Page 32 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
“I’m sorry, little guy,” Aiden said, scratching Sparky’s chin. Sparky replied by licking Aiden’s hand. All was forgiven and forgotten.
Aiden turned back to Saphira, both proud and awed. “The baby-voice is crazy, but it did work.”
“Exactly!” Saphira stood, coming to stand next to him. Aiden looked around, surveying the overgrown garden. His eyes widened.
“Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me,” he said.
“You’re the one who offered,” she said, holding up her hands. “You can’t back out now.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He smiled. “It’s a nice space. It’ll be really beautiful once it’s cleaned up.”
He walked around to the side of the building, where branches were growing over the stone. Aiden looked closer, touching the dead leaves.
“It’s bougainvillea,” he told her. “The roots are still good, so it’ll grow again once it gets a little tending to.”
“Oh, I love bougainvillea! The bursts of pink are so pretty.”
Sparky seemed to notice then that Saphira and Aiden had walked across the garden from him. He let out a little growl, running to catch up with them. Putting a paw around Saphira’s leg, Sparky looked at Aiden expectantly, as if confused as to why Aiden was still here, taking up all of Saphira’s attention.
“You know, I don’t think he actually likes me that much,” Aiden said, looking from Sparky to Saphira. Baby dragons could be fickle, but it would be fine.
“Don’t worry,” Saphira assured him with a laugh. “We can handle it.”
Besides, how much more work could one little baby dragon be?
Chapter 10
Apparently one baby dragon could be alotof work.
The next day, Aiden came by around midday to work on the garden, and Sparky spent his time hanging out with him there while Saphira worked inside at the cafe. She didn’t have much time to check in with them during the day—she barely had a minute to drop off a snack for Sparky and an oat chai for Aiden (she wanted to eventually have him try everything on her menu).
But after the work day was done and she had freshened up, she went outside to join them. Sparky bounced happily, realizing it was time for Saphira to give him her undivided attention. His euphoria lasted about a few minutes, however, as he stared at Aiden as if waiting for Aiden to leave.
When Aiden decidedly didn’t leave, Sparky stopped bouncing and started hissing instead.
“He was being good all day,” Aiden said, shaking his head as Sparky swiped a paw at him. “I don’t know why he’s giving me attitude now.”
“I think he likes having me all to himself,” Saphira said, frowning.
“Can’t blame him,” Aiden said, eyes glittering at her. Saphira’s cheeks warmed, a giggle escaping her, and Sparky growled. He jumped up between them, pawing at Saphira’s stomach.
“Oof.” Saphira turned her attention to Sparky, who was pouting. She gave him a pout of her own in response. “Can you be good? Pretty please, Sparky-Poo?”
Sparky had the decency to look chagrined.
“Good boy.” Saphira gave him a kiss, and he climbed off her.
She looked up to find Aiden watching the exchange, a fond expression on his face. She bit her lip, looking away. Saphira took a turn about the garden; Aiden had gotten a good amount of work done thus far. He had cleared out most of the old branches and was pulling out weeds now.
“Maybe we can help you?” Saphira suggested. “It’ll teach Sparky, too.”
“Sure,” Aiden said with a shrug. He turned to Sparky, adopting his nicest baby-dragon voice. “Hey, Sparky, do you want to help me?”
“Look, like this!” Saphira said, going to the bushes and pulling some old weeds out.
Sparky was intrigued by the task and trotted over. Even though Saphira was tired, she was energized by the lovely prospect of spending time with Aiden and Sparky.
As Aiden and Saphira both got to work pulling weeds out, Sparky came up between them, grabbing at weeds with his mouth and pulling. When he got his first weed out, Saphira clapped.
