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Peach swallowed. “You mean… like… a sanctuary?”
“Exactly,” said Isaac. “I want to help rescue badly treated animals and look after them on our sanctuary. I know it’s not exactly the same as a pet rescue center, but I want the ranch to be a home, and—”
“I love it,” Peach said quickly. “It’s perfect.”
“We have space for at least a couple hundred cattle on that land,” Isaac continued, the words flowing out of him excitedly, “plus a bunch of other creatures. And there’ll be Teddy and Itchy, of course, plus me and you…” He moved his palm around to Peach’s tummy. “Plus, if it appeals to you, a dozen or so tiny little Peaches?”
“A dozen!” Peach gasped. “You want twelve kids?”
“Okay, maybe six,” joked Isaac. “Only if it’s what you want, that is—”
“Yes, Daddy,” said Peach quickly, “I do. I do!”
Isaac laughed, lifting her into the air and twirling her around.
“Careful, Daddy! I’m heavy!” Peach said, giggling.
“Nonsense,” Isaac said, putting her down. “Wait until you’re pregnant with these half dozen children, darling. Then you’ll know what heavy is.”
“I hope I don’t have to be pregnant with them all at once!” Peach said, blushing.
“It’s not a deal-breaker,” Isaac replied, stooping down and taking a lick of her ice-cream.
“Hey, get your own, meanie!” Peach said, pouting, but she was only joking. Her Daddy could lick anything of hers he liked.
They walked on a little way, past small-clawed otters, giant elands, and meerkats. Isaac seemed deep in thought.
“While we wait to set up the ranch,” he said, “I’d like to work on another project.”
“Oh yes?” asked Peach.
“The honeymoon mansion. The one we argued in before we came out here. It’s actually always kinda been my favorite. It’s in the best position for the ocean view. It just needs doing up.”
“I’d love to do it up,” Peach said.
“I’d like to make it into a home with you. Combining both our tastes.”
Peach snickered. “You mean, contemporary billionaire meets cartoon-loving Little?”
“Exactly,” Isaac replied sincerely. “That’s exactly how it should be. And then, when we’re done, I’d like to sell the other three mansions on the compound. I don’t need them all, you know. And I’d like to put half the money I make from it toward setting up the sanctuary.”
“What about the other half?” Peach asked. “Some kind of investment?”
“Nope,” Isaac replied. “I want you to choose which charities to donate it to. I figured you might find it fun.”
“I would find it fun!” Peach replied, glowing. “Super fun!”
“Good,” Isaac said, kissing her. “Then it’s settled. I love you, Mrs. Righton.”
“I love you, Daddy Righton.”
Isaac kissed Peach’s cheek, then whispered into her ear: “There’s a meerkat behind you.”
Peach jumped, then squealed, then laughed. Then, suddenly, her gaze dropped to the floor.
“What is it, darling?” Isaac asked. “What’s up?”
“It’s nothing,” Peach sniffed. “It’s… I’m so happy… I just wish my friends…”
