Stefani Tanner had it all as a corporate executive, wife, and mother, only to have her world come crashing down at once. With nowhere to turn, she surrenders and returns to the place where she felt safe as a child. At her weakest and out of options, she is unexpectedly rescued by an anonymous source, a source that not only provides her with the material needs but also opens her eyes to a life she discounted and neglected. She quickly finds herself caught between following her head and returning to the fast paced-world she worked so hard to succeed in or following her heart and a magical relationship that has changed her life forever. Raindrops By Lexington Justice AuthorHouse Copyright © 2016 Lexington Justice All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5246-1803-2 CHAPTER 1 The sun peeks over the top of the trees as Stefani Tanner turns onto Ardent Drive, the last stretch of her early morning run. Although once a competitive long-distance runner, she now runs to stay in shape but more importantly to prepare for the upcoming day. By the end of the week, her knees and ankles let her know that two days of rest are tremendously needed. Today being Monday, her legs are fully rested, and her pace is much faster than most would deem a typical jog. As usual, her run began promptly at 5 a.m. The outing provides her with a much-needed opportunity to think without distractions and time to organize her thoughts and relieve stress. She never runs with the iPod she received as a Christmas gift three years ago simply because it would prevent her from concentrating, even though her husband has commented on many occasions what a waste of money it was. No, this time of the morning is quiet time. No kids complaining, no straightening up the house, no phone calls, no meetings, no interruptions ... period. Her runs are totally for her and no one else. As she nears the end of her run, her pace slows. Charlotte, North Carolina, in early June can be very warm and the humidity brutal, making breathing often an effort in itself. Physical activity at midday or during the late afternoon can be exhausting, not to mention outright dangerous. It is better to beat the heat early than to fight it at its peak. Many have suggested that Stefani invest in a treadmill or an elliptical, but she finds the time spent outside far too enjoyable. Finally, she turns into her driveway and approaches the house. She never fails to remember how luck played a major part in finding this home seven years earlier. The wonderful, two-story colonial is tucked into a quiet neighborhood minutes from the chaos of the city. By chance, a simple afternoon drive led her and her family to this home that had been put on the market that very morning. There had been no doubt in her mind that this was to be home. She loves it as much now as she did then and has never second-guessed the decision to match the initial asking price; she never once considered negotiating a better deal. After reaching the front steps, she walks in a circle repeatedly, her hands on her hips, catching her breath. Even at the age of forty-three her body quickly recovers from the five-mile run, and in no time her breathing is back to normal. She bends over, picks up the newspaper, and heads for the front door. As it does every morning, the run serves as a symbol for Stefani. Simply put, it marks the beginning of another frenzied day. Quietly she closes the door behind her and makes her way through the darkness. Her husband, David and two sons, Blane and Jared, continue to sleep. She heads to the master bathroom, slips out of her running clothes and jumps into the shower. The warm water cascades through her silky, long, blond hair and down her well toned, petite body. Her dedication to keeping fit is evidenced by the definition of each muscle; hers is hardly the body of a middle-aged woman who carried two children and excels at a full-time job, not to mention all the responsibilities of keeping a house in order. Without question, her workload is one to make most individuals buckle at the knees. Minutes later, Stefani is out of the shower, wrapped in a robe, and blow-drying her hair. There is no time to spend enjoying the sensation of the warm water; there is far too much to do and far too little time to do it in. Quickly, she is out of the bathroom and headed for her walk-in closet. As she passes the bed, she glances at David, who is snoring heavily, unaware that she is well into the beginning of her day. Stefani exits the closet dressed in a formal business suit, the accepted attire for a senior marketing executive at AMERIGEN, one of the largest electrical turbine manufacturing corporations in the country. It's not exactly the industry one would picture a beautiful woman thriving in, but Stefani has never been one to let gender or size influence her desire to succeed in anything. Her motivation and drive stem back to her days growing up in St. Michaels, Maryland. Her father, a waterman, and