"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
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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
"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."
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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