3

 

When Nila climbed the stairs to the kitchen, only Lydia remained at the table. She tilted her head, closed her Bible, and smiled, her almond-shaped brown eyes alight.

“Good morning, Nila. I didn’t hear you come in last night. We old folks can’t stay up as late as we used to, so I’m glad Will offered to give you a ride home. Did you have a good time?”

Nila nodded without speaking and reached for the coffee carafe. She could feel the questions in Lydia’s eyes but knew she wouldn’t pry. She never did.

Lydia cleared her throat, paused, and said, “I wondered if you might like to do some Christmas shopping with me this afternoon. Dave will be busy all day with his sermon, so I’m a free agent. What do you say? Do you feel up to it?”

Nila clutched her coffee mug, appreciating the warmth permeating her cold fingers, and looked around the cozy room—anywhere but into Lydia’s eyes. Dark cabinets, some with beveled glass fronts, lined the walls above granite countertops. The breakfast nook where Lydia sat featured a large bay window facing the snow-covered backyard.

Nila glanced outside. Yesterday’s snowstorm had made way for brilliant sunshine glittering on the fresh snowdrifts. The icy glare triggered the memory of Nick’s eyes at the reception, and she shuddered.

“Are you cold?” Lydia’s voice seemed to come from far away. “You’re not getting sick, are you?”

Nila shook her head and joined Lydia at the table. She bit her lower lip, paused, and finally met Lydia’s gaze. “I’m all right. Just tired. But I would like to go shopping. I still have several gifts to buy. It’s been so busy lately.”

“Yes, it has. That wedding took a lot of work to get organized in such a short time. But now Christmas is just around the corner. I must admit, I’m feeling a little panicky about everything I still need to do.”

Nila smiled at that. Lydia panic? Not in the time she’d known her. But bubbles of panic simmered just below Nila’s own surface. Maybe some Christmas shopping would distract them both.

 

****

 

Four hours later, Lydia grunted as she hefted a heavy bag into the back of her gray SUV. “I’d say we accomplished quite a bit. Is that everything?”

“Yes, I think so. Thanks for bringing me here. I got everything on my list, and it was fun shopping with you.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. But now I’m ready for lunch. How about you? We could walk over there.” Lydia pointed to a popular restaurant across the parking lot. “Or do you think it’s too cold to walk?”

Nila shook her head as she lifted her face to the sky. “No, this sunshine feels good.” She put her hood up and stepped closer to her landlord and friend. “And so does my early Christmas gift. I love this coat, Lydia. I’ve never owned anything so warm and beautiful.” Her smile flickered.

“You know we love you, don’t you?” Lydia’s whisper dove straight to Nila’s heart. “God blessed us with you. You’ll always be part of our family.”

That brought the sting of tears, and Nila wiped them before they could freeze on her cheeks.

“Let’s hurry, but watch the ice,” Lydia said.

The sidewalks around the large parking lot were mostly clear, but patches of ice shone in the sunlight. Nila pulled her hood further forward and kept her head down as she walked beside Lydia.

The area was too exposed. She should have said it was too cold. What if Nick was watching? Would he try anything? Would Jesus keep them safe?

At the restaurant, the hostess led Nila and Lydia to a booth perpendicular to the front door. “How’s this?” she asked.

Nila looked from the table to the door. She hesitated. “Um…could we sit near the back?”

The hostess shrugged as she turned. “I guess so. Follow me.”

Nila took the side facing the door and forced a smile. “This is nice.”

Lydia smiled back, but her eyes asked questions. “Just like a gunslinger, eh?”

“What do you mean?”

Lydia slipped out of her coat and folded it on the bench. “Dave enjoys reading Western novels now and then, and he told me that gunslingers always sat at the back of open rooms, facing the door so they could spot an enemy before being seen. I found that interesting.” She opened her menu. “So, what are you hungry for?”

After their order was taken, Nila leaned back and looked around the room. An attractive young woman at a nearby table caught her eye. Her short, layered hairdo looked light and easy to manage. Not like her heavy mop.

Nila tugged on one long, thick braid. Nick never let her cut it. Even a trim risked some kind of punishment. She sat up straighter. But she was done with him. Done with his control. And ready for a fresh look, a symbol of her freedom. She glanced toward the door. And maybe, if the change was drastic enough, he wouldn’t recognize her.

“Lydia, do we need to go straight home after this?”

“No, and Dave would probably appreciate it if we didn’t. That wedding put him a little behind on his sermon. What would you like to do?”

Nila flipped the braid back over her shoulder and lifted her chin. “I want to get my hair cut.”

“Really?” Lydia raised her eyebrows.

“Yes. It’s time for a change. This long hair is a nuisance, and I’m tired of it.”

Lydia smiled and nodded. “Good for you. Have you made an appointment?”

“No, I didn’t think of that.” A grimace twisted her mouth. “Good hairdressers are probably booked solid, aren’t they?”

Lydia pulled out her cellphone. “We won’t know unless we try. Let me give mine a call.”

Moments later, she closed the phone with a smile. “How about that? Misty had a cancellation and can fit you in at two thirty.” She glanced at her watch. “That’s an hour from now. Her shop isn’t far from here, so we should even have time for an extra cup or two of coffee.”

Nila released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “That’s great. Thank you.”

Their plates were nearly empty when a movement caught Nila’s eye. Coming toward them was a stylish, younger woman she’d seen at church, and she was waving.

“Hey, Mrs. Harris. And you’re Nila, right?” Her chirpy voice seemed too loud. Nila glanced around. No one paid any attention.

She scooted in beside Nila and propped her elbows on the table. “I’m glad I saw you here. I’m meeting some friends from university, but they can wait. I need to talk to you.”

“Hello, Hayley,” Lydia said. “How’s school?”

“Super. I’m having a great time.” She smoothed her long, auburn hair before turning to face Nila. “I heard you work with that yummy Will Jamison, and you guys remodel houses. Is that right?”

Nila scooted a little further toward the wall. “Yes, we’re apprenticing under Daniel Martens.”

Hayley clapped her slender, manicured hands. “Perfect! I’ll bet he’s fun to work with. Will, I mean.” She nudged Nila. “Anyway, Daddy said I could fix up the house he bought me for school. And I’d like Will—um, and you—to do it. OK?”

Nila looked at Lydia for help, but her friend’s head was bowed.

Nila turned toward the younger woman, chin high, and chose her words with care. “Daniel is the boss. He arranges all our jobs, and he’s the one you need to call. What do you have in mind?”

“My closet isn’t nearly big enough, and I don’t even have a real master bathroom. So I want to turn the bedroom next to it into a walk-in closet and master bath. I have all kinds of ideas. And if it could be done before Christmas, I’d be the happiest girl in Saskatoon.”

Nila shook her head. “Sorry, that won’t work. It would be next month at the earliest. Daniel’s on his honeymoon and won’t return until the weekend before Christmas.”

“Oh.” Hayley’s face fell, and her expression looked exactly like little Jessica’s when she didn’t get her way.

Nila clamped her mouth shut to keep from smiling.

Hayley shrugged, still pouting. “Well, that’s too bad. I had my heart set on a quick fix.” She brightened. “But give me your phone number. I’ll text you after Christmas. And maybe I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

She scooted out of the booth and, with another quick wave, headed toward her friends.

“Are you OK?” Lydia asked softly. “That was rather awkward, but you seemed to handle her well.”

“I’m fine, thanks. You were praying, weren’t you?”

“Of course.”

 

****

 

Will looked up when the front door opened. “Hey, Jason, you’re just in time. What do you think? Is it worth the hassle of loading Dad’s recliner onto the truck just to drive across the street? Or should we man up and carry it over?”

“How heavy is it?”

Will gripped the back of the chair and strained. “Pretty heavy. Dad liked his furniture solid. And the road’s a mess. Let’s put it in the truck.”

Together they hefted the large, brown leather recliner into Will’s half ton and filled the remaining space with boxes from Will’s room.

“So how do you feel about changing places with Daniel? It’s kinda strange, you gotta admit. Nice thing is, you can still run over to Mommy’s for meals and good-night hugs.”

With a snort, Will punched Jason lightly and headed to the kitchen. He pulled two soft drinks from the fridge and handed one to Jason. “Seemed weird when we first talked about it, but it’s cool. Helps me save for the down payment on a place of my own.”

He gulped the cold drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“I get Mom and Dad’s bed frame, too. It’s longer than my old one. Ready to go? We’ll get it next, and then there’s just some more small stuff. If you help with the bed, I can handle the rest.”

“Sounds good. I should get back home before the kids wake up. Faith was going to lie down while they sleep.”

“How’s she feeling? She looked pretty rough yesterday. Good thing she handed off the maid of honour thing to Nila.”

“She’s still sick, but she’s getting better. I hope she’s well enough to go to my staff party next week. Nila’s babysitting, by the way. The kids are crazy about her.” Jason slanted a glance at his brother-in-law. “Seems like maybe they’re not the only ones. I saw the way you two looked at each other yesterday. Anything you’d like to tell me?”

“Nope. You ready to work?”

Jason drained his drink and plunked the can onto the counter. “Sure. Let’s get that stuff moved. But you’re not off the hook yet.”

Before driving onto the street, Will strained to see up and down the road. No beat-up gray van. He sighed with relief, swung out of the driveway, and backed across the ruts on the snow-packed street to his new home.

“What was that about? Awfully cautious.”

Will shrugged. “I nearly got run over earlier. Kinda spooked me.”

The two men loaded their arms with boxes and headed for the house. “Speaking of spooked,” Jason said, “what got into Nila yesterday?”

Will shifted his load so he could open the door. “I don’t know. You could tell she was nervous, but she did all right. Right up to the actual toast. Good thing you were standing there.”

“I guess. I’d never seen anyone go catatonic like that.”

“Yeah. It was weird. She wouldn’t talk about it, though. Said it was just nerves. Must have been, because she loosened up when we danced.”

Jason waggled his eyebrows and smirked. “Yeah, I noticed. So did your sister. You can bet she’ll say something tonight. You are coming over for pizza, aren’t you?”

Will just grinned. He reached behind him to close the door when he noticed a light gray van with darkened windows moving very slowly as it passed the house.

An icy tingle shot down his spine.