Page 19 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

She wouldn’t admit that she was thinking of getting something though.

Maybe a dog. There was a vet on the island so that wouldn’t be an issue.

Working herownhours and being close to the salon, she could run home on breaks and let the dog out.

Just the thought of it was comforting. That she could put some roots down.

“But I know you’re thinking of staying,” Jack said.

“Fine,” she said. “I love it here. I don’t want to be forced out and don’t want to move. The island living doesn’t bother me. I barely leave the island. I order anything I can’t find here and if it takes a few days longer, then it does. I’ve always lived a fairly simple life.”

Andi loved being outdoors and surrounded by nature. She could sit on her deck and had daily since she moved here.

“You have. You don’t draw a lot of attention to yourself and that helps,” Jack said.

She looked at her watch. “You’re going to miss the ferry and then you’ll be late for your flight. You don’t want that.”

“I’ve got time,” Jack said.

“No, you don’t. If you miss the ferry another won’t run for two hours this time of year.”

He frowned. “I don’t like that. You’re almost trapped here.”

“There are three ferries on the island. One to go to Boston. Two at the south end that go to Plymouth or Cape Cod.There are helicopters flyingon and off all day long too. No one is trappedand you know it. Stop looking to start a fight with me. It will only tire me out and give me a headache.”

“You know how to pile the guilt on,” Jack said. “Come give me a hug.”

She moved closer and hugged the man who was like an uncle to her. Cousin was probably better. Not an older brother. Anddefinitelynot anything romantic even though at just nine years older than her no one would think anything of it.

“Text me when you get home.”

“Stay home today,” Jack said.

“Not if I can get in to have my tooth looked at. ButotherwiseI won’t leave. I look and feel like I came out on the losing end of a fight.”

The bruising around her eye almost made her scream this morning when she looked in the mirror.

She was wearing her auburn hair down and in front of her face to cover it as best as she could. Good thing she’d dyed it a few days ago so she didn’t have to worry about her roots coming in while the cut healed on her head.

She’d bet hair dye wouldn’t feel that great there.

“The landscape did you in,” Jack said, moving back. “Try not to trip again.”

“I’ll be careful. I’m glad this is one story. No stairs.” Not even to do laundry, as they had a stackable washer and drier off of the kitchen.

“Call me if you need anything. Do you hear me?”

“I do. And I’ve got the cards for the chief of police and the state police too. They could get to me faster.”

Jack frowned when she said that, but she didn’t care.

“I need to know if you call them, do you hear me?”

“Yes,” she said, giving him a push toward the door. “Go.”

She watched him leave and stood in the doorway while he got in his rental car and drove away.

The first thing she did was call her doctor’s officeandexplain what happened and asked if they needed to see her. They’d said they’d wait for Dr. Mills’s report and let her know, but if she wasn’t having any issues then most likely not.

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