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And I didn’t like that.
“Did you want one?”
The hint of a smile ghosted her lips. “At one point I wanted a zoo.”
I lifted a brow.
“I mean I literally wanted my father to buy me a zoo.”
I could easily picture Beau demanding what she wanted from her father. At the same time, I couldn’t imagine her ever asking anyone for anything. If she wanted a zoo, she’d figure out the way to get it herself.
“I take it that didn’t go over well.”
Her mouth flattened and she cut her eyes to the side. “I got a trip to the zoo with my grandmother. She wouldn’t let me feed the camel. It was not a good day.”
“How old were you?”
“Seven.” She made another face. “I’m pretty sure my father took after her. She wouldn’t even let me have ice cream.” She lifted a shoulder and lowered it. “What grandmother doesn’t let her granddaughter have ice cream?”
“Lactose intolerant ones?”
It was completely inappropriate. Beau was opening up to me in a way she hadn’t ever before. The day had obviously been a bit traumatic and I’d made light of it.
She sprayed beer all over the table when she laughed.
I hadn’t heard that sound in years. It was more beautiful now with age and experience. Like it wasn’t freely given. And I wanted to hear it again.
A couple of the dogs lifted their heads, but when everything appeared okay, they put them back down.
“Grandmothers or grandkids?” She snickered.
I leaned back in my chair. “Both?”
“Maybe that was her problem.”
“Ma took us to the zoo once.”
“Only once?”
“She had six boys. Ben climbed into the bear exhibit—”
“He what?” Her eyes went wide. “I thought they had glass.”
“Not back then.” A laugh threatened to escape. “You should’ve seen him when that bear started coming toward him.” I couldn’t stop the laugh. “He-he climbed that fence again so fast—”
I couldn’t finish the sentence, too choked up with laughter just thinking about it.
“He could’ve been hurt,” Beau said, but her lips twitched.
“Yeah, but Ma was screaming so loud that the bear was terrified.” I covered my mouth. The scene had been pure chaos. And me and my brothers had been rolling on the ground it was so funny. Except Ben.
“I bet she was scared too.”
“She was pissed.” I petted Lucky’s head. “She wasn’t screaming at the bear. She was screaming at my brother.”
And then it broke free. Another laugh. This one was better than the first she’d let go.
“Are you serious?” She looked at me as if she weren’t sure.
