Bamboo and Lace (57 page)

“What will he do?”

“He'll inform the authorities.”

“And they'll listen to him?”

“They always have in the past.”

“How often have babies been left in the village?”

“In the village, dozens of times, but my father is not always involved. Over the years he has been personally involved in probably 11 or 12 adoptions.”

“And what will his letter back to you say?”

“One of two things. He'll either say to come as soon as we can or that the baby's been taken by another family.”

“Let's write to him now,” Gabe said, not wanting to run ahead of God on this issue, but also ready to move forward as they were able.

“Before you do that,” Evan said, “let's pray.”

For Lily it was one of the sweetest moments of her married life. Celia wandered in and had to be hushed, but Evan prayed that God would direct and lead them. He asked God to help Gabe and Lily to hold this baby loosely so their hearts would not be broken, but also to expedite matters if this was the child for them.

Gabe had tears in his eyes when they all looked up. Lily watched him, telling God what a wonderful father he would be, but still knowing that she needed to let God do His job. While she was still watching him, Gabe turned and smiled at her.

“Let's write a letter.”

“So when will you know?” Harris Stringer asked after Gabe shared with the Bible study on Wednesday night.

“When we hear back from Lily's father.”

“Does the mail take awhile?”

“Well, we sent our letter two-day air, but that only gets it to Kashien swiftly, not necessarily to the village.”

“And what happens if he writes and tells you to come?” Barb asked this time.

Gabe turned to his wife.

“We book flights and make sure we have everything we need for the baby, but we keep that carefully packed away until we have her.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the Kashienese government will accept only cash,” Lily answered. “If you're seen coming into the airport with a diaper bag and no baby, the wrong sort of person might figure out that you're there to adopt. Everyone knows that takes cash, and you might find yourself at knifepoint sometime after you leave the airport.”

Gabe had been aware of this, but he was certain that the shocked faces he was seeing around the room must have mirrored his own when Lily first told him.

“And is it very expensive?”

“Very.”

“We'll be praying,” Harris assured them, something Gabe and Lily appreciated very much.

As the next few days passed, Gabe learned some things about himself. Before Lily came with the letter from Owen, Gabe had been completely at rest, newly married and enjoying his time off. Now when he walked around the house, he found himself looking at it through the eyes of a father.

And he wasn't the only one distracted by the possibilities. Each and every person he knew asked him the status of the baby the moment he saw them. It was as if nothing else in life mattered. That wasn't true, but it took a few days for Gabe to see this.

The moment of realization came about a week after they had sent the letter to Owen. Gabe found Lily getting dressed in lightweight cotton pants and a yellow T-shirt.

“Oh, you look nice,” he said, coming to give her a kiss.

“Thank you. We're only going to that little diner up the road, so I didn't want to be too dressed up.”

“We're eating out before we shop?” Gabe asked.

Lily stopped and looked at him.

“We're going shopping?” she asked.

Gabe frowned. This was getting confusing.

“Why don't you tell me what you're talking about.”

“Ana and I are having lunch today.”

“I thought you and I were going shopping for some baby things.”

“Not today, Gabe. I told you yesterday morning about my lunch with Ana.”

“No, you didn't.”

“Yes, I did.”

Gabe shook his head, and Lily just stood there.

“When did you tell me?” Gabe tried again.

“At breakfast yesterday morning,” Lily answered. “Do I need to cancel my lunch plans, Gabe? Is that what you wish me to do?”

Her sweetness made him feel awful, which made him sound even more upset.

“No, just go ahead.”

Still, Lily hesitated before asking, “Do you want to discuss it when I return?”

“Yes, we'll do that,” Gabe agreed, but clearly he wasn't happy.

Lily went on her way feeling miserable about how unhappy her husband was. She was certain she had told him and honestly thought he'd been listening. She found herself praying for him and not just for herself.

Lord, if I've been insensitive to Gabe's needs, help me to be more aware. And please help Gabe to see how much I want this baby, but also how desperately Ana needs You.

“That was good.” Ana sat back with a sigh. “How was yours?”

“Delicious. I've never eaten here before.”

“Oh, this is our favorite place.”

Lily wondered who the “our” was but didn't ask just then.

“So do you miss Kashien?” Ana asked her.

“I miss the people mostly. We just had some exciting news, though. We might be returning to adopt a baby girl.”

“From Kashien?”

“Yes. We're waiting to hear from my father anytime.”

“Wow! I didn't know you could do that.”

“The government rules and system of Kashien makes it one of the easier countries to adopt from.”

“I hope Nick and I have children someday.”

“Is that your husband?”

“No, my boyfriend. We just moved in together.”

Lily had to stop herself from feeling regret over her own role in Ana's life. If the two of them had gotten together before now, would that have altered the younger woman's decision? Lily knew it was pointless to try to figure it out. After the first time they'd met, Lily had had no choice but to go home to Kashien.

“My father's real upset about it,” Ana went on conversationally. “But I don't think you can really know whether you love someone unless you live with him first.”

“I'm not sure I follow you,” Lily said. “You're not sure if you love Nick?”

“Not enough to marry him! I mean, marriage, that's a big deal.”

This was so diametrically opposed to the way Lily believed that it took a moment for her to respond. She did not want to censure this younger woman or put walls up between them, but Lily certainly did not agree. Another factor was that Ana had not invited her to comment on her situation. Lily knew she would have to go easy.

“Do you not think a couple can decide to commit to each other for life?”

“It's a pretty big step. I mean, I wouldn't buy a car without trying it out first.”

“Is that a good comparison, do you think? Husbands and cars?”

“Oh, I don't know. I heard that somewhere one time and thought it was pretty funny.”

Lily was reminded how young Ana was. When they had originally met in the resort gift shop, Ana had just turned 18.

“Did you and Gabe do it that way?” Ana suddenly asked. “I mean, live together?”

“No, we didn't.”

“Well, maybe you didn't live together, but you didn't wait for the wedding night, did you?”

Lily could hardly believe where their conversation had gone, but she so wanted this friendship to grow.

“As a matter of fact, Ana, I was a virgin on my wedding night, and so was Gabe.”

Ana's mouth hung open. “That's amazing! You must have been the last two on the planet.”

“No, I don't think so. My brother is not getting married until February, and he's never been with a woman.”

“Is it because you're from Kashien?”

“No, it's more about what God says is best for us. We chose to believe that.”

“So you believe in God?”

“The God of the Bible, yes.”

“I don't,” Ana admitted without hesitation or apology as she signaled for more tea.

There were dozens of replies Lily could have offered, but she decided to let Ana lead this conversation. Only if the younger woman asked her about it would she speak on the issue of God's existence.

“I hate to eat and run,” Ana continued, causing Lily to be glad she'd stayed quiet, “but I have to get to work.”

“How do you like your job?”

“It's okay. The tips are good, and they wash our uniforms.”

“Did you tell me where Nick works?”

“He's at the Hilton too. He's a groundskeeper.”

“Do you ever get to ride together?”

“No, he's mornings and I'm afternoons.” Ana looked a little crestfallen when she said this but continued, “Some days we barely see each other.”

Lily didn't comment because the waitress was bringing their tab. Reaching for the bill, Lily offered to pay for the meal. Ana stared at her.

“You're awfully nice,” she said quietly.

Lily smiled. “Well, you're easy to be nice to.”

The younger girl shook her head in wonder.

“I think next time I'd better pay.”

“You've got yourself a deal. Maybe I'll have my license, and I'll do the driving that time.”

“You don't drive?”

“Not yet.”

“Wow! I think I would die without my wheels.”

It ended their meal on a laugh, and when Ana did drop Lily back at the resort, Lily made sure Ana had her phone number and the assurance that Lily wanted to see her again.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Gabe all but paced while he waited for his wife to return. She had been gone for only ten minutes when he realized how he'd sounded and acted. Even if he had personally known her dining companion, he wouldn't have interrupted her lunch, but it cost him to stay put and wait.

In the hours she was gone, his mind ran with all sorts of crazy notions. After all, they didn't know this woman that Lily had ridden with. What if they were in an accident? What if Lily read this woman wrong and she was not to be trusted? What if he never saw her again?

You're consumed with plans for a baby you've never met, Kapaia, and the wife you vowed your life to has needs you're ignoring.
This was only one way Gabe berated himself before Lily arrived home. He was more than ready to go straight to her when the front door opened, but Celia spotted her at the same time.

“Lily!” the little girl cried and ran to hug her.

“How's my CeCe?” Lily said after she lifted her into her arms and they hugged.

“Hungry.”

“You're hungry?”

“Celia,” her mother called just then, “come and eat your snack.”

Celia gasped with excitement and ran to the kitchen as soon as her feet touched the floor. Not until then did Lily look at her husband, who was waiting for her to be free.

“I'm sorry,” Gabe said as soon as their eyes met.

“I'm sorry too.”

“Why are you sorry?”