Page 25 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

Next time she would.

“I know that feeling,” Amanda said. “Even when I’m home with Liam, there is only so much to do.”

She found that funny. Amanda was a little mother to the girls in the salon. A beautiful salon at that. Much nicer than any place she’d ever worked before.

Yep, Drew was going to be an heir to billions at some point. He was worth more millions than she’d ever seen but then had to remind herself she hadn’t thought she’d have over a million to her name either and did.

Not that anyone other than Jack knew those details.

Amanda didn’t have to work a day in her life now and yet she was.

“You could do all sorts of things with your son,” she said. “I heard this is a great age to be with them.”

“It is,” Amanda said. “But it’s also an age he needs interaction with other kids. I know that. He’s got cousins around the same age and we do play dates when we can work it out, but most of them put their kids in daycare part time too. It worked out for the best and they get to play there also. This gives me a few days a week to run my business and keep my hand in what I love to do.”

“I was missing it and everyone here. I do like to talk.”

“Though we know you hardly say much,” Amanda said, winking. “Just like me, so I get it.”

The thing about being a stylist was you talked but didn’t say muchofsubstance. Listened and added to what your clients were saying but didn’t share a lot of personal information.

She’d been like that long before her life had to be uprooted. It was just easier and better that way.

“I only have two appointments today so I’m taking it easy. One is a cut and then I’ve got a two-hour window before I’ve got a color. This way I can relax in between.”

“How busy are you tomorrow?” Amanda asked.

“Three appointments tomorrow. Two colors and one cut. Then off Sunday and have three appointments on Monday. If after Monday I feel good, then I’ll try to squeeze in more of those I had to cancel.”

“I’m glad to know you aren’t pushing it. I felt bad you were alone. I could have come to check on you and bring you food, but you were stubborn. Even though my family wasn’t around before I met Drew, I had roommates that I was close with.”

Andi knew that too. One of those roommates was married to Jarrett’s brother Mac. The other was married to Hunter Bond. Funny that all three of them married Bonds, but from different branches.

She wondered how much Amanda might know of what happened.

Nah, there was no reason for anyone to know too much. At least she was hoping that.

“My cousin flew in from Tulsa once he got the call. He stayed until Monday morning. He would have stayed longer, but I pushed him out. Then I saw your brother-in-law and am scheduled to get my two teeth fixed next week.”

“That’s great. I’m glad Coy got you in so quickly. Though I’m sure it’s going to be a hit to your wallet.”

“I’ve got it put away for things like this.”

“I’m glad,” Amanda said. “Reallyglad. I brought in dessert today for your return.”

She groaned. She loved dessert. Had a weakness for it. “Is it soft?”

“It is,” Amanda said. “Bread pudding and it’s still warm as I took it out of the oven right before I came. Chocolate bread pudding and I’ve got a peanut butter sauce to go on top of it.”

Andi rubbed her hand across her belly. “Good thing I had a light breakfast andhavetime for some before my first client. You’re the best.”

“Yes, I am,” Amanda said. “I had to make a double so that Drew could bring some into the office too.Otherwisehe whines and is moodier than Liam. And he would have brought that attitude to the office. Now he gets to go in and be the hero and tease his brother Bode with it.”

She’d heard the stories of how Amanda baked for Drew and the office and Bode only got sweets from Amanda. That Bode’s wife, Sam, wasn’t much of a baker and said she didn’t need to when he got it all from his mother or sister-in-law.

It was one thing she learned in the short time she’d been on the island.That mostin the Bond family were close with each other and it was something she’d never experienced much in her life.

She was lucky she didn’t move much with her father and knew he’d done that to keep her life as stable as possible since her mother took off when she was younger.

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