Pride filled Josh’s chest. This man better do the right thing.
The pastor’s face softened. “That’s an amazing testimony, young man.”
His nephew held out the dollar. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I was starvin’, but that isn’t any excuse. I got a lotta people in your town to apologize to.”
“Do you know Jesus?”
“Sure do. He’s been with me even when people aren’t too nice about what I did.”
Joshua took the chance to move forward and stand beside them.
“I have an idea.” The pastor stood. “Are you two staying for the service?”
“Yes, sir.” Caleb’s little legs swung back and forth as he sat on the pew. “This is my Uncle Josh and I’m Caleb.”
“Well then, young Caleb, would you be willing to share your testimony in front of the church? I have a feeling you just might receive a lot of grace in our community, and the people would love to hear your story.”
———
Two hours later, Josh sat with Caleb on the outside steps of the church. “How do you feel?” He patted his nephew’s back.
“Pretty good, all considerin’. The people were forgivin’ and I’m glad I got to say I was sorry.” His little shoulders lifted in a shrug.
“But...?”
“I feel bad for not payin’ everyone back.”
Even though the boy was going to have to work hard to earn the money to pay back his parents for this trip, it was astounding to Joshua that he wanted to pay more than he had to. “Sometimes true forgiveness is hard to swallow. Seems like it would be easier for us to feel like the worst of the worst and punish ourselves over and over again because we deserve it, right?”
“Exactly.”
He grinned at the boy. “Grace and mercy are beautiful things. Receiving them is just as much a sign of respect and honor as apologizing and paying the debt.”
With a lift of his chin, Caleb stood. “I’m ready to go to the next stop, Uncle Josh. I have a lot more apologies to make.”
“You got it.”
MONDAY, JULY8
Anna sketched the area around the skull. From what she could surmise, the fossil was snout-down. Which would make the excavation a little easier at this top layer but didn’t guarantee that all the parts would be intact. The jawbones and teeth were of most interest to her but were also the most fragile. Prayerfully it was all still there, but they wouldn’t know until they worked through the layers of rock over time.
Time.
Something they didn’t have a lot of. Especially with the way Mr. Oppenheim was acting.
At least he and his family hadn’t shown up this morning. It was unnerving to have someone peering over their shoulders about everything. Made it almost impossible to work.
“That looks great, Anna.” Tom stuck a brush between his teeth as he climbed back up to his perch.
“Thanks.” Her crew was always encouraging. Respectful. Like brothers she never had.
What she wouldn’t give to have Dad here with her right now. If he were in charge, they wouldn’t be dealing with this mess. So it washerfault. Ugh. What an awful thought.
With Josh gone, she was just going to have knuckle down and get the job done. He would be back soon enough. Which would be wonderful.
It didn’t solve her current problems, though.
If she didn’t resolve this soon, every dinosaur hunter in the country would be on Julian’s doorstep demanding he give them rights too.
