Nila's Hope by Kathleen Friesen Read Free Book Online Page B

all the cabinets in tomorrow?”
    Will nodded. “He has to. The countertops are coming first thing Wednesday and so are the appliances.
    “So if we could get the trim and backsplash installed, we could be done this week.”
    “Yep. That’s the idea. Then I can start work on my man cave in Daniel’s—my basement.”
    Nila glanced up at him. “I didn’t know you were planning that. Have you done the design?”
    Will shrugged. “I drew up blueprints for the building permit, but I haven’t figured out things like colors and fixtures.” He grinned. “Know anyone who might be able to help with that?”
    Her whole face lit up. “Really? I’d like that a lot.”
    “Good. I hoped you’d agree.” They might be back to co-workers and friends, but at least they were still friends. Anything more could wait. And that was probably for the best. He handed her one end of the tape measure. “Here, let’s get the living room measured so we can make the cuts for the baseboard.”
    “Sounds good, but I call dibs on the mitre saw.”
    Will chuckled at her eagerness. “You do like power tools, don’t you? All right, you make the cuts, my power-hungry little friend.”
    Nila’s grin disappeared, and she seemed subdued as she knelt in the far corner of the living room, measuring tape in hand.
    What did he say? His mind replayed their short conversation, but nothing clicked. He clamped his mouth shut and recorded the measurements.
    Darkness had fallen by the time the third coat of paint glowed on the kitchen walls. Creamy white paint highlighted the baseboards and window trim, and pale yellow graced the walls of the nursery.
    As they carried paint cans and equipment downstairs to the storage room, Nila finally smiled. “It feels good to be ahead of schedule for a change.”
    Will nodded. “You worked hard. I could barely keep up with you today.”
    “Thanks.”
    And she’d hardly spoken to him, either. “I’ll go start the truck.”
    “All right. I’ll finish cleaning up.” She paused. “Will, I’m sorry.” Her eyes shimmered.
    Tears? What for? He barely touched her shoulder. “We’ll talk on the way home, OK?”
     
    ****
     
    Nila kept silent until the lights of Saskatoon illuminated the truck cab. Her thoughts tumbled wildly as she fought with her conscience.
    How much should she tell him? What would he do if she told him Nick was out? If she said he had threatened her? But then she wouldn’t be the only one in danger. She knew Nick too well.
    She took a deep breath as they passed several auto dealerships. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a good friend today. It wasn’t your fault.” She swallowed hard. “Well, I guess it was something you said.”
    “What?” Confusion filled Will’s voice.
    Nila sighed and closed her eyes. “You called me power hungry.”
    Will drummed his gloved fingers on the steering wheel. “I didn’t mean that as an insult, Nila. I was just teasing.”
    She looked at him, and her heart twisted at the unexpected tenderness on his face. She shook her head. “I know that.” Another deep sigh. “It’s just that it made me think about Nick and how he always has…had to prove his power over me.”
    Will took his eyes off the road and glanced at her. “But he’s in prison. You’ve got a new life now. He is out of your life, isn’t he?”
    Nila waited until he looked back at the highway. “Yes, of course.”
    He took one hand off the wheel and touched her arm. “That creep’s never going to bother you again if I have anything to say about it. You’ve suffered more than enough already.”
    That was why she couldn’t tell him. She couldn’t put him in danger, too. She slumped in her seat and gazed out the window without seeing anything. Where was her Savior? Was He ignoring her because she couldn’t forgive?
    “Do you want to give Lydia a call and see if we have time to move that bed before dinner?” Will said. “Or are you too tired?”
    She sat up straighter and bit her lower