Palmer frowned and turned to glare at him. “No, Daddy.” If he made her go back inside to potty, she might bite him! Well, not really. She was a good girl, but she’d at least think very hard about it.
“Then why are you doing the potty dance?”
“I don’t need to potty. I’m just so excited!”
Chuckling , Beau smiled. “I’m glad you’re excited, baby.”
The couple reached the young woman who was waiting on them and Beau smiled before shaking her hand. “Good afternoon,” Beau greeted.
“Good afternoon, Master Beau. Good afternoon, Palmer. My name is Reese and I’ll be showing you around the zoo.”
“That’s a very big birdie,” Palmer said, her eyes wide as she watched the African Gray Parrot carefully balancing on Reese’s shoulder.
“His name is Bossy P.” Reese laughed. “He’s very sweet.”
“I’m a sweet boy,” the bird chirped, making Palmer startle a bit.
Beau placed his hand on her back, steading her.
“Which animals were you most excited to see?” Reese asked, probably sensing Palmer’s nerves.
“Stella!” Palmer answered quickly. “And the goats! And Alfie! And maybe the sheeps!”
“Perfect!” Reese said, laughing and clapping her hands together. “We can start with the goats.”
Beau held Palmer’s hand tightly as she listened to Reese talk about the petting zoo full of rescued animals.
“They’re different?” Palmer asked, her voice stoic.
“They are and their differences would make it hard for them to live on working farms. That’s why they’re perfect for our Perfectly Imperfect Petting Zoo,” Reese explained.
Beau’s heart hurt as he watched the emotions roll across Palmer’s sweet face.
“It’s sad that other ranches didn’t want the animals because they were different, but I’m glad you gave them a place to belong,” she said, after a moment.
Reese smiled. “At Rawhide everyone belongs. Even bossy birds and alpacas that think they’re horses.”
Palmer carefully considered her words. Rawhide really was a wonderful home to everyone—people and animals.
“Do you want to feed the goats?” Reese asked, holding out a little cup of feed from her bag.
Palmer bounced on her heels. “Can I, Daddy?”
“Absolutely!” Beau said with a smile.
Reese handed Palmer the cup. “Just pour a little in your hand and keep your palm flat,” she explained, demonstrating as she walked toward the goat pen.
Palmer copied her very carefully, pouring a tiny pile into her palm and stretching her hand out just like Reese had. Then she looked up at Beau, waiting.
“Great job, pretty baby!” he praised.
Palmer beamed. She wasn’t sure there was a better feeling than making her Daddy proud.
Once they were inside the goats’ habitat, she held her hand out bravely. A small goat with soft white fur approached slowly, her little hooves tapping the ground.
“Her name is Clara,” Reese said.
“Hi, Clara!” Palmer greeted politely.