Page 82 of Falling For You

One of the kids turned to me, wide-eyed. “Is it real? Or did you guys paint it?”

I chuckled. “Nope. No paint was used. She’s a new resident at our zoo, but we haven’t introduced her to the public yet.”

Millie laughed. “I guess she felt it was time.”

“Barcode apparently figured out how to open the gate,” my dad muttered, shaking his head.

Sienna scowled. “Dad, it’s not Barcode. Her name is Macy, regardless of what Liam is telling you.”

“I don’t know. Barcode is pretty clever.” My dad chuckled.

Sienna shook her head as the gathering crowd grew, while Liam slowly started coaxing the zebra with kisses and a carrot.

“Why does your brother have a carrot with him?” my mom asked, frowning.

“I don’t even want to know the answer to that.”

My parents chuckled as Beck, carrying a rope, went out with Liam to wrangle Macy.

“Should we help?” Sienna asked as Fifi came up behind us.

I laughed and shook my head. “Nah, let’s have the boys handle it. Way more fun this way.”

“Liam, grab the rope!” Beck hollered, darting after the zebra, who was currently turning directions for fun. “I dropped it by you.”

“I’m trying!” Liam fumbled with the length of rope in his hands. “This thing’s faster than it looks!”

Macy flicked her tail and trotted ahead, completely unfazed by the growing spectacle. Kids and adults laughed and pointed while others snapped pictures on their phones. It was starting to feel like a parade—except the zebra was the only act.

Beck made another lunge, but Macy zigged just in time. Beck stumbled, barely catching himself. “You said she was tame!”

“Sheistame!” Liam called back, finally managing to loop the rope. “She’s just… feeling a littlespiritedtoday.”

“Spirited? Try frisky,” Beck growled, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “The dang zebra’s got more spirit than half the town!”

Liam threw the rope and missed Macy entirely. “Okay, new plan.”

“What’s the new plan?”

“We wait for her to get tired.”

Beck glanced at Macy, who was now nibbling on a mum pot. “Yeah, well, she’s not the only one who’s tired.”

Macy flicked her ears, clearly enjoying her adventure as Liam gently got the rope around her.

The crowd cheered, and my brothers took a bow.

We needed this levity.

It was also the perfect break to let the dwindling volunteers disperse. My parents wandered over to Macy and my brothers while my sisters chatted with Millie.

I looked around the lake and couldn’t help but pause at the hotel where Owen was staying. The glowing, warm window reflections bouncing off the lake looked so inviting. It was hard to believe I would have done anything to be there with him yesterday. And today, I just wanted to crumple.

But I didn’t. It was time to fight for what was right.

Buttercup Lake had always been my home, my heart. And now, with everything on the line, I realized just how much it meant to me.

More than I had ever admitted to myself.

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