She thought about how he’d pulled her into a hug yesterday when she’d been on the verge of falling apart.
At that moment, she’d felt held together.
She hadn’t felt like that since her parents died.
Bitterness had taken root in her life and had left her feeling more miserable than ever. Yet here was this family who’d sacrificed so much for people who’d hurt them.
How did they do that?
She cleared her throat before asking, “How could you possibly forgive the man who killed your sister and care enough to take care of his baby?”
Maybe the question was too personal. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked.
But she had to know. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it since she’d heard their story.
Naomi released a long breath. “She’s named Grace for a reason. I know people say that not forgiving someone usually hurts you more than it hurts them. It’s true. I couldn’t let bitterness eat away at me. I felt the Lord directing me on what to do.”
“I really admire that,” Kori murmured.
And she did. There was a time she couldn’t imagine forgiving Mackenzie and Flint. But maybe it was time to let go of those hard feelings and realize everyone was imperfect—including her.
She glanced back at her coffee.
Just then, headlights swept across the kitchen window.
Kori straightened. Someone was here.
She glanced at her watch. And right on time.
A minute later the side door opened, and Wyatt stepped into the mudroom with Thunder at his heels.
Perfect. She needed to tell him about the videos.
Thunder immediately went to Kori and waited for a head rub. She chuckled and happily gave him one. This dog deserved it after all the help he’d been.
Wyatt looked at her across the kitchen, and she read his expression before he said a word.
He had news.
Something had happened overnight, hadn’t it? Did it involve Mackenzie?
Nausea pooled in her stomach at the thought.
Wyatt wrapped both hands around his coffee mug and let the kitchen settle around him.
“Graham called me on the drive over,” Wyatt started. “The forensics team has been in the structures for most of the night. The good news is they found a map.”
Kori straightened. “What kind of map?”
“It was hand-drawn and indicated a second location.”
“Did someone leave it behind?” Naomi asked.
He shrugged. “It appeared someone dropped it—it was pretty mangled and wet from landing in the snow. But it was still readable. The task force thinks the marked location is where this group might be headed now.”
Kori nodded and took another sip of her coffee.
“Law enforcement is gearing up now,” Wyatt said. “They’re planning to move on that area this morning.”
