Lacy's Lane
Page 30
“They said I had to learn to trust the Lord. That He knew what was best for me. So I let you go and spent the next few months with some of the guys and their wives, looking at their lives. I liked what I saw. Commitment. Faith. Marriages based on truth rather than lies and false pretenses. Kids that were loved and cherished. I want it, Lace. All of it. I finally figured out why you were running away from me. I was the one who hurt you. I dissed you that night. Sent you home with someone who…”
Lacy heard his voice crack and the muscles in his neck contracted.
“I asked you once to forgive me and you answered before you even thought about it. It wasn’t real then, Lace. I want to ask again. Will you forgive me? For leaving you alone. For sending you home with a guy that hurt you, for the pain that you lived with ever since that night? For what was stolen from you? I don’t know if I will ever forgive myself for what happened. But I need you to forgive me. If you can.”
Lacy saw his tears, heard his voice give way several times.
“I need that forgiveness, Lace.”
“I give it freely,” She whispered. And meant it.
Thad took her into his arms and rocked her back and forth. Lacy could hear him struggling to speak.
Suddenly, he pushed away and asked, “Are you sure? Completely sure?”
Lacy pulled in a deep breath. “I’m sure. Thad.” She said as she stepped back into his embrace and lay her head on his shoulder. She was free to breathe, free to let what was past stay in the past. Her physical heart felt lighter.
Thad’s arms went around her and she rested in them without struggling, without pushing away, without thinking of a hundred different ways to deny what he was offering.
Chapter 59
Christmas Day
A week had passed since Gannon’s funeral. Although not in the mood to celebrate Kippy made sure the girls’ first Christmas was the best. She and Mei Le made beautiful hand-made origami stars and birds to hang on the tree. Kippy’s best southern dishes lay spread on the table, fresh pine scent filling the air.
“Come on now, let’s give thanks.” Kippy gathered everyone together. “Lookee here, we have three new girls this year and a real live star in the house,” she winked at Thad, Miss Lacy and Mrs. Anderson. I’d say that’s an awful lot to be thankful for! Thad you go on and pray now.” She ordered.
Lacy waited to see what Thad was going to do. He took her hand and slowly each hand connected around until the circle was closed, Mrs. Anderson standing next to Ting, Ting holding the older lady’s broken arm. Thad prayed and Lacy, for the first time, felt overwhelmed. She couldn’t unhook her hands to flick the tears away, so she let each drop fall on her new blouse. It didn’t matter. She was in the circle. She missed Allison today. She and Dario were visiting friends out of town for the holiday.
For the first time in ten years she felt free. Loved. Needed. Hopeful for the future. And Thad’s heartfelt words bound up her heart for good. More tears fell when she realized for the first time Gannon wasn’t here to see it. And Mrs. Anderson was alone again.
When Thad finished, he turned his head and Lacy saw love. For her. She wondered why she hadn’t seen it before. She turned to take a seat and saw Kippy nod at Thad.
“There’s no way I can sit down and eat.” Thad announced after everyone was seated.
“Lacy Lee Linden…” Thad fell to one knee. “I want to ask you to be my wife. I love you more than I knew I could love a woman and I want us—you, me and the girls, however many you want—to be together. I don’t want to waste my life anymore. I want you in it. I’ve been praying for God to lead the way. And I believe He has. I’ll cherish you…I’ll…”
Lacy interrupted him. “Now who’s talking too much? I could have answered your question after the first line.”
Thad jumped up and pulled her up into his arms and gazed at her, waiting.
“Yes.” She said softly.
He grabbed Lacy around the middle and swung her around, laughing, shouting to the ceiling. “Gannon you hear that? She said she’d marry me.”
Thad stopped and motioned for the girls to come near.
“Let me ask them,” Thad whispered.
“I want to be her husband.” He nodded his head toward Lacy. And I want to be your …” he hesitated, “father…if it’s okay with you.”
The girls looked to each other, spoke quickly in Chinese. “We will live in California?” Ting asked.
Kew looked up anxiously waiting for the answer.
“Wherever Miss Lacy wants to live.” Thad looked to her.
“No matter. We go, too?” Ting said.
“Yes you will go with us,” Thad laughed.
“Then yes we will marry you.” Kew said.
Ting nodded. “Yes, yes.”
Thad nodded his thanks. “I’ll take good care of all of you.” He looked at each of them.
Kippy said, “Where’s the ring?” as she wiped a tear from her eye with the corner of her apron.
“Thad looked at Lacy and shrugged, “I wasn’t sure she’d say yes.”
“Well there’s plenty of time for that. Mei Le bring out the casseroles. Zan bring the desserts and set them on the sideboard. Can’t waste a good meal.” Kippy said as she helped Mrs. Anderson to her chair and everyone found their seats again, all talking at once.
“Well, it’s about time’s, all I got to say.” Kippy said in her non-nonsense way.
Everyone ate then dessert was followed by gift opening. Kippy, Lacy and Thad exchanged glances as each girl opened several gifts and thanked them too many times.
“Now don’t get any ideas we do this all year long. The Good Book says it’s better to give than receive. We’ll all see you ladies get plenty of opportunities to give all year long, starting today.” Kippy announced.
Thad looked at Lacy then handed all four girls a gift card they could spend to send gifts to their family or friends back home. “From both of us.”
Gannon had started this tradition and Thad meant to keep it going. The girls’ eyes were huge. He knew he was in the right place.
After much celebrating it was time to take Mrs. Anderson home and call it a night. There was plenty of fresh snow on the ground so Thad suggested they get started.
Lacy wondered why God had taken away so much and suddenly she found herself overwhelmed with a joy she could not describe. She couldn’t wait to get home and call Allison.
* * *
Thad drove down Lacy’s Lane after taking Mrs. Anderson home and getting her settled in. Once the girls and all the gifts and plates of extra food from Kippy were put away, the girls ran upstairs, not to try on their new clothes, but to make a list of who they were going to send their gifts to.
Lacy watched as Kew, her short hair askew and Ting with hers pulled back into a pony tail, stopped to say goodnight to Lacy and then waved good night to Thad.
Lacy stood in the kitchen her hip leaning against the island, her heart full and overflowing. She turned to Thad, his backside against the counter looking at her.
“When did you know Thad?”
Thad kept distance between them. He didn’t want to rush her. He’d had time to process things. He smiled as he answered, “After you left I wanted to hit something. I needed to do something, so the guys and I started sprinting on the beach every morning. Once you and the girls were gone, I had time to put things in perspective. You had been running, afraid not only of committing to a man, but of being hurt by one again. And me. How could you ever trust me after what happened? I knew I had to work my way back to you, but God had to show me the way. You would never trust me.”
“You’re right. I was afraid I’d never be enough for you. I had been used. And you were a ladies’ man, been around, known love, you knew everything. I knew nothing.”
“Hold on. Let me clear up one thing right now. I never knew love. I knew everything but love. God showed me what it really is. And I see it now. I’m still working on the logistics, but I see clearer now. I believ
e everything, the motorcycle accident, me coming here, you coming to California and leaving again…God knew I wasn’t ready yet, all of it was meant to be. Even Gannon’s time. It was all meant to be, Lace.”
“You really believe that? Even…”
“Whoa…I’m not saying what happened to you was meant to be Lace. I wouldn’t go that far, I’m just saying things worked out.”
“I never thought you would understand that I felt like I wasn’t good enough…”
“If I could change my behavior that night, I would Lace.”
She heard the grief in his voice, took two steps and raised her hands and placed one on either side of his clean shaven face, his light cologne familiar now. “I know now you didn’t let it happen on purpose, Thad. But you were the closest person to me that I could blame. I’m sorry for that. If that’s what it took…” Her voice dropped away.
“Don’t say that. Ever again.” He ordered. “That was not from God. That was evil. But what was meant as an evil act God turned around for good. Do you see the difference? I had to learn that from the guys. Stephanie has her own story. She’ll tell you sometime. She’s the one who understood you and explained to me how you might be feeling.”
Lacy nodded, wondering what Steph’s story was. There was so much they had to learn about each other. “And as long as God gives us life, I want us to always be truthful. No hiding things. No secrets. No more hidden emotions. Do you trust me enough to take me on?” Thad gazed deep into her eyes, his arms around her waist.
Lacy nodded. “Would you mind kissing me again? I know the roar of the ocean isn’t nearby, but I won’t mind a bit.”
Before her last word was out, Thad was kissing her, his hands tangled in her hair. Her knees grew weak from the thought that Thad loved her. She knew he did and felt his arms close tighter around her.
She melted into him for a time without saying a word, letting the idea sink in. Then she pushed him with a gentle hand to his chest and rested her hands on his shoulders. There were no more questions. She slowly lifted her arms and put them around his neck and instantly he was kissing her again.
Thad’s embrace sent warnings to her head. She stopped the kiss.
“Think Gannon is happy up there? Do you think he knew, Thad? I imagine he did.” She put some space between them. “I wish he could be here.” Tears welled up, partly from nervousness, partly from wishing Gannon was here to share their moment. “I think maybe we should go for a walk…” The words fell away.
Thad was looking at her.
“Still talking to cover up emotions you don’t want others to see?”
She caught his eye and for the life of her, she couldn’t deny it.
“I guess I am. I just never thought . . . well you know.”
“Come on, woman, let’s get your coat. The winds are noisy out there, maybe we can think of it as the ocean.”
On weak legs Lacy walked to the closet, pulled a heavy hooded coat off the hanger and walked to the door.
She handed him one of her dad’s coats. He hadn’t thought to bring one, coming straight from California. Together they walked out into the early evening, the snow swirling, and walked down Lacy’s Lane hand-in-hand, the winds kicking up snow swirls.
Thad pulled her close and she felt safe. Safe from her past. Safe from having to do everything on her own. Free to be herself. Lacy snuggled into his side. She didn’t know where they would live, where God would send them, but she knew they were walking in the right direction as they passed the little green sign, covered in snow, Lacy’s Lane.
THE END
Note from the Author:
Dear Reader:
A few months ago I was unexpectedly bombarded with media information about Sexual Trafficking from several different sources. The realization it was happening all over the world and right here in the United States devastated me.
Overwhelmed with the fact that I knew so little, I read a blog from a wonderful Christian author, watched two shows on Katie Couric, tuned in to two PBS public documentaries, all speaking about the issue of trafficking.
Then I became aware of the personal side of young women who were enslaved when a friend’s daughter, recently returned from an internship overseas, came for a visit! She spent several months with an organization that assisted young woman who wished to break free. We talked for hours.
At this point it was obvious God wanted me to do something. I didn’t have extra money, or any special skills, except writing, so asked God to help me find a way to help. A “duh” moment followed. Write a book and share the proceeds with organizations that help young women.
When the hand of God swings down and prompts, He provides the way. I already had an idea for my next book and incorporated the issue of date rape, something many young women never report and suffer through years of keeping their secret, along with the issue of sexual trafficking.
Lacy’s Lane was born from that day and is my first attempt to see what we can do if we draw together and make an effort to help. There are people who are already on the front lines helping women trapped in slavery to become free; offering them employment and practical assistance such as a place to live, educational training, and a support group. Other organizations not only free the women but legally prosecute the perpetrators! I wanted to be a part of that!
Every copy of Lacy’s Lane you purchase will help organizations that do an outstanding job of giving hands-on assistance to these women. I thought you might enjoy knowing you are a part of making this happen!
Tell your friends about Lacy’s Lane and let’s send a message to those who work every day, many times at great peril to their own lives, to free young women from the horrors of enslavement. Every one of us can support the people who do the work. This is just one small way.
Book two is entitled Lacy’s Life and a third book, Lacy’s Legacy, are in the works. With these books we can raise awareness and assist even more, tripling our support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
God bless you . . .
--Patricia
Here are two of my favorite organizations, both of which I support:
1) INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
P.O. Box 96961
Washington, DC 20090-6961
Phone: 703.465.5495
http://www.ijm.org/
2) STARFISH PROJECT
http://www.starfish-project.com/
If you or someone you know needs help
Please call:
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national, toll-free hotline,
available to answer calls and texts from anywhere in the country,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
1-888-373-7888 -- or -- text BeFree (233733)
Patricia Strefling is the author of several inspirational romance stories both Historical and Contemporary. To find inspiration for these stories she loves to travel and crochet, always ready to explore historical sites and meet people wherever she goes. Mother of three grown sons, five grandsons and a newborn granddaughter, Patricia lives with her husband in SW lower Michigan.
___________________
Connect with Me Online:
http://www.patriciastrefling.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/patricia.strefling.author
Other Books by Patricia Strefling
Edwina
Cecelia
Beyond Forgiveness
Ireland Rose
Rose’s Legacy
Cadence
Wedgewick Woman
Stowaway Heart
Lacy’s Lane
Coming Soon:
Lacy’s Life
Lacy’s Legacy
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39