Page 65 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

He put a lot more stress and pressure on himself thinking of those things too.

They drove the ten minutes or so to his parents’ house. They all lived toward the middle to the north side of the island. Well, his parents and he did. Mac would be right around the corner from him soon. Jennie and Alex were on the other side of the middle of the island but not more than fifteen minutes.

He parked in his parents' driveway and was first just as he’d thought.

They got out and he pulled the box out with the gifts in it and put one of the plates of cookies in there and Andi had the other two.

His mother had the door open before they even made it to the front porch.

“I was hoping you would get here early,” his mother said.

They walked in and he said, “Mom, this is Andi Benson. Andi, my parents, Alice and Bill Bond.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she said. “I made cookies last night and have a plate for everyone.”

“That is so sweet of you,” his mother said. He could see that won his mother over immediately. “These look delicious.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I think Jarrett ate half a dozen last night.”

“If you’re going to tell on me, might as well add the two I had before we came.”

“I’m so glad you could come today. Jarrett told us how you met. How scary that had to be. But you know, it seems like fate that he was there fishing when it happened.”

He rolled his eyes over the fate comment. His mother didn’t wait too long to get that in there.

“I guess it was,” Andi said. “Who knows how long I would have lain there unconscious.”

“I heard Jarrett took you fishing not long after that and you caught three fish, him none,” his father said.

“I did. But he cleaned them that night and I cooked them.”

“You ate them,” his mother asked. “I’ve never done that. Bill cleans and cooks them, but I don’t want any part of it. I’m not much of a fish eater, but the thought of that being alive hours before. Nope. Not doing it.”

Andi laughed. “I love fish. And since I caught them, it was very rewarding. I love the outdoors. I used to fish with my father as a kid. That was the rule. He cleaned and I cooked, regardless of who caught it.”

“That’s a lovely memory to have and share with Jarrett. He did tell us that your father passed a few years ago. The minute I heard you had no family here I told Jarrett he had to bring you.”

“I told Andi that,” he said. He turned his head and saw Alex come in with Jennie and knew he’d be saved from any more comments like that from his mother.

“Dude,” Alex said. “Did you just breathe a sigh of relief on my entrance?”

“Don’t be cute,” his mother said.

“I saw it too,” Jennie said. His sister-in-law moved in and introduced herself. “I was new to the island too. The same with Sidney. I understand everything you’re going through. Any time you want to chat, you can call me.”

“Thank you,” Andi said. It was said so softly that he realized that she might be missing some female companionship.

He’d have to thank Jennie another time for that offer.

“Are those cookies?” Alex asked.

“For you,” Andi said. “We just got here. One plate for everyone.”

“Sweet,” Alex said. “Don’t mess this up. Jennie doesn’t like to bake cookies.”

Jennie swatted Alex’s arm and the two of them laughed and brought their gifts to the tree.

Andi handed over Mac’s cookies to his mother and then moved out of the way.

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