Kate nodded. “But he’s also…” She seemed to search for the word. “Committed. In every sense of the word.”
“You mean his faith,” Meredith guessed.
“His religion is part of it, yes.”
Meredith folded her arms, brushing back a strand of hair blown over her eyes. “I’m sure this is not news to you, but my father isn’t justreligious.”
“I know, he hates that word,” Kate agreed.
“He hates it because his belief system isfoundational, not a list of…of…rules. It’s how he makes every decision—big or small. Personal, professional, emotional. It’s not a decorative accessory. His love of Godiswho he is, and it dictates his actions and decisions. I know he doesn’t evangelize about it—that’s not his style. But once you really know him, it’s clear.”
Kate was quiet for a few footsteps, then she asked, “He wasn’t always like that, though. Right?”
Was there somethinghopefulin that tone?
“Why?” Meredith asked. “Do you want him to go back?”
Kate pushed her glasses onto her head and looked hard at Meredith. “No. I don’texpecthim to stop believing because I don’t, if that’s what you’re implying. I’m merely curious where it came from, when it started. His siblings aren’t relig— believers. And Maggie isn’t exactly Mother Teresa.”
Meredith snorted at that.
“Was it your mother’s death?” she asked. “I’m just wondering where these beliefs came from.”
“He would say it came from God,” Meredith said evenly.
Kate sighed. “That does seem like the kind of answer Eli would give.”
“It started before my mom died,” Meredith added, staring down at the shell her toes had uncovered. “People always think his belief came from grief, but it didn’t. It deepened, sure. But he was already on that path. So was she—you know she’d already cracked a Bible before she died. They were both what is called ‘Christian curious’ nowadays. Then she passed away and he turned to God.” She slid a look at Kate, a frown forming. “He hasn’t told you all this?”
She shrugged. “Bits and pieces. I think he doesn’t want to scare me away and he sort of dances around the topic of his faith.”
Meredith turned to her fully, hands tucked into the pockets of her cutoffs. “Well, it’s an awfully big thing to dance around.”
Kate looked down at the water, silent for a long time. “You’re protective of him, Meredith. I understand. But he’s a grown man and knows what’s what.”
“He does, but sometimes he’s too good, too trusting, and too…faithful. If God tells him you’re the one, he’ll go all in.” Meredith studied her for a moment. “You haven’t said where you stand on the issue of faith. Atheist? Agnostic? Reformed Catholic or…what?”
“I did say,” she replied. “I’m a scientist.”
“That’s not a religious system or belief.”
“My world is built around observable data, verifiable results, controlled environments. Capacitors, not catechisms. Energy storage, not spiritual epiphanies. I don’t believe in anything I can’t test, touch, measure, or reproduce. It’s not about being cold or cynical. It’s about being…precise andreal.”
Well, faith was real to Eli Lawson, Meredith thought. “So you think his beliefs are…woo-woo? For the desperate and heartbroken?”
“You’re putting words in my mouth,” Kate replied. “I never belittle what he believes, but I’ll be perfectly honest, it’s very difficult for me to grasp. Supernatural? A supreme being in the sky? Miracles and answered prayers and…a book written by…who knows?”
“Eli knows,” Meredith said quietly. “He’ll tell you exactly who wrote it.”
Kate’s shoulders slumped slightly. “I know. I know. It’s just hard for me. Hard to believe in something I can’t understand or prove.”
“Then watch him,” Meredith said, gentler now.
“What do you mean?” Kate asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“Like I said, my dad’s not an evangelizer. He doesn’t quote scripture or pray in public or leave Bible verses in people’s mailboxes. He thinks that’s a shortcoming, but I think he doesn’t see that heliveshis faith in a million different ways. In his strength and clarity and kindness and inner peace. That all comes from his unwavering trust in God, who he sees, hears, measures, and tests every single day.”
Kate was silent, then sighed. “We’re talking about how I feel about God, but the real question is how I feel about Eli.”
