A Moment of Weakness (44 page)

“When did Miss Jade and her boy arrive in town?” Marti slipped Doris’s robe off her shoulders and helped her to her feet.

“Her divorce was final two weeks ago. They arrived last weekend.”

“They have somewhere to stay, yes?”

“With Tanner’s friend, Matt Bronzan.” Doris winced. Her bones had been aching more than usual, and she figured it was because she’d gotten so little exercise. It was, in some ways, a no-win situation. She needed to rest to conserve energy and protect her heart, but the more she rested, the weaker she grew. The doctor had told her it wouldn’t be long now. She had cheated death once; it wouldn’t happen a second time.

“They have a new house for after the wedding, yes?” Marti held Doris’s elbow gently and eased her into the bathroom.

“Yes. Tanner told me about it. Four bedrooms, a big backyard. Only twenty minutes from his office.” She would love to see it, but that was out of the question. It took all her energy
just to visit with Tanner for an hour these days. The wedding would be her first outing since the heart attacks.

Meticulously Marti tucked Doris’s hair into a shower cap. She knew the routine well and seemed forever one step ahead of Doris, anticipating her needs and struggles. “Hmm. Four bedrooms?” Marti’s eyes twinkled. “They have just one boy, no?”

Doris smiled. “Yes. But not for long if Tanner has anything to say about it.” She sucked in her breath as Marti led her to a nearby chair. The process of getting out of bed, of donning her bathrobe and a shower cap, left Doris exhausted. She generally needed a few minutes in the chair before she was ready to bathe. “Tanner and Jade are young. Tanner says they want lots of babies.”

“Tanner seems very happy. You must be proud.”

Doris thought about the pain she’d put her son and Jade through, the lost years her lies had cost them both. Marti knew none of those details, though, and Doris had no need to share them now. “Yes, Marti. Tanner and Jade are very happy.” She hesitated and felt herself getting weepy. “I am very proud of them both.”

And terrified at the same time
. She remembered Tanner’s visit not long after she was settled in her condo. “Call Jade, Mother. She wants to talk to you.”

But Doris had used her health as an excuse, both then and again weeks ago when Jade arrived in town. “I’d love to see Jade and Ty,” she’d told Tanner. “But dear, I’m simply not up to visitors.”

The truth was, she desperately wanted to meet Ty—her son’s only child, her grandson. But guilt formed a barrier of shame she couldn’t see past, and instead she had written a letter to Jade apologizing for her inexcusable lies, her wicked
behavior. In turn, Jade had written back, assuring Doris of her forgiveness. Still, Tanner told her often that she should meet Jade face to face, talk things out and make amends in person.

“Don’t run from this,” Tanner had begged her. “Jade forgives you, Mother. But you two need to talk, face to face now that she’s in Los Angeles. For both your sakes.”

A small voice within Doris had told her that was true, but still she held back. What if it didn’t go well? She shook her head. No, it wasn’t right. She didn’t want to do anything to mar this time for either Tanner or Jade. With that in mind, Doris declined her invitation to the wedding. “I’d ruin it for her, Tanner.”

“That isn’t true. Mother, she wants you there.”

Tanner didn’t understand. God may have forgiven her, but Jade … How could Doris look the girl in the face and apologize to her? How could Jade ever really forgive an old woman who had cost her ten years of happiness?

And yet, more and more over the last few days, Doris had felt the urging—almost as though someone were giving her a strong nudge in her spirit—to go. Finally, yesterday, she’d given in. She would go, trusting God to work things out.

Marti helped Doris up, carefully removed her nightgown and eased her into the shower. Doris could still bathe herself but the process left her drained and Marti had taken to staying within arm’s reach. “You’re so wonderful, Marti. What would I do without you?”

“God is good, Mrs. Eastman. Good to both of us.”

When she was finished showering, Marti helped her dry off and for a moment Doris remembered how independent she’d been, how proud and hard hearted.

Now she was grateful for having help in and out of the shower. Although she missed her vitality, she knew better than
anyone that the true condition of her heart was worlds better than it had been before the heart attacks. And for that she thanked God constantly.

Marti slipped the robe back over Doris’s shoulders and eased her into the chair once more. “I’ll be all right, Marti. You go ahead and get ready. I need some time with the Lord.”

The girl smiled and then dashed out the door down the hall toward her room. When she was gone, Doris closed her eyes and thanked God for his faithfulness. He had brought Tanner and Jade back together, where they had always belonged. He had spared her life long enough to allow her to repent and tell Tanner the truth. And he had done something she still couldn’t believe.

He had spared Tanner’s career.

From the hospital bed set up in her Los Angeles condominium, Doris Eastman had scrutinized every article and news story she could find about her son. The newspapers had been so shocked by Tanner’s revelation that at first their stories seemed almost ambivalent.

What had happened over the next weeks and months had been nothing short of a miracle. Rather than rail against Tanner for his immorality years earlier, the media learned the story behind Tanner and Jade and embraced him as a modern-day hero. A man of faith with whom the people could relate. Not perfect, but perfectly committed to God.

Since August, editorials in the Los Angeles
Times
had described a major groundswell of public support should Tanner Eastman decide to run for state senator. Tanner had talked about it with Doris during one of their visits, and for the first time he thought serving in a public office might actually be the path God was choosing for him.

“Matt’s ready to take over the CPRR office.” Tanner had
been unable to hide his grin. “Who’d have thought there’d come a day when the idea of public office actually appealed to me.”

Doris had enjoyed his easy banter. The two were much closer than they’d been before the heart attacks, giving her yet another reason to be grateful. “I always knew you’d be on the ballot one day. But of course you had to do it your way.”

In reality she knew that though she would probably not live to see her son elected to office, or the children he and Jade might have in the future, she was no longer concerned with the choices he made. He had chosen to follow God’s path, and from where Doris sat now, she would be eternally grateful.

She thought about the wedding and the fact that sometime later that day she would face Jade. It would be their first meeting since that afternoon in Portland. And then … she would meet her grandson for the first time.
What if Jade hates me? What if she asks me to leave?
Doris wanted nothing more than to make peace with Jade, but in that instant she was struck by a palpable sense of doom.

My precious daughter, remember nothing is impossible with God.…

The words filled her mind and brought with them an unearthly peace. Yes, that was it. With the Lord, nothing was impossible.

God had given Tanner the strength to follow him.

Now it was her turn.

The ceremony was to be held west of Los Angeles at Chapel in the Canyon, a stucco building with a Spanish tile roof situated amidst rocks and wild brush. The view from the courtyard was breathtaking, and Jade stood outside savoring a moment of solitude before the wedding began.

In a million years, she would never have dreamed that this was what God had planned for her … that this was the future she—

“Jade.”

The voice was weaker than before, but it was distinct all the same. Jade’s heart skipped a beat.
No, it can’t be … not now …
She spun around, her veil swishing gently behind her. “Mrs. Eastman.”

A younger woman waited in the distance as Tanner’s mother took slow, shuffling steps toward her.
What was this? She had come after all. Despite her failing health and adamant refusal to receive visitors, Tanner’s mother had come
.

“Jade, I know you weren’t expecting me today.” She was out of breath, and Jade could see something different in her expression, something soft and genuine that had been missing the last time they spoke. Tanner had told her a dozen times how different his mother was, how her faith was new and alive and how everything about her had changed as a result. Now Jade could see that for herself.

Jade’s heart pounded, and she struggled for the right words. “No … I mean, yes … we want you here, Mrs. Eastman. I’m so glad you could make it.” The woman’s eyes told Jade she had nothing to worry about. This was not a trick or a trap like their last meeting. Mrs. Eastman was a changed woman.

Mrs. Eastman moved closer still and placed a hand tenderly on Jade’s arm. “You’re a beautiful bride, Jade. Tanner is a lucky man.”

Jade was speechless, overwhelmed by the power of God’s love and forgiveness.

“I’m sorry, Jade.” There were tears in Mrs. Eastman’s eyes, and Jade began to tremble. “I’m old and worn out, but God has been merciful. He allowed me to be here and tell you to your face. I’m so very, very sorry, Jade. What I did was … it was
shameful. There’s no other way to say it. I’ll be sorry as long as I live.”

The confession seemed to add years to Mrs. Eastman’s countenance, and her shoulders drooped as she stepped back. “I won’t bother you anymore. If you don’t mind, I’ll go inside and watch.”

Too full of emotion to speak, Jade took Doris Eastman’s hand in hers and squeezed it gently. “We all paid a price for what happened that summer.” Tears sprang to Jade’s eyes. “But God, in his mercy, has worked it out for good.” Through watery eyes, Jade smiled her forgiveness at the woman. “I told you in my letter that I forgave you, Mrs. Eastman. And I do. The past is over.”

She led Tanner’s mother to a side door near the back of the church and flagged down Matt Bronzan. “Get Tanner, please.” Jade squeezed Mrs. Eastman’s hand gently and smiled at her. “Tell him his mother is here.”

Jade entered the building on Matt Bronzan’s arm, and Tanner had to remind himself he was not dreaming. Jade was stunning in a simple, straight-cut ivory gown, and in her eyes he saw a love for which he’d gladly wait a lifetime. When he thought of Jade now, it wasn’t with remorse for the years they’d lost. Rather it was with gratefulness to God for bringing them back together.

The minister was telling their few close friends the importance of keeping God in their marriage, and Tanner exchanged a brief smile with his mother, who was seated in the front row, in the place of honor that was rightfully hers.

“The Lord is more than a wedding guest,” the minister was saying. He was a somber man, and his message hit the mark
for Tanner. “He wants to be part of the marriage.”

He told them that Scripture teaches how a cord of three strands is not easily broken. “With God at the center, you will build a marriage that will be a beautiful thing, a union that will draw people to the Lord.” He looked at Jade and Tanner and smiled. “Why? Because the world so desperately wants what you already have.”

Ty stood beside Tanner as his best man, and Tanner’s heart swelled as he glanced at his son. He had taken Ty fishing and to breakfast and even hiking in the past week. After months of phone conversations and letters, the child willingly accepted Tanner as his father. The road ahead looked promising for all of them.

It was time for the vows, and Jade and Tanner turned to face each other.

They had agreed to say their own vows, rather than repeating something read by the minister. Tanner went first.

“Jade, you are the treasure of my heart, my friend, my lover, my past, my future.” Tanner tightened the grip he had on Jade’s hands. “I promise before God and our friends, to love you, honor you, cherish you now and forever, no matter what bends appear on the road ahead. God created man with a missing rib, a missing part.”

Jade’s eyes glistened and she tilted her head, her eyes locked on his.

“You, Jade, are that missing piece, the part I have searched for all of my life. From this day forth I will cling to you and you alone. From this day forth I am whole.” He slipped a gold band on her finger and saw tears glistening in her eyes. “With this ring, I, Tanner Eastman, do thee, Jade Conner, wed.”

Jade swallowed hard, and Tanner could tell she was struggling to speak. He squeezed her hands gently, encouraging her,
and she gave the slightest of nods. Then she stared at him; her eyes lit up from all she was feeling inside.

“You, Tanner Eastman, are the one with whom my soul rejoices. You have given me hope when I had none, life when I was dying, and love when I thought I would never love again. On this day, with God as our witness, I promise to love you, cherish you, honor you, and respect you all the days of my life.” Her hands trembled as she slipped the ring on his finger. “With this ring as a token of my promise, a reminder of my unending love, I, Jade Conner, do thee wed.”

And in that moment, Tanner knew that whatever else lay ahead, they would never again be alone. Because God had brought them back together, and one day, in the sunset of their lives, God would lead them home.

The reception took place at the Bronzans’ house in Malibu, with a view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A seafood dinner had been catered in for the occasion, and Hannah Bronzan had decorated the house beautifully.

It was three hours into the party, and many of the guests had already left, but still there was no sign of Doris Eastman. Her nursemaid had taken her home moments after the ceremony with promises to bring her back for the reception if she was feeling up to it. Tanner had tried to call her twice, but there had been no answer.

“I’m worried about her.” Jade found Tanner in the kitchen and leaned up to kiss him. “She should be here by now.”

Tanner shrugged. “I’m not sure she’s coming. She wasn’t supposed to be at the wedding. Doctor said no outings until she’s stronger.”