Page 98 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“Did it work?” he asked.

“For the day, it did,” she said.

Their drinks were brought over and they ordered their dinner.

“That’s all that matters,” he said. “What about today? Do anything fun?”

“We drove around the island,” Jordan said. “She showed me where you lived and we stopped at some shops and had lunch. I want to hit the casino tomorrow. Maybe I’ll win like my sister.”

“We haven’t been since,” he said.

“I’ll play a bit,” Justine said, “but I’m not planning on winning this time. Emma did email me the other day. I didn’t expect that she would.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” he said.

“It was just touching base that she didn’t forget me, and would pick my brain soon. That she had to finish the book she was on now and figure out what she was doing next.”

“You have to be loving that,” he said.

“It was nice of her to reach out. I almost forgot. I mean, I didn’t forget that I met her, but that she wanted my information.”

“Trust me, if Emma wants information, she’ll get it from you. Almost everyone in the family has sat with her or answered questions.”

And no one thought anything of it.

It went back to how they felt about the island. Together things were stronger and that included his cousin’s books and whatever she needed.

“That’s nice,” Jordan said. “So tell me more about you, Garrett. Justine has said a lot, but it’s nice to hear it from the source.”

“Ask away,” he said.

“Hmmm,” Jordan said. “Let’s see. I know better than to bring up what the future holds with you two. As I told my sister, lots of options and she shouldn’t close her mind to anything.”

Justine frowned, but Garrett was appreciative that Jordan said what she had.

Seemed he might have an ally there.

“I’m pretty much an open book on most things,” he said.

“Got it,” Jordan said. “I know your sister talked to her about not hurting you. It goes without saying that I’ll hunt you down and find a way to break a few bones if you hurt my sister.”

He laughed and Justine said, “Jordan!”

“I’d be scared if I were you, Garrett.”

He turned his head to see his cousin Duke walk over as he’d said that statement. Garrett expected to see him at some point but didn’t think it’d be before dinner came out. Or that Duke wasn’t dressed in his chef’s gear.

“Justine and Jordan Keller, this is Duke Raymond. Owner of the establishment we are in.”

“Nice to meet you,” Duke said. “I’m on my way in right now. I wasn’t supposed to be working today, but someone just got hurt. Don’t worry, no blood or anything.” He leaned down. “Tripped outside while on their break and fell and landed on their hand. They are back there with ice on their wrist waiting for me to fill out some paperwork.”

“I can look at them,” Jordan said. “I’m a surgical resident. Just to make sure there isn’t anything else wrong.”

“Sure,” Duke said. “I’ll be sending them to the ER soon, but they said they were good to wait.”

“I’ll be right back,” Jordan said and got up to follow Duke to the back.

“Does your sister do things like that often?” he asked. “Offer her medical services.”

---