Bamboo and Lace (38 page)

“That was great, Lily. No one has ever mentioned honor before. What was that phrase you used?”

“I think I said that I'm honored because Gloria included me.”

“And honor is important in your village?”

“Honor is important all over Kashien. In fact, it's so important that I can't find the English words to describe it.”

“Say it in Kashienese.”

Glad that he was not recording her, Lily quietly vocalized the foreign words that spoke of the high value of honor—not just her own honor, but also that of others.

“And what word or words in all of that don't translate?” Gabe asked.

Lily told him and helped him pronounce it when he asked her. Carson put the tape back on for this and then thanked them when he was ready to move on.

“I'm falling in love with you,” Gabe whispered the moment they were alone. “You know that, don't you, Lily?”

“How is it possible, Gabe, that we care so much about each other after such a short time?”

“I think it's because of our connection—” Gabe had no choice but to cut off when Bailey and Celia came looking for a drink, but somehow Lily knew that Gabe was going to mention her brother. She went back to work on the hors d'oeuvres, her hands moving without a lot of thought as her mind was centered on her brother and how well she knew Gabe because of him.

The party was an unqualified success. Carson's son and his family had come just before the meal, and with 18 in the house, it had been a loud and joyous celebration. The children were drooping a bit—Celia had already been put to bed, and the two babies were sound asleep in laps—when Gabe asked Lily to go for a walk with him. After they left, the adult conversation in the living room turned to the absent couple.

“Am I out of line,” Carson's son, Kale, asked, “to ask if Gabe and Lily are seeing each other?”

“We think so, Kale,” Evan took the liberty to answer, “but it's rather new.”

“As in today,” Ashton put in. “Or have I had my head in the sand?”

“No, I think you're right. Something must have happened when they were out today.”

“And Lily is here for how much longer?”

“Till the end of November, but I think she's talking about delaying her departure if Jeff doesn't come back on time.”

“Did you hear about that, Kale?” Melika said to her brother. “She had no more arrived than Jeff was called away. She was only coming for three months, and he was sent away for two of those.”

“How did she handle it?”

“Like she handles everything,” Bailey answered. “With quiet grace and dignity.”

“And does that come from her upbringing?”

“I would say so, yes,” Bailey answered before Evan spoke again.

“And the funny part is how sorry we all felt for her. She didn't know what a bread machine was. She had never used a computer or learned to swim, and we thought in some ways she was just a little bit pathetic. But she's never been distracted by the media, so she's had all sorts of time to read and learn.

“One night we watched a movie that had scenes from a quiz show. Some of the questions were impossible, but she knew every answer.”

“Not to mention having books of the Bible memorized,” Carson added.

“Entire books?” Koma asked.

Carson smiled hugely as he nodded. “I quizzed her on the book of James. You can give the reference of any verse and she'll recite it for you.”

“And you think Gabe has fallen for her?” Lydia, Kale's wife, asked.

“I hope so,” both Gloria and Bailey said at the exact same time, putting the room into enough laughter to wake the babies.

“Was it rude of us to leave the party, Gabe?” Lily asked as they walked side by side down the beach path.

“No, I don't think so. We've had good visits with everyone, and things are winding down. When the two families get together, you never know—they might still be talking when we get back.”

Lily didn't reply to this. It was nice just to walk in the warm sand and feel the breeze on her face. The sky looked extra wide tonight and full of stars. Lily could have easily lain down and counted them until she fell asleep.

“I want to answer your question now, Lily.”

“Oh, all right, Gabe. I'm glad you remembered.”

Gabe took a moment to start, his voice sincere.

“The water and swimming have been major parts of my life since the day I was born. I've used water for exercise, for fun, for sports, and at times for therapy. I've watched other people use it for romance. I've watched my sister and her husband and Ash and Deanne cavort and chase each other in the water, and they made me wish for someone special of my own. I'm not suggesting anything improper, but I want to go swimming with you, Lily. It's something I want to share with you. I want to lie back on the surface of the pool and float and talk while we look at the clouds. I want to sit in the hot tub and hold your hand.”

The man in him wanted to do more than that, but he knew he couldn't let his mind go there. The last thing he wanted to do was give Lily the impression that he couldn't control himself.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“Did I say too much? Are you afraid to swim with me now?”

“No, but it is hard to be outside my room with so little on. I'm not used to that.”

“First of all, I want to say that I think your swimsuit is very modest, Lily, but beyond that, do you feel that way even if it's just me swimming with you?”

“I think I do feel more comfortable with you, Gabe, but how would I know that it would be just you?”

“The family has a schedule.”

Lily looked at him. “A schedule?”

“In a loose sort of way, yes. Right now only Bales and Evan use it, but once Ash and Deanne are married, I'm sure they'll want some time alone in the pool too.”

“How does it work?”

“The pool and hot tub close to the public at 9:00. If Evan and Bailey want to be alone at the pool, they tack a ribbon on the bulletin board in the kitchen.”

Had there been any more light, Gabe would have witnessed one of Lily's silent “ohs.”

“Please don't misunderstand me, Lily. I'm not suggesting that we head alone to the pool at night, but I do want to swim with you, both in the pool and in the ocean.”

“I've never swum in the ocean.”

“It's very safe in the bay.”

“Is that the almost-round-looking area over by the restaurant?”

“That's the one. It's a great place to swim.”

Lily nodded, not thinking about the fact that Gabe couldn't see her. He had taken them in a wide circle, and they were now headed back toward the house. It was well lit from within, and the sight made Lily feel warm.

“I'll swim with you, Gabe.” Lily suddenly realized she needed to give this man an answer. “I can't say that I'm completely comfortable with it, but I would like to try.”

“Oh, Lily,” Gabe said on a sigh, “you do wonders for my heart.”

“How is that?”

“You don't really know, do you?”

“No, I don't think I do.”

She sounded so uncertain that Gabe almost reached for her hand.

“Let's just say,” he said kindly, “that you're one of the bravest people I've ever known.”

Lily had all she could do not to look around.

“Were you talking about me?” she finally asked.

Gabe's laughter sounded in the night, but he didn't answer. Fatigue, both emotional and physical, was starting to find him. On top of that, they were almost back to the house.

“I shouldn't have said that unless I was willing to explain myself right now, Lil, but I must admit to you that my brain is getting fuzzy.”

Lily wasn't tired at all, but she still understood. “Can we talk about it another time?”

“Absolutely. Thanks for understanding.”

They finished the walk back to the house in silence, Lily thinking on the events of the day and all they had talked about.

Getting to know someone is nothing like I imagined,
she ended up telling the Lord, a smile in her heart.
But I'm still having fun.

“Will you miss the children?” Lily asked Bailey once they were in the van and leaving the airport for home.

“Yes, but this will still be good for me. The week will alternately drag and race by, and before I know it, they'll be back, and I'll be more than ready to have them. However, Evan has already told me to rest and not work on projects like I usually do when they're gone.”

Lily smiled. She could well imagine how easy it would be to dash around and get things done when you finally had the time, but Evan was wise. Even though the projects would be waiting, Bailey should rest while she had the chance.

And at the moment it seemed everyone in the van felt that way. The remainder of the ride was finished rather quietly. Lily's thoughts roamed to many places until the resort house came into view. Then she smiled. It had just been a few days, but now it was familiar and dear. The sight of it also brought about questions. Had Gabe lived there all his life? Lily thought he had but suddenly wasn't certain.

“I need a nap,” Ashton proclaimed as he climbed from the back of the van.

“And you don't even have CeCe here to use as an excuse,” Evan teased him.

“True enough. I guess I'll just have to lie on the sofa and watch television.”

“Behind your eyelids,” Gabe remarked dryly.

The five of them trooped into the house, luggage in hand, and disappeared in various directions. Lily was going to take her bag to her room, but Gabe stopped her at the bottom of the stairs.

“If you want to call Jeff, the number's on Bailey's desk.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Lily then looked at him, and because no one was close by, decided to ask what was on her mind.

“Do you want me to call him, Gabe? Is there some reason you're concerned?”

“I'm only thinking about your needs. There might be things on your mind that you need to bounce off someone. I don't want you to hesitate to call Jeff and do that.”

Lily nodded and looked thoughtful. Gabe found her so appealing that he smiled.

“
Are
there things on your mind?” he dipped his head a little to ask, liking it when he could look directly into her face.

Lily smiled. “Just a few.”

“Want to share?”

“What I would tell Jeff, you mean?”

Gabe shook his head. “I was just teasing you. If I drag everything out of you, I will have spoiled your time to share private thoughts with your brother.”

“But I do want to ask your opinion on something,” Lily continued.

“Okay.”

“Can love develop out of liking someone?”

“I certainly think so. What do you think?”

“I don't honestly know.”

“Where did that question come from?” Gabe asked, just as Evan came down the stairs. He sailed right past them, but Gabe still took Lily's arm and led her to the sitting area of the living room. When they had sat side by side on one of the love seats, Gabe repeated his question.