Bamboo and Lace
Authors: Lori Wick
Tags: #Romance, #Adult, #Contemporary, #Historical, #Inspirational, #Religion, #EBook, #book
All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (
www.Lockman.org
)
Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota
Cover photos © Veer; Fotolia; iStockphoto
BAMBOO AND LACE
Copyright © 2001 by Lori Wick
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wick, Lori.
Bamboo and lace / Lori Wick.
p. cm
ISBN 978-0-7369-2738-3
1. HawaiiâFiction. I. Title
PS3573.I237 B36 2001
813'54âdc21
2001024261
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansâelectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherâexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
09 10 11 12 13 14 15 / DP-MS / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Merry Hahnâ
a precious sister and kindred spirit.
There is so much I could say,
but for once in my life I'll be brief.
I love you.
Contents
I never dreamed this book would be so long in the making, but at last it's here. I'm not the same person I was when the idea was conceived. Thankfully, God never gives up, but keeps honing and changing me for His service. I would like to thank the people who have aided in that process.
Roxane Carley. When I told you the short story about a woman's visit to see her brother in Hawaii, you told me it should be a full book. Thank you for your wisdom. It's been a wonderful journey to that end.
Pam Jeffcott and Joy Inafuku. I didn't get to Hawaii as I planned, so your technical support was wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I hope you can forgive me in the areas where I guessed. The Hawaii I wrote about might not really exist, but I still hope and pray that you enjoy the book.
Connie Handel. Thank you for the medical facts and info. It's so nice having someone with your expertise and willingness to help right up the street. You are dear to me.
Pastor Mark Cymbalak. Thank you, Mark, for helping me to see how personal God's Word is, and how seriously He takes grumbling and complaining.
Cathy Yasick. You are so precious to me, Cathy. Thank you for your wonderful, warm spirit, encouraging attitude, and your determination to keep on. You have taught me so much. I love you, dear friend.
The children in my fourth, fifth, and sixth grade Sunday school class. Thank you for the laughter and fun. Thank you for good questions and using the great minds God has given you. I'm learning so much from you and pray that your hearts are being changed forever as we look into God's Word.
Randy Vesperman. I need to thank you for sharing Mary with me and supporting the work we're doing. But mostly, Randy, I want to thank you for your wonderful sense of humor and your kind friendship through the years.
Phil Caminiti. Thank you for the song on page 147, and for being one of the most perspicacious persons I know.
My son, Timothy. There are no words to describe my joy in you. I would have been weak. I would have given up. Thank you for playing hard and keeping on. I love you.
And always, my Bob. You're a part of every romance I write. When the male lead is strong, patient, humorous, and working hard to be God's man for the job, I just have to look to you for an example. Thank you for being my very own to keep.
December 25
Dear Father,
It's late here, and busy as my day was, my thoughts have turned fully to you and Lily. You were in my mind all day, but without deep joy, and I have finally understood the cause. My work for the next year makes it impossible for me to come to you. I know you understand that, and I know it's difficult for you to leave Lhasa, but there is no reason that Lily cannot come to visit me in Hawaii. Please consider how special this would be for both of us. She hasn't been out of Kashien since she was five.
Jefferson Walsh sat back now, knowing he would have to choose his words carefully. After a moment he knew what he needed to say.
It would be a great learning experience for Lily. We would not be idle. And I need to tell you that I'm thinking of an extended visitâhopefully six months, three months at the very least. If Lily is going to experience and learn from this culture, it could be no less.
Again Jeff sat back and studied the letter. His father was not always the most predictable of men, and he so wanted to persuade him to at least consider this visit.
I know you'll be fair in your consideration of this. I'm enclosing a letter to Lily telling her of my idea, knowing that she will take her cue from you.
I hope this Christmas was a blessed one for you. The gifts you sent were great. I miss you as always and pray that we'll see each other soon.
Love always,
Jeff
February 2
Dear Jefferson,
I'm glad your Christmas was fine. We enjoyed your gifts as well. Your sister and I spent Christmas Day with Lee Chen and his family, and hadâ¦
Jeff swiftly scanned the entire contents of the letter and sat back with a disappointed sigh. His father had completely ignored his request for Lily to visit. There was also a letter from his sister in the envelope, but he knew she would say nothing of a visit without first gaining permission from their father. However, Jeff was not deterred. He immediately took out paper and started a letter back, one that immediately addressed the subject on his mind.
Dear Father,
I'm disappointed that you did not reply to my request to have Lily visit. If both of you can come, you know I would be overjoyed, but please don't make Lily stay because you are too busy to join her. I want to see you both, but Lily's work in the village will not suffer if she is with me for six months.
Jeff hesitated now, gauging how bold he should be. He opted to tell his father just the way he felt.
I want Lily to come. You write and tell me how proud you are of my work and that you understand I am not free to come to you. Please put actions behind your words. Do not keep my sister from me. It's been three years since I was in Kashien. I don't have to ask Lily to know she would be willing. I know travel plans would need to be worked out, but if you are willing, it would be the greatest gift you could give me, not to mention Lily. Please do not ignore my voice from so many miles away. Please respond to my request so that we may at least speak of this.
Love always,
Jeff
February 26
Dear Jefferson,
I am leaving to meet with a troubled man. I have no time to discuss this with you just now, but I will consider your request to have Lily visit. I will address it in my next letter.
Love,
Father
Jeff received and read this letter in the middle of March, his heart filled with delight that his father would consider the matter. He had been praying fervently for Lily to visit once the idea came to him, and knowing the door was still open was so wonderful that for a moment he could only sit at his small kitchen table and smile.
Lhasa, Kashien
May
Taking her usual shortcut through the trees, Lily Walsh slipped across the pathway on swift, silent feet. She wasn't in a hurry, but her long legs covered the ground in easy strides, and at the moment there was no reason to dawdle.