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

Chapter 18

Eighteen

Who said taking kids on an easy hiking trail was a good idea?

Chris thought the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail would be a nice, easy walk to get the girls out of the house. Change of scenery, so to speak. It didn’t hurt that the Garden of the Gods offered some seriously stunning views. Walking alongside the sandstone monuments always made Chris think of God, and more specifically, Psalm 19. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”

Standing out in nature, Chris always felt like creation pointed to the Lord. He wanted the peace that came with that knowledge to fill Erykah and comfort the girls. Except Ashlynn apparently hated riding in the stroller and Cheyenne thought the rocks were boring.

“They’re brown.” Cheyenne folded her arms.

She looked just like Erykah doing that.

“I’d say more tan than brown. They’ve got that orange undertone.”

The glare on her face should scare Chris, but he was determined to get on Cheye’s good side. He’d thought they’d bo nded over the past week with her coming with him to work. PathLight had done a photo shoot of Chris so they could promote the docuseries, and Cheye had been calling out poses with the photographer. Watching her had allowed Erykah to house shop during the day without the worry of the girls getting tired from going house to house.

Yet after a week of house hunting, she hadn’t found a place that fit her and the girls’ needs. Either the homes were too far away, not in a good school district, or too small. She’d found something wrong with each one.

“I think they’re pretty,” Erykah said. She reached out her hand, wiggling her fingers, as if to tell Cheyenne, Hold my hand.

The little girl slid her palm against her aunt’s. “But this is boring.”

“Charlie likes it.” Erykah pointed to the pup on the leash.

“Because he thinks this is the biggest bathroom.” Cheyenne spread her arms wide, then flopped them back to her sides with a groan.

The way she gave drama all day long, the girl could be an actress.

Erykah smirked, then met Chris’s gaze. For a moment, his heart stopped, and his gaze lasered onto hers. Looking at the gentle smile that softened her features made him want to tug her into his embrace. He felt like a dad out with his kids and adoring wife.

It’s an illusion. They’re not yours.

Chris’s steps faltered as he tore his gaze away. He’d been close to this before. He hated that Tracey had broken her word and left him with the fallout, but if she hadn’t, he wouldn’t be here for Erykah.

She needed a friend, and his thoughts were veering more and more away from that path. The best thing would be for her to find her own place. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about the feelings that arose in him every time he looked at her smooth brown skin or smelled her intoxicating scent that begged him to draw closer.

No, they should’ve gone house hunting instead of coming to one of Colorado Springs’ iconic landmarks.

They finished the trail and headed back to the parking lot. Maybe next time Chris would just take the kids to the zoo. Surely Cheyenne wouldn’t be annoyed by looking at animals. She seemed to like hanging out with Kimble and the other animals at Gamble on Nature.

“Dr. Kennedy!”

Erykah stiffened as someone yelled her name across the parking lot. They both turned to face the voice. An older man walked toward them with a younger woman at his side.

“I thought that was you.”

Erykah’s lips contorted into some weird smile ... or was that a grimace? Chris almost laughed at the discomfort covering her face. It reminded him of how she looked when Ashlynn blew out a diaper yesterday. However, the discomfort now came from these two people, which put him on edge.

“Dr. Cook. What are you doing here?”

“I enjoy a good leisurely stroll every now and then.” His gaze flicked to Chris’s, then back to Erykah. “I see you’re relaxing, as I suggested.”

Wait, this was the boss who gave her another week of leave?

“Attempting to.” She bounced Ashlynn up and down, which was the baby’s preferred method of being held. She hated being still.

“Who is...?” Dr. Cook’s voice trailed off.

Erykah’s eyes widened, and she looked so startled, so uncomfortable, Chris had to step in. He offered a hand. “Chris Gamble. I’m a friend of Erykah’s.”

“O h, how nice to meet you.” Dr. Cook shook his hand enthusiastically. “Erykah is so quiet at work that it’s hard to imagine her with friends.”

Excuse me?

The man had the grace to look ashamed. “I’m sorry. That’s not at all what I meant to say.”

“Grandpa, stop talking,” the young woman said. She flashed a sympathetic look to Erykah. “He doesn’t know when to be quiet sometimes.”

Erykah let out a hesitant laugh. “He does talk often at work.”

Dr. Cook raised his hands in a What can I say? gesture. Obviously, he knew the comments were true.

“Are you guys just arriving?” Dr. Cook asked.

Erykah shook her head. “Leaving.”

“Sorry to have missed you.” He turned a curious gaze toward Chris. “Chris Gamble? You’re not the YouTuber, are you?”

Chris could feel his neck heating. “I do have a channel there.”

“He has a million subscribers now.” Erykah smiled at him. “I think he’s doing great things.”

She knew how many subs he had?

“I want to be in his next video,” Cheyenne spoke up.

Chris had almost forgotten she was there. He looked down at her. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” He was leery about the ramifications of minors on such a public platform. Then again, he could make one private, just for her to watch and know she was on YouTube.

“Charlie got to be in a video.”

“Because he’s a pup.” Erykah had agreed to let Chris put up a video about what to do when you spot an animal in the wild when out with your dog.

“Your channel is fascinating.” Dr. Cook gestured to the visitor’s center behind them. “Was it your idea to go for a walk?”

“It was.”

Dr. Cook nodded his head. “Good exercise and a beautiful view.”

“It is.”

“Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time.” He turned toward Erykah. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. And I apologize for sticking my foot in my mouth.”

“It’s okay, sir.”

When they got to the car, Chris went to buckle Cheyenne, but she pushed his hands away. “I got it.”

“Sorry.”

Erykah peered across the car seats to meet his gaze. “He’s right, you know,” she said softly.

“Right about what?”

“I don’t have friends.”

He stared at her. “What am I? Chopped liver?”

“I mean at work.” She smirked.

“Are you supposed to? Is it a requirement?”

She finished buckling in Ashlynn and straightened. “Why are you making things difficult? You know I’m not good at small talk and being kind.” Her face contorted into self-disgust. “I’ve never been good at knowing what to say.”

“You speak to me just fine.” He shut Cheye’s door and rounded the back of the vehicle to stand next to her. “Besides, what does it matter what Dr. Cook thinks? Doesn’t it matter that I call you friend and think you’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met?”

Her chest rose and fell. “Really?”

He hated the uncertainty in her voice. “Truly.” He tucked one of her twists behind her ear. “I think you’re perfect the way you are.”

Sh e leaned her cheek against his palm.

Chris could easily cup the back of her head and press his lips against hers. In fact, the honey scent that often teased his senses made him want to do just that. Would the taste of honey sweeten her kiss?

“Chris...” Erykah’s warm breath caressed his lips.

He leaned forward. This was a woman ready to be kissed. Willing to be kissed. How could he ignore that?

His phone chimed, and he jolted backward. Erykah almost crashed into him, but he gripped her upper arms, steadying her.

“Sorry. I need to get this.” That ringtone only rang for one person. “Hey, Mom.”

“Chris, how are you?”

He blew out a sigh, annoyed that he hadn’t been able to kiss Erykah. He glanced at her, but she averted her eyes and opened the passenger door, getting in before he could mouth sorry or any other pointless platitude. Only he didn’t actually know if he was sorry.

“I’m fine, Mom.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose.

“Good. I was wondering what you’ll be doing for Thanksgiving. Do you want to come up?”

And leave Erykah and the girls alone? “Um, I’m probably hanging with a friend. She’s had a difficult time this year.” He made his way slowly to the driver’s side. “You could come down, though.” Which she wouldn’t.

“Well, I mean, I could.”

He blinked. “What?”

“Come down. Are you having a meal at your place?”

Uh... He hadn’t given it a thought. What would the girls want to do? “I suppose I could.”

“Great. I’ll be there. Can I come the night before and sleep in your guest room?”

“O f course.” Surely Erykah would be in a new place by then. Thanksgiving was a couple of weeks away.

“Then I’ll see you then. Bye, hon.”

“Bye, Mom.”

He stared at his phone. What had just happened? He looked into the car, and his breath hitched. What hadn’t happened?