Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(93)

Lillith actually looked conflicted. “I know he’ll hate to miss out on spending the day with us, but I think what he’s doing now is more important.”

Half an hour later Bryn sat in the backseat of one of her grandparents’ many SUVs on her way to Dragon’s Bluff. Didn’t these people worry about gas mileage or the environment?

“Bryn, did you hear me?” her grandmother said.

Oops. “No, sorry, my mind was drifting.”

“What were you thinking about?”

This was one of those times where a partial truth would be for the best. “I was thinking about cars and learning to drive.”

“Jaxon has his license.” Pride was evident in Lillith’s voice.

What was the dragon equivalent of the DMV? Dragon of motor vehicles rather than department of motor vehicles? “Good for him. I’m not sure how the whole driver’s license thing works.”

Lillith blinked. “His father taught him how to drive, and he took the driver’s test. How else would it work?”

“Where did he take the test?”

“He scheduled an appointment with the transportation director. I’m not sure where they went driving.” Then it was like a lightbulb went off in Lillith’s mind. “We should ask Jaxon to teach you to drive.”

That had bad idea written all over it. “I’m not sure I’m ready for lessons yet.”

Her grandmother nodded, but said nothing. Great. Now if she ever mentioned wanting to learn how to drive, she’d be stuck with Jaxon as a teacher. Talk about a lose-lose situation.

They rode in silence until the driver dropped them off in front of a baby boutique. As far as Bryn could tell, the difference between a store and a boutique was anyone could enter a store, but you had to be buzzed into a boutique. Did the boutiques ever refuse to let anyone in? Maybe you had to make a certain amount of money before they thought you were worth their time.

Inside the store, Lillith kept picking up baby blankets and saying, “Isn’t this adorable?”

Bryn figured it was her role to smile and nod. Which was fine. She could do that. Her grandmother disappeared into another part of the store. Lillith didn’t seem to notice.

A flash of color across the aisle caught Bryn’s eye, and she investigated. Rainbow-colored fish swam on a bright blue ocean of a blanket. She picked it up and carried it back to Lillith. “Look at this. It’s bright and happy.”

“It’s cute.” Lillith scanned the store. “Where did you find it?”

Bryn led Lillith over to the section with the ocean-themed mobile and bassinet.

“The bed is a bit much.” Lillith ran her fingers over the mobile. “But I love this.”

Bryn’s grandmother returned with a pale blue gift bag in hand. “If you promise not to cry, you may open this here.”

“I make no such promise.” Lillith took the bag and pulled out a pale blue blanket. The middle was soft and fuzzy, but the edges were bound in a silky blue material. The border was decorated with snowflakes.

“It’s lovely.” Lillith sniffled.

“They have the matching mobile if you’d like to see it.” Her grandmother pointed to middle of the boutique. “It’s over there.”

Lillith shoved the ocean blanket back at Bryn and walked off to investigate the snow-themed section.

“Oh, dear. Now she’s looking at that tacky snowman mobile.” Her grandmother took off after Lillith.

Manipulate much? Bryn folded the fish blanket and placed it back on the shelf.

One thing for sure, she had a whole new appreciation for her grandmother’s ability to corral people into doing what she thought best.

While Lillith and her grandmother were busy picking out snowflake-themed bedding and decorations, Bryn snuck over to the section with items already in gift boxes. A silver baby rattle would make a cute gift for Lillith. They had to be planning a baby shower, right? Didn’t all females, no matter the species, come together to celebrate new babies?

“We offer monogramming services,” said the saleslady who’d crept up behind Bryn.

Trying not to look like the woman had startled her, Bryn held out the rattle. “Can you put Westgate on the rattle, or is that too long?”

The saleslady took the silver rattle, which was shaped like a miniature barbell, from Bryn. “We’ll make it work. Should I put this on your grandmother’s account?”

That’s when she realized not a single item in the store had a price tag. The phrase “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it” took on new meaning. Her grandmother wouldn’t care if she put something on her account. Right? Then again, she did like to be made aware of things ahead of time. Bryn dug her Dragon’s Bluff credit card out of her purse. The card worked at every store and restaurant in Dragon’s Bluff. Hopefully that meant it worked at boutiques, too.

The saleslady accepted the card without looking at Bryn like she was an idiot, so the card must be okay. Thank goodness. Bryn wandered over to where her grandmother was showing off a mobile with snowflakes. Lillith clutched a mobile featuring snowmen wearing multicolored scarves.

“There you are. Help us pick out a mobile for Asher,” her grandmother said. “I think this snowflake mobile is timeless and classic.”

“But I like the snowmen.” Lillith sounded on the verge of another set of hormonal tears.