Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page B

a picture of serenity, but Jeff could see she was pale. He suspected that she was trying to be brave for him. He almost laughed, thinking that’s what he had been doing for her. He was so near exhaustion from lack of sleep and emotional disappointment that he thought he might sleep all the way to the mainland.
    â€œHey, Jeff and Lily! Welcome,” Evan called as the front door of the house opened. None of the family had met Lily that morning in an attempt to give other people in their church a chance to get to know her.
    â€œHi, Evan,” Jeff called in return.
    â€œCome on up,” Evan invited, and Lily climbed the eight steps to a deep, covered porch. “Evan Markham,” he said by way of introduction, but Lily’s eyes were already down, even as she shook the hand he offered her.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you, Evan,” she said, and he stared in wonder at the way she kept her lids lowered. His brother-in-law had warned the family about this, but it was one thing to hear about it and another to see it.
    â€œCome in,” Evan invited, and Lily and Jeff entered to find the family waiting inside. Jeff introduced everyone, and before Lily knew it, Bailey was leading her upstairs to a bedroom, her brother following with her things.
    â€œRight in here,” Bailey said, and Lily glanced up long enough to smile at her.
    â€œThis is nice,” Lily offered as she took in the white painted walls with the matching bedspread and curtains. The two nightstands, headboard, and a large dresser with a mirror were a light teak.
    â€œThis dresser is empty, Lily,” Bailey said, “and so is the closet. So please make yourself at home.”
    â€œThank you.”
    Bailey slipped out, and Lily knew that Jeff was watching her. She turned with a smile.
    â€œI didn’t think I would have a room to myself. I thought I might be in with the children.”
    â€œIt’s a big house.”
    Lily could only nod.
    Jeff was not overly pressed for time, but he could see that it would be best to keep this short.
    â€œIf you need something, Lily, just tell them.”
    â€œI will.”
    â€œAnd look the men in the eye. It’s perfectly normal here.”
    She nodded, even as she forced her gaze to stay up. The habit of dropping one’s eyes did not disappear in five days. Five days! That’s all the time they had had.
    â€œI’d better go,” Jeff said quietly, feeling as though he was deserting a child. His sister was a smart and capable woman, but Hawaii was not home. The culture she lived in was like night and day from his.
    â€œWalk me down, okay, Lil?”
    Still working not to panic, Lily only said, “Certainly.”

    The house was always a surprise to newcomers. The living room and dining area were wide open to each other, with the kitchen behind a closed swinging door. The stairway rose from the center of this large living/dining area to an open hallway that led to a master bedroom and bath, five other bedrooms, and two baths. There were no rooms over what the family called the “big room,” giving a spectacular ocean view from 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows.
    The family was sitting in the living room, not exactly sure if they should join Jeff and Lily. But as soon as the two came down, Jeff rescued them.
    â€œThank you for everything,” he said as he went from the last step straight ahead to where the sofas and chairs were gathered in a circle. In one corner were two more sofas and a television, but the center grouping was for conversation.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Gabe said with a smile. “Did you settle in, Lily?”
    â€œI thought I might do that after Jeff leaves.”
    â€œGood idea.”
    As Evan had, Gabe stared in fascination with the way she kept her gaze lowered.
    â€œI’d better get going,” Jeff said just before all the family came forward to hug him. Lily had known her brother was affectionate, but