“Looks official,” Noah murmured with a grin.
Taking the envelope in hand, Mack knew exactly what it was. He’d applied for a business license. It had taken a few months to get all his ducks in a row when it came to starting his riding lessons venture. He needed clients and a business plan. Thankfully, he had the funds needed to start it, and Bo was happy to let him set up shop on Reese property.
Mack whacked the envelope against his palm, noting the curious looks his parents were now giving him. He gave them a nod. It was strange how much had changed since he’d met Lacey. Back then, Mack only had eyes for the rodeo. He’d viewed it as the ultimate dream, but that was before he’d opened his eyes.
Now, all he wanted was her. Lacey knew him inside and out. She had watched him with Bridger, and she’d known he had a higher purpose.
Noah gestured toward the envelope with the county’s logo near the sender’s address. “Does that mean you’re hanging up your rodeo boots? No more competitions?”
Mack glanced at his parents, but the concern they used to show when the rodeo came up was absent. He shrugged. “I don’t think I’ll make it a career or anything, but I can’t just walk away from the rush it gives me.” He smirked. “Besides, when the kid comes to see me compete, he acts like I’m this superhero, and I’m not giving up on that feeling any time soon.”
No one said he couldn’t have it all, and that was exactly what he intended on doing.
He lifted the envelope to his head in a mock salute. “I’m heading out. I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
The drive to the zoo was excruciating. From the moment Mack had picked up Lacey and Bridger, he had wanted to whip out thering and give it to her. He wanted to tell her that he couldn’t live without the both of them, and he was looking forward to a life they could spend together. But that wasn’t the plan.
This needed to be special for all of them.
Bridger chattered excitedly. This wasn’t the first time they’d gone to the zoo together, and Mack knew it wasn’t going to be the last. He fully intended on taking Bridger as long as the kid would let him. He was already growing up too fast, and Mack was grateful for every spare second he could have with the kid.
Lacey tossed him an adoring look, and he reached for her hand before pressing a kiss to her knuckles. This was what pure and utter happiness felt like. He couldn’t think of a single thing that would make it better.
Well, besides putting that ring on her finger.
Children hollered and giggled as they rushed from exhibit to exhibit. Parents chased after the young ones who managed to escape them. Bridger had a notebook in his hands, and one day, Mack could see him becoming a zoologist or some other kind of scientist.
“Do you know that there are some animals that mate for life?” Mack asked him. He shot a smoldering look toward Lacey. “They fall in love, and they stay with their mate until they die. Isn’t that interesting?”
Bridger didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah. Everyone knows that.”
“Oh, yeah? Then tell me what animals do, if you’re so smart,” Mack goaded. He’d planned to stop by the penguins when he proposed so he could make a show of telling Lacey just how deeply in love he was. He already knew Bridger would get a kickout of learning something new about animals—but right about now, he was wondering if Bridger might know more than him.
The boy stopped and gave a sigh as if he were being forced to teach something far too simple to someone who didn’t know anything about animals. “Lots of animals do..”
Mack stilled. “Really?”
Bridger laughed. “Yeah,” he teased.
They stopped near the monkey enclosure, standing beneath a fenced tunnel where the creatures could cross over the spectators. A few of them let out loud whooping sounds, and Bridger pointed to them. “See those? They’re gibbons. They mate for life. And so do geese, and the beaver and lots and lots of birds, too.”
Lacey stifled a laugh at Mack’s shocked expression. He’d thought it was uncommon. Animals were… well, animals.
Bridger turned his innocent stare on Mack. “What animal were you thinking of?” He tilted his head. “Probably penguins, right?”
“Well… yeah…” Mack mumbled.
“Everyone knows that,” Bridger pointed out.
“You know what, kid? You’re too smart for your own good,” Mack muttered, though he was smiling wider than he had before.
Bridger beamed at him.
They continued on the path, getting closer and closer to the penguins when Mack’s heart ticked up, and the ring started to burn in his pocket. “You know why I was asking about them?The special kinds of animals that fall in love with only one other animal?”
Bridger glanced up at him, question in his eyes but remaining silent.
Mack tugged Lacey toward him so they stood side by side. They’d made it to the exhibit, but he didn’t want to go inside just yet. Right now, they were standing at a curve in the path, almost blocked by everyone else, surrounded by foliage and beautiful landscaping. Mack held onto Lacey’s hand and Bridger’s as well. He stared at them both, one then the other.
