“I don’t get to see her nearly enough. I really don’t mind.”
“I’ll get the girls’ jackets on and have them ready when you come back.” She stopped at the hall closet and pulled out two coats, then walked toward the bedroom.
Carl went outside with Hope and jogged to the enclosed animal area. Nobody else was there, so he let her off the leash. She sprinted in circles, happily wagging her tail. Carl found a stick and tossed it to her. They played fetch for five minutes, and he would have played longer but had to get back inside.
As promised, he stopped by the truck and rummaged under the passenger seat where Hope’s new toy had rolled. It was one of those ultra-durable toys that he could fill with treats. Hope ran off with it when they got in the apartment before he had a chance to add treats. He shrugged. “As long as she’s happy.”
Skye and Mercy wore matching coats with rainbows and butterflies. The older sister poked the younger one as she spouted the name she’d given each butterfly.
He jingled his keys. “Is everyone ready?”
“Let’s go.” Skye pumped a hand in the air.
Carl held her hand as they walked outside. They switched the car seats and stroller to his truck. It would have been easier to take her car, but his height in her small vehicle would make the hour drive longer.
He slipped a CD into the player that he’d picked up at the store last week. It was all kids’ songs performed by a children’s band on one of those television shows. He didn’t know much about them but had researched enough to know they were squeaky clean and had a family-friendly seal of approval.
Mercy clapped her hands and babbled to the music. Skye tried to sing along though she didn’t know most of the words. The music kept them occupied for the duration of the drive.
Luna laughed as they pulled into the zoo. “I need a copy of that CD. It’s a miracle worker.”
“You can take it with you when we get home.” He shot her a wild grin. “It will be a sacrifice not to have it, but I’ll survive.”
“Oh no.” Luna smacked her forehead. “I packed lunches and left them on the counter.”
“They have a concession stand. I know Skye likes hot dogs, but can Mercy have them?” Spending time with Luna’s girls made him realize how little he knew about children.
“No, but I keep extra snacks for her in the diaper bag.”
“What about fries? I’m pretty sure they sell those, too.” He’d checked the menu last night, but there had been a disclaimer that all items might not be available during non-peak times.
“She can have those.”
“Problem solved. No worries.” He jumped out and lifted the stroller from the truck bed.
Luna unbuckled Mercy and sat her in the front seat of the double stroller. “There you go, my love.”
Mercy shook her head and shoved her hands in the air. “Walk.”
“No, you have to ride in the stroller. We’ll be covering a lot of ground.”
Undeterred, Mercy’s fussing transformed into a full-blown tantrum. “Walk!”
If it were up to Carl, he would have let her out of the stroller, but he wouldn’t cross Luna. She surely had reasons for insisting Mercy stay sitting. “I’ll push the stroller.”
“I’m sorry.” Luna frowned through gritted teeth. “She’s in this stage where she yanks away and runs off. I don’t want to take any risks here.”
“She’ll calm down once we’re moving and she sees the animals.” At least he hoped so, or it would be a long day. The tantrum didn’t faze him, but their trip would be more pleasant with everybody happy.
By the time he’d paid the entrance fee for the four of them, Mercy had calmed down and munched on the crunchy snacks Luna had given her. Skye held her mom’s hand and searched for any sign of an animal.
“Where should we go first.” Carl unfolded the map and examined it.
Luna pointed to Mercy. “I know a little girl who would love to see the otters.”
“Oder!” Mercy squealed.
“Otters it is.” He pushed the stroller down the path leading to the animal exhibits.
