10. Where Things Landed

10

WHERE THINGS LANDED

A ndi was stunned at how nervous she was while she waited for Jarrett to show up at her house.

She'd gotten out of work and gone home to make sure the house was clean. She wasn't sure why she was so worried since he'd seen her place anyway and it wasn't that messy.

She didn't have enough to get messy. She lived a simple life because she knew she might have to pick up and move at some point.

Jarrett would be here any minute so she went to sit on the couch and wait.

Nope, couldn't do it.

She was up and pacing and had to tell herself to cut it out.

Andi had dated plenty in her life. Against her father's wishes. Which only made her smile.

Oh, the fights she and her father had over her dating life.

But since Leo she hadn't dated anyone.

She was too busy trying to adapt to life in Tulsa and hating every minute of it.

A part of her was also grieving for her father and healing both mentally and physically on top of it.

Moving here, she still wasn't thinking much of men.

Until Jarrett.

And that was enough for her to go with her gut and just see where things landed.

When she heard a car door, she moved to the window and looked out to see Jarrett's SUV parked behind her car and went to the front door to wait for him.

"Hi," she said, holding it open. "That smells good and looks like a lot."

"Duke's portions are big," he said. "Got one of their family meal specials. Lasagna, meatballs, salad, bread and dessert."

"You went all out," she said. "What kind of dessert?"

"Cannoli," he said.

"Full outItalian," she said. "Yummy."

She walked with him into her kitchen where he'd set down the box holding all the food.

She pulled out the containers one by one and opened them to layitout like a spread.

Her mouth was watering and she hadn't realized how hungry sheactuallywas.

She pulled the plates down and set them on her small table.

"Where do you want me to put my jacket?" he asked. "Just on the chair?"

"Sorry," she said. "I don't have any manners and that isn't like me. You could say I'm a bit rusty when it comes to entertaining."

"It's fine," he said. "No big deal."

She took his fleece out of his hand and hung it up in the little closet by the front door.

When she returned he had the plates set on the table with the silverware.

"Looks like you've done that before," she said.

"We had chores as a kid. I'm the youngest and it seems I always got the easy things at first and then the messy ones that my brother didn't want to do."

"Only child here," she said. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Water is good," he said.

She pulled out two bottles of water and then put them on the table. "Sit, let's eat."

They filled their plates while they sat. "You said your father passed away and was in law enforcement," he said. "Was he a marshal too?"

Andi let out a sigh. This was where things got tricky.

She never wanted to outright lie, but she honestly hadn't been put in this position before either. She hadn't gotten close enough to people in the past few years to have them asking her so many personal questions.

"Yes," she said.

He nodded while he chewed some of the lasagna that he'd taken a bite of. "And you can't say much more," he said. "Got it."

He knew. There was no use agreeing or disagreeing. Or he knew the rules anyway. If he didn't ask, she didn't have to lie, as simpleasthat.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"No worries. It's just a dinner date. How about your mother?" he asked. "Not around?"

"No," she said. "My mother left when I was younger. She had other plans in life and just went to do them."

"That's hard," he said. "And sad."

"It is. I can tell you that it didn't surprise me. I don't remember when it was I figured out that my mother had gotten pregnant and that is why they married."

"So not one of those romantically in love type things."

Andi laughed when he said that. "I have no clue. They'd been dating for maybe six months. She found out she was pregnant and my father did the right thing. He always did the right thing. That was just his moral code."

"And your cousin Jack, is that your father's side of the family?" he asked.

She closed one eye at him. "If you're asking if he shares the same moral traits as my father, yes."

He nodded again and laughed. She didn't lie but didn't give him the answer to his question either.

"Back to your mother," he said. "No contact for years?"

She laughed. "None," she said. "I lived with my father and was glad for it. We were close. I was thinking of him before you got here."

"Why is that?" he asked.

She took another bite of the lasagna and could appreciate that he'd gotten something somewhat soft for her to eat with the two broken teeth.

"I haven't dated since his death. He always gave me a hard time with men."

"I think my father would have done that if I had a sister.Insteadit was my mother who gave us a hard time."

"Really?" she asked. "You have to tell me why. I find this fascinating. I'm not sure I've ever had a guy say that to me before."

"There were two reasons for it. One, she wanted to make sure we treated any woman with respect. Alex,hehad a bit of a reputation as a player back in the day. Not like he cheated."

"Just had a lot of women that he wasn't serious with?" she asked.

"Something like that. Macwas different. He's stable but just quiet. He didn't focus on women much. Had relationships here and there, but on thisislandit's hard to find someone. Especially with the name Bond and they realize the side you're on."

"That is just silly. I mean let's be honest. You all have great jobs and careers. It's not like anyone is a bum. We all have people in our family going generations back or even recent that are bums. Or losers. Whatever word you want to use."

"I know," he said. "I agree. But around here, you get compared to the other branches. Maybe off the island or out ofMassachusettsit might be different."

"Do you feel the same way as Mac did? Seems to me he found what he was looking for on this island."

"I'm not sure what I feel. Both of my brothers did. They are married. Mac has one son and I know you don't know anyone other than Amanda, who is best friends with Sidney and already knows. I have a feeling you're good at keeping secrets."

She smirked. "I think some people are always better than others."

"True," he said. "Mac and Sidney are having another baby. Two babies. We found out recently she is pregnant with twins. She's a twin, so the odds were better there."

"That's exciting," she said. "No kids for Alex?"

"No," he said. "Not yet. I expect Jennie might be at some point. But that is their life and decision."

He wouldn't be one to ask or put pressure on someone. She could tell right away. The same as he wouldn't want to have pressure on him.

"Back to you. I'm assuming you're single?"

"I am," he said. "Have been for a while now."

"How come?" she asked.

He eyed her. "Will you tell me why you are and haven't dated since your father passed?"

She let out another sigh while she ate. "It's simple. I was grieving and moved. I spent a year in Tulsa, which I'm assuming you know. I didn't know anyone other than Jack and was focused on getting my client base set up and learning the area."

"Why move here then? Or so quickly if you were only there a year or so?"

"It wasn't the place for me. You know I'm from Denver prior, I'm assuming. I missed the cooler weather at times. I had no ties anywhere and just thought I'd look around. Who doesn't dream of living on an island?"

He didn't deny he knew she was from Denver originally. That could have been changed in her files, but they didn't because of her medical records.

He laughed. "Lots of people dream it, but the reality isn't always that wonderful either. Most times the islands they want to live on are tropical ones."

"I could give or take the heat. I like the seasons to change. Anyway, I found the job here, came and talked to Amanda,founda place to rent." She looked around her little place. "Then packed up and came here a few months ago.Inthat time, I've just been learning my way around and focusing on clients again."

"I'm surprised I never saw you in the salon before when I got my hair cut. I'd remember you."

"That's sweet," she said. "I always thought I was pretty forgettable. Though with the shiner that is fading, not so much."

"I'm not sure there is much about you that is forgettable," he said.

"What's the other thing with your mother? You said there were two things."

"Oh," he said. "That she likes the woman and gets along with them. She has a soft spot for her boys. All of us. Wants to make sure we are taken care of like she would do."

Andi lifted her eyebrow at that. "That's a first for me. She wants you all to have women like her?"

"No," he said, laughing. "Women that understand us. My brothers andme,wearen't alike. Not like people might think."

"True," she said. "Like snowflakes, no two people are."

"That's right. Not sure I want to be compared to a snowflake."

"It's meant as a joke," she said. Since he was grinning, she assumed he knew that.

"I hope so," he said. "My mother knows her boys well. Sidney and Jennie are perfect for my brothers. Mac needed someone to loosen him up and that was Sidney. Alex needed someone that would keep him in line and not fall for his charm and face."

"Oh boy. I think I might like your sisters-in-law."

"I bet you would," he said.

Not that she wanted to meet anyone anytime soon. She didn't even know if they'd have another date after this, though it was going well.

But the fact he had to know deep down that she had secrets and a hidden past might be too much for him.

Any other man, they might not be as observant.

Jarrett wasn't going to let too many things go by.

"This lasagna is awesome," she said. "Time to try the meatball."

"Do you always eat one thing first before you move on to the next?" he asked.

"No," she said. "It's just so good and was easy to eat. I didn't want to have something that might bother my tooth and not be able to finish this." She cut into the meatball and said it wasn't hard like many could be. It had some firmness to it but sliced easily. She popped a bite into her mouth and groaned. "Pure heaven."

He cleared his throat and she looked at him, then felt her face flush. Guess she was making more of a production of this than she should be.

"They are good," he said, then pivoted to, "I know you can't tell me what I might want to know. I'm telling myself that not many find out so much on their first date either."

"I'm sorry," she said. It was the best she could do.

"For now I get it," he said. "But I need to know this. Are you in trouble? Or danger?"

She looked up and stared at him. She wanted him to read her answer in her eyes. "No. I'm not. Not either of those things. Please don't think it. Jack is just...nervous."

Jarrett nodded. "Understood. But you'll tell me if you are in danger or nervous yourself?"

"As aguyI might be dating or as law enforcement?"

"Both," he said. "If we don't have any more dates after tonight, then law enforcement. Always that. But I'd like another date."

Which told her everything she needed to know.

He was still willing to give it a chance.

"I'd like that too."

Now she just had to make sure her past didn't cause her to run.