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“Guys, I don’t know,” she says slowly, her voice tinged with reluctance. “It’s just…”
“Hey,” I say softly, locking my eyes with hers. “Don’t worry about it. This one’s on us, okay?”
“You guys have already done so much.”
“We enjoy it.” Benedict grins at her.
Her eyes search mine, as if trying to gauge the sincerity of my offer. A moment passes, and then, with a slow exhale, she nods. “Alright,” she agrees, the tension visibly lifting from her shoulders. “Thank you, Hudson. Thank you, Benedict.”
“Of course,” Benedict replies, his smile genuine and warm. “Now, let’s get going before these two burst from anticipation.”
“Yay! Amusement park!” Peter and Olivia shout in unison, their joy infectious and irresistible.
Harper turns to us, her expression softening. “I really appreciate this, guys. More than you know.” She hesitates, biting her lip, and I find myself fixated on the simple action, my pulse quickening.
“Harper,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper, “you don’t need to thank us. We want to be there for you and your kids, in any way we can.”
And crazily enough, despite the fact that I’ve never liked a woman past the first time she’s found her way into my bed, I mean it. It’s clear that Harper isn’t like any other woman.
22
HARPER
The entrance to the amusement park looms before us, and my heart races in anticipation. I can feel the excitement bubbling up inside me, mirroring that of Olivia and Peter as their eyes widen, taking in the sights and sounds around them.
When is the last time I’ve actually been to an amusement park? The more I think about it, the more sure I am that it was before my dad died, when the three of us, including my mom, used to go every year—mainly so my dad could feast on the giant turkey legs and churros. I smile as I remember him always saying that it was around Christmas when he enjoyed splurging the most.
We enter the park and grab some hot dogs right away to fill the kids’ hungry tummies. By the time they’re done eating, they’re nearly bouncing with excitement and ready to start playing.
“Come on, kids! Let’s check out the petting zoo first!” I say, trying to contain my own eagerness. They nod enthusiastically, their little hands gripping mine tightly as we make our way toward the large tent with colorful flags waving above it.
As we step into the petting zoo, an overwhelming scent of hay, manure, and animals hits me like a wall, making my nose scrunch involuntarily, not that the kids seem to notice in the slightest. Despite the odor, there’s a certain charm to the place. The space is filled with various enclosures housing a variety of animals, from fluffy alpacas to adorable mini cows. The children’s faces light up at the sight of the creatures, and I can’t help but smile along with them.
“Look, Mom! Alpacas!” Olivia exclaims, tugging on my hand and leading me toward the enclosure. Their soft fur calls out to be touched, and Olivia hesitates for only a moment before reaching out to stroke one gently. I follow suit, marveling at the silky texture beneath my fingertips.
“Can we feed them?” Peter asks, his eyes wide with curiosity.
“Of course,” I reply, scanning the area for someone who might have food available for the animals. Spotting a nearby vendor, I quickly purchase some pellets and hand them to the eager children.
“Remember to be gentle and let them come to you,” I remind them, watching as they carefully hold out their hands, offering the food to the alpacas.
As the kids interact with the animals, I take a moment to soak in the atmosphere. The laughter of children and the sounds of the animals create a symphony that warms my heart. This is what life should be like—carefree, full of joy and new experiences.
“Mom, I want to feed the mini cows too!” Olivia announces, pulling me out of my thoughts. I nod, taking her hand as we make our way over to the next enclosure.
I’m unable to keep the smile off my face. It’s moments like these that make everything else worthwhile. All the struggle, all the heartache—it all fades away when I’m with my children, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“Mommy, look! They’re so small!” Peter exclaims as we reach the mini cows, his eyes wide with wonder.
“Yep, they sure are,” I agree, watching as he reaches out cautiously to pet one.
“Look, are those emus?” Hudson points out. “Let’s go check them out!”
I watch as Olivia and Peter continue to explore the petting zoo, their eyes full of wonder and excitement. Hudson follows close behind, his warm gaze never leaving them. A pang of gratitude fills me.
“Mind if I join you?” Benedict asks softly, falling in step beside me as we lag behind the kids.
“Of course not,” I reply, stealing a glance at his strong profile. The sun casts striking shadows across his face, highlighting the determination and warmth in his eyes.
