The Gate of Heaven by Gilbert Morris

son?”
    â€œHis name, he says, is Jacob. He’s all worn out and tired, and he’s dirty, but he says he’s a kinsman.”
    â€œHe could be anybody,” Laban muttered. He was sitting back leaning against a tent pole with a wineskin in his hand. He lifted it, squirted a stream into his mouth, and swallowed. He was a scrawny man, and his robe was filthy. He got to his feet. “I’ll go see this fellow,” he grumbled.
    â€œBe sure he’s who he says.”
    Laban turned to look at the woman who had spoken. She was tall with strange light-colored eyes and reddish brown hair. He had taken her from a desert tribe as a wife. “I guess I’ll know my own kinsman, Ziva.”
    â€œYou’re so drunk you wouldn’t know a horse if you saw one,” Ziva snorted. “I’d better go with you.”
    â€œNo, you stay here. I can handle this.”
    Laban staggered out of the tent with Rachel by his side. She skipped along, running ahead and coming back to the old man, who clumped along with his eyes to the ground. He had a seamed, sour-looking face with eyes too close together that squinted constantly with suspicion.
    When they reached the spring, Laban watched cautiously as the young man, who was sitting down, stood to his feet. Not much to look at, he thought. Looks like a wastrel. Well, he needn’t think I’ll feed him! He kept these thoughts to himself, for he still had some idea in the back of his mind that Rebekah, or her family, might somehow be of use to him. He had heard reports for years about Isaac’s wealth, and more than once he had been tempted to go on a journey to make some profit out of them. “Greetings, sir. You’ve come far, I see.”
    â€œMy name is Jacob. You are my uncle Laban, I think.”
    â€œIf your mother is named Rebekah, then she is indeed my sister. I’m surprised to see you in such condition.”
    â€œIt was a harder trip than I imagined.” Jacob’s knees were shaking.
    â€œFather, take him home. He’s bound to be starved.”
    â€œWell…I suppose we must. Welcome, nephew.”
    The greeting was given grudgingly, Jacob noticed, but he was too weary to argue. The three made their journey back to the camp, and by the time they arrived, Jacob was trembling all over. He was aware that two tall women had come out. One was old and the other young, but they were obviously related. They both had strange hazel-colored eyes, oddly shaped, and the younger woman had a direct stare about her that discomfited him.
    â€œThis is my wife, Ziva, and this is her daughter, Leah.”
    Jacob bowed low. “I am sorry to have come in such poor shape. The trip was much harder than I thought it would be.”
    Leah came forward at once. She was as tall as Jacob, and her unusual eyes were round and staring, with such pale eyelashes they appeared almost snakelike. But there was a sensuous beauty to her form, and Jacob, even as tired as he was, found himself interested in her.
    â€œCome, sir, I will provide you water so that you may wash while we prepare the evening meal.”
    Jacob smiled. “Thank you, Leah. You’re very kind.”
    Laban suddenly laughed. “That’s the first time you’ve ever been called kind, isn’t it, daughter?”
    Leah shot a venomous glance at her father, and he immediately shut his mouth and dropped his head, unable to meet her fierce glance. “Come along,” Leah said. She led Jacob away to one of the tents, provided a bronze basin, and then brought a vase full of water. She poured it into the basin, and when he thanked her, she smiled.
    Even though Jacob had found her eyes extraordinary, her lips now caught his attention. They were as full and sensuous as any lips he had ever seen on a woman.
    â€œAnd you are very welcome,” she said with a gleam in her eye that acknowledged his attraction to her. “Wash now and rest yourself. I will