Who Brings Forth the Wind (Kensington Chronicles) (50 page)

face. Alexa's eyes followed Stacy's every move.

"Mum," Drew called from the doorway. "Is Alexa awake?"

"Yes, she is. Come in."

"Alexa," Drew said to her in a voice that sounded like a

growl as he bent over her and rubbed noses. Stacy watched.

The baby grinned as if on cue. This was Drew's latest voice

with his sister. The first month he always said her name in a

very high pitch. The next month he drew the name out in a

singsong way--Aaaalexaaa. Now he sounded like a bear. His

sister loved it.

Drew had turned four just a month back, and he was a

wonderful older brother. Already showing signs of being quite

responsible, Stacy even allowed him to carry the baby at times.

He took this job very seriously, even though Hettie nearly

fainted whenever she watched him.

"When will Uncle Roddy be here?"

"Oh, soon, I expect. Which reminds me, I'd better feed

your sister now so we can go for a time without being interrupted"

Stacy came off the floor in an easy movement, and after

lifting Alexa into her arms, she took the rocking chair. Drew

stayed to visit with her, and when Alexa was more than

halfway through, Tanner also came into the baby's room. He

bent low to kiss Alexa's head, scooped Drew into his arms, and

then took a chair.

"I have to go to London at the beginning of next week."

Tanner's tone was regretful.

Stacy frowned slightly. They had only just began to enjoy

married life again, and right now they felt like honeymooners.

"How long will you be away?"

"Four or five days. A week at the most."

Stacy was not thrilled, but she was accepting. Tanner

watched her face and smiled inwardly. He would have said

something very intimate to his wife just then, but his children

were present. He hadn't wanted to be away from her for a

moment in the last few weeks, and her frown over his news

told him she felt the same way.

"May I go with you?" This came from Drew, and Tanner

looked down in surprise at the little person in his lap. His first

response was to say no, but when he took a moment to think

on it, he wondered if it might be a good idea.

"Let me talk it over with your mother," Tanner told him,

having already decided to take Drew along.

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"All right." Drew naturally took this as a good sign, and his

look became very hopeful. He was going to ask where they

were going to stay, but Reece came to the door at that moment

to announce Roddy and Luanda's presence.

Having gained permission, Drew joined Reece when he

went back downstairs. Stacy rang for Hettie. After the baby had

been taken to her room, Tanner stood up. Stacy did also and

caught his hand before he could move away.

"I really wish you would see her."

Tanner's eyes grew hard. Stacy was forgiving; Tanner was

not. When they had come a month after the baby was born,

Tanner refused to see Lucinda. He'd spent some time with

Roddy, but if Lucinda was in the room, Tanner was not.

"She is really sorry."

"You can't give Lucinda an inch, Stacy. Give her half a

chance, and she'll try to control your life again."

"I'm not going to let that happen."

"I don't see how you'll stop it."

"I take it you're planning to send me away again."

Tanner's arms were around her in an instant, and he

brought her hard up against him. His face was so close when

he spoke, she felt his breath on her cheek.

"You know I'm not."

"Then what are you worried about?"

Tanner had no answer, but as he stared into Stacy's eyes,

remembering the way Lucinda had kept them apart, he knew

he couldn't take it ever again.

"I think you like holding onto your anger," Stacy spoke

solemnly. "I know she was wrong, and Lucinda knows it too,

but I think you've made up your mind not to forgive her.

You're holding onto that bitterness for no good reason."

"Do not," Tanner's voice had grown very cold, "talk to me

as if I were Drew."

"Then stop acting Drew's age!" Stacy shot back at him and

stepped from his embrace. Her voice shook when she spoke,

but she did not look at him as she headed toward the door.

"You're angry and since your anger always scares me, I'm

leaving now."

She got no more than three feet away before Tanner was

pulling her back into his arms. He didn't kiss her but held her

tightly against his chest. Stacy lay agreeably in his arms, telling

herself not to apologize for speaking the truth. Tanner said

after some minutes, "I'll try to come down, but I make no

promises."

Stacy lifted her head to look at him. "Thank you, Tanner."

"You look marvelous," Lucinda exclaimed the moment

she saw Stacy. "I thought you would have the baby with you."

"Hettie is changing her, and then she'll bring her down."

"Oh, good. I brought her a little something, and I want to

see what she thinks."

"Something tells me she'll love it," Stacy's voice was dry,

and Lucinda laughed when she realized what she'd just said.

"Hello, Roddy."

Stacy finally turned to hug this man who was so dear to

her. After embracing, they stood for just an instant and stared

at each other. Things were so special now that he'd come to a

saving knowledge of Christ. He had always been a kind, gentle

man, but there was a warmth and peace about him now that

Stacy could not even begin to describe.

"How are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine. How about you?"

"I'm well."

"Is Tanner taking good care of you?"

Stacy's smile was tender, causing Roddy to reach out and

gently squeeze her hand. No words were needed.

Lucinda had sat down to hold Drew on her lap and called

to her husband.

"Come and sit beside me and see this little man."

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Roddy complied "You look more like your father

time I see you, Drew."

Drew smiled at Roddy, who was one of his favorite people, *\ but an odd expression came over Lucinda's face. When Drew

climbed from Lucinda's lap onto Roddy's, she said softly, "Will

he see me this time, Stacy?"

"I honestly don't know, Lucinda. I asked him if he would,

but I'm not sure what he will do."

"I've been telling Lucinda she must keep quiet, even if he

does make an appearance."

"Is he right, Stacy? Should I really not bring the subject

up?"

"Well," Stacy answered slowly, wanting to say the right

thing. "You did write him?"

Lucinda nodded.

"And in the letter you already apologized?"

Another nod.

"Then I think I would stay quiet about the Blackwells

unless the subject comes up. Tanner might be ready to put it

behind him, and if he is it will only irritate him to belabor the

point."

Lucinda was more than ready to comply with any suggestion.

The three of them spoke of it for a few minutes more, and

then Hettie appeared with Alexa. Lucinda and Roddy were

both captivated with her. Alexa sat on her mother's arm and

stared at the strangers with huge, dark eyes.

"She's adorable," Lucinda breathed.

"Would you look at those eyes," Roddy added

"Alexa," Drew growled, and a huge smile broke across the

baby's face.

If Roddy and Lucinda had found her cute before she smiled,

they now thought her enchanting. They watched as she kicked

her legs and smiled at her brother's antics. Lucinda came near

and Stacy passed Alexa to her. Alexa smiled engagingly

through the transition, even when she realized that she was

no longer in her mother's arms.

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She then proceeded to charm the stockings off of her

Aunty Lucinda, She smiled and drooled with charm, before

sticking a finger in her eye and causing great tears of self-pity

to roll down her round, flushed cheeks. She was passed

to Stacy, who had only just calmed her down when Tanner

walked in and made her forget all about her eye.

Unless Alexa Richardson was eating, her father was her

favorite toy. She smiled as he neared, and the legs that had

been calm began to kick with delight. Tanner, his eyes alight

with amused pleasure, made straight for his wife and daughter.

He took Alexa into his arms, bussed her once on the cheek,

and then turned to his guests.

"Hello, Lucinda, Roddy. How was the trip out?"

"Not bad," Roddy answered. "The roads are a bit wet."

Tanner nodded, and Stacy prayed

"I'm headed out for a ride," Tanner continued "Would you

care to join me, Roddy?"

Roddy answered with a smile in his voice, "Your daughter

is stiff competition, but I could use some exercise."

Tanner chuckled and spoke to the baby in his arms. "Are

you working your wiles on your Uncle Roddy?"

He received a toothless grin for the attention, and Tanner

couldn't resist kissing her again.

"Papa?" Drew spoke. Tanner looked down to find him

standing at his feet and asking to hold the baby. He waited

until Drew was settled in a chair and placed Alexa in his small

arms.

Tanner seemed anxious to be on his way, so he and Roddy

left just after Drew took the baby. Lucinda brought out her

gifts for the children in the next few minutes, and as much as

Drew enjoyed his new sweater and hat, and Stacy, holding

Alexa, exclaimed over the new dress and shoes for her, the

younger woman could tell something was wrong.

Lucinda's features were oddly strained, but not until Hettie

had taken Alexa away and Drew had gone off with Mrs.

Maxwell did Stacy ask. Lucinda's reply was so surprising that

all Stacy could do was listen.

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"She would never have reacted that way if Tanner was a

stranger. Alexa's whole face lit up at the sight of him. All this

time I thought he had forced you back here, that you were

being treated like before.

"Tanner cares for you; he truly does! I thought he was just

like Aubrey, but he loves his children--I can see it in his face.

He was so tender with both Alexa and Drew.

"Oh, Stacy, all this time.. .What have I done?"

"It's over, Lucinda," Stacy knew it was time to cut in. "I

won't say that Tanner hasn't hurt me, but, God willing, the

worst is over. I'm not exactly a saint myself, I hope you realize,

but I believe we're both committed to making this marriage

work."

Lucinda drew in a shuddering breath. "Thank you for

being so understanding. Roddy said that you were, and I know

you've forgiven me, but I don't feel I deserve it. It's all a little

hard to take in."

Stacy nodded understandingly, thinking this had been a

long time in the coming, but well worth the wait.

"Stacy," Lucinda said after a moment, her voice a bit