Nila's Hope

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgements

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Epilogue

Thank You

Nila's Hope

 

 

Kathleen Friesen

 

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

 

Nila's Hope

 

COPYRIGHT 2014 by Kathleen Friesen

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

 

eBook editions are licensed for your personal enjoyment only. eBooks may not be re-sold, copied or given to other people. If you would like to share an eBook edition, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

 

Contact Information: [email protected]

 

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version
(R),
NIV
(R),
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

 

Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

 

Harbourlight Books, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

www.pelicanbookgroup.com
PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

 

Harbourlight Books sail and mast logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

 

Publishing History

First Harbourlight Edition, 2015

Paperback Edition ISBN 978-1-61116-411-4

Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-61116-410-7

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

 

To my precious family. You continue to teach me about love, forgiveness, and hope.

 

Acknowledgements

 

 

Heartfelt thanks to those who helped bring this story to life. I appreciate you all.

The advice of my online critique partners never fails to push me to go deeper. Thank you, Julie Arduini, Laura Hilton, Joi Copeland, Penny McGinnis, BJ Bassett, Christina Miller, Deb Anderson, Heidi Kortman, and Rhonda Starnes.

The steadfast encouragement of my precious pen-pals, Gerry Meggait, Virginia Fairbrother, and Robin Flaten, keeps me going through tough times and writer's block. Prayer works! Thank you, dear ones.

A special thank you goes to Fylis Edwards, nurse extraordinaire, who answers all my medical questions, and Greg Wood, whose background in police work and patient explanations help tremendously.

Editor Fay Lamb is a jewel, and I am blessed to have this opportunity to work with her and Pelican Book Group.

Ron Friesen, my wonderful husband, is the inspiration for all my heroes. He's a keeper! I am eternally grateful for his love and support.

And above all else, I thank my Lord Jesus Christ, the giver of hope and life.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

“And now, by the power vested in me by Saskatoon Grace Chapel and the province of Saskatchewan, I am delighted to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

As applause began to ripple through the audience, Nila Black gazed up at the tall, blond man standing just a few feet away. His deep-set blue eyes met hers, and the world shrank to just the two of them. Her lips parted in a smile, and she…

“Nila.” The bride's urgent whisper jolted her back to reality. “The bouquet—I need it back.”

Nila's face burned as she untangled the bridal bouquet from her own and slipped it into her friend's waiting hand.

“Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Melody Martens!” The pastor's voice rang with joy.

As the recessional music lilted through the sanctuary, the bride and groom turned, clasped hands, and walked down the aisle of the packed church.

Best man, Will Jamison, held out his arm for Nila. She slipped her hand inside the crook of his arm and settled her hand onto his forearm. He covered it with his own hand, pulling her close to his side. Perfectly in step, they followed Will's mother and her new husband down the aisle toward the foyer of the church.

“You look amazing.” Will's breathy whisper caressed her skin.

Nila barely noticed the fragrant pine and cedar boughs, decorated pews, broad smiles of the guests, or even the whispered greetings. Her world at that moment consisted of the handsome man beside her, the harmony of their steps, and the warmth emanating from his body to hers.

When they reached the foyer, Nila's world expanded again. She stepped away from Will and embraced his mother.

“Congratulations, Melody. I'm
so
happy for you. And thanks for trusting me to fill in for Faith. I hope she feels better soon.”

Melody returned the hug. “Thank you, sweetie. Faith will be fine.”

As Nila stepped back, Will folded his mother into a warm embrace. “You look beautiful, Mom.”

At the same time, Daniel's strong arms pulled Nila close.

“Congratulations, boss,” she said and stepped back. Nila took her place on the other side of Melody as Will released his mother and held out his hand to his new stepfather.

“Congratulations, boss,” he echoed but with considerably more enthusiasm. Nila could hear the grin in Will's voice as he added, “Glad you're finally part of the family.”

“Me, too. Your mother wouldn't set the date until the trial was done,” Daniel said, a crooked smile softening his words. “Seeing that lowlife get sentenced was worth the wait, though, and now we can get on with our lives.”

Nila cringed and then shivered as the outside door opened and a blast of icy wind and swirling snow swept through the foyer. No one else seemed to notice.

People lined up to greet the wedding party, and she had to do her part. Forcing a smile, she held out her hand for the next person in the long line of well-wishers.

That old, crushing feeling of “you don't belong here” stiffened her face as she shook hand after hand in the reception line. The words spoken by others were pleasant, but they didn't register.

Just a few more minutes and it would be over.

A male guest she didn't recognize swept her into a tight hug. She froze as she fought the urge to flee. Why had she ever agreed to this?

In a moment of respite, Melody reached over and gave her arm a quick squeeze. “Thanks for being here. I know this isn't easy for you,” she whispered into Nila's ear. “I love you.”

That was why. She would do anything for Melody.

A tiny blur of pale pink organdy and blonde hair parted the crowd with her shrill, “Gramma, Gramma! Here I am.”

Nila's heart twisted just a bit as Melody stopped to scoop up her granddaughter and flower girl. “Hey, Jessica. I didn't even notice you leave. Did you find your mommy?”

“Uh-huh.” The little head nodded, and she pointed. “There she is.”

Faith's puffy eyes and red nose testified to her nasty cold as she struggled to hang onto the squirming baby boy in her arms. She nearly lost her grip as he lunged toward Will.

“Guess he wants his uncle. Do you mind?”

Will grinned and took little Tommy. “My pleasure, Sis. Oops, I think he changed his mind.” Tommy now leaned toward Nila. “Can't blame him. He's got good taste.”

Nila's heart thumped as she took Tommy in her arms. “You sweetheart,” she whispered.

Will's grin widened. “You talking to me?” As her cheeks heated, he relented. “Just teasing. This looks like a good time to grab your coat. It's pretty cold in here.”

The warmth in her face seemed to work its way down to her heart. She squeezed the little boy in her arms and nuzzled his chubby cheek while furtively watching the best man maneuver his way through the crowd for her.

 

****

 

As the wedding party entered the rented hall, guests clapped and cheered, and some tapped their glasses with spoons.

Will pulled his beautiful companion closer and whispered in her ear, “Pretty impatient, aren't they?”

Daniel and Melody stopped short, nearly causing Will and Nila to bump into them. Will stared as Daniel bowed to the guests, took his bride in his arms, and pressed his lips to hers until her cheeks turned red. The crowd roared their approval. Melody gazed at her new husband and pressed her fingers to her thoroughly-kissed lips.

Will felt Nila tremble against his side. “You OK?”

Her cheeks were pink, but she said, “It's…it's just the toast. I don't think I can do it. I'm too nervous, and I don't belong here, and…”

“You'll be fine.” They'd reached the head table, and Will pulled out Nila's chair. “And you do belong. Mom wouldn't have asked you if you didn't.”

Will sat on the other side of Daniel and leaned toward his new stepfather. “Didn't think you had it in you, hamming it up for the crowd like that.” He raised one eyebrow as he appraised his mother's new husband. “I like it. Mom's been good for you. And I can't believe you guys pulled all this together in three weeks—especially right before Christmas.”

Daniel nodded while gazing at his bride. The soft look in his eyes erased years from his face. “You're right; she is amazing. And I admit she's been good for me. And will be for many, many years, I hope.”

Daniel looked at their guests and cupped his hand to his ear.

They caught the hint and began tapping their glasses again. Daniel grinned at Will and then turned to his bride, pulled her to her feet, and kissed her forehead, nose, and finally settled his mouth on her lips once again.

Will squirmed in his chair and stared at his empty plate. He was happy for his mom and Daniel, but man, it was awkward watching them smooch. He wondered how Nila was handling it.

He leaned forward until he caught her eye, glanced at the newlyweds and back to her. Nila followed his gaze, and as their eyes met, she touched her lips, blushed, and dropped her focus to the tablecloth.

Whoa! What was that?

He glanced across the room at his sister. Faith grinned, pointed from him to Nila, and winked.

Yeah, she'd razz him for sure. He knew she'd caught him staring when Nila walked down the aisle. But his little co-worker was gorgeous. Who knew? That red dress fit her like a lucky glove, and her hair—what a change. All those curls and little flowers and stuff. Too bad that come Monday morning she'd be back in her overalls and braids.

He swung his gaze back to Nila. She was blushing again.

Sweet.

 

****

 

Nila squirmed as heat rushed up her neck. For a moment she'd gotten caught up in the romance of the day and imagined herself being kissed. And Will had noticed.

She pushed up the long sleeve of her burgundy silk dress and tugged a small paper from under her watchband. As Faith's husband, Jason, began his master of ceremonies monologue, Nila unfolded the note and tried to smooth out the wrinkles. Her hands were shaking so much she ripped it in half from top to the middle.

The servers began bringing their dinner so Nila tucked the torn paper under her plate and clasped her hands in her lap. She wished Faith hadn't gotten sick. She wished she could be sitting out there instead of in front of everyone. She didn't want to disappoint Melody, especially today.

Too soon, dinner was finished and Jason introduced her toast to the bride.

Nila pushed herself upright onto shaking legs and tried not to wobble or spill the juice in her fluted glass. She clung to the podium for support and smoothed out the torn paper. She tried to read her notes, but her handwriting seemed to have morphed into another language. Her hands shook the podium, so she folded them together on top of the useless paper. The silence in the room felt heavy. Nila glanced up. So many people.