Bamboo and Lace (32 page)

“You're waiting for me,” Gabe said respectfully. “Is something wrong?”

“I am not the one who waits. It is Lily who waits.”

Gabe's heart sank with dread, sure that something had gone wrong while he was at Waikiki.

“Has something happened to Lily?”

“She has not eaten all day. When her father learned that she did not golf, he made her promise…and then you left…”

Wang was so upset that he wasn't even finishing his sentences, but Gabe still caught his meaning. His hand was already unbuttoning his dress shirt.

“Where is Lily now?”

“At the cove.”

“Make me some sandwiches, will you, Wang? And throw in a little fruit and something to drink. I'll change and meet you on the veranda.”

Wang left without further comment.

Gabe rushed around the side of the house and went in through the veranda. He hit the stairs at a run, reminding himself to hang his slacks in case the bankers wanted to see him again in the next few weeks. The temptation to throw his clothes on the bed and jump into shorts was strong, but he made himself slow down.

A glance at the clock told him it was almost 3:30. Lily never ate very much at one sitting, which meant she'd gone for hours on only the dinner she had had last night. Not enough time to starve, but plenty of time to grow tired, have a headache, or feel very dizzy. And all for what? Not learning to golf. If Gabe let his mind go too far, he would be furious with her father by the time he spoke with Lily.

Ten minutes later, shorts, T-shirt, and sandals in place, golf balls in his pocket and an eight iron in his hand, he met Wang on the veranda and took the hefty sack lunch from his grasp.

“Thank you, Wang.”

“You are welcome, Gabriel. Take good care of her.”

Their eyes met for a moment, and then Gabe turned and went down the beach. He could have taken one of the carts but thought the walk might help to calm the wild racing of his heart.

Did he let on that he knew about the phone conversation with her father, or wait to see if she figured it out? He knew they would speak of it at some point, but he wasn't sure when the time would be right. He also knew that he needed to put a call in to Jeff. This one was a bit out of his league. He could tell Lily not to ever do this again, but he didn't want to be her father all over again. He was more than happy to let Jeff be the heavy if that was needed.

All thoughts of how to handle the situation flew from Gabe's head the moment he spotted Lily. She was not actually down at the cove but above it on a sandy platform, her eyes out to sea. She had a blanket under her and an open book in her lap, but she didn't seem to be aware of anything around her.

“Hello,” Gabe called as he started up the knoll, hoping not to startle her. It didn't work. She started and then turned to him, smiling when she saw his face.

“Hi, Gabe. How was your day?”

“It was all right. I don't think I told you,” he said as he crested the top and joined her on the blanket, “but I had to meet with our bankers today. We're looking into making some improvements next fall, and the whole thing turned into a rather long, drawn-out affair.”

“Did it seem like they will be favorable?”

“Yes, it did. Evan was with me for part of the time, and he's very good at explaining the plan. Hey, did you see what I brought with me?” Gabe asked, reaching for the golf club. “We still can get a little golfing in today.”

“You don't want to go all the way to the golf course, do you, Gabe?”

“We don't need to,” he said as he pushed to his feet. “Come right down here, and we'll have our lesson.”

Lily was so surprised that she didn't say anything, but she did follow Gabe to where he was teeing up a ball. He handed her the club.

“Okay now. You know what to do. Just whack that ball up the beach.”

“This way?” Lily asked as she addressed the ball.

“That's it. A little better position with your feet. That's good. Keep your arms nice and straight. Okay. Go.”

A sudden case of the shakes overcame the hungry woman, but she made herself concentrate, eyes on the ball, working to remember everything Gabe had said the day before. Not sure if she could ask much more of herself, she swung. It wasn't the prettiest or the straightest, but it went up the beach about 65 yards. Lily watched it land and then looked to Gabe, who was smiling at her.

“You golfed, Lily,” he said simply.

“I golfed?” she asked, visibly brightening.

“You golfed. That's all there is to it.”

Gabe laughed when she sighed, looking very content.

“Can I join you?”

“Sure. I was just reading.”

Gabe gathered the club and tee and followed Lily back to her seat. She could go to the house and eat now, but the knowledge that she had golfed was something to be savored a little longer.

“I missed lunch,” Gabe began almost as soon as he sat down. “I hope you don't mind if I eat.”

“That's fine,” Lily said quietly. For obvious reasons she had not gone near the kitchen or dining room earlier in the day. She might need to head to the house sooner than she thought.

“Do you want a sandwich or anything?” he asked around a mouthful of food.

“I don't want to take your lunch, Gabe.”

“I have plenty,” he said, passing a wrapped sandwich and a small cup of fruit to her. “Here's a spoon.”

The first bite was so good that Lily felt tears fill her eyes.

If you cry in front of this man about the flavor of this food, Lily Cathleen,
she scolded herself,
you deserve to go hungry.

She took a moment to compose herself and then took another small bite. It tasted so good. She couldn't remember the last time anything tasted so wonderful. Finally in control, Lily glanced at Gabe. She found him studying her. Just a moment of meeting his gaze and she knew. They watched each other for a moment, but Gabe didn't speak until Lily's gaze went back to sea.

“What am I going to do with you, Lily Walsh?”

“Did I really golf, Gabe, or were you being kind?”

“You golfed. I would have stayed down there with you the rest of the day if that's what it took.”

“How did you know?”

“Wang.”

Lily looked at him with a frown and then said, “I had a sense that someone was in the kitchen last night, but I never looked around.”

Gabe did not reply.

“My father is not an easy person to honor, but I have been raised to try.”

“And you do a wonderful job, Lily, but I must admit to you that I feel I need to call Jeff.”

Lily nodded. “I understand.”

“Do you ever get tired of being treated like a naughty five-year-old?”

Lily smiled and even laughed a little.

“It is like that, isn't it? I would be inclined to ask you if you're tired of dealing with a naughty five-year-old.”

“That would be all well and good if I felt that way, but I don't.”

“Then why are you calling Jeff?”

“Because as much as I want to, I don't have the right to tell you to defy your father.”

Lily found that she had nothing else to say to this. Her thoughts had been on that very subject for most of the day, but with no conclusions.

Lily quietly ate the fruit and sandwich and even drank the little box of juice she was offered, but she had so much to think about she couldn't say a word.

Chapter Eighteen

“Thanks for calling me back” was the way Gabe started his conversation with Jeff after dinner that night. He spent a few moments explaining the golfing situation, and Jeff thanked him for being in touch before he asked to speak to Lily.

Gabe's look was apologetic as he handed Lily the phone, but she rescued him by smiling at him.

“What in the world went on with Father on the phone?” Jeff wasted no time in asking in a mockingly chagrined tone that made Lily laugh.

“Oh, you know how it is, Jefferson. I was telling him everything—being completely honest—and the next thing you know, I'm in trouble.”

“By all normal standards the whole thing was ridiculous, Lil. But even knowing it was from Father, I can't imagine what he was thinking. He's not there to gauge if that was even wise. For all he knew, you had been ill and already down on your food. I mean, it wasn't even safe.”

“No, I guess it wasn't. I think with me so far away he feels helpless and needed some method to gain control.”

Jeff snorted. “That's not hard to believe, but now listen to me, Lily. At this time in your life, Gabe is the authority. If anything questionable comes along again, you must speak to him about it.”

“All right.”

Jeff sighed on the other end. “Gabe told me he hates it that you're treated like a child, Lily. Is that the way you feel?”

“I don't know, Jeff. He said the same thing to me, but he also said that he doesn't see me that way. I was a little confused.”

“What you don't seem to understand, Lily, is that our father is in a class all his own. Gabe wanted to tell you to ignore Father's orders in the future, but he's not sure it's his place. I assured him that where Father is concerned nothing is normal, and that for now, Gabe can advise you to do anything he thinks is best.”

“So he does think I'm a child?”

“Not at all, but he sees that you're out of your element in Hawaii. You're trying to live out your Kashienese upbringing in the United States and finding out firsthand just how difficult that is.”

Lily realized it was very nice to have someone understand.

“I'm glad you called,” Lily told him. “It's been a long, hard day.”

“Well, Gabe tells me you're doing great. Maybe you can get some extra sleep tonight and rest tomorrow.”

“I feel I need it, but I'm also tired of always being in so much trouble.”

“You're not, Lily, but it's just like we've always said—the human element makes it hard. If we could get rid of people, everything would be fine.”

Lily laughed, and for a time they spoke of everyday events. Jeff said things were looking up about his coming home on time, and then he dropped a bombshell.

“I was going to call you this week,” he said, his voice growing quiet.

“About anything in particular?”

“Yes. I've met someone.”

Lily hesitated. Clearly this was significant, but she couldn't think why.

“Are you still there, Lil?”

“Yes, Jeff. I'm just trying to figure out why you would say that to me. Did you meet a man or a woman?”

Jeff's laughter boomed over the line, and Lily sat in bemused silence.

“I'm sorry, Lily, I keep forgetting my phraseology. I meant that I've met a woman, someone special.”

“Oh, Jeff, that's wonderful. Where did you meet?”

“Well, the first time we were introduced we were at work, but then I saw her at church and we got to talking. Her name is Annika Farrell.”

“What a pretty name! Does she live where you are right now?”

“No, she's here on the project too.”

“What was it about her, Jeff? What makes her special?”

“A lot of things. She's not that happy in her job right now, but she still works hard each day. And we agree on so many things!” In his excitement, Jeff changed topics very swiftly. “She's been reading this book I just started—it's about families and home— and we both think the author is very scripturally based.”

He cut off suddenly, and Lily thought he might be embarrassed. Lily was not. She wanted to know more.

“So what happens now? You leave there in a month to come back here. Where will Annika go?”

“She lives in California and will complete her work here in about two weeks. We're going to write to each other and visit if we feel it's time for that.”

“What if you do fall in love? Will she join you here?”

“Well, we haven't talked about marriage, but she's told me she would have no problem leaving California and her job. Her mother worked outside of the home all the years she was growing up, and she's never wanted that for her husband and children.”

“I'm so happy for you, Jeff. Have you written to Father?”

“No. I think I'll wait just a bit longer with Father, but I wanted you to be aware.”

“I'm glad you told me. I can be praying for both of you.”

“I need that, Lily. I've only known her for the month I've been here, and I'm definitely ready to know more, but it's all new right now.”

Lily assured him once more of her prayers and then realized they had been on the phone for a long time.

“I'd better let you go.”

“Okay. Take care and have fun.”

“I will.”

“Hey, do me a favor and put Gabe back on, would you, Lily?”

“Certainly. 'Bye, Jeff.”

Jeff said his goodbyes and waited until after Lily put the phone down. He had wanted to talk to his sister, but that had been hard since very recently he found he had plenty to say to his closest friend.