Page 53 of The Impossible

I chuckled, then led her impatient ass into the zoo. It was open for business, so there were a lot of people here. As we moved, the guards moved as well, ensuring nothing or nobody got too close. I still had to move like someone was after her because with Shamus you never knew, especially since he didn’t yet know I was on to him.

We reached the back of the zoo in no time and that was when she saw it. The outside of the building wasn’t finished just yet, but there was a name on it… her name.

Patience’s Animal Sanctuary

I could tell the exact moment she saw what I saw because her jaw dropped and she stepped forward. “You bought me a zoo.”

When I didn’t respond right away, she turned and looked at me.

I shrugged. “I want you and everything you are outside of me. I don’t want our future or our family to be your everything because I know who you are and what makes you smile. This and that mean ass tiger cub makes you happy too. So hell yeah I bought you a zoo, and as you can tell, I am in the process of getting a state of the art sanctuary built for you to work out of. This is your space, so nobody can ever attempt to use it to control you.”

She was in my arms immediately, crying into my neck as I held her. “You really did this for me?”

“Told you I’d do anything, so this ain’t shit. Are you ready to see the main course?”

“You’ve already done everything. What more could you do, Hondo?”

I didn’t respond. With her body in my arms, I carried her toward the building. Once we entered, we were greeted by the staff assistant and one of the zookeepers already aware that we were coming through.

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Carter. Would you like a tour of the entire facility?” the senior zookeeper asked.

“Nah. Take her to him.” I put her down and followed her and the zookeeper. Even though we weren’t on a tour, we still had to travel through the other big cat territory before we reached the one where Zar was. As soon as she saw him, she ran to the glass. She was so happy that it oozed from her pores. Shamus had sold Zar to the Briar South Public Zoo and I was able to get him and most of the big cat collection back for a fraction of the cost and a lot of work on Otto’s side.

As if the cub sensed her presence, he went from lying on his back playing with a ball to standing on all fours. He looked in her direction before he rushed the glass, his tail wagging as he focused on her. The entire time she had been away from him, she feared he wouldn’t remember her or that he’d be mistreated, yet here he was.

She turned around and looked at me, her eyes holding a gleam I hadn’t seen since Shamus attempted to take him away from her.

“He’s yours, Nic,” I reminded her.

Her smile was so fucking bright I was smiling. Less than ten minutes later, she was in his habitat and he was all over her. He recognized her and from out here I could tell the lil motherfucker even missed her.

“It’s like he knows her. It’s been hell trying to get him to open up since he got here,” the zookeeper muttered.

“She’s been in his life since he arrived. All he knows is her.”

CHAPTER 13

Patience

I couldn’t pick a moment to be happiest about today. Everything was a lot and I was okay with that. It was a good lot, not the overwhelming type. The type that had me beaming like a kid during a rainbow while wearing rubber boots and stepping in puddles. He didn’t want to be my everything, but that was what he was. He entered my life and showed me what real love was. It wasn’t possession or sacrifice. It was presence without permission.

His presence without my permission. And damn am I happy he didn’t need it.

I played with Zar until I couldn’t anymore. Until it was time for me to leave and my husband promised I could come back tomorrow. Like a kid in a fucking toy store.

“Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me for doing what I’m supposed to do, Nic. I’m supposed to keep a smile on your face. I’m supposed to make sure you’re happy, safe, and content. I’m supposed to do everything I’m doing. Bare fucking minimum.” He put emphasis on the word supposed every time he said it.

I smiled hard, then used his chin hair to turn his face in my direction. “It’s not to me.” Then I leaned forward and mashed my lips against his. “I love you and I’m grateful for all that you do, even though you said it’s the bare minimum.”

That smile I loved so much was on his lips as his hand went under my T-shirt. “I love you too, Nic. Shit, I’m lowkey obsessed with your wild animal loving ass.”

For the rest of the ride, we talked, with me loving every bit of his company while he indulged my every whim and worry. Then we arrived at his mother’s house. I held on to the box of pastries from Best Kept Secret and walked into the house. As expected, she was in the kitchen. That was something I’d learned about her early. She had many people who worked to manage her house and take care of things, but cooking and making sure people were fed was her thing. Before she married Mr. Carter, she had been a chef working toward her own restaurant that she ultimately gave up because she found that she enjoyed being a homemaker more.

“While I wasn’t expecting to see you today, my baby girl, I am glad. Now what’s this you brought me?” she asked, drying her hands and reaching for the box.

“So this is the place that made my wedding cake, remember?”