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Nila's Hope

By Kathleen Friesen

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Chapter 1
“And now, by the power vested in me by Saskatoon Grace Chapel and the province of Saskatchewan, I am delighted to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
As applause began to ripple through the audience, Nila Black gazed up at the tall, blond man standing just a few feet away. His deep-set blue eyes met hers, and the world shrank to just the two of them. Her lips parted in a smile, and she…
“Nila.” The bride’s urgent whisper jolted her back to reality. “The bouquet–I need it back.”
Nila felt her face burn as she untangled the bridal bouquet from her own and slipped it into her friend’s waiting hand.
“Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Melody Martens!” The pastor’s voice rang with joy.
Recessional music flowed from the pianist’s fingers. The bride and groom turned, clasped hands, and walked down the aisle of the packed church.
Best man Will Jamison held out his arm for Nila. She slipped her hand through his elbow and settled it onto his forearm. He covered it with his own hand, pulling her close to his side. Perfectly in step, they followed Will’s mother and her new husband down the aisle toward the foyer of the church.
“You look amazing.” Will’s breathy whisper caressed her skin.
Nila barely noticed the fragrant pine and cedar boughs, decorated pews, broad smiles of the guests, or even the whispered greetings. Her world at that moment consisted of the handsome man beside her, the harmony of their steps, and the warmth emanating from his body to hers.
When they reached the foyer, Nila’s world expanded again. She stepped away from Will and embraced his mother.
“Congratulations, Melody. I’m so happy for you. And thanks for trusting me to fill in for Faith. I hope she feels better soon.”
Melody returned the hug. “Thank you, sweetie. Faith will be fine.”
As Nila stepped back, Will folded his mother into a warm embrace. “You look beautiful, Mom.”
At the same time, Daniel’s strong arms pulled Nila close.
“Congratulations, Boss,” she said and stepped back. Nila took her place on the other side of Melody as Will released his mother and held out his hand to his new step-father.
“Congratulations, Boss,” he echoed, but with considerably more enthusiasm. Nila could hear the grin in Will’s voice as he added, “Glad you’re finally part of the family.”
“Me, too. Your mother wouldn’t set the date until the trial was done,” Daniel said, a crooked smile softening his words. “Seeing that lowlife get sentenced was worth the wait, though, and now we can get on with our lives.”
Nila cringed and then shivered as the outside door opened and a blast of icy wind and swirling snow swept through the foyer. No one else seemed to notice.
People lined up to greet the wedding party, and she had to do her part. Forcing a smile, she held out her hand for the next person in the long line of well-wishers.
That old, crushing feeling of “you don’t belong here” stiffened her face as she shook hand after hand accosting her in the reception line. The words were pleasant, but they didn’t register.
Just a few more minutes, she told herself. Then a male guest she didn’t recognize swept her into a tight hug. She froze as she fought the urge to flee. Why had she ever agreed to this?
In a moment of respite Melody reached over and gave her arm a quick squeeze. “Thanks for being here. I know this isn’t easy for you,” she whispered into Nila’s ear. “I love you.”
That was why. She would do anything for Melody.
A tiny blur of pale pink organdy and blond hair parted the crowd with her shrill, “Gramma, Gramma! Here I am.”
Nila’s heart twisted just a bit as Melody stopped to scoop up her granddaughter and flower girl. “Hey, Jessica, I didn’t even notice you leave. Did you find your mommy?”
“Uh-huh.” The little head nodded, and she pointed. “There she is.”
Faith’s puffy eyes and red nose testified to her nasty cold as she struggled to hang onto the squirming baby boy in her arms. She nearly lost her grip as he lunged toward Will.
“Guess he wants his uncle. Do you mind?”
Will grinned and took little Tommy. “My pleasure, Sis. Oops, I think he changed his mind.” Tommy now leaned toward Nila. “Can’t blame him. He’s got good taste.”
Nila’s heart thumped as she took Tommy in her arms. “You sweetheart,” she whispered.
Will’s grin widened. “You talking to me?” As her cheeks heated, he relented. “Just teasing. This looks like a good time to grab your coat. It’s pretty cold in here.”
The warmth in her face seemed to work its way down to her heart. She squeezed the little boy in her arms and nuzzled his chubby cheek while furtively watching the best man maneuver his way through the crowd for her.
***
As the wedding party entered the rented hall, guests clapped and cheered, and some tapped their glasses with spoons.
Will pulled his beautiful companion closer and whispered in her ear, “Pretty impatient, aren’t they?”
Daniel and Melody stopped short, nearly causing Will and Nila to bump into them. Will stared as Daniel bowed to the guests, took his bride in his arms, and pressed his lips to hers until her cheeks turned red. The crowd roared their approval. Melody gazed at her new husband and pressed her fingers to her thoroughly-kissed lips.
Will felt Nila tremble against his side. “You okay?”
Her cheeks were pink, but she said, “It’s…it’s just the toast. I don’t think I can do it. I’m too nervous, and I don’t belong here, and…”
“You’ll be fine.” They’d reached the head table, and Will pulled out Nila’s chair. “And you do belong. Mom wouldn’t have asked you if you didn’t.”
Will sat on the other side of Daniel and leaned toward his new step-father. “Didn’t think you had it in you, hamming it up for the crowd like that.” He raised one eyebrow as he appraised his mother’s new husband. “I like it. Mom’s been good for you. And I can’t believe you guys pulled all this together in three weeks–especially right before Christmas.”
Daniel nodded while gazing at his bride. The soft look in his eyes erased years from his face. “You’re right; she is amazing. And I admit she’s been good for me. And will be for many, many years, I hope.”
Daniel looked at their guests and cupped his hand to his ear.
They caught the hint and began tapping their glasses again. Daniel grinned at Will and then turned to his bride, pulled her to her feet, and kissed her forehead, nose, and finally settled his mouth on her lips once again.
Will squirmed in his chair and stared at his empty plate. He was happy for his mom and Daniel, but man, it was awkward watching them smooch. He wondered how Nila was handling it.
He leaned forward until he caught her eye, glanced at the newlyweds and back to her. Nila followed his gaze, and as their eyes met, she touched her lips, blushed, and dropped her focus to the tablecloth.
Whoa! What was that?
He glanced across the room at his sister. Faith grinned, pointed from him to Nila, and winked.
Yeah, she’d razz him, for sure. He knew she’d caught him staring when Nila walked down the aisle. But little co-worker was gorgeous. Who knew? That red dress fit her like a lucky glove, and her hair–what a change. All those curls and little flowers and stuff. Too bad come Monday morning she’d be back in her overalls and braids.
He swung his gaze back to Nila. She was blushing again.
Sweet.
***
Nila squirmed as she felt heat rushing up her neck. For a moment she’d gotten caught up in the romance of the day and imagined herself being kissed. And Will had noticed.
She pushed up the long sleeve of her burgundy silk dress and tugged a small paper from under her watchband. As Faith’s husband, Jason, began his master of ceremonies monologue, Nila unfolded the note and tried to smooth out the wrinkles. Her hands were shaking so much she ripped it in half from top to the middle.
The servers began bringing their dinner, so Nila tucked the torn paper under her plate and clasped her hands in her lap. She wished Faith hadn’t gotten sick. She wished she could be sitting out there instead of in front of everyone. She didn’t want to disappoint Melody, especially today.
Too soon dinner was finished and Jason introduced her toast to the bride. Nila pushed herself upright onto shaking legs and tried not to wobble or spill the juice in her fluted glass.
She clung to the podium for support and smoothed out the torn paper. She tried to read her notes, but her handwriting seemed to have morphed into another language. Her hands shook the podium, so she folded them together on top of the useless paper. The silence in the room felt heavy. Nila glanced up. So many people.
She opened her mouth, but no words came. Then she spotted Faith sitting at a table near the back. Faith smiled, patted her heart, and put one thumb up.
Speak from your heart. Easier said than done. Nila breathed a silent prayer. “Jesus, help me do this, for Melody’s sake.”
She glanced over at the head table, hearing only the pounding of her heart. Three faces wore encouraging smiles. Will nodded and mouthed, “You can do it.”
Nila took a deep breath and cleared her throat.
“As most of you know, Melody’s daughter Faith was supposed to be her matron of honor, but she caught a bad cold last week. When Melody and Faith asked me to take her place, I was honored–and terrified. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
She glanced at the nearest tables. No one snickered. Everyone seemed to be listening, most with smiles on their faces. She looked down at her paper.
“Melody is a very special lady. The first time we met was when she came to visit me in the hospital. Even though Melody didn’t know me and had to fight through her own fear, she came to tell me that God loves me. She didn’t just visit me once and then leave me alone, either. She kept telling me over and over how much I was worth to God and to her. No one had ever talked to me like that. She showed me what real love is.”
She glanced up. Every gaze was locked on her. Her hands shook again. She quickly looked at Melody, and her warm smile gave her the courage to continue.
“God used Melody to save me–not only my soul, but my life. If it weren’t for Melody…” Her vision blurred. Nila blinked several times and dabbed at the tears that spilled onto her cheeks. She took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“When Melody and Daniel realized they were meant to be together, I was thrilled for her. I’ve enjoyed watching their love grow and bloom as beautifully as the flowers Melody nurtures in her garden. She deserves a life full of love and happiness, and I trust that today is the beginning of many years of joy with Daniel.”
She paused, looked out at the crowd, and with a steady hand raised her glass.
“Would you please stand and join me in toasting the bride? To Melody!”
A movement caught her eye. A door at the back of the hall opened without a sound. A head appeared. Glittering eyes stared at her. Hatred sliced across the room and raked her with an icy touch. The figure raised a finger to his lips and shook his head. The message was all too familiar.
Nila froze. Black spots filled her vision, and the room disappeared.
When she came to, she was back in her seat at the table, and Melody’s hand was patting her face.
“Nila, honey, are you okay?”
She shuddered and looked toward the door. No one was there.

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