“Do you want to feed one of them?”
“We can?”
“Absolutely. Come on.” Megan goes on to explain the difference between wallabies and kangaroos, and Reagan eats up every word. “This little guy here, Benji, is ready to eat.”
Megan pulls out a tray of food from a box on the path and hands some to Reagan. “Now, just hold your hand out flat and he’ll come to you.”
Reagan does exactly what she says as the little guy hops up to her. Whipping out my phone, I record every second of this. The joy on Reagan’s face as he starts to eat from her palm is palpable.
“Hi, Benji. Aren’t you just the cutest little thing ever.” He just stares at her, eating what’s left in her hand. Hell, even a different species is eating out of the palm of her hand. There’s something about this woman that puts every person under her spell. And I’m the lucky bastard she cast it on that night.
“Would you like to try?” Megan’s at my side now.
“Leo. You have to try! His little whiskers are so soft.” She’s gushing over him. Is this what she’s going to be like as a mom? I can only imagine how loving and tender she’ll be with our kid. I hope I’m half as good as she is.
“I don’t know.” Reagan doesn’t give me a chance to protest. She pulls me over by her and drops some food in my hand.
He looks at me like he knows I’m nervous. I’ve never been big on pets. Dad didn’t have them growing up. Can he sense my fear? Is this how a baby will be? Will they sense my fear? Benji grabs the leaves off my hand and hops away.
“Well, at least he didn’t punch me,” I say with a laugh.
“Actually, kangaroos get a bad rap. They don’t actually punch people.”
“Phew.” I mock wipe my brow, as if I was actually nervous.
“I think he liked you.” Rae wraps an arm around my waist.
“Nah. He was smitten with you. He probably doesn’t want me hanging around you.”
“Good thing the kangaroo doesn’t decide who I hang out with.”
“Oh! Can we see drop bears?”
Laughter bursts out of me at the excitement on Rae’s face. I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it.
Our guide keeps an even face. “I’m sorry, where did you hear about drop bears?”
Reagan turns a glare my way, poking me in the stomach. “This guy. Why?”
“Drop bears don’t exist. They’re made-up creatures to freak out tourists.”
Reagan shakes her head, keeping her deep brown eyes locked on me. “I can’t imagine why you would need to make up any creatures to freak newcomers out. Just about everything here can kill you with a glance.”
“Well, that’s not true—” Reagan’s look cuts me off.
“If you want, we can go to the koala enclosure. The fictitious drop bear is said to closely resemble the koala bear.”
“Koalas?” The happiness is back in Reagan’s voice. “I’ve always wanted to see one.”
I drop an arm around her as we walk behind the guide. “Don’t think you’re forgiven, Mr. Scott.”
“I love how easily you believed me,” I whisper into her hair.
“Can you blame me? There is such a thing as a healthy fear of everything in this country. I mean, jellyfish you can’t see but can kill you with one sting?”
“I think you’re a little too worried about the animals here. We’re in the city; you’ll be fine.”
Rae snuggles into my side as our guide opens the gate for us. “As long as I have you to protect me, then I guess I’ll be fine.”
