Read Online Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick - Free Book Online

200 pounds. Ashton was slightly larger. If they had known Lily better, it wouldn’t have been much of an issue, but as it was, the rear seat was more comfortable if Lily or the two men were on their own.
    They had barely left the church parking lot when Lily found herself in a conversation with the Lord nearly identical to the one she had had that morning. As with that morning, she had heard little of the message because her brother had been on her mind again. She confessed this and then had a little pep talk with herself.
    You wanted to be a part of this family and not just survive, and that means you’re going to have to make an effort. That decided, Lily told herself to do just what Bailey had told her: fend for herself if she missed a meal. It was already 7:45, and she could tell that the dinner hour had come and gone.
    Unlike the ride away from the house at 5:30, Evan took the van all the way to the garage, which gave Lily a chance to see a little more of the resort. She spotted a swimming pool and some tennis courts in the distance. She thought she might even have seen one of the guest cottages that Jeff had told her about.
    She followed the family back to the house, going in by way of one of the sliding doors that looked out over the ocean. After taking her Bible to her room, she made herself find Bailey. That proved to be easy—she was still in the living room.
    â€œMrs. Markham?”
    â€œWhy don’t you call me Bailey?”
    â€œOh, all right. Would it be okay if I fixed a little something to eat?”
    â€œAbsolutely. We all snacked, but that must have been when you went up to unpack, so go make the kitchen your own.”
    â€œThank you.”
    Lily went toward the only logical door, and when she got close enough to see through the round window on that door, she realized she had indeed found the kitchen. The sun was headed toward the horizon and filling the room with light, so Lily didn’t bother to look for a light switch. It was a wonderful kitchen, all decorated in navy blue and yellow, and large enough to work in comfortably. There were many feet of countertop.
    The counter space was Lily’s downfall, or rather the contents of the counters. She didn’t know that many appliances existed. Starting with what appeared to be a small grinder, Lily began to investigate. She lifted the lid and smelled coffee.
    â€œI wonder why Jeff doesn’t grind his own beans,” she whispered absently. “It smells so good.”
    With the lid back in place, she hit the button and started at how fast the little blade turned. She monkeyed with the grinder for a time and then moved to the coffeepot itself. It was similar to but not exactly like Jeff’s, and Lily gave it a good going over.
    She had just gotten to a machine that she suspected made a loaf of bread when the kitchen door opened. Lily dropped her eyes and turned from the counter.
    â€œIs everything all right, Lily?” Bailey asked.
    Lily looked up with eagerness that was not feigned.
    â€œMay I ask you a question, Bailey?”
    â€œCertainly.”
    â€œDoes this machine make loaves of bread?”
    â€œYes, it does.”
    â€œHow?”
    Out of habit, Bailey hit the switch which turned on the overhead fluorescent lights, came over to the counter, and showed Lily every aspect of the machine.
    â€œAnd these little bars turn and do the kneading too, not just the mixing?”
    â€œYes.”
    Lily’s intelligent green eyes came back to her. “But how does the bread rise?”
    Bailey took the pan out and showed her the heating element.
    â€œThe coils warm things up enough to cause the bread to rise, and then they get very hot to bake it.”
    â€œHow long does it take?”
    â€œAbout three and a half hours.”
    Lily shook her head in wonder, and Bailey started to laugh.
    â€œI’m sorry.” Lily was immediately apologetic.
    â€œNo, don’t be sorry, Lily. You’ve