“Trust me,” Dylan said. “You don’t want to hear any of those.”
“When he was seven years old, he decided to run away from home,” PawPaw began.
“And we’re going to be late if we don’t get going,” Dylan interrupted, making PawPaw laugh.
“Let the lady finish her muffin,” PawPaw chastised, but he had a grin on his face.
“So, Dylan was running away from home?” Bonnie prompted. Dylan made a sour face at her, which she just grinned at.
“Yes. He was darn determined, too. He’d just been told he was getting a little sister,” PawPaw told her. “He packed up his backpack with everything he thought he’d need. He had apple juice, some cheese crackers, bug spray, and his teddy bear.”
“Dylan had a teddy bear?” Bonnie asked, grinning as she ate her muffin.
“His name was Frank,” PawPaw informed her. “He got as far as Elm Street before he decided that living with PawPaw was a better option. So, he came straight back and told his mother he was no longer running away, but instead, he was going to live with me. They could keep his sister.”
“Mom was not pleased,” Dylan said, taking a sip of coffee. “Dad thought it was hilarious.”
“But now you and your sister get along just fine,” PawPaw replied. He nodded as he spoke. “He was a good kid.”
“I can believe that.” Bonnie smiled at the two of them. “So, what’s my surprise, Dylan?”
Dylan grinned. “You’re just going to have to come with me to find out.”
“Happily,” she agreed. “PawPaw, are you coming with us?”
“Not today,” he said. “I’m in charge of dinner. You two be home on time. I’m making étouffée. It’s one of Dylan’s favorites.”
“PawPaw makes the best in the whole world,” Dylan agreed. “I’m already looking forward to it.”
“I can’t wait,” Bonnie assured him. She was looking forward to dinner now, too. “Thank you for breakfast.”
The older man smiled, looking remarkably like his grandson. “You are most welcome.”
“Thanks, PawPaw,” Dylan said, standing from the table. “We’ll be back in a bit.”
PawPaw nodded and sipped at his coffee as Bonnie and Dylan got up and headed out the front door. A limo was waiting for them outside. Bonnie was glad to see the windows were tinted and impossible to see inside. The driver hopped out and held the door open for the two of them.
“Where are we going?” Bonnie asked, settling herself in the limo. She still wasn’t used to being shuttled around in such a fancy car. She knew that Dylan had driven her in a more expensive car, but somehow the limo felt more extravagant.
“We’re going to see the city,” Dylan informed her.
“Dylan, I can’t.” Frustration started to form, and she lost her smile. “I can’t go into the city.”
“No one will see you, I guarantee it,” he told her with a grin.
She was curious now. She crossed her arms but leaned back in her seat. “How?”
“Because we’re going by helicopter.” He grinned.
“Helicopter?” Her arms fell as Dylan nodded.
“Private helicopter and then an airboat ride,” he told her. “You’ll get to see the city without ever setting foot in a crowd. Then we’ll see some ‘gators.”
Bonnie leaned over and kissed him. He had found a way to show her the city he loved without putting her at risk. She would be able to see New Orleans and without fear of being seen by the Trio.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for this.”
He grinned. “Just wait until dinner.”