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“Oh myGod,” Ruby says, looking up as one of the giraffes peers over the top of the wall at her. “This is amazing.”
Fiona is delighted by her delight. “Let’s go out here. Speir will let you pet her.”
Ruby looks like a little kid as Fiona leads her into the outdoor yard where four giraffes are hanging out.
When they see Fiona, they start in her direction.
Ruby laughs. “Do they think it’s feeding time?”
“They just love her,” Knox says, referring to his wife, an affectionate note in his voice as he watches the animals approach. “They don’t need treats to come to her. The rest of us? Definitely.”
“They’re so gorgeous,” Ruby says, awe in her voice as one giraffe reaches where Fiona is standing and bows its head so she can rub his nose.
“I don’t know why people get so enamored with them. They’re really just tall cows,” Knox says. “They make ahugemess, take up a ton of space, and are expensive as hell to keep.”
Fiona laughs. “You’re just grumpy because the inspector is coming tomorrow.”
“The inspector is comingagaintomorrow. She was just here,” he grouses. “There’s so much paperwork when she shows up.”
“You love paperwork,” Fiona reminds him. “Helping run this animal park should be your idea of heaven.”
“Helping run this animal park while also helping run this town has gotten meovermy love of paperwork,” Knox says.
Fiona gasps. “Say it isn’t so.” She grins at Ruby. “He’s lying. It’s not the paperwork he doesn’t like when the inspector comes.It’s that he has to pretend not to notice her flirting but still be nice and polite while turning down all her advances.” She gives her husband a grin. “Nice and polite are a little tough for Knox when people are being…”
“Irritating. Annoying. Rude. Audacious,” he fills in.
Fiona laughs. “Those things.”
Three of the giraffes are vying for Fiona’s attention, and Ruby is able to rub their noses and necks. The look on her face is absolutely gorgeous. I love seeing her free from pressure and having joyful experiences that require no work or worry from her.
Iamgoing to make more things like this happen for her. I know she’ll be consumed by school for the next few years, but after that, I’ll take her around the world.
The fourth giraffe lumbers over and is clearly headed directly for Knox. It grabs his hat in its teeth, tossing it to the ground, then nuzzling its snout into Knox’s hair.
Knox laughs, pushing it back, but stroking the animal’s nose. “I’m married with two kids,” he says, still clearly talking about the flirty inspector. “I shouldn’t have to turn down any advances from anyone.”
“Being an amazing dad just makes you hotter,” Fiona says, clearly unbothered by this other woman’s flirting. “It’s not her fault.”
“Oh my God,” Knox mutters.
It seems they’ve had this conversation before.
“What about my hot, kickass wife?” Knox asks. “Shouldn’t this woman worry about messing with the husband of a woman who knows how to wrangle tigers?”
Fiona laughs. “I think she’s holding out for a threesome.”
Knox stops and turns toward his wife. “What?”
Fiona shrugs. “I flirt with her too.”
“I repeat,what?” Knox says.
“I want good inspections! This animal park has a lot going on and we need to stay on her good side!” Fiona tosses her hair. “I think she’s into me too.”
“So you’re making her think we’re going tosleep with her?” Knox demands.
Ruby and I exchange a look. She’s trying not to laugh. I’m not surprised by this exchange. Iamsurprised that Knox still hasn’t completely figured out when Fiona is screwing with him, though. I’ve always found the way our princess keeps the big, grumpy guy on his toes entertaining.