Who Brings Forth the Wind

by Lori Wick

  in coming.

  "Where can we talk?"

  Stacy took a breath. "The morning room."

  She led the way. Once inside Roddy saw her comfortable

  on the settee. Her color still worried him, but he knew he had

  to take this all the way.

  "Did Lucinda really hide us?"

  "I'm afraid she did."

  "And she didn't tell you?"

  "No. It's taken me this long to learn of your whereabouts."

  "Has Tanner been to Brentwood, asking for me?"

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  fill.

  "A week after you left Winslow." Roddy's tone was regret-Stacy

  eyes slid shut in agony. The fingers of one hand came

  to her mouth, and Roddy watched in amazement as tears slid

  out from beneath her closed lids. She was trembling all over,

  and the earl was becoming frightened

  "Please, Stacy, please don't get so upset. I know what a

  shock it must be, but I'm thinking of the baby as well as you."

  "How could she, Roddy?" Stacy whispered. "All this time I

  thought he didn't care. I was going to the Blackwells in the

  morning to tell them I would be returning to London and then

  Middlesbrough. How could she, Roddy?"

  "I don't know." Roddy's voice was sad. "Tanner has always

  reminded her of Aubrey, and she's still very bitter over his

  memory."

  "I can't begin to tell you how I've longed for my husband,"

  Stacy went on. "I left because of his indifference. The servants

  were very hard to take, but I could have stood almost anything

  if only he would have shown me he cared. Did he just come to

  see if I was there, or to take me back to Winslow?"

  "I wasn't there, but he told Lucinda he would find you."

  "Maybe he didn't actually look."

  "Yes, he's looking. He even hired a private investigator to

  locate you."

  "Oh, Roddy! How do I get word to him? How do I tell him

  where I am?"

  "I'll get word to him, Stacy, but I wish--" Roddy paused

  "What is it, Roddy?"

  "I wish you would pray for me."

  Stacy was dumbfounded

  "Not about Tanner; he'll be very pleased to hear from me,"

  Roddy explained. "But I've got to go home and face Lucinda

  with this. Things have been pretty strained between us, but

  she's never shown remorse. When she finds out that I've

  learned of your whereabouts, she'll be livid"

  "Of course I'll pray for you, Roddy," Stacy told him, but

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  then she paused "There is something more, isn't there, Roddy?

  You have something on your mind."

  Roddy opened his mouth once and then closed it. Stacy

  waited

  "I want what you have," Roddy admitted softly, his eyes

  searching hers. "I'm trying to pray and be like you, but something

  is missing."

  Stacy smiled so tenderly that Roddy's heart began to

  pound He knew she would have the answers; he knew she

  would not turn him away.

  "Tell me, Stacy. Tell me about Jesus Christ."

  So Stacy began. She assumed Roddy knew nothing and

  started at Christ's birth. She explained that His birth had been

  prophesied for years, and that it had been the fulfillment of a

  promise.

  She told Roddy about God's promise to Simeon that he

  would see the Savior before he died, and how Joseph and

  Mary took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem where Simeon saw

  him. Stacy explained about the second trip when Jesus was 12,

  and how his parents had found him in the temple amazing the

  elders with his knowledge.

  "He began his public ministry when He was 30, and He

  called 12 men to work alongside of Him. One of those men,

  Judas, would betray Him, but even this was used of God so that

  Christ could be our Savior.

  "After three years of public ministry Christ was arrested,

  beaten horribly and then died on the cross, but He didn't stay

  dead, Roddy." Stacy was growing very animated, and Roddy

  hung on her every word. "They buried him in a tomb and

  covered the entrance with a huge stone, but an angel came

  and the stone was rolled away. The grave was empty, and

  burial clothes lay discarded.

  "Every church I've ever been in sports a crucifix; not an

  empty cross, but one with Christ hanging there. But Christ

  isn't dead. The Scriptures say he rose again the third day and

  now sits at the right hand of God the Father. He has bridged

  the gap between a holy God and sinful man."

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  "I can't begin to tell you how you've helped me," Roddy

  replied. "I thought you would say it's too late, that I've lived

  too much of my life without God"

  Stacy shook her head and smiled "My grandfather was

  nearly on his deathbed when he confessed Christ, and I know

  he's in heaven because God is faithful to His promises. You

  can have that same assurance, Roddy."

  Roddy took Stacy's hand and held it gently. He was so

  anxious he was trembling, and Stacy was reminded of the way

  she felt when Elena and Noel sat with her and led her to Christ.

  It was much the same now.

  Stacy sat quietly as Roddy prayed. His voice faltered on

  several occasions, but she just held his hand and prayed for

  him as he spoke in his heart to God.

  Roddy raised his head, and Stacy saw peace in his eyes.

  "It's taken care of now."

  Stacy threw her arms around Roddy and tried to squeeze

  the life out of him. He hugged her in return and then spoke,

  his voice fervent.

  "I meant what I said to God, Stacy. I truly want to live for

  Him."

  "Oh Roddy, I can see that you do."

  "I'm just worried about sin. I told God I want to put Him

  first, but what if I do sin?"

  "I'm afraid it's not if, Roddy, but when. But there is hope.

  First John 1:9 says, 'If we confess our sins he is faithful and just

  to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness/

  "Sin never pleases God, but it's going to happen. What we

  do with that sin makes all the difference in our relationship

  with God"

  "So there is a chance I won't go to heaven when I die?"

  Stacy shook her head vehemently. "No, Roddy. Nothing

  could be further from the truth. Read Romans 8. That whole

  passage is to believers in Christ. It says that nothing can

  separate us from the love of God. That's not a promise to the

  whole world, Roddy--just to believers like you and me.

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  "When I said it's what we do with that sin that makes all

  the difference, I was talking about confessing that sin and

  turning away from it, thus restoring a right relationship with

  God through his Son."

  Roddy took a deep breath. He was not discouraged, just

  overwhelmed with joy. They talked until Hettie sought Stacy

  out, telling her that Drew was looking for her. Drew was

  thrilled to see Uncle Roddy, but on this particular day, Stacy

  did not allow him to stay. She and Roddy talked through

  dinner until they were both spent. They also talked again in

  the morning before Roddy left.

  "Does Lucind
a even known you were looking for me?"

  Roddy shook his head regretfully. They were standing

  outside Roddy's carriage, and he was headed to see Tanner at

  Winslow.

  "I was afraid she would do something to try to move you.

  Are you sure you won't come with me?"

  Stacy shook her head, "No, I'll stay here in case he doesn't

  want me back."

  "I know he does."

  Stacy tried to believe that.

  "You will come for me if he doesn't want me, won't you,

  Roddy?"

  "You don't even need to ask."

  With that Roddy kissed her cheek and climbed into the

  carriage. Stacy promised to pray for him and he for her, and

  then she waved until he was out of sight.

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  the evening of the third day was upon Stacy, and still she

  had had no word from Tanner or Roddy. It occurred to her that

  she didn't really know where the Blackwells lived. It had

  taken a day's carriage ride to come from London; maybe it

  took longer than that to come from Winslow. She had no sense

  of direction as they'd come from London and not fearing anything

  underhanded, she had not bothered to pay attention.

  "I'm too tired to think about this right now."

  Stacy spoke this to no one, having dismissed her maid and

  sent Hettie to bed. The older woman had not felt at all well

  lately, and Stacy knew that the job of trailing an active three-year-old

  was starting to tell.

  After sitting on the side of the bed, she bent over her swollen

  stomach to strip off her stockings and then let her hair down.

  It felt good to shake it free. Wearing nothing but her nightgown,

  she stood to scratch first her head, where the pins had

  sat, and then her tummy, which seemed to itch constantly.

  She drew the covers back, too tired to even read. She sat

  down on the edge of her bed and was in the process of turning

  the lamp low when the door opened.

  "Hettie?" Stacy called as she squinted toward the dim

  doorway.

  "No, it's not Hettie."

  The air rushed out of Stacy at the sound of her husband's

  soft voice; she was thankful to be sitting down. Stacy's eyes,

  now growing accustomed to the darkness, watched as he

  entered, shut the door, and approached. Tanner stopped just a

  few feet in front of her and simply stared down.

  Stacy swallowed. "Did Roddy talk to you?"

  "Yes. I would have been here yesterday, but he had trouble

  tracking me down."

  Stacy didn't know quite what to say to that. Tanner looked

  wonderful to her, but the expression on his face was unlike

  anything she'd ever seen before. She couldn't gauge what he

  might be thinking.

  "How is Drew?" he asked, his voice still rather hushed.

  "He's doing well."

  "Good Here," Tanner continued as he bent low and

  adjusted her pillow. "Lie down. You need your rest; we're

  leaving for Winslow in the morning."

  Stacy did as she was told, never taking her eyes from his

  face. His look was serious now, and after he'd adjusted the

  covers around her he placed his hand against her cheek and

  just left it there for a moment. Stacy's lids were growing heavy,

  and as much as she wanted to stay awake and talk with him,

  sleep was crowding in. She felt his hand stroke her hair, but

  she was deeply asleep when he pulled a chair close, turned

  the lamp a little higher, and just stared at her.

  "We're not going to be separated again, Stacy," Tanner

  whispered. "I promise this was the last time."

  It didn't matter to him that she didn't hear. He felt better

  having just voiced his thoughts. He let his eyes move over her

  and felt something squeeze around his heart at the extent of

  her pregnancy. Had she missed him? Was she able to travel to

  Winslow?

  Tanner could have questioned these things for hours, but

  he made himself stop. He was here now, and if appearance

  could be trusted, Stacy was doing very well. Outside of that,

  little else mattered.

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  Stacy did not awaken early as was so often the case. This

  morning, light was streaming through the windows when her

  eyes opened. She woke up facing away from her side of the

  bed, and one of the first things she noticed was the indentation

  in the other pillow. Tanner! Stacy sat nearly upright.

  Tanner had come last night; she hadn't just dreamed it. He'd

  really been here, and in bed with her. Stacy wouldn't have

  believed that she could sleep that deeply, but now that she

  thought back, a vague impression of a warm presence came to

  her.

  Stacy lay back, tempted to stay in bed for the next hour and

  just think about her husband. However, Tanner and Drew had

  other ideas. They burst through the door with barely a knock.

  "Mumma! Look who's here."

  Stacy's mouth dropped open as she saw her son so elevated.

  She never imagined where Drew's head would be if he

  sat on his father's shoulders, but he was high. Tanner swung

  him easily to the floor, and Stacy hugged him close when he

  scrambled onto her bed.

  "How did you sleep?" Tanner had come near to the edge of

  the bed and stood staring down at Stacy.

  "Well. Thank you."

  "Are you up to traveling today?"

  "I think so. Is it far?"

  Tanner nodded. "With your condition we'll have to make a

  stop tonight and won't arrive at Winslow until late afternoon

  tomorrow."

  Stacy noticed that his face and voice gave nothing away.

  She wished she could tell if he found this an inconvenience or

  possibly a duty. Stacy felt so perplexed with her thoughts that

  she transferred her attention to Drew.

  "Where did you leave Hettie this morning?"

  "She's in bed," Drew told her. Stacy felt alarmed. It was

  much too late for Hettie to still be abed. Stacy shifted Drew to

  the side and eased from the bed.

  "I need to check on Hettie," Stacy spoke as Tanner stepped

  back and allowed her to reach for her robe. She glanced up to

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  find his eyes on her stomach and self-consciously pulled at

  the fabric over her swollen waist. Tanner's eyes came to hers,

  and Stacy wished once again that she knew his thoughts. Stacy

  tried not to believe that he found her repulsive, but the

  thought did enter her mind.

  Tanner would have continued to watch Stacy, but Drew

  captured his attention. Stacy was in her robe and out the door

  before he knew it.

  "Where is Hettie's room?" Tanner asked his boy as he

  swung him back onto his shoulders.

  It had taken quite a bit of tactful negotiating, but Tanner

  had finally convinced Stacy that she should leave and Hettie

  should stay put. He had followed his wife to the older woman's

  room and found her very ill indeed. Naturally, Stacy had

  wanted to stay and nurse her, but Tanner had put his foot

  down.

  The next suggestion had been that they all simply stay

  until Hettie could go with them. Tanner was gentle, but adamantly
/>
  against this also. With much talk between Stacy and

  Lady Blackwell, it was finally decided that Tanner would take

  his family home and send a carriage back for Hettie in two

  weeks' time.

  When Stacy and Drew were finally ready to go, Tanner

  made one last trip to the sickroom. He could tell that Stacy was

  still apprehensive, and he wanted to be able to reassure her

  that he'd checked on Hettie again. To his surprise, Hettie had

  gained enough strength to take him on.

  "You will have excellent care. In two weeks," Tanner was

  speaking from where he stood by the bed, "a Richardson

  carriage will be here for you." Tanner did not go on to say that

  he'd greased a few palms to see that she would be treated like

  a queen while at the Blackwells'.

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  "Who will see to Stacy and Drew?"

  It irked Tanner that the old woman used their Christian

  names, but he held his tongue.

  "They'll be well taken care of."

  "Like they were before--with not enough food and living

  like prisoners? They couldn't even walk in the garden without

  the gardeners coming out to glare."

  This was the first Tanner had heard of the gardeners being

  rude as well, but he continued to assure Hettie.

  "All of that is changed now. My wife and son will have the

  best of care."

  "What if the baby comes?"

  "The baby's not due for weeks."

  "Drew was early. Stacy nearly died; did you know that?"

  Tanner's heart slammed in his chest, and he could only

  stare at the sick old woman.

  "I've never liked you," Hettie went on, her voice growing

  weak. "And I know that you think I'm out of line to be saying

  this, but there's no one to care for Stacy without me."

  The words completely taxed her. She lay, chest heaving,

  her eyes angry, but also pleading with the duke. Tanner wanted

  to go to Stacy on the spot, but something in Hettie's face

  compelled him to console her one last time.

  "It is as I've said." This time Tanner's voice did not allow

  her to argue. "All that is changed now."

  Tanner's intense gaze held Hettie's for just an instant, and

  then he was gone.

  Stacy squirmed in the seat and told herself to go to sleep,

  pray, or do anything that would take her mind off of how badly

  she needed to relieve herself. They had been traveling for over

  two hours without a stop, and Stacy thought she might burst.

  Had he been in the coach with them, Tanner might have