Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 242

We got out of the car. The air smelled like pine and sunshine, and Aspen was

practically dragging us toward the enclosures before we'd even paid the entrance f*e.

"Looook!" she squealed. "That one's got a funny tail!"

"That's a lemur," Alec said, keeping pace with her tiny footsteps. "They live in Madagascar."

Aspen frowned up at him. "Where's that?"

"A magical land very far away," he teased, tickling her side.

I couldn't help but laugh. "He means it's an island off the coast of Africa."

Aspen's eyes widened. "Is that where giraffes live?"

Alec and I exchanged a glance before he said, "Close enough."

Alec then lifted her up and put her on his shoulder so that she could have a better view of all the animals. Her eyes were wide with excitement. She pressed herself forward on Alec's shoulders, peering over the fences and into each exhibit like she was hunting for treasure.

"Look, Mommy! An elephant!" she gasped, pointing dramatically.

Alec looked at me and grinned. "Wanna tell her about elephants or should I?"

"Go ahead," I said, already amused.

He adjusted Aspen slightly so she could see better. "Okay, little butterfly, elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They can weigh over six tons, and they're really smart-kind of like Uncle Jason when he's not talking."

Aspen giggled. "Do they have wings?"

"Nope," I said, coming to walk beside them. "But they flap their ears like wings to cool off."

"Whaaat?" Her jaw dropped in disbelief.

large male resting

laughed softly as those

know that." Alec commented with a

me watch lion king all the time." Aspen answered without taking her

around here somewhere." I answered, "Maybe they are shy

"Oh, okay."

wolves—even a small reptile house where Aspen made us all jump by shrieking at a

filled with candy and stuffed animals. Aspen gasped at the sight of pink, fluffy cotton candy and tugged on Alec's

I try

me first. "Mind if I

eyes.

nodded, and soon Aspen was holding a giant puff of sugar, licking it like

magical

murmured, eyes wide.

laughed, and Alec reached out to wipe some sugar from her cheek with a gentleness that made my stomach

of the booths, Aspen's eyes locked on the wall of stuffed animals. She gasped

want?" Alec

But... can

"Challenge accepted," he smirked.

watched he handed the man

tickets. It

to play, nearly impossible to

"Good luck," I teased.

the first ring.

Second. Missed again.

of your

eyes playfully and huffed, "Do I

tell him that he'll get Aspen's adoration, said girl

determination set in. He threw

again.

over the plush monkey and Alec presented it to