my ability to judge in this situation, Zerah?”
    His brother put up both hands in protest. “Surely not, Jared, I merely hope that you have looked at all sides of this matter.”
    “The betrothal documents are signed and it is arranged. I do not think I have made a mistake. He is a fine young man and an honorable son-in-law.”
    Zerah started to speak but seemed to think better of it and closed his mouth.
    “He already knows much of the financial part of the business through Beriah. I would have you teach him the process of ordering the materials for the ships. Since he has worked here, he already knows how we build the boats.”
    Zerah sighed heavily. “Very well, brother. I shall accept your decision. It will be as you wish. We will start tomorrow.”
    Jared was pleased. He had anticipated an argument from Zerah over Nathan’s new status. It would be hard for his brother to treat Nathan differently, having been his employer for several years. Instead Zerah had agreed. He agreed with most things these days, especially since Mary’s kidnapping ordeal. Thoughts crossed Jared’s mind from time to time in regard to the kidnapping, but he dismissed them. Zerah would not have done such a thing. They were family.
    With a sense of well-being, he went out to watch their latest fishing boat under construction.
    Like expert cabinetwork, the hull of the fishing boat was a tightly joined shell of cedar. The workers carefully carved the opening in the mortise and fitted the tenon joint in the opening. He watched them fit these joints that became the ribs of the ship and pound in the dowels that held them in place.
    It always pleased him to watch his men build a boat. His craftsmen carefully formed and fitted each hull. Since this was a fishing boat, it was only twenty-seven feet long and seven and a half feet wide, big enough for at least fifteen men. The sides were almost four and a half feet high, enough to protect the fishermen in a rough sea. He’d only lost two boats on the water over the years, a record for fishing boats in the area. He looked out toward the Sea of Galilee and sighed. Those who built the boats and those who went out on the waters of the sea were both aware of the unpredictable winds that swept down from the mountains. The winds caused sudden fierce storms that could catch fishermen unawares.
    Another fishing boat was in its final stages, and he went over to inspect as the men smeared the outside of the hull with pitch to preserve the wood. Next they would cover the hull up to the waterline with a layer of tar-impregnated fabric, and finally nail a thin sheathing of lead over it all. Jared watched them work and smiled with pleasure.
    He became aware of someone nearby and turned to see Nathan watching the boatbuilding process also.
    “Ah, will you miss working in the yard, my son?”
    “In a way, sir. I liked working outside and seeing the boats come together under our hands.”
    Jared nodded. When he was young and first working with Zerah in the boatyard under their father, he too liked to work on the boats. He remembered the sense of satisfaction that he too felt as each boat was completed.
    A severe coughing spell interrupted his thoughts. He wrapped his arms around his middle, bending over in pain. He quickly pulled out a cloth he kept to cover his mouth. He hoped Nathan did not see the touch of red as he hastily tucked it back in the folds of his clothing.
    “Sir, are you all right?” Nathan helped him over to a bench