Wounded Grace Read Online Free PDF

powerful truth. “I guess it’s God’s grace.” His tone was low. “Viv always wanted children, but could never have them. Now she has more than she could ever have imagined.”
    Madison said nothing, but Lance had another question burning on his lips, one he was probably out of line for thinking, let alone asking, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
    “What about you, Madison? You chose to not have children. Ever have any regrets?”
    Madison flinched, but turned to face him, her face open and determined. He had to hand it to her. She was no coward.
    “For a while I was full of regret. Not just about children but everything. I regretted how empty my life felt. By that time, Tony and I were done.” She gave a little shake of her head. “We were supposed to vacation in Aspen together. But I’d just had confirmation that he was seeing the current Mrs. Harper on the side.”
    The jerk. Lance couldn’t keep his anger from rising every time he thought of Madison’s ex. His feelings must have shown on his face because Madison was quick to explain.
    “Our marriage had been over for a long time. His latest affair didn’t hurt me. It just confirmed what I already knew, that it was time to go our separate ways. I went to Aspen alone, feeling empty. Not lost or forlorn…just sick of it all. I went racing down that mountainside, and I think I was trying to run from my life. Like if I could just go fast enough I could escape.” She sighed, and gave him a direct hit with those heart-stopping eyes. “Then God put that tree right front of me and said, ‘Stop. Slow down and listen.’ It was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
    Lance just stared at her. After a moment he shook his head. “You have a freak skiing accident that almost kills you…and you say it’s the best thing that could have happened.”
    “Well, maybe not the best thing, but the right thing. God had been trying to tell me for fifteen years to listen and I wouldn’t do it. I ignored that soft voice inside, telling me what was right.” Her tone took on a tenderness when she said the last, a tenderness so gentle and loving, it made Lance ache with yearning.
    When was the last time he heard a voice like that? Had he ever? If he had, it had been long ago, before he lost Gwen.
    “When you’re stuck in a hospital for as long as I was, you learn to listen very well.” Madison’s went on in that same sweet timbre. “I learned that God is our Creator and He made us in His image. We’re creators, too. Some of us aren’t fortunate enough to be mothers, the ultimate artists, and create external pieces of art in our children. But each of us has an internal piece of art…our lives. Each choice we make is like a brush stroke, creating an eternal picture for heaven.” She paused. “Before my accident, my painting was very dark. Now there are only patches of dark, surrounded by bright colors. I like the new painting much better.”
    Lance liked the tone of her voice, the way the sunshine from the window made the unshed tears in her eyes sparkle like tiny jewels. He loved the image of the canvas of life she’d just created for him.
    In the next instant, he remembered towhom he was talking. Abruptly, he turned away, and in his pockets, his fingers clenched into fists. Behind him, he heard a little sigh escape Madison.
    “I’d better clean up some of these dishes.”
    Maybe he’d just imagined that wistful sigh. She left him standing with his fists stuffed in his pockets, and the image of a beautiful painting floating in his mind.
     
     
     
     

5
     
    Madison hung up the phone just as the front door opened. Vivian stepped inside with Lance right behind her. A stiff breeze swept in with them, but Lance quickly closed it outside.
    Today was the first blustery day of the season. Spring had arrived early and shown itself in warm, sunny days until now. Today, the brisk, spring wind kicked up flurries of dust and beat the soft green buds