Devin tipped his head a bit. “Really? You think? You’re one of the most cheerful people I know when it comes to your work. There are plenty of days I don’t have the right attitude about my job. But I’m convicted to do my very best for His glory. Just like teaching English and literature can be honoring to Him, so can digging for dinosaurs.”
This work that she did ... she was more passionate about it than anything else she could be doing. Goodness, Devin’s father always had a hard time keeping her focused on her other studies from the time she was little. But he did help her understand so much about paleontology. He’d bribe her with getting her other work done by telling her he had a new book, paper, or interesting find to report to her.
It worked every time.
In the few conversations she’d had with Earl the past few weeks, she knew he was a man of faith. Even though he still wrestled with many things. What scientist didn’t? Especially when it came to dinosaurs or when they lived. But his passion for the work and for the Bible continued. Several times, she’d heard him quote Scripture to the other workers.
But he didn’t seem to be attending church anywhere. At least from what she’d heard.
The battle between science and faith was real. Overwhelming at times.
But she wasn’t in this to prove when the dinosaurs roamedthe earth. She wanted to show people how awesome the Creator was for bringing these beasts to life.
Devin elbowed her gently. “Penny for your thoughts?”
“They’re worth far more than a penny, Mr. Schmitt.” Their long-standing joke was fun to keep running.
“Okay then, how about a dollar?”
“That’s more like it.” She straightened. “There is so much that I don’t understand about dinosaurs. And that’s all right, because I will continue to dig and learn.” With a swallow, she looked at him. “I love what I do. And I don’t think that’s going to change.”
“Good to hear.” He released the reins with one hand and patted her knee. “It would be a pity for you to give up when it’s something you love so much.” His voice had turned serious, and he snapped his head forward.
She watched him for several seconds. The lines of his jaw were hard, and she could see him clenching. What had changed his mood?
“Are you all right?”
“I’m great.” His face softened. “Why don’t we go back to the quarry? I’ve got a few questions I would love for you to answer.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “As long as you are okay with delaying lunch a bit.”
“I’m starved, but I think I can manage.”
He didn’t respond, just kept driving.
When they reached the quarry, he set the brake and then hopped down. He reached up and helped her down from the carriage. Her stomach did a weird little flip as she took his hand. She must be hungrier than she thought.
They headed down the path, but she stopped in her tracks and gasped. “What happened?”
Tables were overturned. Tools were scattered. And worse, the pile of debris they’d removed from the fossil wall was now covering everything.
Two of the tents were on their sides. Two more were slashed.
And in paint, several words had been scrawled.
Blasphemers.
Go Away.
eight
“Sometimes it seems more pleasant to live in hopes of something better coming than to witness the realities of life.”
~Earl Douglass, quoting his wife, Pearl
SUNDAY, JULY9, 1916•DINOSAURNATIONALMONUMENT
All the joy of the Sunday service and meeting fellow believers had evaporated. Devin couldn’t believe the mess in front of them. Toolsboxes were overturned, their contents strewn across the rocks and dirt. The tent flaps fluttered in the wind, revealing the chaos inside as well. It was as if a tornado had cut through camp and scattered anything that wasn’t pinned down throughout the quarry.
Then there was the paint. A horrible brownish-red smeared across the cream canvas, spelling out cruel phrases. Devin clenched his jaw as his gaze traced the phrase,Go away!Anger rolled in his stomach, and he turned from Eliza, trying to hide just how angry he was. On her behalf. What was their worldcoming to that vandalism was an acceptable way to show your disagreement with someone?
