Nila's Hope (25 page)

Lydia stroked Nila's arm. “Didn't Will tell you?”

Nila looked down, and her lips trembled. “I—I didn't give him a chance.” She glanced up. “What happened to Hayley?”

Dave and Lydia shared a look. “Nick tricked Hayley into going to Melody's house,” Lydia said. “Apparently he thought it was Will's. He forced her to damage the bed, and when she tried to get away, he beat her. She came here by ambulance just before you did, honey. She's got a concussion and some nasty bruises, but her doctors said she'll be fine in a few days.”

Nila's mind raced.

Nick had used the break-in to create a distraction and lure Will away. He really had intended to kill her. Probably all of them.

She shuddered as shadows threatened.

Dave's hand on her arm pulled her back to the light. “Are you going to be OK with staying at our house a little longer?”

Reality hit hard. She wouldn't be able to move into her own place now. There was no way she could manage the strain of setting up her suite. Not until her injuries healed. Her dream had to wait. Again. Self-pity threatened, but she pushed it aside. She wasn't the only one in pain. “Sure.” She tried to smile. “Meanwhile, maybe I could help Hayley somehow. I know how easy it is…was, to fall under Nick's spell. At least we both escaped. Thanks to God.”

“That's my girl.” Dave's smile disappeared. “How badly did he hurt you?”

“My arm needed five stitches. Not too bad.” She gestured at her ribs, “But here, the doctor said I was lucky.” She shook her head. “I know it wasn't luck. Nick was falling when he slashed me, so the knife just grazed my ribs. I'm not sure how many stitches they put there. It hurts too much to look.” She traced the wound with her finger and inhaled sharply. “They can come out in a week, as long as there's no infection. The doctor wants me to stay here one more night so they can keep the antibiotic drip going. Just in case.”

Lydia looked at her husband. “We'll pray for a quick recovery with no complications, won't we, dear?”

He nodded, lips compressed.

Lydia squeezed Nila's hand. “I know you wanted to move into your new place right away. I'm sorry that has to wait, but I'm so thankful you're alive and healing. When Will told us what happened, I must admit I fell apart. My dear husband had to remind me to trust God to work even this for good. ”

Nila's drug-numbed brain couldn't keep up. “Will talked to you? When?”

“Last night. From here. He told us what happened and said he would stay here all night.” Lydia wiped her eyes. “That young man certainly cares for you.”

Her heart wrenched as she nodded slowly. Yes, he did, and she'd pushed him away. She didn't deserve him. But she already missed him.

 

****

 

After his sister and her family left for church the following morning, Will moved some toys and stretched out on the couch. He closed his eyes and listened to the silence. He inhaled deeply and felt peace soak into his soul.

Jessie and Tommy hadn't adjusted yet to their temporary home. Sleep for everyone had been interrupted several times by one or both little ones' cries.

The cops said it would be at least a week before they could move back home. Probably more, with Christmas looming.

He yawned so hard he thought his jaw might dislocate. He sure hoped the kids would settle in soon. Will took another deep, yawning breath and let it out slowly. He loved his sister and her family, but he wasn't used to such a full and noisy house. How did Faith handle it? The kids were adorable, but they had tempers that reminded him of himself. He grimaced. Didn't quite seem fair to Faith. She'd always been the even-tempered one.

He relaxed against the cushion as he recalled several scenes from his childhood. He'd tormented his sister at times, but he'd always known she loved him.

As did his parents. They'd had to discipline him often, thanks to his independent streak and quick temper. But he had never doubted their care. They'd never given him any reason to. His family was bound together by love. It was more than a security blanket. It was his life.

His eyes snapped open. Nila never had that. Shuttled from foster home to foster home, and then enduring Nick's abuse—she'd never experienced the security and love he'd always taken for granted. No wonder she was afraid of trusting another relationship.

He slid off the couch onto his knees and buried his face in his hands. “Father God, thank You for making Nila Your own. You protected her when I couldn't. Please, please heal her now, not just from her injuries but from her past. Make her understand how precious she is. And help me show her, in Jesus' name.”

As he knelt there, an idea came to him. He looked at his watch. If he wanted to get to church, he'd have to leave right away. But afterwards, he had to talk to some people. He had a plan.

 

****

 

Nila looked at the clock on the wall again. Where were they?

Dave and Lydia said they'd come to take her home right after lunch, but it was nearly two thirty.

A tremor of worry began to wind its way from her mind to her heart. She lay back against the pillow and hugged her coat to her chest. They said they'd come, and they would. Besides, God wouldn't let anything else go wrong. Would he?

Maybe her responsibility for Nick's death was too much for God to forgive. Maybe He'd given up on her. Maybe…

The door swung wide, and her landlords rushed in.

“I'm so sorry we're late,” Lydia said. “We had to wait for Bobbie to come over since Hayley can't be left alone.” She plunked herself onto the nearest chair. “Her concussion, you know. Anyway, Bobbie was held up by a phone call. And then…” She bit her lip and shook her head. “It's just been one of those days.”

“Looks like you're raring to go,” Dave said as he pushed a wheelchair closer. “Shall we talk on the way home?”

“Yes, please. I'm ready to leave.” Nila slid off the bed and hunched over as her stitches pulled. “Oh.” She blew out a breath and sank into the wheelchair. “Never thought I'd be so thankful for one of these.” She pressed her hand to her side and sat up straighter. “OK, I'm set.”

“Do you have your pain meds and instructions?” Lydia put her hand on Nila's shoulder.

“They're in my pocket.”

“All right, then,” Dave said. “Let's get you home.”

Once they were on the road, Lydia turned to face Nila. “Hayley is in one of the upstairs bedrooms, but she may come down to talk to you. Are you still OK with that? This has been a powerful wake-up call for that girl.”

“I don't know if I can help, but if she wants to talk, I'll listen.” Nila grimaced. “We`ve both been abused by the same man. That may be the only thing we have in common.”

Lydia nodded. “Thank you. I was sure you'd agree. You have a good heart, my dear. And she'll only be here for a couple days.” Her face brightened. “But Lily, Parker, and the kids are arriving tonight. I can't wait to see them.”

Nila smiled wanly. Under other circumstances she'd enjoy getting to know Lily and her family better, especially Gracie. But now?

“Don't worry, honey. We'll keep them out of the basement.” Lydia seemed to read her mind. “I hope the kids won't be too noisy for you. I can bring meals down, so you won't have to come up at all if you'd rather not.”

“I don't want to be a bother. And I would like to see Lily and Gracie. The guys, too.” She tried to smile, but her mouth wouldn't cooperate.

Dave looked at her in the rear-view mirror. “Let's just play it by ear, OK? Rest when you need to, and visit when you feel like it. No pressure.” He looked back at the road and scowled, his bushy brows nearly meeting. “And don't think you're a bother. In our hearts, you're our daughter. We love you.”

Tears pricked Nila's eyes. She brushed them away, but Lydia noticed.

“Yes, we do.” One corner of her mouth lifted. “And the more you rest now, the sooner you'll be in your new suite.”

Nila tilted her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. An old song she'd heard Lydia perform lilted through her mind.

“Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here…”

 

****

 

By the time she'd climbed the steps into the house, Nila was winded. How could two measly knife wounds do so much damage?

“Would you like to rest on the couch before heading downstairs?” Lydia said. “You're awfully pale.”

Nila nodded and leaned on her friend as they moved to the living room. “Thanks. Guess I`m weaker than I thought. My legs feel like wet noodles.”

She sank onto the couch and lay on her uninjured side. “I'll just rest here for a minute or two.”

Lydia spread a blanket over her. “Rest as long as you want. Let us know when you're ready to go downstairs, and one of us will help you.”

Nila closed her eyes and heard Lydia's light steps leaving the room. She must have drifted off, because the next thing she heard was sniffles and gasping sighs. She opened her eyes.

Hayley sat in the rocker with her legs tucked under her. Her swollen, blackened eye, bruised cheek, and split lip attested to Nick's rage. “Nila.” Hayley's voice was a mere whisper, her chirpy exuberance gone. “I didn't mean to wake you. I—I'm sorry.”

Nila struggled to sit up. She closed her eyes against the pain in her side and pushed herself upright. She hugged the pillow and took several slow, shallow breaths “I'm sorry, too, Hayley. How much did he hurt you?”

“Bad enough to make me realize how foolish I've been.” She moaned as she leaned back in the chair. “I should have listened to you.”

“Nick is…was…good at lying. I know. I was under his control for more than four years.”

“Lydia told me. And I believe you. Now.” Hayley gripped the arms of the chair as her face contorted. Tears streamed down her face. “I couldn't believe you, because I was jealous of you. I wanted what you had.”

Visions of Hayley's stuffed closet, new car, the townhouse, and extravagant spending careened through Nila's mind. She shook her head. “You've got to be kidding.”

“People adore you. Everyone loves you. It's like you're a friendship magnet.”

Nila opened her mouth to protest, but Hayley continued. “My parents gave up on me years ago. They sent me out here for school because I was such a mess. I guess they hoped I'd wake up and grow up if I was on my own.” She hung her head. “Well, I'm awake now.”

“Hayley, what do you know about my background?”

“Just about Nick. And I didn`t know that before.”

Nila inhaled, held it, and then blew it out. She squeezed the pillow tighter. “This is my history. I don't have a family who loves me. I grew up in foster homes. I had no one. Nothing. Most of my life I believed I was a mistake. I still struggle with that.” She shook her head in disbelief. “How could you possibly be envious of me? You have everything.”

The younger woman smiled, but her eyes remained troubled. “We have more in common than you think. My parents never had time for me. Not as much as I wanted, anyway. And when I was fourteen, I found out that I was a ‘surprise' baby. In other words, a mistake.”

“Oh.” Nila`s eyes widened in shock and sympathy. “Is that when you started acting out?”

Hayley nodded, her lips compressed. “But Lydia said my mother cried when she heard what happened. Maybe she does love me.”

“I'm sure they both do. They're on their way here now, aren't they?”

“Yeah. As busy as they are…maybe you're right. Again.” She slid off the rocker, crossed the room, and knelt in front of Nila. “Can you forgive me? For being such a pain, and…everything.”

Tears filled Nila's eyes. She gently touched Hayley's bruised cheek. “Of course. One thing I've learned in the last couple years is that God doesn't make mistakes. You are His precious child. He loves you, Hayley.”

“You might be right. But I sure don't deserve it.” Hayley reached for a tissue and blew her nose. “Thank you.” She took Nila's hand in hers. “Is it OK if I text you now and then? After I go home? I promise I won't bother you too much. And you can tell me to get lost any time you want.”

Nila smiled through tears. “I'd like to hear from you. I'll send you my number as soon as I get a new phone.”

The doorbell rang, and Hayley shot to her feet. She wobbled and braced herself against the wall. Her other hand shook as she pulled a lock of hair over her black eye. “They're here. Mom and Dad. How do I look?”

 

 

 

 

29

 

A faint knock at the door vaporized Nila's tormented dreams. She forced her eyes open and peered at the alarm clock. Nine thirty. She gasped. She was late for work! She pushed herself upright, gasped, and lay down again. She pressed her bandaged arm against her ribs as memory returned.

Nick was dead.

Will was gone.

Because of her. Agonizing guilt racked her. She moaned.

“Nila, are you awake? Can I come in?” A soft, childish voice roused her.

She rolled onto her good side and buried her dark thoughts. “Yes. Come in, Gracie.”

The door opened, and a small, dark head peeked around it, questions in her almond-shaped eyes. “Are you OK? Grammy said you got hurt.”

Nila patted the bed beside her. “Come, sit here. I did get hurt, but I'm getting better.” She clenched her teeth, pushed to a seated position, and reached behind to adjust the pillows and leaned back carefully. “When did you get here?”

Gracie climbed onto the bed and sat with her legs straight out in front of her. She arranged her lace-trimmed purple tunic over her leggings before she answered. “Last night. It was way past my bedtime. And yours, too, right? Grammy said I couldn't come see you because you'd be asleep and you needed the rest.”