“Really?” Wyatt seemed excited by it, too. “Let's check it out.”
“It starts every hour, on the hour,” Lily said. “Looks like another one will begin in twenty minutes.”
“Perfect, let's do it.” Wyatt took a step forward and his hand brushed Lily's.
She paused for a moment and wondered if he'd done it on purpose. She almost reached for his hand again, but stopped herself.
“Daddy! Aunt Wiwee!” Maggie's voice called out over the crowd of people. Lily looked straight ahead, to see Maggie jumping up and down in excitement in the distance. She was standing in front of a giant fenced in area, which had two camels in it. There were people riding the camels and Maggie was pointing at them, while trying to get Lily and Wyatt's attention.
“Look what Maggie found,” Wyatt said, with a laugh. “Didn't take her too long to find the animals.”
They approached Maggie and when they did, she was still jumping up and down.
“Camels!” she squealed.
Her high-pitched voice caused one of the camels to look over toward her.
“I think that one likes you,” Lily said, patting Maggie on top of the head.
“Yeah, he does,” Maggie agreed. “That one's my friend.”
“Looks like you can ride them,” Wyatt said. “You want to go for a ride, Maggie?”
Maggie's eyes widened and she nodded. She had the same expression on her face that Lily would have had if she'd won the lottery.
“Yes, please,” she said, staring in awe at her father.
“Let's get in line,” Wyatt said, taking Maggie's hand.
Lily followed them up to the line, which only had a few people in it. Since there were two camels, it didn't take but a few minutes before they were at the front.
“Alright, folks. Step on up.” A young guy with long blonde hair and an overenthusiastic smile ushered them toward the gate. “How many are riding today?”
Wyatt glanced back toward Lily and then placed his hand onto her lower back. He gently ushered her forward so that she was standing next to he and Maggie.
“Three of us,” Wyatt said.
“Sounds good,” the guy said. “The little Mrs. there is just a little bit too short, so she can't ride alone. One of you will have to go with her.”
“What do you think?” Lily asked. “If you want, you guys can go ahead and I'll just find a place to sit and watch.”
“No way,” Wyatt said, with a smirk. “I want you to ride with us. Come on, how many times in your life will you get a chance to ride a real camel?”
Lily laughed. “Fair enough.” She turned to face the attendant. “How many can ride on the camel? Can both of us adults go with her?”
“Absolutely,” the guy said. “In fact, it's safer that way. We'll just put your daughter in the middle. One of you sit in front of her and the other behind.”
Lily smiled as the stranger referred to Maggie as their daughter. She didn't bother correcting him and neither did Wyatt. That was the second time that someone had assumed she and Wyatt was a couple and that Maggie was their daughter. Even though it wasn't true, she still liked the feeling of being recognized that way.
The young man led them up the staircase and whistled. One of the camels slowly turned his head and walked over. He took his merry time, his head bobbing randomly around with each step. Lily giggled as he got close. The camel's lips stuck out, making him look like he was doing a giant, exaggerated puppy dog face.
; On the back of the camel was a wooden platform. It was held up by the two giant bumps in his back. On the platform was padded seating. Lily crawled onto the camel's back and situated herself in the rear seat. She helped Maggie get in the middle and then watched Wyatt make his way into the front one.
“Don't spit at me,” Wyatt said, to the camel. “And please don't buck me off or anything.”
“I don't think camels buck,” Lily said, laughing.