Considering Lily

Prologue: Pansy

Pansy Parker surveyed the disaster area that was her kitchen. When she’d left this morning, it had been pristine. She’d washed the cup, spoon and cereal bowl she’d used, and then put them away before leaving for work. While she was gone, it seemed there had been a tornado in her kitchen.

The sink was filled with dishes. The counter had crumbs scattered across it, and the refrigerator was decorated with greasy smudges.

“He’s one person,” she muttered as she grabbed a dish cloth and began wiping the counters. “How much mess can one person make in just a few hours.”

“Hi Mom,” Perry said striding into the kitchen. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll clean it up later. I made a cake for after supper tonight.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Pansy said, trying to dredge up appreciation. What were the two of them going to do with a whole cake! Especially one that was made with the whole wheat unbleached flour that Perry had brought home from the grocery store yesterday.

He had the classified section of the newspaper in his hand. No doubt the rest of the paper was scattered across her sofa. “Any luck in finding a job today?”

Perry sighed. “No. But, I thought maybe I’d take out my own ad. See if anyone needs a handyman. It doesn’t seem like there are any construction companies hiring now.”

Great. He’d never earn enough money as a handyman to get his own place. “I suppose you have to start somewhere, dear.”

“It’s a long way from being a construction site foreman, but I guess I can’t afford to be choosy.”

“Perry, dear, I don’t know why you quit your job in the first place.”

“I needed a fresh start, Ma. I just had to put everything behind me.”

“Lots of people get divorces, and they don’t quit their jobs and move in with their mothers.”

“I don’t have to stay here if you don’t want me. I have a little money saved up. It could see me through until I get on my feet. I could be out by the end of the week. Just say the word,” Perry said, and the worst part was, she knew he meant it. He was a good boy, after all.

Pansy forced a smile on her face. “Of course I want you here. I just feel bad for all that you lost.”

Perry rubbed his forehead. “It was my own fault. I quit paying attention to Jean a long time ago. If I hadn’t, none of this would have happened.”

“Do you miss her?” As annoying as living with Perry was, she did love him.

“That’s sort of the worst part,” he admitted. “I don’t miss her. It just tells me how far apart we drifted before she found her new ‘Mr. Right.’ If I ever get married again, I’ll do things differently.”

“Get married again? Do you think you will?”

Perry laughed. “I’m fifty-three years old; I have more forehead than hair and no place to call my own. I don’t think it’s going to happen, Ma.”

An idea sparked in Pansy’s head. “You never know, dear,” she said. She’d find a match for Perry and count it toward the challenge. But who to match him up with? She’d have to think about it. She’d find someone by the time she finished with her current project—Lily Robinson and Ian O’Neil.

Chapter 1

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

—Luke 12:27

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…

—Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 4

She was dancing. A soft, slow song was playing and someone’s arms were around her. Lily looked up and saw his face. It was Ian O’Neil. She knew it would be. The dream was always the same—she and Ian dancing together at the New Year’s Eve dance.

That part had actually happened. Lily had avoided things like dances and parties since she’d moved to Orchard Hill, but she’d gone to the New Year’s Eve dance for Grace, her best friend. Grace had been jilted by her fiancé not a month before. Lily thought going out would be good for her.

At the dance, Grace had ended up with longtime friend Riley O’Neil and Lily, not wanting to intrude, had asked Riley’s brother Ian to dance. A dance was nothing, she figured. She could handle it.

Wrong, wrong, wrong! From the moment Ian had pulled her close, he made her feel special—cherished. That was why she had to avoid him now. Because those were the kind of feelings that led to dependence on someone, and Lily had learned it was better to only depend on yourself.

She’d succeeded fairly well in avoiding Ian in real life but not in her dreams. In her dreams, they danced every night. His arms held her tight, and she rested her cheek against his broad chest where she could feel the steady beat of his heart. Then the music would fade away, but Ian would still hold her to him. She’d look up, and his green eyes would gaze back at her through his gold rimmed glasses. He’d lower his head and her eyes would drift shut waiting for his kiss…

And that’s where the dream ended every time.

The stupid dream had kept Lily tossing and turning all night. When she finally drifted off, Lily slept so soundly she didn’t hear the alarm. She came awake some time later, noting the beams of light shining through her curtains. She rolled over to check her clock: 8:30! Lily threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. She was going to be late for church.

After a quick shower, she dressed and dried her hair. Even though she ran a beauty salon, and knew how to do all sorts of complicated hair styles, Lily was glad she kept her own dark hair in a simple layered cut. It was easy to deal with on mornings like this. She grabbed a granola bar and was out the door of her small apartment which sat over her shop, Gilding by Lily. It was small but at least it was included in the rent she paid for the shop. She had to watch her pennies.

The Orchard Hill Community Church was only a few blocks from her shop. Lily walked there as quickly as she could in heels and a straight skirt. She hurried into the narthex, grabbed a bulletin and slipped into the sanctuary. The congregation was already singing the opening hymn. No time to look for Grace. Luckily there was an empty spot near the back.

As she slid into the pew, Lily noticed with annoyance that she was sitting directly behind Ian O’Neil. Just great.

The hymn ended, and Pastor Isaac began to speak. Lily forced her mind away from Ian and onto the service. Her willpower was successful; she managed to forget about the man in front of her by concentrating on the words and music of worship, until…

It was time for the passing of the peace. Everyone rose and exchanged handshakes or hugs with those around them. Lily shook the hand of the person to the right, and then turned to greet the people behind her. When she turned toward the front again, there was Ian holding out his hand to her.

Lily felt her smile freeze upon her face. She couldn’t let him see how she felt about him. She steeled herself for the warmth of his touch when his much larger hand enveloped hers.

“Peace be with you,” said Ian solemnly.

“God’s peace,” Lily mumbled back. There. That wasn’t so bad. She could handle Dr. Ian O’Neil. With a jolt, Lily realized that everyone was sitting down, and she was still standing there holding Ian’s hand.

She snatched her hand from his grasp and sat down quickly, glad she wasn’t prone to blushing. If she were, she’d be beet red right now. As Ian also turned to sit, she noticed a small smile of satisfaction on his lips. It took all her self control to keep from kicking him under the pew.

At the close of worship, Pastor Isaac reminded everyone of the coffee hour to be held in the fellowship hall, and then he said “I’ve been told that Riley O’Neil and Grace Randall have an announcement to make.”

Lily watched as Grace and Riley stood up, holding hands. Riley cleared his throat. “Grace and I would like to announce…”

“That we’re getting married,” finished Grace. Riley held up her left hand so everyone could see the sparkling ring she was now wearing. Applause broke out, and those nearest the happy couple offered hugs and hands to shake. Then the organist began to play the postlude hymn and people started gathering their things and filing out of the sanctuary.

Lily sat there, stunned. She had no idea things were that serious between Riley and Grace. They’d been dating a little less than two months.

“Did you know about this?”

Looking up, she saw Ian standing there, towering over her.

“I had no idea.” Lily grabbed her purse and stood. “I guess I’d better go congratulate them.”

“Good idea. I’ll go with you.”

She stifled a groan, but didn’t protest, not even when he took her arm to help steer her through the throng. In the fellowship hall, there was already a crowd of well-wishers surrounding Grace and Riley. Lily and Ian hung back until most of them had moved away. Then, Lily approached first, holding out her arms to hug her friend.

“I can’t believe this,” she told Grace as they embraced. “You’ve been dating such a short time.”

“Yes, but we’ve known each other all our lives,” Grace explained. “So it didn’t take us long to make up our minds, I guess.”

“Once I got her to consider me at all,” added Riley, hinting at Grace’s initial reluctance to date him for fear of ruining their friendship.

“Congratulations,” said Ian, offering his hand to his brother. “I think you guys are perfect for each other.”

Then, he turned to Grace and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “If I have to have another sister, I’m glad it’s you.”

“Thank you Ian. It won’t be so bad having you for a brother.”

Reluctantly, Lily turned to Riley while Grace and Ian exchanged their good wishes. “Congratulations, Riley.”

“Thank you Lily,” he answered. “And don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Grace.”

She forced a smile. “I know you will.”

“But you’re not happy about this.”

How could he tell? “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

“Hey, you two,” Grace broke in. “Come to brunch with us. We want to talk to you.