The Nature of Love (Love in the Spotlight #3)

Chapter 4

Four

Someone had turned down the temperature.

It took everything within Chris not to show his confusion. One minute he was having a great conversation with Erykah, the next minute she looked like she wanted to be seated anywhere but right next to him.

He’d thought their shared laughter meant the dinner would go by quicker. But the one-word answers coupled with her avoiding eye contact meant something completely different.

Had he upset her?

Chris mentally rolled back their conversation, searching for an offensive remark, but found none. He cleared his throat and leaned toward Erykah, careful to make sure he still maintained a proper distance.

“Did I say something wrong?” he whispered.

Her gaze flicked to his, softened for a moment, then darted away once more. “No.” She matched his low tone.

“Okay. Then why the cold shoulder all of a sudden?” Maybe he shouldn’t have asked, but the not knowing pricked under his skin worse than any splinter.

She sighed. “Could you please drop it?”

He wanted to say no . He wanted to argue about whatever he’d done. Instead, he straightened and stabbed his fork into the salad greens. Guess he’d been right thinking this dinner would be a waste of his time, just for different reasons than he first imagined.

This is why you don’t date. Dealing with a woman’s conflicting emotions was too much for his own to handle with the scars he still bore from giving his all the last time. Was being lonely really so bad?

Sure, he was always the odd man out among couples, but he didn’t have to worry about going all in on a relationship only for the woman to decide Chris wasn’t the man for her. It saved him from a lot of heartache, because he couldn’t handle the seesaw of emotions that came from dating.

The next few minutes were spent silently as everyone at the table made quick work of their salads. Slowly, chatter made its way around the circular table as the waitstaff came around to remove their plates.

“So, Chris.” Mr. Jackson dabbed at his lips. “I hear you persuaded the powers that be that reintroducing the gray wolf species would be the best thing for the environment.” He arched a brow. “How did you manage that?”

Chris’s face heated as all eyes landed on him. “The initiative wasn’t a one-person effort, and I certainly wasn’t running lead.”

“You really think another predator is the best thing for our livestock?”

Chris’s elbows clenched to his sides. Unfortunately, Jackson owned a large herd of cattle and was a known supplier of beef in Colorado. Situations like this made Chris tense, as if poised for a physical threat. He had to make sure his mind stayed sharp, but his heart needed to remain compassionate. “If you have any questions or concerns, I’d be happy to talk to you afterward. Or I can give you my card so we could meet one-on-one.” Anything but incite a debate at the governor’s mansion.

With Erykah looking on.

Chris pushed that thought aside. She’d already shut him down and made it clear she didn’t want to talk, so what did it matter what she thought of the whole conversation?

“Trying to evade the subject?”

“Not at all. I just figured we’d all benefit from getting a chance to mingle and get to know one another.” He flashed a smile, hoping the gesture seemed sincere. “I’d hate to hog the conversation when I know the rest of you hold such important positions in your fields.”

“Right, like you care about the citizens of our state. If you did, you wouldn’t have been part of this initiative.”

Chris bit back a sigh. “Mr. Jackson, as a professed believer, don’t you think it’s our duty to do the best we can to look after the earth? After all, God left humans in charge. Not to be dictators, but good stewards.”

“That’s rich.” Jackson scoffed. “Let’s use the Bible to bring predators into our state.”

“I think Mr. Gamble has a point,” Erykah interjected.

Chris wanted to turn and stare at her, but the shock surging through him at her sudden support meant the emotion probably showed on his face.

“You do?” Mrs. Flowers leaned forward. “Why?”

“Humans have made a mess in many areas. Even when science and experience show us a better way, some are hesitant to correct course. But what I’ve seen over the last decade or so is a new desire for people to right their wrongs. If Mr. Gamble and other scientists believe that reintroducing the wolves will do more good than harm to our environment, then who are we to discount their expert opinion?”

“Quite easily.” Jackson huffed. “He hasn’t lived a farmer’s life. He hasn’t had to rescue his livestock or domesticated animals from the jaws of those beasts.”

“And you have?” Chris asked. “The gray wolf hasn’t been in Colorado since 1940. I doubt you were alive to rescue your animals from one of their kind.”

Jackson sputtered, and his face turned bright red.

Chris held up a hand. “Like I said earlier, I’m more than happy to discuss this with you at a different time, but let’s change the subject for now.” Chris turned to Erykah. “Dr. Kennedy, surely there is something innovative happening in the orthopedic world you can regale us with.”

A light flickered in her eyes, and she nodded.

Chris kept quiet while she spoke, listening to the sound of her voice. Her words came out confidently, but there was this softness to her tone that almost lulled Chris to sleep. Instead of submitting to the feeling, he watched the rest of their tablemates lean in as she shared about new equipment that would make amputations easier for the patient.

The more she talked, the more Chris realized the depth of care she felt for her patients. She wasn’t excited to use a new tool for the tool’s sake or even for how it could benefit a surgeon. No, she simply wanted to help patients experience less pain.

“You sound like a great doctor,” he murmured at the end of her speech. The others at the table turned to their own conversations, so Chris continued speaking. “If I ever break a bone, I hope you’ll be the one doing the surgery.”

“I don’t know. It’s difficult for a surgeon to perform on someone they know. Sometimes there can be a conflict of interest.”

He gazed into her warm brown eyes. “For the patient or the doctor?”

“The doctor, obviously.” A little smile lifted one corner of her mouth. “You want a surgeon with steady hands, not one that will shake because of who’s on the operating table.”

“As long as you don’t treat me like a game of Operation, I think I’ll have the best chances with you holding the scalpel.”

She laughed. “My sister hated that game, but I found it fascinating. Plus, I always won.”

“Sounds like you’re definitely the one with the steady hands.” He took a deep breath, plunging ahead with a more personal line of questioning. “How many sisters do you have?”

“Just one. She’s younger.”

“Makes sense. You definitely have that oldest-sibling vibe going on.”

She chuckled. “Okay, only child.”

He let out a low whistle. “Calling me out like that, huh?”

“You started it.”

“Oh, you mean when I said oldest-sibling vibe?” He blinked innocently. “Obviously, I was talking about those wonderful, goal-oriented, independent skills you have. What did you think I meant?”

A blush filled her cheeks. “I’m not falling for your innocent act, Mr. Gamble.”

“Can we please drop the mister? I know I’m older. Believe me, my friends never let me forget. However, I feel like we’re within the same age range.”

“That’s a dangerous assumption,” Erykah’s lips twitched.

Probably. He’d already annoyed her once before, but their repartee had him continuing despite the warning going off in his head. “I’m going off Operation and nothing else. You’re gorgeous, so I’d totally guess early thirties except I doubt my friends in that age group know what that game is.”

She chuckled. “Fine. I’m a member of the forties club.”

“As am I.” Two years in, in fact. But being forty-two didn’t feel much different from forty in his opinion.

“What year?” She arched a brow.

“Now who’s asking indecent questions?”

Why did he love making her blush like that? You know why.

“Do you joke this much with your friends?”

While eating his salad, he’d been ready to throw in the towel. But now with her studying him so guilelessly, he wanted to take the plunge into dangerous territories.

“Only with them. I’m a little bit more serious with everyone else.”

A beam filled her face. “I’m glad to be included in that club ... Chris .”

That smile on her face made her absolutely breathtaking. Couple that with the use of his nickname, and his breath stuck in his chest.

“Chris?”

He blinked. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

“Yes.” Amusement lightened her eyes. “I asked about your friends. You said they were younger. How did you guys meet?”

“Uh, interesting enough, one I met through a ... consultation.” A movie one at that. Lamont Booker had been named People ’s “Sexiest Man Alive” one year, and Chris and Tuck never let him forget it.

“The other I met through the friend I made on the consulting job.”

“What does a wildlife conservationist do in a consulting job?” She tilted her head.

“Just that. I talked to him about what I do on a daily basis. Helped him get into character—” Chris coughed. “I mean, really understand the heart behind what I do.” Because Lamont was somewhat of a method actor.

Her brow bent slightly. “What do your friends do?”

“One’s an entertainer, and the other works with horses.” Lord forgive him for making light of his friends’ occupations. Tucker Hale was a Kentucky Derby–winning trainer, and Lamont had won countless awards for his movies. But Chris didn’t want to name drop when Erykah was opening up to him.

Perhaps his earlier concern had been a knee-jerk reaction at the memory of dating. It was obvious that Erykah wasn’t as open as some other women. He had to keep reminding himself that other people’s reactions might not have anything to do with him. They could be thinking of their own past or just having an off day.

It’s not you, it’s me was quite accurate at times.

“What about you? What do your closest friends do?”

Immediately a detached expression replaced the friendly facade she’d presented. “I work a lot,” she muttered.

Did that mean she didn’t have any friends? He took a deep breath. “Well, don’t forget one of them hangs around animals all day.”

She peered at him through a lidded gaze. “You’re right, Chris.”

“You know, I think I accidentally lost my friend’s number.” He unlocked his cell and slid it her way. “You should add yourself to my contacts, so I won’t lose it again.”

Her shoulders shook as if holding back suppressed laughter. She added her number, then slid his phone back to him. “Points for cleverness.”

“Do I get points for charm as well?”

“Jury’s still out.”

He laughed. Getting to know Erykah Kennedy was going to be interesting.