“Cheaper?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Trent heard Frank’s voice in his head.
Watch the pattern afterward.
He stood and retrieved the keys.
Outside, Emily was still reviewing the receipt.
“This says the first service is included,” she said.
Marcus nodded. “Oil and filter, tire rotation, standard inspection.”
“No weird conditions?”
“No weird conditions.”
“What if I move?”
“Good at any Ashford location.”
“What if I’m late by a month?”
“Still valid within the mileage window.”
“What if—”
Marcus held up both hands. “You are definitely related to him.”
Frank smiled.
Emily laughed. “Fine. I’m done.”
Marcus signed the salesperson delivery section and handed her a copy.
“You know,” he said, “this is the first car I’ve sold where the buyer negotiated harder than the grandfather.”
“Grandpa was trying not to interfere.”
“I noticed him physically suffering.”
Frank shook his head. “I was perfectly relaxed.”
“You stood up twice.”
“My back hurt.”
“You paced behind my chair.”
“I was looking at the service department.”
Emily grinned. “He hated every second.”
Marcus laughed.
Frank accepted defeat.
“All right. Some seconds were difficult.”
The sun had moved across the lot since they arrived. The morning brightness had softened into early afternoon, casting long reflections across the rows of windshields. What had begun as a simple shopping trip had taken most of the day.
Emily did not seem tired anymore.
She was energized by ownership, responsibility, and the feeling of having made a decision she understood.
Frank, however, felt the pleasant fatigue of a day that had become more important than expected.
He sat on a bench near the delivery area while Emily walked around the car one more time with Marcus.
His phone buzzed.
Laura.
He answered.
“Hello.”
“Did you buy her something ridiculous?”
Frank smiled.
“Good afternoon to you too.”
“Dad.”
“She chose a compact sedan.”
“How compact?”
“Normal compact.”
“How new?”
“Reasonably.”
“How much did you contribute?”
Frank looked toward Emily, who was learning how to set radio presets.