Nila's Hope (20 page)

Nila looked to Dave and Lydia. “What do you think?”

Lydia slipped her arm around Nila's waist. “I think it's lovely. But the question is, what do you think?”

Dave patted her shoulder. “Should we round up a truck?”

Possibilities whirled in Nila's mind. “Will has one. But I need more boxes.” She checked her watch. “And we're babysitting at seven. I wonder…?”

She took a deep breath and grinned at Kendra. “I'll take it. And if it's OK, I'll start moving in right away.”

Lydia's smile wobbled. “You're sure?”

Nila took a deep breath and leaned her head on Lydia's shoulder. “If you'd asked me yesterday, I wouldn't have dared. Now it's time for me to step out in faith. I really believe this is a gift from God.” She stepped back and held her head high. “I know I'll miss you, but I have to grab this chance to make my dreams come true.”

Dave seemed to have trouble swallowing. “We'll miss you, too.” He cleared his throat. “We knew this time would come. Far be it from us to stand in the way of God's hand.”

He gave Nila's shoulder a squeeze and turned to Kendra. “Have you got the paperwork handy?”

When they returned home, the answering machine's light blinked its alert. Lydia pressed the button. As soon as Nila heard the voice, anticipation drew her to the phone.

“This is Will phoning for Nila. I wondered if you'd like to help me buy paint. We'll go to a different store if you'd like. Give me a call. Bye.”

Nila nibbled her lower lip as she punched in his number. What would he say when she told him she was moving? Would he understand?

His deep voice answered. “Hello.”

“Hi, Will, we got your message. I would like to help with the paint, but I need your help, too. I just rented a suite, and I was hoping you'd help me move.”

Silence.

“Will?”

“Are you sure about this, Nila?”

“Yes, I am. I really think this place is God's gift to me.” She scrunched up her nose. “I don't know how to explain it, especially on the phone. Can you come over? With some sturdy boxes? You saved some, didn't you?” After a moment she hung up the phone and turned to Dave and Lydia. “Well, he said he would.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All of a sudden it feels like everything's moving awfully fast. Am I doing the right thing?”

Lydia headed for the kitchen. “Let's talk about it over a cup of coffee.”

A few minutes later they sat at the table, full mugs in hand. Lydia's eyes closed as she sipped her favorite dark brew, praying.

Dave smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Nila took a sip and waited.

Dave spoke first, his voice a deep rumble. “Do you remember the first time we met?” He cleared his throat. “You were such a timid little thing, but you had a spark in your eyes. You told us you chose Jesus over Nick, and you weren't sure what Nick would do about that. You needed a safe place to stay.”

Nila closed her eyes against the memories. “And you offered one. For as long as I needed it. You got me out of that house.” She opened her eyes and knew they brimmed with tears. “And into this home. You saved my life.”

Lydia's eyes shone as she clasped Nila's hand. “It's been our privilege to have you here, dear.” She glanced at her husband. “We knew from the beginning you would move on when you felt strong enough. And I'm not really surprised. We've watched you grow in faith and strength over the last several months.”

Nila squeezed Lydia's hand, unable to speak.

“We've been through this with all our own children,” Dave said. “But it doesn't get any easier. You will always be part of our family. And I hope you'll still spend Christmas with us.”

Lydia winked. “Unless you get a better offer, of course.”

Nila felt her face warm. “Thank you for being so understanding. I won't leave until after Christmas, but I would like to get most of my stuff over there beforehand. So it will feel like it's really mine.”

She blinked and wiped her eyes. “I'm excited about having my own place, but I'm going to miss you.”

“We'll miss you, too,” Lydia said. “But we're never more than a call away. For anything.”

Nila clasped her friend's hands as tears ran down both their faces. She believed this was from Jesus. She knew He had worked it out, and this was His timing. So why did it hurt so much?

 

 

 

 

22

 

Will stomped the snow off his boots as he climbed the steps. He pushed the doorbell and stomped again as he waited. His armload of flattened boxes started to slip. He shifted awkwardly and caught one against his side.

The door opened and Nila stood there. Her smile widened into laughter. “Need some help?” She reached for the wayward box.

“Yeah, thanks.” He stepped inside and dropped the boxes. “There's more in the truck, but this was as many as I could handle.”

She raised one eyebrow.

He chuckled. “Well, maybe one more than I could.”

Her laughter bubbled out, and it reminded Will of a mountain brook. He could listen to that all day. His eyes met Nila's, and the light in hers drew him like a honey bee to a flower. He leaned toward her.

“Hey, Will. Good to see you.” Dave's booming voice halted his action.

He felt his face warm as he stuck out his hand. “Hi, Pastor Dave. Um, I brought some boxes.”

Dave chuckled. “I see that.” His laughter ended in a sigh as he wrapped an arm around Nila's shoulders. “Looks like it's time for this old papa to let go again.”

Nila patted Dave's arm, turned to Will, and picked up several of the boxes. “If you'll help me take these downstairs, I'll tell you all about it.”

A few minutes later Will struggled to keep his attention on Nila's words. The light in her eyes kept distracting him, as did her smiling mouth. Her full, tantalizing lips.

“…And then the kitten chased the big dog out of the yard, and all the children cheered.”

“What?” Will frowned as his mind replayed that last part. “Huh?”

She laughed. “That's what I thought. When did I lose you?”

He reached out and stroked her cheek with one finger. “You didn't lose me, Nila. And you never will.”

She blushed and ducked her head.

Heat flooded his own face, and he stepped back and folded his arms across his chest. “Sorry. Sort of.” He lowered his head to meet her eyes and grinned at the crooked smile on her face. “So what was that last bit before your mouth distracted me?”

She put her hand in front of her mouth, but her eyes danced. “I just asked if you understood. This might seem sudden, but it's been my plan all along. You know, to be independent.”

His hands wanted to touch her, to pull her close. He gripped his crossed arms and leaned back. “I worry about your safety.”

“I know, and that's sweet of you.” She shifted to face him squarely, and a little line appeared between her eyebrows. “But I've depended on people to make me feel safe, when only God can really protect me.” She clasped her hands as though in prayer. “I
have
to live on my own. From foster homes to homelessness and then to Nick's, I've never had a home of my own. This comes close, and I love Dave and Lydia, but I need to be self-sufficient. Do you understand?”

Will studied her for a moment. “Yeah,” he said. “I think I do.”

He looked over her head as he remembered. “When I ran away as a teen, I thought I could take care of myself, but I was wrong. I finally figured out I was trying to escape myself. My own stupidity messed things up. But not you. You've suffered because of others. For too long.” Her wide, glowing gaze gave him permission to pull her into his arms. “I was afraid you'd go back to Nick. And then when he got out of prison, I thought his hold on you might destroy you.”

“He tried,” she whispered. “And he almost succeeded. He manipulated me so easily.” She lifted her chin. “But Jesus saved me for freedom, not bondage. I want to live in His freedom. I can almost taste it.”

Those smiling lips tempted him to taste them, but this wasn't the time.

Will looked at his watch. “Jason and Faith are expecting us in three hours. Did you want to move some stuff today?”

Nila stepped away, and he missed her warmth. “Maybe we could take the boxes in the closet over there. They're already packed.”

Will followed Nila into her bedroom. He enjoyed the view as she walked across the room, and when she stopped in front of the closet, he nearly stepped on her.

“Oops. Sorry about that.”

She put her hands on her hips and scowled, but her lips twitched upwards. “Watch it, buddy.”

He grinned and tweaked her nose. “I was watching—and enjoying it.”

Nila shook her head at him and opened the closet door. “See, these are my treasures. Store sales and garage sales—I've made pretty good use of them. I have almost everything I need for my own home.”

The pride on her face did something strange to his heart. “You mean you didn't bring anything from Nick's? You had to buy all this?”

She nodded, lashes lowered. “I didn't dare take any of his stuff. I didn't want any reminders, anyway.” She shrugged. “So whenever I can, I buy something. It's like building my dream, one box at a time. ”She touched a box labeled
Garage Sale Mugs
. “And now that dream is coming true.”

She lifted her face to his, and he clenched his fists. But they moved to her shoulders without his permission, and he pulled her pliant body against his. He rested his chin on top of her head, breathing in her scent of summer flowers.“Nila,” he whispered. “I…”

She pulled her head back and looked into his eyes. Her dark-lashed brown eyes widened, and he tensed, afraid she'd pull away.

But her hands cupped his face and drew it closer to her own. He barely breathed as her lips touched his. Their sweetness pulled a groan from deep inside him, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her as he pressed his mouth against hers. Time slowed as all his senses intensified.

Summer flowers, honey, and tantalizing warmth. She felt like sunshine personified.

Then her hands went to his chest, and she pushed gently while stepping back. “I—I'm sorry, Will. This isn't the time.” She looked at her bed. “Or the place.”

He needed a moment to catch his breath. He wiped one arm across his eyes and leaned against the wall. “You're right, of course.” He drew in a deep, ragged breath but didn't look at her. “Just give me a minute. Or two.”

 

****

 

Christmas lights outlined the roofline and sparkled against the night sky when Will parked outside Nila's new place.

“Nice. Looks like you've got good-sized windows. Too bad it gets dark so early. And that sidewalk to the back looks like it might be icy.”

“I'll go turn on the lights.” Nila already had the door open. “I'll be right back.”

Will watched to make sure she made it around the corner without slipping. He wondered if she was slipping away from him. He pushed away that depressing thought and grabbed two of the larger packed boxes. He reached the corner of the house.

She met him almost at a run. “Just go down the stairs. I propped the door open. Thanks.” By then she was back at the truck pulling boxes toward her.

Will smiled at her excited energy. This was an early Christmas gift—a big one, and he was happy for her. Really. He entered the basement suite and carefully set down his load. It didn't take long to see the whole place, but it seemed to have all the necessities other than the missing closet doors. He started back up the stairs and met Nila halfway. He couldn't see her face behind the boxes, so she couldn't see him, either. “Want some help?”

She stopped, and he heard a sigh. “Yes, thank you. My arm just reminded me that it's still pretty sore. If you'd take the top one, I can manage the rest.”

“Sure thing. Gotta save some strength for those two munchkins, you know.”

He grabbed the top boxes, and Nila's face reappeared.

Lines around her mouth signaled the extent of her pain.

His gut tightened. “What if I bring in the rest of the boxes, and you can start figuring out where everything goes.”

She looked as if she would argue. But then her mouth softened, and she nodded. “OK. Thanks.”

He followed her down the last few stairs.

She set down her load and gazed around the apartment. Her face brightened, and she sighed. “I can't believe this is really mine.” She stretched up on tiptoes and brushed Will's cheek with her lips. “Isn't God good?”

Will rubbed his cheek, half-expecting his fingers to feel the tingle, too. “Yeah,” he said. “He is.”

He stepped back, but her gaze held his. Time slowed. He touched her lips with his finger, and she closed her eyes. The exposed watch on his wrist caught his eye. He groaned. “It's getting late.”

Nila's eyes opened, and she stepped back. “Yes. The kids.”

“Later. We have to talk later.” Will spun around and took the stairs two at a time.

 

****

 

Nila picked at the tape on the box marked
Cutlery
and frowned. Why hadn't she brought a knife? The ones she'd packed were useless if she couldn't get to them.

Will was clomping back down.

She got a corner of tape loose. She ripped it off, opened the box, and dug through crumpled newspapers. “Got it.” With a flourish, she held up a paring knife.

Will came through the door. He set the boxes down and held up his hands. “I surrender!”

Nila laughed. “You goof. I forgot to bring a box cutter, but I found this knife.” She pulled out a mesh tray and an unopened box of cutlery. She ripped it open and picked up a spoon. “I've been waiting for this day for so long. I love this calla lily design, don't you?” She handed the spoon to Will.