Page 108

“But it doesn’t seem like you’ve even learned how to manage the hurt you think you caused yourself. Forgiving your dad for not being around. Forgiving your mom for neglecting you. Forgiving yourself for screwing up as a teenager. All of those things will have to happen before you can make the decision to love yourself the way the Lord loves you. Unconditionally, with and without flaws.”

Guilt and shame were ganging up to kick her in the behind, and she deserved it. She’d promised to follow Christ, but she still wasn’t living like Christ wanted. She wasn’t being good to herself or the people He had put in her life to guide her.

Camille sat up straighter. “And remember, those text messages could have been fabricated a million different ways. She could have changed the name on a number who had really sent her those texts talking about how she deserved to be hit, and she’d be lucky if he took the time to dig a grave when he finally did her in.”

Remi flinched. “Okay, I may have skimmed over that part. Colt would never say that, and he would never hit a woman. I know that.”

“Princess could have been edited in. If Tasha is here in town, she probably already knows where you and Colt are. Please be vigilant. She could have overheard him call you that out in public. I’m telling you, there are pages of her offenses in the judicial system since the time she claimed Colt said and did this to her.”

Remi covered her mouth. How could she have doubted him? How could she have abandoned him when he needed her most? He had to be losing his mind over this. And if Tasha knew where they were, she and Colt needed to be a united front to protect the kids. The thought of that sack of crazy getting anywhere near her family turned her stomach.

“Do some thinking on your own and pray. Please pray for wisdom and understanding. We might not know the answers, but I have no doubt that the truth will come out in time.”

Remi nodded. “Thank you. I’m sorry to lay more drama on you after you had to deal with Tasha earlier.”

Camille slapped her hands on her thighs and stood. “You’re a walk in the park compared to her. A ray of sunshine.”

Remi stood, wiping her eyes. “Said no one ever.”

“Well, I’m saying it today, and I’m not in the business of lying.” Camille wrapped her arms around Remi.

This. This was the kind of truth talk she’d needed. She needed friends who would tell her when she was being stupid. “Thanks again. You probably saved my marriage.”

Camille pulled back and laughed. “You have no idea how good it is to hear that.”

Remi glanced at the door. “I need to go.”

Camille was already pushing Remi toward the door. “Don’t wait to be excused. Go find your man and work this out. I’ll be fighting for you two from afar, but I’m just a phone call away if you need me.”

Remi smiled as she looked over her shoulder. “I’ll remember that.” She picked up the pace as she neared the door, and practically jogged by Willa at the front desk. Skipping the steps off the porch, she jumped into Colt’s truck. She had to hope he’d forgive her for leaving.

Chapter30

Colt

Colt gripped the steering wheel, twisting it in his hands. Remi had only been gone for half an hour, but the minutes had been long and torturous.

She doesn’t want to be found.

But she doesn’t know the truth.

She doesn’t care about the truth.

She doesn’t care about you.

Scanning every vehicle on the streets of downtown Blackwater, the last bit of his hope died. Would she have even come into town? What if she went to Jess’s? Jess was at the ranch, so that didn’t make sense.

Nothing made sense, and that was the bottom line. Tasha was getting her way, even if it was all a lie.

Colt’s phone rang, and he answered on the first ring. “Any news?”

“Sorry. She didn’t answer my calls either,” Jess said. Her usual matter-of-fact tone held a hint of concern, which only managed to level up Colt’s worry.

“Thanks. Keep trying. Any ideas about where she would have run off to?”

“I’ll let you know if I think of something. My neighbor said Remi hasn’t shown up at my place.”

Colt scrubbed a hand over his face. She was slipping through every crack, falling through his fingers like water. “Thanks.”