Nila's Hope Read Online Free Page A

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.
     
     
     
     

4
     
    Nila squeezed her eyes shut when she felt the first tug of the scissors.
    “Are you OK?” Misty whispered in her ear.
    “Y-yes. I just can’t watch.”
    “You’re not changing your mind, are you?”
    “No. Please keep going. I’ll look when it’s done.”
    “Fine.”
    Nila concentrated on each swipe of the scissors. She felt her shoulders tighten, and a headache began to throb at the base of her neck.
    “Where do you work?” Misty asked.
    Nila’s shoulders relaxed. She smiled but kept her eyes closed. “I work with a couple of great guys in construction. We do everything from decks to full house remodels. I get to use power tools and make design decisions. It’s the best job ever.”
    “I’m surprised. You’re so petite. I never would have pictured you as a carpenter. You must be stronger than you look. And pretty fearless.”
    She kept her head still by sheer willpower. No, she wasn’t fearless. Couldn’t Misty see that she was shaking under the cape? She had more fears than she could handle. Even about this. What if getting her hair cut was a mistake? What if she looked