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.

the lions, where Alec pointed to the large male resting beneath a

those around us

that." Alec commented

the time." Aspen answered without taking her eyes from the lion. "But where are Simba and Scar? And Timon

I answered, "Maybe they are shy and

"Oh, okay."

tigers, wolves—even a small reptile house where Aspen made us all jump by

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

try it?

looked at me first. "Mind if I spoil her

my eyes.

soon Aspen was holding a giant puff of

the most magical thing she'd

she murmured, eyes wide. "It tastes

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

of stuffed animals. She gasped again. "Mommy! Look! A monkey!

one do you want?" Alec asked, already

But... can

"Challenge accepted," he smirked.

arms and watched he handed

few tickets. It was

toss-easy to play, nearly

"Good luck," I teased.

the first

Second. Missed again.

embarrass yourself in front of your little

his eyes playfully and huffed, "Do I get

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

in.

again.

attendant handed over the plush monkey and Alec presented it to