Bamboo & Lace

by Lori Wick

  Lily assumed she was to answer.

  "'Perspicacity' means acute mental vision or keen discernment. And what that means, Peter, is that Pastor Stringer is able to see things very clearly. He's able to explain things he has in his mind very well. If he has a thought, he's able to tell someone about it in a way that he will understand. Did that make sense?"

  Peter nodded.

  Lily then noticed that everyone was looking at her.

  "I'm sorry," she said right away, her eyes dropping. "I should have let someone else answer that."

  Everyone at the table denied it, but because this event had been somewhat unsettling to all of them, they changed the topic. They ate together for another ten minutes while the children shared what they had learned in Sunday school, and then Evan rose and moved Peter and Celia to the kitchen for their dessert. This rarely happened, so Gabe and Ashton were watchful. Lily felt a little tense but couldn't have explained why.

  "We have news," Evan said when he came back, not wasting any time. "Bailey's expecting."

  "That's great," Gabe said, immediately pushing away from the table and going to give his sister a warm hug. Ashton was next, his smile huge as he hugged his sister and then Evan.

  "Congratulations," Lily said to both of them, but other than that, she remained quiet. She had been sorry she had spoken up on the matter the night before when Evan and Bailey turned in early. Lily didn't know them well enough to broach such a private subject, and she had been bothered by it ever since.

  "Have you called Mom?" Ashton asked.

  "I was going to, but I think it will be more fun to wrap a baby bonnet for her birthday."

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  The men loved this idea, and before it was over, the suggestions grew outrageous. "How about a bassinet? Do you think she would catch on then?"

  "I know," Ashton put in, "let's have a diaper service pull up while we're there. She won't be able to miss that."

  The children heard the laughter and came to the door, albeit quietly, since they had been told to stay put, but their father motioned them out. That the subject had to be changed immediately did not occur to Evan right away, but thankfully the children were too young to notice how many shared glances were exchanged as the cleanup crew went to work on the dishes.

  Lily was having a great time but still wished she had kept her mouth shut. For the rest of the day she prayed for a time when she might ask Bailey to forgive her.

  On Monday morning Lily sat at the bottom of the front steps and forced her feet into the in-line skates that Evan and Peter had handed her. She already had a helmet on, along with elbow and knee protection. Peter had tried to give her his wrist protectors, but they were too small.

  "Okay, Lily." Evan skated over from where he'd been circling the driveway to see how things were going. "How do they feel?"

  "All right, I think."

  Had Lily waited until she stood up, she would not have answered so agreeably. They hurt! And they didn't hurt just her feet, but the back of her legs as well. She was distracted for a moment when Peter skated up to her with ease, but just watching him told her she was never going to master this. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask if Jefferson had wanted her to learn this, but she realized just in time how rude that would sound.

  "This is what I want you to do," Evan instructed. "Hold onto the porch railing and just move along the pavement, real easy-like. Can you do that?"

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  "I think so," she said on a gasp she wasn't able to control. Her feet felt encased in rocks.

  "It hurts a little at first," Evan encouraged, "but you'll get the hang of it in no time."

  "Hi, Lilyee," Celia called from the porch.

  "Hi, Celia," Lily managed but didn't dare look up at her. She was certain if she took her eyes from her feet, she would go sprawling onto the pavement.

  "You're doing good, Lily." Peter came up to skate next to her. He smiled up into her face, but Lily wasn't willing to shift her eyes for him, either.

  "How's it coming?" Evan skated up after a few more turns around the drive.

  "Okay," Lily said, knowing she was lying through her teeth.

  "Does it hurt too much?" Evan asked.

  Lily didn't answer. She was trying not to fall, but mostly she didn't want to lie anymore. That she could tell Evan how this felt did not occur to her. They were taking time to help her, and she wasn't going to repay them with complaining.

  Not sure if he should tell her to quit or give her time, Evan looked up to see Gabe headed their way, some papers in his hand.

  "I'm going to put these on your desk, Evan," Gabe began. "I just came across them on my desk. I thought I had already given them to you."

  "What are they?"

  "Those contracts from Mains."

  Evan nodded. "They knew they wouldn't hear from me before the first of the year anyway, so it's not a problem."

  "How's the skating going?"

  Evan smiled. "I would say she's pretty miserable."

  Gabe laughed a little as both men watched Lily trying to make her way along the porch.

  "Are you going to let her off the hook?"

  Evan suddenly looked at his brother-in-law and asked quietly, "Why don't you go see how she's doing?"

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  Gabe's eyes came to his. "And what would be your point in my doing that?"

  "I don't know. She's always been the most comfortable with you and Bailey. And I guess I find it hard to believe that you're not just a little interested."

  "I've only known her for three weeks."

  "You met her three weeks ago; you've known her for years. But all that aside, I'm not suggesting you propose. Just get closer."

  While the men discussed this, Lily finally made it to the end of the porch. All she could think about were her feet. Peter was trying to talk with her, so lily forced herself to listen.

  "When you get really good, lily, we can go all the way out to the road and back."

  lily wanted to groan at the very thought but did her best to smile at Peter. She turned around slowly, wondering how long she could do this.

  "How is it going?" Gabe asked.

  He had come up without lily noticing. When she turned around, it was to find him directly in front of her.

  For just a moment lily's eyes pleaded with his. She then glanced in Peters direction before saying, "I'm not sure I'll ever be as good as Peter."

  "Whose skates are those, Pete?"

  "Mama's."

  "Do they fit you, lily?"

  lily looked him in (he eye and shook her head over her own stupidity. Her voice held wonder when she admitted, "I thought it was my not being used to them. They are too small."

  Gabe smiled. "And you're in agony."

  lily dropped her eyes.

  "Can you look at me?"

  lily did, her face now composed and still.

  "Was there some reason you felt you couldn't tell Evan and Pete?"

  "Do you not find me ungrateful when I complain, Gabe?"

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  "When have you complained?" "How's it going?" Evan approached. "The skates are too small," Gabe informed him. "Oh, mercy! I'm sorry, Lily." Evan was genuinely contrite. "Lets get those off."

  "I'm sorry it didn't work out, Evan," Lily said as she and Peter worked the buckles. "I appreciate your trying to show me."

  "It doesn't matter, Lily You're still working on your tennis, and I think Gabe is going to teach you to golf this week."

  That Gabe had no idea this was the plan was communicated with eyes that told his brother-in-law that he knew what he was up to. Since Lily was bent over busily removing the skates, Gabe even had time to roll his eyes at Evan's mischievous grin.

  By the time Lily and Peter looked back up, all vestiges of teasing and motives were gone from the men's faces. lily thanked Evan and Peter again and headed back to the house. Peter ran to put the skates on the porch for lily, and for a moment the men were alone again something that was fine with Gabe. Clearly the sc
ene yesterday at the dining room table had put thoughts into everyone's mind. Well, it had put thoughts into his mind too. But before he let them run too far, he had a few questions he wanted answered.

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  Chapter 13

  Her feet still throbbing from the pressure, Lily went indoors and found Bailey alone at the computer.

  "How did it go?" she called, turning to face the younger woman.

  "Not too well. My feet are longer than yours, and the skates didn't fit."

  "Oh, well," Bailey said with a smile. "At least you tried." "That's true."

  This said, Lily set her shoes on one of the bottom steps and then turned back to Bailey, her heart praying about what she needed to say.

  "Are you terribly busy right now, Bailey?"

  "No. I'm only working on my grocery list, and I've almost got it done."

  Lily looked very serious to Bailey, so she grabbed another chair and set it close to hers. "Here. Sit down, Lily."

  "Thank you," Lily said as she came forward, her face and voice subdued. She was ashamed to have eye contact with Bailey over what she had done but forced herself to do the right thing. After a moment she began.

  "I feel I must ask your forgiveness, Bailey. I did something very improper. I spoke with your husband and told him I thought you were expecting. On further review, I feel that was very rude and presumptuous of me, and I'm very sorry.

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  "And on top of that," Lily finished, "you didn't even need me. You already knew."

  "We didn't know," Bailey shocked her by saying, placing a soft hand on Lily's hand. "Evan bought one of those home pregnancy tests when I was asleep on the sofa. We did it this morning, and it was positive."

  Lily's mouth made one of her silent "ohs" as she stared at her hostess.

  "We have you to thank, Lily, or we might not have known so soon. Now I can be careful of what medicines I take and also have plenty of time to schedule my first checkup with the doctor."

  "So you don't feel I need to apologize to Evan?"

  "Not at all. We've been planning to thank you but wanted to do it privately. We just haven't found the right moment."

  "I'm so relieved, Bailey. It's bothered me more than I can say. You're quite certain?"

  "Very certain."

  Lily smiled. Bailey was so easy to like and be around. Lily hated the thought that anything would ever come between them.

  "Do you know what I just realized?" Bailey asked, her brow furrowed.

  "No, what?"

  "That we've never given you any time to use the computer. Did Jeff show you his?"

  "No, there wasn't time," Lily said, eyes already on the screen.

  "Well, come in close. I'll show you how I do my menu for the month and the shopping list, and then you can play around some."

  Lily looked as if she had been handed a sack of gold. The phone rang, the family came and went, but Lily saw and heard little of it. She was finding out firsthand that computers were amazing.

  "Tell me something, Evan," Gabe asked when both Peter and Celia were busy on the porch and out of hearing range. "What

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  happens if you all start pushing me toward Lily and she wants nothing to do with me?"

  "That's not going to happen."

  Gabe gawked at the other man.

  "Have you become prescient on us, Evan?"

  "No, but I can already see that Lily cares for all of us. If you were to show her any special attention, her heart would melt."

  "How can you be so sure?"

  "First of all, Gabe, I hope you know that I don't want this if you don't."

  "I understand that."

  "Okay, just as long as you do."

  Gabe's nod encouraged Evan, and he continued. "Even amid thoughts of this new baby, it's been pretty hard to forget what happened at the table yesterday. Lily has been so easy and undemanding to have around, and then suddenly she wasn't. Suddenly she was wife material for you, and I personally want that very much."

  "But she hasn't done any changing," Gabe reminded him quietly, his heart clearly in turmoil.

  "True, but nothing is the same for me. Now that I've had my eyes opened, I can see how well she suits you. She's godly, sweet, and intelligent, and if anyone can handle all you've gone through, it's Lily Walsh."

  Gabe was suddenly swept back to the way he felt after his run with Lily the morning before. When she had left him alone in the living room, he had realized what a good time he had been having and how much he wanted to hear her laugh again.

  But what had Evan just said?

  "What did you mean just now when you said Lily would melt if I showed her some attention?"

  "I can't say that to too many people, Gabe, but I know you're not going to take advantage of Lily's vulnerability in this matter. If I had to describe her, I would say that she's very intelligent and analytical, but I doubt if she's ever had someone hold her hand or

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  send her flowers. Just having watched the gentle way she handles the kids makes me think there's a sweet and romantic heart inside her, but she may not even know it's there."

  "And do you think it's fair of me to do anything that might unlock that, Evan?"

  "Who better than the man she's going to marry?"

  Gabe had all he could do not to throw his hands in the air. Instead, he said, "You've lost your mind; I hope you know that, Evan Markham."

  But Evan wasn't convinced. "Do yourself a favor, Gabe. Give Jeff a call. Tell him your feelings have changed and ask him what he thinks. You know he'll tell you the truth."

  "Papa," Celia called. She had been calling to him for a few minutes, but he had ignored her.

  "Coming," Evan called to his daughter as he clapped Gabe on the shoulder and went on his way.

  The younger man stayed where he was, left with more to think about than he had bargained for.

  It was luau night at the cove. The children had been talking about it all day, and because Lily had never been to a luau or visited the cove, she was excited too. Guests started arriving at 4:00, and by 4:30 everyone was headed toward a secluded rocky area of beach, each person laden with items for the ensuing feast.

  To Lily's surprise, Ashton was already there, tending the pig that was roasting on a spit. She had seen the barbecue pit and picnic area that was closer to the cottages, but this area, she learned, was private, reserved for the family and friends. And the meal was delicious. Lily didn't think she would ever get used to tasting new dishes that she thought could melt in her mouth.

  After blankets were spread out, Lily sat with Pastor Harris Stringer, his wife, Barb, and their youngest son, along with

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  Ashton and the McFarland family, a couple fairly new to the church who had a six-month-old baby.

  "Let's have a sharing time," Ashton suggested when most folks were almost finished eating. "And then maybe we can sing a little."

  "What'll we share?" Mrs. Stringer asked.

  "I think it would be fun to hear how the different couples in the group met and fell in love."

  Gabe, who had been working on the last of his fruit salad, looked up at his brother. Nearly everyone was teasing Ashton about having romance on the brain because he was missing Deanne, but he only smiled. Gabe, on the other hand, was not saying a thing. His eyes were trained on his brother, who eventually looked in his direction, his expression too innocent to be real.

  From there Gabe looked to Evan. He too looked much too nonchalant, and Gabe knew he had been had. It looked to him as though these two were going to give Wang Ho a run for his money.

  "Harris," Evan spoke up in an effort to dodge Gabe's perceptive eyes, "why don't you start?"

  "All right. Well, as most of you know, I'm originally from Texas."

  Everyone smiled over this since the man still had a slight twang to his voice.

  "I did my seminary training down there. That's where Barb and I met. Barb's father was one of my instructors, and I needed his help
on a special project he had given me in my senior year. I went to his home, and who should answer the door but this lovely young woman."

  "Barb," some in the group guessed.

  Harris and Barb Stringer exchanged smiles.

  "As a matter of fact," the pastor went on, "it was Barb's sister, Linda. Not until I had walked into the living room and saw a woman who was even prettier than the first did I meet Barb. To put it mildly, I was distracted. I heard almost nothing my

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  instructor said, and when I look back on it now, I know for a fact that he had me figured out."

  Everyone was smiling in delight as Harris told his story, Lily included. Gabe was trying to listen, but his eyes kept straying to Lily's face, which was wreathed in soft smiles.

  Selfish as it is, Lord, I don't want to suddenly find myself in love alone, Gabe's heart prayed. I don't know what to do with these feelings I'm starting to have, and I'm filled with so many fears. What if I get close to Lily, but her feelings for me never get strong? Or I get close and she falls for me, but I realize she's not the one? I can't stand the thought of her being hurt

  "After I made a fool of myself for almost an hour," Harris continued, and Gabe made himself listen, "Barb's father took pity on me and asked her to drive me back to my dorm. I asked if she was free to attend a lecture with me the next week, and she said yes. I can't tell you who spoke or what was said at the meeting, but Barb and I were engaged to be married by the time I graduated."

  Everyone clapped in delight as the Stringers leaned close for a moment and kissed. Ashton then called on his brother-in-law.

  "I think everyone knows our story," Evan protested.

  "Lily doesn't," Gabe put in, working to look as innocent as his family. His and Evan's eyes met for a moment, and the older man had to fight laughter as he began.

  "Well, okay," Evan said, even as his eyes swung to his mate. "Be sure and fill in the parts I miss."

  "All right."

  "I was finishing up college when I decided to get a weekend job in case nothing panned out right after I graduated. Since we lived out in this area and I had heard there was an opening, I applied at the Little Bay. The manager was out, so Wang interviewed me, and to my surprise he never once asked me if I had any expertise in restaurant work. He barely glanced at my application, and we spent the whole time talking about my schooling, where I had grown up, what church I went to, and what my life's goals were.