Nila's Hope by Kathleen Friesen Read Free Book Online

your cell, but it must be turned off.”
    “Oh, yeah. It is. Sorry.”
    “I’ll pick you up at seven sharp, then. See you.”
    Nila hung up the phone and tried to suppress a shudder. Yes, she’d turned off her phone right after that call telling her Nick was free. Free to torment her again.
    Lydia noticed. “Is everything all right?”
    Nila nodded without facing her. “Yes. Will just wanted to make sure I’d be ready for work at seven tomorrow.”
    Lydia’s hand stroke her spine. “You know you can talk to me, don’t you? About anything at all?”
    Nila manufactured a smile and turned to her benefactor and friend. “Yes, I know, and I appreciate it. But I’m fine. Excuse me, please.”
    Two hours later, Nila switched on the television in the basement family room and tucked her feet under her on the sectional couch.
    Moments later the story of the princess, her hero, and their true love filled the screen. Dave had teased her the first time they’d watched the movie together because the actor playing the hero looked somewhat like Will. Of course, Will’s curly blond hair, extra height, and easy smile made him much more attractive. But the actor’s deep-set eyes definitely resembled Will’s.
    Halfway through the movie, Nila’s eyelids drifted shut, and she became the princess in a long, elegant gown. She’d been kidnapped by the dread pirate Nick, who vowed he’d kill her before he’d let her leave him. Her hero, Will, followed their trail and fought to save her, but his strength could not match the hatred of the pirate. One thrust of the pirate’s sword broke through his defenses, and Will fell, rolling down a long, unending hill. “As you wish.” His cry grew fainter and fainter as he rolled out of sight.
    “No!” Her cry woke her, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. The credits rolled on the television. She’d missed the happy ending. The nightmare pressed in, bringing a shudder. “As you wish,” still echoed in her mind.
    She got up and unplugged her cellphone from its charger. She pressed the “on” button, and it immediately beeped to signal a text message.
    Nila opened her phone, stared at the small screen, and clamped her hand over her mouth. She hurled the phone onto her bed and ran out of the room. As though that would help. The message had instantly etched itself into her mind.
    I’M WATCHING YOU.
     
     
     
     
     

6
     
    Monday morning Will unplugged the block heater from his truck, stashed the cord, and backed out of the driveway.
    That was another good reason to get that bed moved. Then he could park in the shop.
    As he drove the pre-dawn streets of Saskatoon, he felt a shiver of apprehension. He hadn’t seen Nila since the wedding. Would that spark still be there? Would it be uncomfortable working together, or could they continue being just friends? Was she really all right, or was she sick?
    Traffic at that hour was light, and he soon pulled into Dave and Lydia’s driveway. Before the truck came to a complete stop, the front door opened and Nila stepped out. At least he assumed it was Nila. Bundled up in a bulky parka, a toque and scarf, it could have been any small person coming toward his truck in the dark.
    She opened the passenger door, and Will caught a whiff of her shampoo. Its sweet aroma made him want to lean closer.
    “Morning.” It sounded like a growl. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Good morning.”
    The eyes above the wrapped wool scarf twinkled. “Good morning. I brought a treat for our coffee break, spritz cookies Lydia and I baked yesterday.”
    Will grinned. “Sounds good.”
    He tilted his head as an idea hit. He slid his glance up and down Nila as she fastened her seatbelt and loosened her scarf.
    “What?” She sounded worried.
    “I was just wondering…”
    “What?” Now she sounded irritated.
    “Well, you’ve gotten pretty strong in the last year.”
    “And…?” Her chin lifted.
    He smiled an apology. “Do you think you could help me