Page 87 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

“That’s right,” Jack said. “I try to remind myself of that all the time. We can only live with this guilt for so long. It’s not healthy for either of us.”

“No,” she said. “It’s not. I want things to be okay with us. You’re all I’ve got left of my father now.”

He nodded and reached for her hand, their fingers threading together. “I want that too. I thought of Luke as an older brother. I grieved like you did. I still do. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to work with a partner like I had with him.”

She did know that Jack was on his own more. Her father liked having a partner. He liked training and mentoring. He was good at it.

Until he wasn’t and went rogue.

“There is no one out there quite like my father,” she said.

“And no one ever will be. But I think you found someone similar,” Jack said. “Hold onto it if you can.”

She smiled. “I will. You two are going to get along now? No more butting heads?”

“We’ll see,” Jack said.

28

SWEET GUY

“You are looking a little green today,” Andi said to Amanda two weeks later. “Are you coming down with something?”

Amanda looked around the shop. It was early and only the two of them were there. Andi had an appointment in about twenty minutes but always got here early to set up.

“I’m pregnant,” Amanda said.

“Congratulations,” she said, hugging Amanda. Everyone had talked about Amanda wanting more kids and was surprised she hadn’t had another by now. Liam would be three in AprilandAmanda was going to be thirty-seven, Drew thirty-eight. It was probably now or never at this point.

Which got her thinking of her own life and being thirty-one. How many more years before she might have a problem getting pregnant?

Best not to think that way and only could blame the fact that things were goingtoowell with her and Jarrett that it was crossing her mind.

“Thanks. I’m due in four months,” she said. “Or thereabouts. The end of May.”

“Oh my god,” she said. “How have you kept this a secret for so long and why?”

“You’re dating a family member. I can tell you. It’s not a huge secret, but I lost a baby last year. Right after the first trimester. It’s the second child I’ve lost in my life and, honestly, I consider Liam a miracle child because I wasn’t sure I’d ever carry to term.”

Andi hadn’t known that but could understand it not being something talked about. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“It’s fine,” Amanda said. “We wanted to get further along before we said anything, but now there are lots of pregnancy announcements in the family and when I wake up sick like today, it’s hard to hide. That and this.” Amanda pushed her baggy smock in and Andi could see the baby bump.

Now that she thought of it, she hadn’t seen Amanda without the smock on in a few months. It was as if Amanda either came in with it on or got here before everyone else and put it on.

“Clever way to hide it,” she said.

“Immediate family knew, but everyone had kept quiet. Sidney knows,” Amanda said. “She and Kayla were some of the first ones months ago, but they wouldn’t say a word.”

“Oh my,” she said. “So Sidney’s twins and your child are only going to be about a month or so apart?”

“Six weeks give or take,” Amanda said. “I’m having a girl. Just telling everyone at once. It’s still scary to do it and we can only hope all goes well.”

“It will,” Andi said. “I can feel it.” She hoped for Amanda’s sake. Just went to show that all the money in the world couldn’t give you the most precious things if they weren’t meant.

“We hope so,” Amanda said. “I’m going to tell the rest of the girls today or this week when I see them. I’ll be taking time off again and will start to let my clients know. I’d like to refer some to you if you don’t mind?”

“I’d love it,” she said. She’d never turn it down.

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