practice around here. I’d like to help the good ranchers do what they’re doing, and get the bad ones to learn a few things from the good ones. Help make some heroes. Someday, when I get the time, I’ll work on that.”
“I’m impressed,” he said without emotion. “Sounds idealistic.”
She brushed her hair back from her face, and glanced self-consciously at the reflection in the window. “Why?” she asked.
“Because people aren’t looking for solutions. They just want to get their own way.”
“My, you don’t sound like the man my colleagues in Montana describe.”
“I’m not.” He held his eyes on her. “Don’t go there.”
“Sorry.” She took another sip. “Anyway...I’m focused on the national monument and the management plan, and other things in the region. My plate’s full. Someday, when I have the time, I’ll look into ways to work with the ranchers. Things like sustainable grazing practices.”
“I see.”
“I just wish they’d quit attacking the very premise of the monument. It’d be easier to think about working with them if I wasn’t so worried that they’ll convince Congress to do away with it. Once I’m a little more confident they won’t, I’ll put some effort into making peace.”
Jack hadn’t really noticed before, but Karen was rather attractive, in an interesting sort of way. Nice round eyes, cute chin. Good shape, and dressed somewhere between wilderness jock and bargain basement shopper, but somehow it looked good on her. “Those are your terms,” he said. “If you believe in what you’re saying, why don’t you meet ‘em on theirs?”
“Can’t take the risk,” she said. Her expression changed. “Besides, I’m having trouble as it is just working with the environmental organizations.”
He laughed. “I doubt that!”
“It’s true.” She nodded slowly, seriously.
“That doesn’t make sense. You seem so reasonable, focused on achieving your own goals, not attacking the goals of others.”
“That may be my problem.”
“What do you mean?”
She didn’t explain. He found himself wondering what she was like off the job—but she was on the job. So, he reminded himself, was he.
The waitress brought their dishes, and disappeared back into the restaurant.
Hatcher cut into a chili relleno but held it in mid-air on her fork. “I’ve been thinking I should work up one of my famous sound bites. Something like, ‘we shouldn’t be following Achilles into battle, until we know what we’re getting with the heel’.”
He laughed. “That’s good.” He wondered about whom she was referring. He didn’t ask.
“You like that?” she asked. “Sometimes I think the best preparation I ever had for this job was when I worked as an ad writer. I did those corny little ads for the company that sells those collectable dolls. You know, the ones you see in magazines.”
“Are you serious?”
“It’s true,” she said. “That’s how I worked my way through grad school. Ecologist by day, ad writer by night. Thought it was a silly job at the time, just something to pay the bills. I realize now that it was valuable experience. Especially helpful in dealing with reporters. It’s amazing how important a few little words can be for getting people’s attention.”
“I can’t believe it. I’m talking to someone who thinks in sound bites.”
She smiled.
It was an interesting smile, and again he wondered what spending a little time with her would be like. But she’s an advocate. That kind of fraternization would look bad. Too many people already consider the Park Service to be in bed with the environmental community. Thought-provoking analogy.
“Sometimes, you have to be short and to the point, and interesting. You have to be more provocative than the next person.” She stopped, her face becoming furrowed in thought. She frowned and said, “My problem is…I don’t always see next person coming.”
“So, who is this Achilles? Who’s the heel?”
She hesitated. “I shouldn’t be saying anything.”
“Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to pry.”
“I know.” She turned her eyes away. “I guess it might be good to cry in my beer a little.”
“I’ll keep it to myself.”
“Yes, I know. You’re a good guy,” she said. “It’s Harold Grimmsley. And it’s not like he’s really a heel. It’s not like he’s purposefully trying to do me any professional harm. At least I don’t think so. But he’s saying things that are eroding the confidence my board of directors has in me. He’s been trying to get my organization to support him on some things. And he wants to do just the opposite of what I’ve been advocating.”
“How could he undermine you? I mean, there’s no comparison. You’re everything he’s not. Educated. Experienced. You understand the issues on the Colorado Plateau. He’s on the learning curve. He’s confused by complexities. That’s your strength.”
“Well, I thought so. But he’s so sincere. People listen to him.”
“I know he’s sincere. He’s passionate. I see it all the time, people passionate about their causes, but ill-prepared with respect to actually understanding them. Surely other people see that. How could he erode confidence in you?”
“Jack, I do not know! I really don’t.”
“Your board will figure it out. He’s in a different league.”
“Thank you. I hope you’re right. But for a while, I need to play it smart and be cautious about my statements.” A tortured look came over her.
He could tell she had something specific in mind.
“If I don’t have my reputation, I don’t have anything.”
“I understand,” he said. He wasn’t sure he did.
“Jack…there’s a reason I invited you to lunch.” She took another sip of her beer. “To date, I’ve been supportive of everything you’re trying to accomplish up on the plateau. You know, the fuel reduction and restoration work you’ve started. And, right now, I’ll tell you that I understand the objectives of the project, and I understand and support the scientific basis for the project. The crews haven’t done a thing up there that alarms me. I know it’s going to be good, in terms of restoring the forest stand and the fire ecology. But…for awhile…and I hope it’s only a little while…I need to cool my support of that project.”
Jack didn’t know what to say. It was all unexpected.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Karen,
