2

 

Four hours later, the minus twenty-seven temperature felt like springtime and the snowy prairie wind like a gentle breeze. Nila skipped up the well-swept concrete steps of the large two-story house humming Anne Murray’s Could I Have This Dance.

The old song was new to her, but when Will had held out his hand for her to join him on the dance floor, she’d thought it must be the most beautiful love song ever.

She waltzed into the house, paused to lock the door behind her, and slipped out of her long coat and boots. She danced down the stairs to her basement bedroom and closed her door carefully in case her landlords were sleeping. Then she pirouetted with her hands in the air, feeling like a fairy-tale princess.

What a night! But was it real? Or was she dreaming? Had Will felt it, too? That look in his eyes when he’d helped her into her coat and when they’d said good night—she didn’t think that was a ‘just friends’ kind of look.

She lifted her chin as though gazing into Will’s face once more. An unfamiliar yearning warmed her as she pictured the way his eyes had darkened to sapphire when he looked at her. Something deep in his gaze sparkled like diamonds as he’d lifted her gloved hand to his lips.

Nila looked at her hand, and her mood shifted. Without the dressy gloves, it was the hand of a labourer with short, newly polished nails, small cuts, and bruises. There was nothing romantic about her reality.

She shook her head, reluctantly dispelling the vision. Will Jamison was her co-worker and friend, and that’s all they could be. Romance? That was for others, not her. Love was a shadowy dream that too soon turned into a nightmare.

She pulled a hanger from her closet and fastened her bouquet to it. She’d rarely attended weddings, let alone been a maid of honor. So it was no wonder the romance of the day got to her. She sighed. Her fingertips lingered on the top boxes stacked in her closet. She pulled her hand back, closed the doors, and leaned against them.

She should feel safe now. Her ex-boyfriend, Nick Parnell, was in jail, and she’d helped put him there. Living with him had nearly destroyed her, but she was finally free.

Boarding with Pastor Dave and Lydia for the past several months had given her room and time to grow in her faith and self-confidence. Soon she’d be ready to move on. She’d saved up enough for the required first and last month’s rent plus a cheap vehicle. Her cherished dreams were finally within reach.

Nila moved to her desk and picked up the marked newspaper. Three more suites to check out Monday after work. She nibbled her lips. She could almost taste her independence.

She hugged herself as she pictured her dream home. Nothing fancy, just an apartment somewhere, but it would be her own. And only hers.

“Soon,” she whispered.

She picked up her cellphone from her desk, switched it on, and plugged it in to recharge. Then she wandered around her room, the room she’d designed and helped build. Daniel had been in charge of the construction, but she’d been involved through the entire process. And she’d loved every messy bit of it.

Nila stroked her built-in desk and shelves. She remembered her nervousness when Daniel told her to make the cuts. The maple boards were pristine, and she was terrified she’d ruin them. Or maybe cut off a finger. She’d never used a table saw before—or any kind of power tool. But when she’d made that first cut, she’d fallen in love. The power in her hands as she controlled the dangerous blade exhilarated her, made her want more. Daniel had noticed, and from that moment, she’d become a builder.

Now this was her sanctuary. Not like Haven House, the temporary home for battered women, but her own space in a loving home. She lifted her face and thanked God for Dave and Lydia and the love they so freely gave. She’d always be grateful for this place and the hope she had found here.

She sat at her desk and unrolled the blueprint for the house she and Will were remodelling in Warman under Daniel’s direction. A wistful smile softened her face as she recalled how her life had changed in the last year and a half.

As soon as Dave and Lydia’s basement—including her new bedroom—was finished, Daniel had offered her a job and apprenticeship in carpentry. Daniel was a good boss, even though at first she’d flinch whenever he’d bark orders. On the other hand, working with Will was pure pleasure. He’d seemed wary of her at first, but they’d soon become friends.

It didn’t hurt that he was awfully good looking, especially those gorgeous blue eyes.

But as she pictured them, deep blue eyes became glittering, hate-filled. Nick’s eyes. Even from across the room she’d understood the message as he’d stood in the doorway. “Don’t tell, or else.”

Then everything had gone blank. If Jason hadn’t helped her back to her seat…

Nila covered her eyes and trembled. The room seemed chilled.

That had to have been her imagination. It couldn’t have been Nick. He was in jail where he belonged. Wasn’t he?

 

****

 

Will parked in his mother’s garage, leaned back, and inhaled deeply. A flood of emotions washed over him: happiness for his mother and Daniel, relief that everything had gone well, a faint throb of grief for his father’s death, and a strange excitement mixed with longing. And confusion.

Nila had looked fantastic all gussied up like that. He’d hardly recognized her. And she’d surprised him when they’d danced. She’d felt as soft as little Jessica’s favorite stuffed kitty, but her supple muscles enticed him even more.

Pleasure tingled through him as he relived the sensation of Nila in his arms as they glided across the dance floor, their movements perfectly synchronized.

He felt his heart rate increase, and he shook his head to clear it.

He hoped that…whatever was between them at the wedding…wouldn’t mess up their work relationship. Nila learned fast and seemed to have a real talent for design. But they both carried a lot of baggage. And what would happen when Nick got out of jail? She might even go back to him. And Will wouldn’t be able to stop her.

He grunted as he opened the truck door and climbed out. He closed the door to the garage behind him, paused, and leaned against it. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for a serious relationship, but for those few hours, everything felt perfect. The stuff of dreams.

Well, almost. He frowned. Until Nila raised her glass. Then she looked like she’d seen a ghost. What had that been about?

 

****

 

The next morning, Nila’s dreams scattered like bits of hoarfrost in the wind when her cellphone jarred her awake.

“H-hello?”

“Ms. Nila Black? This is Constable Jim Grayson from the Saskatoon Police Service. This is a courtesy call to inform you that Nicholas Parnell was released from custody yesterday.”

“Wh—what?” Nila gasped and rubbed her forehead, willing her brain to function. “That’s not possible. He was sentenced to twenty-two months just two months ago. I thought I had time…” She shuddered. “How? Why?”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Black.” The monotone voice sounded as if it came from a deep well. “I tried to contact you yesterday. You are correct. He was sentenced to twenty-two months, but with credit for time served before trial, he was granted statutory release yesterday. It’s standard procedure. The judge explained this at sentencing.”

Nila couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Yesterday? Then she wasn’t hallucinating. But it was too soon. She was just starting to feel alive. She shook her head as she replayed the tense courtroom scene. “I missed that part. We were celebrating…I didn’t know…”

“Ms. Black, as a condition of his parole Mr. Parnell is forbidden to come within a hundred meters of you. You needn’t worry.”

“B—but I saw him yesterday at the wedding reception.” She shook her head. “I thought I’d imagined it.” Was the room spinning? Or maybe the whole world? She sank back against the pillow.

“If you’re certain Mr. Parnell violated his parole conditions, you need to come down and file a report,” the officer responded. “But unless you can verify it…”

“How can I? When I didn’t believe it myself?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t reach you yesterday.

She groaned. “I turned off my cell for the wedding. But I can’t believe this. It’s not fair.”

“Ms. Black, Mr. Parnell must abide by the conditions of his parole. I’m sure he has no desire to return to prison. If you have any problems, please contact me at this number. Have a good day.”

Nila stared at the phone in her hand. A good day?

He had to be kidding.

She dropped the phone onto her bed, pulled her knees to her chest, and tried to pray. “God, are You still there?” she whispered. “Why would You let this happen? What are You doing to me?”

 

****

 

Will stomped his feet on the porch mat, pushed open the door, and stepped into his new home, the house Daniel had just vacated. He lowered the heavy box to the floor, straightened, and wiped his brow. In spite of the mid-December wind, sweat threatened to drip into his eyes.

“Guess I shouldn’t have put so many books in one box,” he muttered. “Man, who would’ve thought moving across the street would be so much work?”

He stepped out of his heavy winter boots and glanced around the living area. Satisfaction brought a smile to his face. Daniel, Nila, and he had stripped wallpaper, ripped out old carpet, installed new hardwood, and painted the walls a soft sage green. In fact, they’d remodeled the entire main floor.

Now the place looked great, a house he’d be proud to call home. Especially since Daniel gave him such a deal on the rent. He’d be able to save up for a down payment on a house of his own while living here. Daniel was all right.

Will crouched and lifted the box again, hauled it into what used to be Daniel’s office, and groaned as he lowered it to the floor. How had he collected so much stuff in such a short time?

He shook his head at the boxes already littering the house. He’d had almost nothing when he’d returned to Saskatoon from British Columbia a year and a half ago. It had taken a serious injury to break his stubbornness and bring him home. He rolled his shoulders. He could still feel the pull of the long, jagged scars from his encounter with a black bear. That job planting trees in BC’s Rockies had changed his life in more ways than one.

His first week home he’d met Daniel, and the older man’s gruff manner hadn’t impressed him. But as they’d built Melody’s front porch together, Daniel’s patience with Will’s inexperience and injuries had revealed his true nature and forged a strong bond.

“Yup, he’s good for Mom, and she’s good for him. You made a good match there, God.”

Praying—that was another new thing.

Will put his boots on again and headed back across the snow-packed street for another load. He’d almost reached the curb when a battered gray van roared down the street, sliding and bouncing on the rutted, icy pavement. Will leapt out of the way, slipped on the ice, and landed on his back. By the time he’d caught his breath, the van was out of sight.

“Dumb jerk!”