Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

Fwouldn't change someone's physical condition. Maybe the tumor's
"shrinking."
Dr. Layton glanced at Jade's file on his desk and stroked his "It isn't growing, but it isn't shrinking. either."
He looked at chin.
nt. them. "I think lade may have a poi "
Tanner remembered thinking he hadn't heard the doctor right. "Meaning what?"
"There's a growing body of research showing that love-the physical touch and closeness of someone we
care for-has a positive influence on the body's immune system. Some studies say it's more powerful than
diet, weight, fitness, and heredity combined."
Jade had smiled at him. "See?" She squeezed his hand. "Thii're why t feel better."
After hearing Dr. Layton's information, Tanner wanted to cry for a week. If his nearness to Jade had
helped her improve in so short a time, imagine what it could have done if he'd been there
since the beginning, since she was first diagnosed.
The memory faded and Tanner was glad. There was no point
beating himself up over what he hadn't done. He was here now and there was no place he'd rather he. Matt
called every few days and gave him updates on what was happening at the office. But only updates.
Tanner had made his departure clear to all of them. He was taking an indefinite leave of absence. Whether
that would be three months or a year or even two, he had no idea. Until he returned,
220 Matt was in charge. All questions would go to Matt and occasionally, a few times a week, Matt
would call Tanner and keep him posted on the current caseload.
"I want to know what we're taking on," he told Matt after the
good-bye lunch. "But stop me if I get specific. Strategies, case
precedents, meetings with opposing attorneys. None of it. I need
to be completely focused on jade and Ty"
"You're sure about this?"
Tanner had looked straight at Matt and given him a sad smile.
"Right now I'm not sure if jade will live to see tomorrow. I'm not
sure I'll ever see our baby girl, and if I do, I'm not sure she'll survive
her first month. I have no idea how Ty and I will go on if we
lose Jade, but leaving work?" He patted Matt on the shoulder. "I'm
absolutely sure about that."
"Good." Matt's eyes were thoughtful. "It's just what you need.
Time together."
Tanner gazed at the ceiling for a moment and shook his head
as his eyes found Matt's again. "Why'd it take me so long to see it?"
"Life's like that sometimes." Matt hesitated. "Was this time
off... did jade ask you to do it?"
"Not in so many words." Tanner's eyes grew wet. "She told me
she needed me. That she'd take as many minutes as I could give."
He blinked back the tears. "In that moment, everything here paled
in comparison to spending even one more minute with jade."
"If I was in your shoes, I'd do the same thing." Matt slipped his hands in his pockets. "Exactly"
"Probably sooner."
Matt grinned. "I wasn't going to mention that, but..."
Tanner reached for a thick file on his desk and handed it to
Matt. "I'm giving you the Benson, Colorado, case." He hesitated.
"My strategy is outlined in the first document. After that you'll