Free Nila's Hope by Kathleen Friesen Page A

parole. She began to smile and blossom again. Especially at the wedding.
    But the last couple of days…
    Will shook his head at the direction of his thoughts. Suspicion had taken hold, though, and his forehead creased as he considered Nila’s recent behaviour. He took a deep breath and coughed up some airbag dust. “Nila.” He waited until she met his eyes. “Is Nick bothering you from prison?”
    Her head jerked up, and her arms convulsed around her knees. Five long heartbeats later, she answered. “No.”
    He squinted at her in the darkness of the truck cab.
    She looked him square in the face, chin lifted, and repeated, “No, he hasn’t.”
    Will shrugged. “Glad to hear it.”
    Nila resumed her turtle-like position, and Will stared out the window. Something was wrong, but what? She said she trusted him, and yet she sat there huddled like she was all alone in the world. What was going on?
    Flashing amber lights illuminated the truck interior.
    “Tow truck is here. Now you’ll get home safe.” After he’d failed. Will stifled a groan as he opened his door.
     
     
     
     

9
     
    At seven the next morning, Nila waited as Pastor Dave answered the phone. “Good morning, Will. Yes, she’s up and waiting for your call. All right, here she is.”
    Nila accepted the handset. “Hi, Will. Did you hear the news? All the highways are closed. What are we going to do?”
    “As soon as they open, I’ll make sure the subs get their stuff done.” Stress resonated in his voice. “I can do that alone, so you might as well take the day off.”
    Her heart sank. “Why? I could help.”
    His low voice rumbled in her ear. “Don’t want to take a chance of dumping you in a ditch again.”
    She sighed, and her shoulders slumped. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up the phone and turned to meet Pastor Dave’s questioning gaze. “The highways are closed. If they open later, Will’s going to make sure the countertops get installed, and then put up the backsplash. By himself.” She bit her lip and looked out the window.
    The storm had almost blown itself out, but snow still swirled against the glass.
    “He said there’s no reason we both need to be there.” She closed her eyes against disappointment.
    “That’s good news.” Dave’s hearty voice startled her. “Now perhaps you can relax and recoup a bit. But if you want something to do, how would you like to help us put up the Christmas tree?”
    Nila straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “OK.”
    Lydia walked into the room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Well, I don’t know about you two early birds, but I need another cup of coffee before tackling that task. Will you join me?”
    Nila shook off her gloom. “I’d love a cup.”
    A few minutes later, all three trooped downstairs to the storage room. While Dave lugged the heavy, realistic-looking tree upstairs, Lydia and Nila dug out boxes of ornaments and other decorations.
    On their fourth trip up the stairs, Lydia shook her head. “I should give away some of these decorations; we have far more than we need. But each one is special.” She set her box down and smiled at her husband, her eyes mirroring the multi-colored lights lacing the assembled tree. “Oh, good. You got the lights up already. Now our fun begins.”
    “I love Christmas trees,” Nila said, “but I didn’t realize how much work it is to decorate one.”
    Lydia opened the first box, her voice casual. “When’s the last time you decorated a tree?”
    Nila nibbled her lip. “I can’t remember. I think I got to help a couple of times when I was little, but I’m not sure. Nick didn’t like Christmas trees of any kind. Said they made a mess.”
    Lydia handed Nila an exquisite, blown-glass globe. “Then it’s about time. Here, pick a spot for this one.”
    “It’s so beautiful.” She took it gingerly, fearful of breaking the delicate blue-green orb. “I’ve never seen ornaments like these.”
    Lydia joined