Page 28 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

“I like TV, but it’s hard to find shows that entertain me. For years I liked crime shows but don’t watch them much anymore.”

“Why’s that?” he asked. “I don’t watch them myself because half the time I spend it grumbling about how inaccurate it is.”

“My father was like that too,” she said. She seemed to hesitate. “He was in law enforcement also before he died.”

It didn’t seem to be the place to ask more, but he was starting to wonder if her father had been a US Marshal and knew Jack. That would make a lot more sense. No reason to look into Andrea Benson because he was positive that wasn’t her real name.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said. “My mother says she’s lived her whole life stressed, as my father was an officer and then chief of police. Mac went into the Army, then returned here and got on the force working his way up. When my father retired, it was like everyone knew Mac would be next. My family has been the chief for generations.”

“I can see where it’s a tradition on an island that was founded by your ancestors.”

“The funny part is we are from the side that was more in trouble with the law than the rest of them. But somewhere around my grandfather’s generation or before, they decided to become upstanding citizens.”

She laughed when he said that. “I’m sure not everyone was in trouble with the law.”

“No,” he said. “But it’s the historical irony. We’ve all served the public in one way or another for generations. My uncle,heowned Bond Automotive and now his son Carter has it. My father does some work when Carter has an overflow. Alex works there on his days off too.”

“No law enforcement on that side, huh?” she asked.

“No. Carter’s brother, Grayson, is a financial adviser. The only office worker of the men in this generation. They’ve got a sister, Natalie, and she works at The Resort.”

“It seems hard to work on this island and not be touched somehow by the Bonds. I’ve got to say from my short time here, your family does things the right way. The legal way. Hope that didn’t come off wrong.”

He snorted. “I know what you’re saying. They could be dicks about it all and own things and throw their weight around. No one is. It’s all about making it better each year for the next generation. You can’t do that if you piss people off or intimidate them.”

“No,” she said quietly. “Things go south quickly when people act like that.”

A clue to her past or just a conversation? It was hard to tell, as when he was in here in the past he noticed all sorts of conversations and people just blending in.

“They can,” he said.

When she was done with his neck, she moved over to his side and nudged his head a little so she could get a better angle around his ear. This was going by quicker than he wanted. Bummer. He wasn’t ready for a haircut just yet and it was a lame excuse, he knew.

“I know you’re probably working right now,” she said. “And I’ll be here until close to five. Would it be awkward if I offered to make you dinner as a thank you?”

“No,” he said. “Not awkward. But you don’t need to do that. I was only doing my job.”

She moved to the other side and he lifted his head, their eyes meeting in the mirror. Even with the extra makeup around her shiner and the white tape covering her stitches, she was stunning to him.

There wasn’t a lot of makeup on her eyes and he was betting she didn’t wear much normally. That caught his attention when a woman did and when he found her unconscious he didn’t remember it.

What he remembered was a taller thin woman that had some curves on her but not a ton. She looked healthy to him. Someone who had muscle but wasn’t afraid to eat either.

He remembered it was the first thing she said when she woke up. She was hungry. He saw the food she’d bought too. More healthy than not.

“I know,” she said. “But you and I both know you’re going above and beyond.”

She said it quietly. Guess he wasn’t being so discreet driving by her house and then coming here.

“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable,” he said. “It’s just...”

“You’re not,” she said. “You’ve got questions and doubts. I know. I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”

She finished up with the second ear. “Then why ask me to dinner? Just the thank you or more than that?”

She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure why. It’s a thank you and maybe more. Maybe I’m making you uncomfortable and you can say no if you want. How much off the top?”

“Just a little,” he said. “And you’re not making me feel uncomfortable. I guess I don’t want to make things difficult for you but then also need to know you’re feeling safe.”

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