Who Brings Forth the Wind

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Who Brings Forth the Wind Page 40

by Lori Wick


  "Ah, Stacy," Tanner said with a sigh. "You're so good for my

  heart."

  "Am I?" she smiled

  "Yes. And we'll have no more of this nonsense about your

  hurting my chest. I'm not up to much, but I want to hold you,

  and no one is going to stop me."

  "All right," Stacy agreed. "I'll ask Reece to have the extra

  bed removed."

  Tanner grinned. "I already did that."

  Stacy would have spoken, but Tanner kissed her surprised

  mouth, and suddenly Stacy didn't have anything to say at all

  twenty-three years later

  stacy stood in the shade of a huge willow tree and

  watched her family's antics. She shook her head at their energy

  and then turned and made her way toward the house. When

  she arrived at the back terrace she sat on the swing, from

  which she was still able to see her children and grandchildren.

  Drew, married to a lovely girl for two years now, swung his

  little daughter, Penny, high in the air and caught her on a burst

  of giggles. It always took Stacy's breath away to watch, but

  Penny clearly loved it. Hettie, who was too old now to get

  around, was sure to be up in her room watching as well.

  Next Stacy spotted Alexa as she threw a ball to her son,

  Joey. Alexa was a Hawkesbury now, having married Sterling,

  who was the image of Brandon, three years before. Both

  couples were as happy as they could be. They had found

  Christian mates and dedicated their lives to Him first and

  then to one another.

  Stacy's mind moved to Chase. He'd come after Alexa by a

  few years and had been away at school for some time. He had

  only just finished his studies and was now living in London

  with Roddy. Lucinda had died five years earlier, and everyone

  was relieved that Chase would be there to keep company with

  him.

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  395

  Lucinda had never been very comfortable with Roddy's

  talk of Christ and the Bible. On her deathbed, however, she

  had told Roddy she had made things right.

  The girls who had come after Chase were on the lawn

  now. Kendra was 18 and Pippa 17. They both missed Chase

  terribly, but it helped to have Drew and Alexa, with their

  families, near.

  The Duchess of Cambridge continued to study her brood,

  but after a moment she no longer saw them. Her mind's eye

  had turned to Tanner and his behavior of the past week. Never

  had she seen him in such a mood Not that he was usually

  impossible, but something had definitely changed.

  So many years before he had promised Stacy that he

  would be worthy of her love, and he had been. They had

  experienced their ups and downs, but Stacy could never fault

  Tanner's efforts as a husband and father. His children adored

  him and better yet knew him, because he had taken the time

  in their lives to be there. In fact, before coming home from

  London that day, he'd planned to check on Chase and see to

  his well-being.

  God's grace amazed Stacy repeatedly when she thought

  about the way all her children had come to Him, even though

  their father had had little voice in the matter for all these

  years.

  Tanner still enjoyed his debates with Brandon, and in fact

  the four of them had only grown closer as the years passed,

  but Tanner, to Stacy's knowledge, had never made Christ his

  Lord. Still she prayed, believing.

  "Wool gathering?"

  Stacy smiled at the sound of that deep voice and rose to

  embrace her husband.

  "How was your trip?" she asked, their arms still tight

  around each other.

  "Good."

  "And Chase?"

  "Looking well. I think he and Roddy are going to do

  splendidly."

  Stacy gave a heartfelt sigh. "That's a relief." She stood in

  the circle of his arms just staring at him for a full minute.

  Finally she spoke. "Tanner, what's come over you? I can't

  quite put my finger on it, but you seem quite different."

  Tanner gently kissed her brow, his look very tranquil.

  "I believe the Scriptures call it being 'a new creature in

  Christ.'"

  Stacy stood in quiet shock for the space of several heartbeats.

  "Oh, my darling Tanner," Stacy whispered when she could

  talk. Her hands came up to frame his face, and she looked at

  him through tear-filled eyes.

  "When did this happen, Tanner?"

  "About a week ago," he said, his voice more serene than

  Stacy had ever heard "It's been an especially fine year for my

  investments, and I was sitting in my office congratulating

  myself as usual for my fine business acumen, when it suddenly

  occurred to me that without God I would have nothing.

  "I felt as if I'd been struck. You, the children--everything

  is from God. He is the Provider and Savior. I couldn't go on

  after that. I wrestled for some minutes, but I knew I could

  never again pretend that I had been responsible."

  "But how did you--?1'

  "I've been listening to you talk to the children for years,

  sweetheart. I prayed and told Him that I believe in Him and

  need a Savior for my sins. And you well know He never turns

  anyone away."

  Stacy was overcome then. Tanner could count on one

  hand the times he'd seen her break down in all the years

  they'd been married, and now this was one more to add to the

  list. Tanner led her to a seat then and let her cry. He was

  thankful that no one disturbed them.

  When Stacy could control herself, Tanner began to speak.

  He told her how empty he'd been feeling inside for the last

  year and how much he'd begun to think of eternity.

  396

  "I'm not a young man anymore, you know. I'm 56 this year

  and I've lived much of that time for myself. It was more than

  time for a change, a permanent change."

  "Oh, Tanner. Wait until Brandon hears," Stacy sniffed

  "You can't know how he's prayed for you.*'

  Tanner smiled. "I'm looking forward to seeing him.

  There's so much I want to know. So much I need to know."

  They talked on for some time, and then Tanner stood,

  eager to go and share with his family. Stacy opted to stay where she was and watch the scene unfold. She smiled, tears

  coming to her eyes again, as they thronged him, arms hugging

  amid cries of delight and praise to God.

  "I never wanted anyone else, Father." Stacy spoke out

  loud "From the moment I laid eyes on Tanner, I knew my

  heart was lost. Then You chose me, now You have chosen him.

  In Your love You have given me my deepest desire."

  A breeze had come up, and Stacy's words were gently

  snatched away. Not that it mattered. God had heatrd them and

  as soon as her family, who was now coming to see her, arrived,

  she would gladly say them again.

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