by Laurel Kerr
He nodded. He could talk about ice cream. “Moose Tracks.”
Katie nodded and scrambled to her feet. “Let’s all move downstairs so Lou can join us. In fact, let’s have an ice cream picnic in the zoo.”
* * *
A short time later, they were sitting on the benches outside the permanent cougar enclosure. Fleur crouched behind a clump of newly planted sagebrush, her tawny black-tipped ears just visible above the silvery-green plant. Tonks sat on one of the rocks, using the shadow of the larger boulder to camouflage herself. Below, Dobby drank from his water dish, seemingly oblivious to his sisters’ whereabouts. Fleur jumped first and then Tonks. Dobby, the little sneak, was ready for both of them when they landed.
Abby giggled beside Bowie as the trio tussled. The kits had grown even lankier as they edged toward adulthood. Their spots had all but disappeared. But much to the delight of the zoo visitors, the little pumas had grown even more playful as they tested their jumping, pouncing, and stalking abilities. Bowie could spend hours watching the mountain lions explore their world, not that he normally had the time.
The cougars weren’t the only zoo residents joining their celebration. On their way from the house, they’d run into Fluffy lurking near Frida’s enclosure. Instead of having Abby catch him, Bowie had told her to run to the zoo office and grab some honey-covered larvae. The rascal was happily munching the treat under the shade of the bench.
“This was a perfect idea,” Bowie told Katie as he dug into his sundae. They’d heated hot fudge in the microwave and found some cherries in the back of the refrigerator.
“Mmm-hmmm,” she said between mouthfuls of ice cream.
“So Bowie mentioned that you got a job offer out in California,” Lou said.
Bowie froze at the statement. Some of his joy slipped away. He wanted to look at Katie’s face. Study her. See her reaction. But he was afraid his own expression would give too much away. He and Katie might have confessed their love for each other, but they hadn’t discussed the future. As much as Bowie wanted to ask Katie to marry him, he also didn’t want to be the reason that she gave up her dream.
Katie swallowed the ice cream she was eating and then nodded. “Yep, I did get a job offer, but I decided on the plane ride that I’m going to turn it down.”
Bowie jerked his head up at her response. He found Katie looking at him, her gaze warm and welcoming. When she spoke, she addressed him before turning to Lou. “I like running my own business, and Sagebrush has become home again. I missed all of you when I was away.”
Bowie’s heart took off like a cheetah after an antelope. Katie was staying in Sagebrush for good. Beside him, Abby perked up as well.
“You missed us?” she asked, glancing speculatively at Bowie and Katie.
“Of course,” Katie said. “I bought you souvenirs, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I left them at my place.”
“Does this feel like home?” Abby asked, pointing downward with her spoon to indicate the zoo rather than Sagebrush at large. As if to echo Abby’s question, Tonks emitted a loud squeak as she pounced on her sister.
“Abby…” Bowie warned, worried about this line of inquiry.
She uncharacteristically ignored him and plowed ahead. “Does it?”
“Abby,” Bowie said more sharply. “Katie’s had a long trip, and she doesn’t want to play Twenty Questions.”
“But since she’s forgiven you, and if this feels like home, then you can ask Katie to—”
To Bowie’s surprise, it was Lou who stopped Abby from blurting out the m-word.
“Abby, that’s enough,” he said.
Wide-eyed, Katie glanced at all three of them. “What is going on?”
Abby was more than happy to enlighten her. “I think you and Dad should—”
Bowie jumped up from his seat on the bench. The movement was so sudden that even the pumas stopped playing to stare at him. He didn’t stop to think or worry. He simply dropped to one knee and pulled out Gretchen’s engagement ring.
Katie’s spoon fell to the gravel. Abby squealed. Lou remained respectfully silent, but his eyes twinkled. The cubs moved to the fence. They sat in a perfect row, watching the proceedings as their tails gently swished behind them.
For a moment, Bowie froze. He might have been even more surprised than Katie as he held the ring out to her. He’d wanted to engineer a unique YouTube-worthy proposal, but when Abby almost blurted out the word marry, he’d just reacted. He didn’t want his daughter to beat him to the question.
Then the words came. “Katie Underwood, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
* * *
Katie stared at the ring in dumbfounded surprise. This time, it wasn’t the high-school girl squealing inside her; it was the woman. Until Bowie had dropped to his knee, Katie hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted marriage—at least marriage to him. It was right. This was what she had been missing during her trip to the West Coast. Home. Bowie was home. So were Abby, Lou, Katie’s family, and even the zoo.
But Bowie was central.
He was hers, and she was his. They fit. Not in some teenage girl’s fantasy. Maybe not even on paper.
But in life. They fit. Perfectly.
“Yes.” Katie’s answer came out as a squeak but an audible one.
At her response, a wide, bright smile instantly smoothed Bowie’s increasingly anxious expression. Almost from a distance, Katie heard Abby’s happy shriek. Then Katie was swept off the bench and into Bowie’s arms. They were both laughing as he spun her around. Still holding her, he pressed his lips against hers in a kiss of pure joy.
When Bowie set Katie down, Abby immediately launched herself in Katie’s direction. The girl almost barreled her over, but Katie managed to keep them upright. Glancing over Abby’s shoulder, she spotted Lou clapping Bowie on the shoulder. Behind them, the cubs had resumed their play, their pounces even more exuberant than usual. Katie swore the honey badger even smiled at her. When Katie caught Bowie’s gaze, she saw her own joy reflected there.
* * *
“I didn’t think it was possible, but you look even sexier as an archaeologist than as a pirate,” Katie said as she reached up to tug playfully on Bowie’s fedora. They had just finished filming a video to announce Lulubelle’s pregnancy, and Bowie had dressed like Indiana Jones. Beside him, Lulubelle heaved a huge, besotted sigh.
Bowie chuckled as he patted the camel’s neck. “I appreciate the compliment, Lulubelle, but you don’t want to make Hank jealous.”
The camel turned her liquid-brown eyes in the direction of her mate, who made a rumbling sound in his throat. With another laugh, Bowie led the duo back to the llama pen. The herd looked up briefly at their entrance and then returned to chewing. Bowie shut the double gate and extended his hand to Katie. She took it and positioned their entwined fingers so that Gretchen’s ring glinted in the sunlight. Bowie watched with a smile as she gazed down at it.
“I can’t believe we’re engaged,” Katie said. She had repeated the same statement multiple times since his proposal yesterday, but Bowie didn’t care. He loved hearing the wonder in her voice.
“Me neither,” he told her.
“The ring is beautiful,” Katie said as she stretched out their hands to admire it. “It’s so special knowing it was Gretchen’s.”
“You would have liked each other,” Bowie said.
Katie pressed her body against his as they walked. Resting her head on his shoulder, she tilted her chin in his direction. He glanced down, and the love on her face transfixed him. He stopped walking and gently brushed back her hair.
Her lips formed a soft, sexy smile that swept through Bowie like a warm tropical breeze. “You know,” Katie said slowly as she played at the lapel of his shirt, “it’s after closing time, and my mom is watching Abby.”
They’d stopped by her parents�
� ranch after their ice cream picnic yesterday to announce their engagement. If either of her parents had watched the video, they hadn’t mentioned it. Instead, her mother had beamed and enveloped Bowie in a hug. Even her father seemed pleased—or at least he didn’t seem upset. Bowie still couldn’t read the man, but Katie said he was happy.
Katie’s mom had offered to watch Abby this evening. Although Abby made some sounds of protest, Katie’s mom told her that the two adults needed time alone to plan for the wedding. Since it was Friday, Katie’s mom promised Abby that the two of them could stay up late watching a marathon of preteen movies.
“What do you have in mind?” Bowie asked as he dipped his head so his lips hovered mere inches from hers.
Katie’s grin turned wicked. “Well, you know what these costumes do to me.”
Bowie snaked his arms about her midsection. “I might have an idea.”
They kissed then. It was hot and sweet at the same time, and the fire it created blazed through Bowie. Katie broke off the embrace and, with a laugh, grabbed his fedora and stuck it on her head. She looked adorable, and he reached for her again. But she slipped away and took off at a run toward the animal hospital. This was one chase Bowie didn’t mind having. Letting her lead, he followed her straight to the air mattress.
She stood in the small room with a satisfied look on her face that was similar to Fluffy’s when the honey badger spied a treat. Bowie’s heart squeezed. He reached for her red hair, letting the soft locks slide through his fingers. She was beautiful, his Katie.
She reached up and gently undid his shirt. She took her time removing the fabric, and the heat threatened to turn him into an inferno. When she pressed her lips against his exposed skin, his eyes fluttered closed as he cupped the back of her head. She explored his body as if discovering it for the first time. His shirt dropped to the floor. He tugged at hers, and she pulled back to let him remove it. He kissed her then, long, sweet, and deep. They fell on the bed together, a tangle of limbs.
Despite the fire burning inside him, Bowie kept the pace slow, and so did she. This was a moment to savor, a slow, delicious glide into oblivion. With no more barriers between them, their lovemaking had deepened. It contained an emotional element that slipped inside Bowie and filled him with a sense of belonging he’d never felt before. When they joined, it was a completion that went beyond the physical. His release shuddered through him, cracking through his old doubts and fears and leaving him utterly replete. He rolled their bodies so they lay side by side, still pressed against each other. Katie snuggled close, her hand lightly stroking his back.
“It’s never been like that for me.”
He pressed a kiss against her temple. “Me neither.”
“I love you,” Katie said.
“I love you too.” Bowie leaned over and captured her mouth with his. As they sank into each other again, affection swelled inside him, almost undoing him. It was overwhelming, this need for Katie, yet also so comforting, so perfect, so right.
She propped herself on one elbow. “You know what, Bowie Wilson? I think we’ve started something special.”
He brushed a tendril of red hair from her face, his heart full of affection. “I think so too.”
* * *
Fluffy did not leave his enclosure that night. He was staying in. He’d earned at least one night off from patrolling the zoo. After all, he’d chased away not one but two snakes. He’d even hurt his paw twice in the process.
And he’d succeeded in his long-term plan. He just knew it. It wouldn’t be long until more wee ones were running about the zoo giving him well-deserved honeyed treats.
Epilogue
Not too many weddings feature a capybara as a flower girl or a cockatoo as a ring bearer, Bowie thought while the rodent picked her way down the aisle with the parrot riding on her back. But their inclusion in the ceremony suited Katie and him perfectly. Watching the bird bob her head along to the “Wedding March” as Sylvia ambled down the white runner calmed Bowie’s nerves. They’d practiced this part of the ceremony for weeks. One of the hardest parts had been finding a pillow to attach to Sylvia’s back that had a compartment for the rings that Rosie couldn’t open.
He and Katie had chosen to get married in front of Fleur’s and Tonks’s enclosure. Dobby had been relocated about a month ago to a well-regarded zoo on the East Coast. His new keeper kept Bowie updated on the puma’s progress. He was settling into his new home just fine and was getting along with the female. Once Dobby reached sexual maturity, the new zoo hoped to breed more cubs, since the two were a good genetic match.
Fleur’s and Tonks’s exhibit was on the edge of the Sagebrush Zoo, which provided plenty of space to set up chairs for the ceremony. Bowie and Katie’s brothers had installed poles and hung netting in case Rosie chose to fly off. For the reception, they’d set up tables throughout the zoo. In addition to food for the human guests, all the zoo residents were getting special treats. Frida, in particular, would be presented with an elaborate, tiered ice treat that mirrored a wedding cake. The whole town had turned out. The local news crew had wanted to attend too, but Katie and Bowie had promised to send the station a video instead. They’d been receiving well wishes from around the world, which had only increased Bowie’s nervousness.
Sylvia trotted over to Katie’s brother Mike, just as they’d practiced. Mike bent over to give both animals a treat. He carefully placed Rosie in a white cage, and Sylvia dutifully plunked down beside him, sitting proudly on her haunches. She stuck her head in the air, looking as noble as a kidney-shaped animal could. Bowie couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. He swore the old girl knew how important this event was.
Abby came down the aisle next, beaming from ear to ear, with June following her. At the sight of his daughter in her junior bridesmaid dress, Bowie’s eyes misted. She looked so grown up with her gown and upswept hairdo.
Abby had already taken to calling Katie “Mom.” Katie’s brother Luke had drawn up paperwork so Katie could legally become Abby’s mother after the wedding. It pleased Bowie how easily Katie had become part of Abby’s life. He often found the two of them giggling about something or watching girlie movies. He never knew when he’d stumble upon June either. At least Josh let Bowie know when he was dropping by. He was the only one, since Katie’s family also popped in at random.
Not that Bowie minded. He liked being part of a big family, especially since Katie’s brothers were no longer gunning for him. For about a week after Sawyer posted the pig-kissing video, Katie’s brothers had given Bowie a hard time. Fed up, Katie had called a family meeting. With Bowie’s permission, she’d explained his family history. To Bowie’s surprise, Katie’s father had also come to his defense.
“Boys, you all did dumb-ass things as teenagers—a lot of them to your sister. A lot of kids with Bowie’s background end up addicted to drugs, in jail, or dead. Probably all three. Bowie didn’t, and I give him credit for making something of himself. He’s a decent father, a good son to Lou, and a successful businessman. Your sister picked him, and your mother and I have no objections. Cease yours. That’s an order.”
The brothers had grumbled, but they’d relented. Personally, Bowie thought they were having too much fun making his life miserable. They evidently had a diabolical streak as wide as his. Heaven help the guy who messed with any Underwood or Wilson female, since that guy would have the five of them to contend with.
Thoughts of Katie’s family fled as the woman herself appeared. Riding Hank. Lulubelle trotted behind on a lead rope. She was about two-thirds of the way through her long pregnancy and was doing well. The awkward duo practically pranced down the aisle. Both camels wore beautiful, hand-embroidered covers on their humps that June and Josh had specially ordered from the Middle East. However, Lulubelle’s goofy, grinning face prevented the animal from appearing too regal.
Katie, on the other hand, looked like a pr
incess or a queen. She rode sidesaddle with surprising ease, her train draped over one of Hank’s flanks. Although Bowie had taught Katie how to ride, he hadn’t seen her in her wedding dress. She’d never looked more beautiful. She’d forgone both a veil and a tiara, choosing instead to stud her hair with white roses.
But it was Katie’s smile that truly arrested Bowie. The joy there reflected the happiness filling his heart. And there was peace in her expression. A comfort and a certainty that this was right. She’d turned down that impressive job offer and never looked back. Her freelance business was going strong. Her interview blitz on the West Coast had earned her several loyal clients, and after the videos went viral, she’d also gotten work from other animal parks and rescue centers looking to improve their outreach.
The Sagebrush Zoo was doing great. Their list of volunteers had swelled, and Bowie had funds to hire more staff. That had freed up his schedule enough for him to enroll in online classes. It would take time, but he was working toward a degree in zoology. They’d also received the grant money for the polar bears and were in the process of getting ready for the arrival of a cub or two.
Bowie stepped forward to help Katie dismount. She did so flawlessly. June stepped forward to hold Hank’s reins. As Bowie and Katie joined hands in front of the minister, Fleur and Tonks chose that moment to peek over the boulders, which were framed by the tent of netting. The crowd gasped and then clapped with delight. Even the noise did not scare the cats away. They stared down as if wanting to watch what they had unwittingly set in motion.
And there at the edge of his zoo, Bowie Wilson married Katie Underwood, the woman who’d crashed back into his life and permanently stolen his heart.
* * *
Fluffy did not attend the wedding. He had more important matters to address. More important even than exploring the multitiered cake he’d spied being wheeled past his enclosure.
No, Fluffy had to deal with her. The interloper.
The object of his frustration stared at him. Smugly. He growled. She preened.
