“What does it look like?”
She told him about her church and lake and how she loved to walk the hills and through the trees. “There’s not much going on around me, but for better or worse, there’s a whole lot going on in my head.”
“Like resolving what you’ve lost?” he asked.
“More questions than resolution in this season. There are many things I’d like to know.”
So began a lively discussion between them that resparked some of her mind’s fading flames as she marveled again at the curiosities that God allowed in their world. As if He deeply desired them to seek with an open heart. Ask questions with humility and grace. And, it seemed to her, the more questions she asked, the more she had. That’s why she fervently believed that God often spoke through story. To help people sort out their questions.
By the time the waiter delivered their food, her disappointment with missing Simon’s lecture had vanished. While she loved talking to her aunt and friends, she’d missed conversing with a man who seemed to take seriously his study of the Holy Scriptures. Different perspectives were one of the main reasons she’d started writing books. So her characters could wrestle through some of the thoughts in her head.
As she sniffed the bacon, cheese, and onions in the quiche, Simon leaned forward. “Would you thank God for our meal?”
A moment passed before she answered, surprised at his request. And then she was honored. It was very modern of him to ask. Not many men would pass the torch of prayer to a woman. Perhaps he was equally as interested and intrigued in having her perspective.
After inviting God into their meal, she took a bite of quiche and declared it heavenly.
“How many books have you published?” Simon asked as they ate.
“Thirty.” About one every nine months until she lost Graham. “Book babies, my husband used to call them.”
While she’d longed to have a second child, she had indeed labored to birth every one of those stories.
“You are a marvel, Olivia.”
Her face grew warm, and she hoped he couldn’t see her blush. “I know it might sound strange, but my many wonderings are often how I experience God.” And why these years had been even more difficult when she couldn’t seem to hear His voice.
He nodded.“The mystery of God is the breath of my being.”
She stared at him, shocked to hear her heroine’s words fromRaven’s Nest, one of her earlier novels. That was a declaration she’d mined from the depths of her own heart, then set it into her character’s dialogue. While she often forgot the details of her plots when she started the next book, that story had stuck with her through the years.
“You really have read my books.”
“I’d never lie to you about literature.”
She smiled. “But you’d lie to me about something else?”
She’d only meant to tease, but something dark swept across his gaze like the brush of a curtain. A memory, perhaps, or reflection of an old wound. Whatever the question sparked, the darkness disappeared as quickly as it came.
He leaned forward, his hand pressed against his heart, renewed steadiness capturing her in his gaze. “I would never lie to you, Olivia.”
Odd how her heart trembled at those simple words. As if it wasn’t sure how to interpret his meaning. She noted it though, just in case she ever saw him again. She wouldn’t tease him about the truth.
“More coffee?” With a twitch of her shoulders, Olivia’s eyes swung up to the man standing beside her, coffee pot in hand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I’m afraid I’m a bit jittery.”
Bells chimed from a nearby cathedral, and Olivia checked her watch. How was it possible that it was already seven? Two hours had rushed past since their hasty meeting at the restaurant’s door, her return train leaving in less than an hour.
“Actually, I think I’ll take a half cup.” For the ride ahead.
“May I visit you in Catawba?” Simon asked as he escorted her to the station. “I’ll take you out to dinner again so we can finish our discussion.”
Even if he traveled by car instead of train, it was at least a six-hour trip from Winfield. What would her aunt think having a male guest, a college professor, travel that far to finish a conversation?
“If you’re ever in my area, I would enjoy another meal.”
“I suspect I’ll be there soon.”
