Their small caravan passed through the entrance gates to the villa's property. Josh's country home was built on terraces carved into the slope of a hill that offered an impressive view of the entire valley and the town below.

The thick stone walls enclosing the property had provided a sense of security for the generations of families who had lived there.

The first level was a small landing area with a staircase leading to a much larger open courtyard above. As the grounds sloped upward, heavy wooden gates and wide stairs lead from one level to the next.

Inside the main courtyard there were small apartments on either side where servants lived and the guests stayed.

At the top of the property, at one end of the large courtyard, were the living quarters. A row of small windows were spaced evenly across the facades of two rectangular buildings that comprised the main house. Behind the house there was a large west facing garden for growing vegetables and fruits, that could not be seen from the front. Such richness, Zack thought. Despite his feelings of envy, he welcomed the luxurious comfort that would make a stay with his relatives at least tolerable.

As they came to a stop, Zack got down from his mule. Eran, Josh's personal servant, took the reins and tied the mule securely to the hitching post. Oscar helped Liz from her mule, holding her hand until she could stand on her own.

Everyone was relieved that the journey was done, especially the servants, who had walked the entire distance.

"Peace unto you", Eran offered in his deep voice. Zack returned the customary "And, unto you peace".

"My master welcomes you. Please feel at home here!" Eran said.

"I wish this were my home, Zack sighed, removing his outer robe and shaking off the dust from the road.

"I'll take that from you master," said Oscar as he collected Zack and Liz's travel cloaks.

"Thank you my friend", said Zack.

"No family here to greet us? Liz quipped, where are Josh and my sister Ann?"

"Many pardons", offered Eran, a look of slight embarrassment on his face.

"The master should return home soon. He has been gone since morning, going over plans for the new workshop. Business is good, and the master has many responsibilities to attend to."

"Not a problem, Eran. My wife is just tired of travelling," Zack said. "I'm sure that her mood will improve once she sees Ann and Mary". He looked over at Liz, hoping she would find the grace to be somewhat cordial, though it was hardly in her nature these days.

A female servant appeared from behind Eran, with several towels draped over her shoulder and a vial of scented oil in her hand. She bowed her head, and then motioned toward a small fountain in the corner of the landing that contained fresh water.

"Please allow me to wash the dust from your feet," she offered to both Zack and Liz.

"Of course," Zack replied, as he led his wife over to sit on a stone bench near the fountain.

The feeling of having his feet washed and then massaged with oil was a luxury he recalled from previous visits. He closed his eyes to enjoy and prolong the experience.

At home in Hebron, with only two servants, he was lucky to get his clothes washed regularly, or to even take a bath, let alone be bathed. Occasionally, Liz would rub his tired feet, but more often he was the one giving her a massage, just to improve her increasingly sour moods.

After their feet were washed and dried, they were given a fresh pair of house sandals to wear.

Eran appeared again. "While there is still afternoon light perhaps I can offer you a drink while we wait on the patio for Josh ... ahem, the master to return," he corrected himself.

Eran led Zack and Liz to the upper courtyard, leaving behind the servants to wash their own feet at the fountain and to carry the travel baggage into the house.

As they ascended the wide steps, Zack was startled by the unexpected sound of leather soles slapping on the stone surface. He looked up just in time to catch Mary, who had leapt toward him with abandon, from above.

"Uncle Zack. You caught me!" The young girl squirmed and laughed in his embrace.

"You're lucky that I still have enough strength to catch someone as big as you!"

He hugged her close. It had been months since she had stayed with Liz and Zack. Mary tugged on Zack's beard and stared up into his eyes smiling.

"Miriam! A LADY does not leap about like that!" Liz scolded. "Somebody could get hurt -- even you!" Her frown slowly changed to a tight grin. "Unless she is Ann's daughter, I suppose!" Liz held her hand up affectionately against Mary's soft cheek in a gesture of warmth.

Liz thought there was something so familiar about Mary's face. She could not quite figure it out. It must be that Mary reminded Liz of her sister Ann. Her hair was dark, as was everyone's. Her eyes looked like someone she knew, though she could not exactly place who it was. Perhaps some departed family member that she remembered.

The group continued climbing, Liz and Mary hand in hand, until they reached the main courtyard.

Mary broke free from the group and ran back down the stairway, taking three steps at a time. An athletic young lady, and always full of energy, she bounded off. There was still some of the daylight left and she would make good use of it. She would catch up to them later.

Across the stone covered patio stood Ann, her arms outstretched, her gaze fixed upon the two of them. She had a broad smile on her face.

"Peace unto you," Ann called.

Zack and Liz together said "And unto you peace."

Liz stepped forward to greet her sister with arms outstretched. They embraced, with Ann stroking her sisters back, and Liz pressing her head against Ann's shoulder as a child might.

Ann looked at Zack, still embracing Liz. Her expression was a combination of concern and questioning. She did not understand why her sister was so melancholy. She wished there was something that she could do to help her.

As Ann and Liz broke their embrace, Zack came forward to get his own welcome from Ann. Before he could embrace her, Liz turned to him and held up a hand, saying "My sister and I have so much to go over before tonight's meal. We must not waste another moment here."

"You men can just wait outside and do what you like to do", she said. She was referring to drinking, which she thought was beneath women and personally abhorrent to her. With that they turned, Liz motioning for Ann to proceed toward the house. They walked quickly toward the main building and disappeared into the house.

Ann gave Zack a quizzical glance, as she was being lead away by Liz.

Zack had missed his chance embrace with Ann. It shouldn't have mattered, but it meant more to him than perhaps it should have.

It had been years since Zack and Ann's youthful indiscretion. Maybe Ann had forgotten what happened between them. Zack had not.

Zack walked back toward a covered area of the patio and lowered himself onto a large pillow-covered daybed. He closed his eyes for a moment allowing the welcomed feeling of comfort to wash over him.

(End of Chapter 3)