Hannah studied the executioner and took a breath to calm herself. The music had faded away, but her sense of hearing was still heightened, as if she could detect every breath, every movement, every rustle of the prisoners who waited for her death. Another breeze whispered past her.
“I’ve crossed over Jordan to Canaan’s fair land.”
She caught Simon staring at her. Although her heart was fuller than ever before, his look sent a sharp pang through her chest. Lord, give him strength to watch me fall. The speaker lectured the crowds, and she asked God one last time for forgiveness and grace.
“I’ve heard the sweet music, that heavenly song.”
The speaker scowled. “The prisoner will be silenced or gagged,” he barked. Hannah hardly understood his words. Had she been singing out loud? The corner
