Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online

about this, just as he had when he bought Lily’s clothes, “was the suit cut high on the leg?”
    â€œYes!”
    â€œShow me here on the side of your pants.”
    Lily indicated the top of her thigh, by no means the high-cut area.
    â€œYou thought that was high?”
    â€œMy whole leg showed!” she whispered in panic, and Jeff had to cover his mouth and take a moment to recover.
    He had picked out a very modest suit, a swimmer’s suit with a high front and comfortable back, not having many exposed areas that would make it immodest.
    â€œHow about the neckline—how high did it go?”
    Lily’s hand went almost to her collarbone.
    â€œAnd the back?”
    â€œI don’t think I looked.”
    â€œGo put the suit back on and come show it to me.”
    She looked as though he had suggested she undress on the spot.
    â€œI don’t think I can do that, Jeff.”
    â€œIt’s all right. Hardly anyone is in here right now, and you won’t be swimming on the beaches of Waikiki.”
    â€œThat makes a difference?”
    â€œI’m just saying that even if the suit turns out to be all wrong, we don’t know anyone in here, and you’ll just pop out, show me, and pop right back. There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”
    He could see she wanted to argue but did not. He watched as she moved wordlessly back to the dressing room and wondered if she would ever come out again.

    â€œGabe, it’s Jeff.”
    â€œHey, what’s up?”
    â€œI’m sorry to call so late, but I had to wait until Lily was in bed.”
    â€œThat’s fine. I was still up.”
    â€œThere’s something I forgot to tell you.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œLily won’t look at you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI mean, she won’t look at men. It’s the way my father raised us. Women are not to raise their eyes in a man’s presence.”
    â€œAnd she does that even here?” His voice sounded as amazed as he felt.
    â€œYes, it’s all she’s ever known. You’re going to have to tell her to look at you, or she won’t.”
    There was complete silence on the phone.
    â€œGabe?”
    â€œYes, I’m here. I’m just thinking. Does she really not look up at men?”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œIs she afraid?”
    â€œNo, just showing respect the way she was taught. She’s been getting better with me, but she’ll have to start all over with the three of you. Added to that is the fact that she doesn’t know any of you.”
    â€œWell, Jeff,” Gabe responded, his voice returning to normal, “whatever it is, we’ll work it out. We do know each other through you, so I’m sure that given a little time, we’ll all do fine.”
    They talked for a few minutes before Jeff was able to hang up in peace. His friend was not just cheerleading. He honestly believed things would work out fine. Gabe was like that. And although Jeff was tempted to worry, he was working hard not to.
    That phone call made, Jeff pulled out his briefcase and went to work at the kitchen table. He had much to do before he got on that plane Sunday afternoon. But if he had to work all night in order to sightsee with his sister all day, it would be worth the effort.

    â€œYou wrote to Father?” Lily asked on Saturday afternoon. They had just 24 more hours.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œI just explained the situation. I don’t suppose he’ll go all the way down to Hankuo to use the phone, but I even enclosed the number in case he feels a need to contact me. I also gave him the resort phone number and the address.”
    â€œWhat is the resort like?” Lily suddenly asked.
    â€œOh, we can go by there. In fact, maybe we should so you can meet everyone now.”
    â€œThat’s all right,” she was a little too swift to say. “I think tomorrow will be