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 happyto 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.
