More than ever, Kori was so thankful for answered prayers.
Wyatt went to find Kori.
He slowed his pace when he saw Kori and Mackenzie together. They were hugging.
Kori glanced over her sister’s shoulder and found his eyes. She looked wrung out and relieved and something else . . . maybe at peace.
He nodded once to confirm she was okay.
She nodded back.
Relief filled him. He’d hoped Kori and her sister would make up. He realized they still had a long road ahead, but he was thankful they’d come this far.
He started to check on Pete when tires crunched on the snow behind him. He turned to see a truck pulling onto the scene, moving fast but braking hard.
Max. He was out of the truck nearly before the vehicle had fully stopped.
He crossed the distance to Herb and Billie and pulled them both in without a word. Billie buried her face against her nephew’s shoulder.
Wyatt stood back and watched everything play out.
After a moment Max pulled back and looked them over, his jaw tight. “Are you hurt? Both of you, talk to me. Please.”
“We’re all right.” Herb sounded rough as he said the words. “Those people showed up last night. Said they needed to use our property, that it was important. Said we’d thank them one day.”
“Herb started to grab his gun, but it was too late,” Billie said. “They tied us up and put us in the barn.”
“We thought we were going to die.” Herb’s voice cracked. “Right there on our own property.”
“You’re safe now.” Max gripped Herb’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here earlier.”
He stood with them another moment before turning toward Wyatt.
He extended his hand, and when Wyatt took it, Max gripped it hard. “Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.”
“I’m just glad I got here in time.” Wyatt meant the words. “I tried to call you.”
A shadow moved through Max’s expression. “When Kendra and I broke up last night things got . . . well, she got angry. She slapped the phone out of my hand. It hit the floor and shattered.” He shook his head. “I don’t like to speak badly about people . . . but I could have really used that phone today.”
Wyatt didn’t know the full story, and this wasn’t the moment to ask for it. “I understand.”
Max nodded and turned back to Herb and Billie.
A paramedic appeared at Wyatt’s elbow. “Sir, I’m told you took a fall and may have injured your shoulder and knee. Can I take a look?”
Wyatt started to wave him off but thought better of it. “Yeah, go ahead.”
He sat on the bumper of the ambulance and let the paramedic work. A moment later, Thunder bound toward him, tail wagging.
Wyatt reached down and scratched behind his ears. “You did good today, buddy. Real good.”
Thunder panted as if glad this was all over.
So was Wyatt.
