Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (43 page)

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 Lucinda 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