Bamboo and Lace (50 page)

Oahu

Jeff didn't knock or stop for any formalities. He walked into Gabe's office, shut the door, and said, “My father wants to hear from you.”

Gabe came out of his chair.

“He wrote to you?”

“Yes. He says Lily doesn't know and he would appreciate your discretion.”

“Why, Jeff?” Gabe tried to understand. “I told you about her letter. She's in as much pain as I am. Why would he not talk to her?”

“He probably sees it as a mercy,” Jeff guessed. “Why get Lily's hopes up if he isn't going to accept your suit?”

Gabe tried to understand, but it was hard. He prayed that he would do things differently if he ever became a father.

“What does he want me to do?”

Jeff consulted the letter and read from it.

It is my hope, Jefferson, that if you have any doubts about this man being suitable for your sister, you would never mention this missive to him. If after reading this you still feel it is the best, please ask Mr. Kapaia to write and tell me about when he came to Christ, his commitment to your church family, his occupation and ability to care for Lily, and whether he plans to lead Lily and any children they may have to fear and serve the Lord.

Please explain to him that it's all well and good if he feels he loves my daughter, but because I am not there to see how he lives his life, I need to hear his beliefs and goals, mainly spiritual. As you must know, Lily is special. What I'm asking is if Gabe is the special man for her.

Jeff looked up to see determination in his friend's eyes.

“I can't ask for more than that, can I, Jeff?” he stated after a moment. “At least he's giving me a chance.”

“I'll be writing him too, Gabe,” Jeff assured him. “I've talked about you over the years, but I'll just remind my father of how close we've been and that I have been here to watch you in action.”

“Thank you.”

Jeff had to get back to the office, but not before the men embraced. Gabe sat at his desk for a long time after his friend left and looked out on the bay where he and Lily had talked so many times and even swum. He asked God to give him the words for this letter he would write, but more than that, to go before him on this entire matter.

Lhasa

Owen was not surprised to receive a letter from his son the very next week. As he half expected, he spoke very highly of Gabriel Kapaia and reminded him of their ongoing friendship over the years. Owen was grateful for the words because he had forgotten some of the things Jeff had written about Gabe in the past.

By the time Gabe's letter arrived, Owen was ready for it. It began much as he expected but then took a turn he did not anticipate.

Thank you for contacting Jeff, Mr. Walsh, and asking to hear from me. As you might have guessed, I love your daughter, but if I had my way, she would have more than I can give her. I think Jeff must have mentioned that I am a cancer survivor. I am glad to be alive, but I will never father biological children. I didn't know if I would ever meet someone who would understand my situation, but then Lily came into my life. She is not opposed to adoption; indeed, she is all for it, and I feel even this is a blessing from God, since at this point in time, it is my only option.

You may wonder why I began this letter on such an intimate point, but in truth, Mr. Walsh, I can't think of anything else you would object to. I came to a saving belief in Jesus Christ as a child when I realized I was lost in my sin. After that I thought I was serving God and was sold out for Him, but when I learned I had cancer at the age of 22, my faith was put to the test in a way I'd never known.

During that time I realized that Christ had to be my all. I praise Him for the growth I experienced and would be willing to go through it again if ever I needed it to draw me closer to Him. My church family was amazingly supportive at that time, as was my mother, stepfather (my own father is dead), sister, brother-in-law, and brother.

My work at the resort our family owns and operates was put on hold while I was ill, but things are in good shape now, and we are looking into doing some remodeling and expanding later this year. God has greatly blessed us.

Reading at bedtime in the solitude of his room, Owen couldn't help but be impressed. He read the entire letter over twice, thinking that everything indicated that Gabe Kapaia was the special man for Lily.

Owen was still coming to grips with losing Lily, but he knew he could not fight this any longer. Feeling the time might be right, Owen went to Lily's room. It was dark, her lantern already out, but still he knocked softly on the wall just outside her doorway.

“Come in,” she called, having heard his footsteps.

“Lily, I need to speak with you.”

Owen heard the rustle of her covers and told her she could stay in bed.

“I think we need to make a trip to Hawaii,” Owen began, finding that speaking his mind was easier in the dark when faces could not be seen.

“Hawaii?” Lily questioned.

“Yes, I desire to see your brother and his life there, and I think I should meet Gabriel Kapaia.”

Lily could not muffle her sobs. Her longing to be with Gabe, even as she tried not to think of him, had been so great.

“Come to me, Lily.” Her father's hoarse voice sounded in the dark, and Lily ran to be hugged. Owen's own tears joined his daughter's as she thanked him through breathless sobs.

Lily desperately wanted to know where this change of heart had come from, but that was not something she could ask. Jeff or Gabe might be able to tell her, but she would never have the relationship with her father that she had with them.

“As soon as we can manage the details, we'll go,” Owen told her.

“Thank you. Thank you, Father.”

“And you must pack everything, Lily, and say your final goodbyes.”

“Everything,” she managed, the tears coming again.

“I would make just one request of you, Lily.”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Will you please continue to dedicate some time to the translating, Lily, and send the pages back to me?”

His voice had been the most humble Lily had ever heard it. She thought her heart would break, but she told him she would gladly translate for him for as long as she was able.

When at last they parted to find their rest, Lily felt exhausted and drained. She would have said that there were no tears left, but it wasn't true. They started again when her heart spoke to Gabe across the miles.

Don't give up on me yet, Gabe. I'm coming as soon as I can.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Six months to the day from the time Lily flew back to Kashien, Owen and Lily's plane landed in Oahu. They were both spent— Owen more so than his daughter—and more than glad to see Jeff waiting outside the customs area.

With as little fuss as possible, Jeff got them to his apartment and into bed. Lily would take the sofa during their stay, but for now she was sound asleep in Jeff's bed.

At the risk of waking his father, Jeff checked on him in the spare room. It had been almost four years since they'd seen each other, and for the first time, Owen Walsh looked old. Something squeezed around Jeff's heart as he looked down at the man who had fathered him, and he asked God to do a work between them so that when Owen left Hawaii, he and Jeff could claim a closer-than-ever-before relationship.

Thankful he hadn't disturbed him, Jeff let himself back out of the room, only to find that Lily had come to the kitchen.

“Are you awake?” Jeff whispered, thinking she looked like a sleepy child with her hair all over her face.

“I think so.”

“Do you want some coffee or tea?”

“I think just water, Jeff.”

He waited until she'd finished half the glass and then spoke.

“Are you up to talking?”

“Certainly.”

Smiling, Jeff reached for the phone, dialed, and handed it to his sister.

“Say hello to the man that answers.”

Lily smiled just as Gabe picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hello,” Lily said softly and heard Gabe's breathless laugh.

“I love you,” he wasted no time in saying.

“Oh, I love you, Gabe. It's wonderful to hear your voice.”

“How was the flight?”

“It was long but survivable.”

“How did your father do?”

“He got very tired. He's sleeping right now.”

“Did Jeff tell you you're invited for dinner?”

“No, but I can't wait to see everyone. How's that new baby?”

“She's a doll. You're going to fall in love all over again.”

“Have the kids grown?”

“Yes. Pete will be in school in just a few months.”

“Oh, my. I've missed so much.”

“How were folks in the village?”

“Doing well,” Lily told him, amazed just to hear the sound of his voice. It felt as though she hadn't left. He was still Gabe. He talked to her the same way and included her in his life and was interested in hers.

They visited for a little while longer before Gabe said he had a call to make. Lily told him she looked forward to that night.

“How is Mr. Kapaia?” Jeff asked with a smile. He'd been at the table the whole time they talked, not listening, but still hearing things off and on.

“He's wonderful,” Lily said, her face wreathed in smiles. “He said we're invited to dinner.”

“Let's hope our father is up to it.”

“Jeff,” Lily started, suddenly putting her hand on his arm, “I'm sorry I haven't asked about Annika lately. Are you still seeing each other?”

Jeff smiled. “We e-mail each other every day.”

“But you haven't seen each other?”

“We did briefly in Arizona at the end of February, but the way things had been going for you and Gabe, I didn't want to write about us.”

“Is Arizona where you were?”

“Yes. Now that things are up and operational, I can talk about it.”

“Well, I want to hear everything, but first I want to know when you'll see Annika again.”

“The end of August. She has vacation time, and she'll be coming here.”

“I'm glad, Jeff. Again, I'm sorry I haven't checked with you.”

“It's all right. I'm looking forward to telling Father about her.”

“When will you?”

“When he's rested and we have some time.”

“Have you taken some days off?”

“Tomorrow and then a few others in the weeks to come.”

Owen joined Lily and Jeff while they were still talking. He looked somewhat rested but still a little worn around the edges. Jeff was careful to keep the pressure light about the evening's plans, explaining that it was entirely up to him. When presented with the idea of meeting and eating with Gabe and his family that night, Owen surprised his children by saying he would enjoy it very much.

Owen was delighted with the Kapaia Resort. He proclaimed the grounds to be beautiful and smiled widely when he saw the house and large covered porch.