Page 122 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
The guide began her narration over the radio as we drove the cart down the path with all the other caged carts, going all the way to the end of the trail. On the walk back, we ran through the treetop course with the bridges. Then we stopped off at the ‘Wolf Den’ where a keeper gave a talk about the wolves.
The one I’d been watching yesterday, and this morning, came over to the fence. He got close and sniffed me. I yearned to pet him, but the keeper warned us about putting our fingers through the fence.
If not friend, why friend-shaped?
The wolf whined. I squatted down. “Hi, Wolfie. I wish I could pet you. Do you want to come home with me? Just don’t eat my cat.”
“He likes you. Huh,” the keeper told me. “He lost his mate and pups about a year ago and has disliked all women, to the point where we kept him away from the public for a while. Even now, he only really likes widows. Glad to know he’s working through his grief.”
It was a dagger in my heart. How did Wolfie know?
“Hey. It’s hard losing someone, isn’t it, Wolfie?” I asked, sitting there in the dirt.
Clark sat there with me, and I leaned against him, watching Wolfie, who laid down there with me, ignoring Clark.
Finally, we headed back to the lodge to meet Carlos and Dimitri at the bar. I kept looking around warily in case Matty came back.
“There you are.” JP appeared in the lobby. “Peter’s here. You need to meet him.”
Clark looked at his phone and his brows furrowed. “Peter?”
“My friend from university, he’s a goalie. He and Ladybug will be great friends.” JP dragged me to the bar where a bunch of people were drinking.
Including a guy in a cowboy hat?
“Peter!” JP called. “This is Ladybug. You’ll love her.”
Cowboy hat spun around. A giant grin broke out on his bearded face. “Babybug. I’m so happy to see you.”
“Cooter!” My heart exploded.
Cooter swung me around, like we’d been friends forever, instead of people who’d only ever talked on the phone and insta-chatted.
“Of course you know each other.” JP laughed.
“He’s besties with Bucket,” Dean joined us. “Hey, Cooter, is Bucket your date? Or did you bring your wife?”
“It’s Double-D-Cup! The wife didn’t come, she’s too busy wrestling bears,” Cooter laughed. “Tenny may not have realized who’s wedding we’re at. He’s up in the room, texting this one, because he’s a big sap.”
Awww. Cooter brought me Tenzin and didn’t tell him. Adorable.
Mmmm. Would Tenzin sleep over in our gigantic bed?
“Oh, Cooter, this is Clark,” I added, hauling both of them toward me. I took a picture of us, then sent it to Tenzin, who had texted me more than once.
Me
At the bar. Come down.
Tenzin
I’m going to kill Cooter.
Relief flowed through me. While I felt safe with Clark, I’d be even safer with both of them.
“Will someone tell me who Bucket is?” JP looked perplexed.
Dean laughed. “No, find out when you meet him like everyone else did.”
