Page 84 of Versions Of Us

“She’s beautiful! And you’re smiling. See? I knew I could cheer you up.”

I shake my head at her, although I am grateful for this distraction. “You know, these things spit when they’re angry.”

“They do not,” she insists, reaching out to pat the alpaca. “You’re making that up.”

“I’m really not.”

And just to prove my point, Lola rears her head back and hisses at her. Mackenzie jumps backward in fright, clinging onto me for dear life and I can’t help the laughter that bursts from me.

“You weren’t kidding,” she says, her eyes still wide.

“No. I really wasn’t.” I fold my arms across my chest as Mackenzie gives me a playful shove.

“Mackenzie!” A familiar voice says. “It’s nice to see you here.”

“Uh, hi, Pamela.” Mackenzie’s smile falters.

Pamela Riley stands inside the small fence that contains the animals. I should have known better than to let Mackenzie drag me over here. Kristen’s mother runs the petting zoo every year. When her eyes find mine, I wonder what she sees in them.

Failure, probably.

But if she hates me for what I’ve done to her daughter she doesn’t let on.

“Oh. Hi, Alex,” she says. “Good to see you back in town.”

“Thanks. It’s good to be back.” I can’t think of anything else to say so I stand there awkwardly.

Great. The first time I’m seeing Kristen’s mum in over six months and it’s here, at a petting zoo she’s running. With Mackenzie literally hanging off my arm.

God, this is not what I need right now.

Mackenzie has the good sense to break the tension. I make a mental note to thank her for it later. “So, Pamela. How old are these little goats? They look so tiny.”

“These ones are nearly eight weeks old,” Pam replies. “They’re getting a little impatient because it’s their feeding time. Would you like to come in and help me out?”

“Oh, I… I don’t know about that,” she begins.

“Come on, it’s easy. I’ll show you what to do.” Pam opens the gate for her to enter. She looks to me for what seems like approval, and I give her a nod, urging her on.

“Okay, I guess it couldn’t hurt,” she agrees.

Pam ushers Mackenzie inside as the baby cow pushes toward the gate. “Hold up, Daisy! Sorry, you’ll have to excuse her. She’s had enough of being contained and wants to escape.”

Mackenzie laughs lightly, giving Daisy a pat on the head. I watch as Pam instructs her to feed the goat. I don’t miss the way Mackenzie’s face lights up as the goat begins to greedily nurse from the bottle.

“That’s it. Look! You’re a natural,” Pam says to her.

And she’s right. Mackenzie looks completely at ease with the goats as they all herd around her.

She giggles as Daisy nuzzles her hair and a chicken pecks at her shoe. “Yeah, this is actually pretty cool.”

“So… not lame then?” I question, one eyebrow raised, my arms still folded across my chest.

She rolls her eyes and tries to hide the smile that creeps across her face.

“Would you mind if I took a picture for the clinic’s Instagram page?” Pam asks.

“Sure,” Mackenzie replies.

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