Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) (8 page)

“What? Why?” James managed to muster outrage, which was fairly impressive in Mandy’s book given his hangover.

“Because you smell like stale beer and I don’t have time for you to brush your teeth.”

“You said last night that I should kiss you no matter what,” James argued.

“Did you?”

“I honestly have no idea.”

“Well, you can kiss me ten times tonight,” Mandy said, smoothing her skirt. “I have to go. Text me when you’re feeling better. I’ll text back with a photo since I’m going commando again.”

“Oh, baby! That’s torture,” James said, pressing a pillow over his face. “I missed it all!”

“You can make it up to me later.”

“You bet your sweet ass I will! Prepare yourself, woman.”

Mandy smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

M
andy was almost done
with her afternoon tasks when Judge MacIntosh found his way into her office. She glanced up, surprised, and offered him a worried smile.

“Is something wrong?”

MacIntosh chuckled as he sat on one of the chairs across from her desk. “Why do you naturally assume something is wrong?”

“I … don’t know,” Mandy admitted. “You don’t generally stop in my office, though.”

“I stop in your office every Monday,” MacIntosh countered. “It’s like clockwork.”

“Yes, but that’s usually because Heidi is here and you like to know the office gossip,” Mandy said, flashing a warm smile this time. “I like that about you. It makes you seem like a normal guy.”

“I am a normal guy,” MacIntosh said. “Well, other than the cape I wear under my robe.”

Mandy giggled. She loved her boss. He was one of the few reasons she remained at the courthouse even though James wanted her gone and her heart was in her studio. “You’re funny for a judge.”

“I have my moments,” MacIntosh agreed. “We haven’t had a chance to catch up since your return. How was London?”

“It was great,” Mandy enthused, warming to the topic. “I had an absolutely wonderful time. James took me to Stonehenge and the wax museum. We took a tour on one of those buses with the open roof. We only had two days of rain.”

“And how about the food?”

Mandy wrinkled her nose. “The food was … not great. We survived, though.”

“I’m glad you had a good time,” MacIntosh said. “I worried a bit that you would be angry about James going behind your back to secure time off. The other times he did that you were … unhappy … with his machinations.”

Mandy sighed. “James likes to surprise me,” she said. “He gets a kick out of it. I keep saying I don’t like it, but I’m not sure that’s true. I think the trip was good for both of us. We needed the time together.”

“You’ve been through a lot,” MacIntosh said. “You’ve been through more than any one person should have to deal with. James would throw himself on a grenade to protect you, but it’s not always possible.

“I feel privileged to have been able to watch you two fall in love and build a life together,” he continued. “It’s something of a romance for the ages.”

For some reason she couldn’t explain, Mandy’s heart dropped. “Are you firing me?” She had no idea why she blurted out the question. Losing her job would solve a multitude of problems, not the least of which revolved around telling the judge she was leaving in September. Still, she’d never been fired. She’d never been told her work wasn’t good enough. “I … did I do something wrong?”

MacIntosh’s face remained unreadable. “Why would I fire you?”

“I don’t know,” Mandy answered. “It might have something to do with all the time off I’ve been taking. Maybe there are cutbacks. If there are cutbacks, you should definitely lay me off instead of Heidi. She needs the job.”

“You have a selfless heart,” MacIntosh said. “I’ve always known that. I am not, however, firing you.”

“Oh.” Even though she didn’t want to be fired, part of Mandy was disappointed. “I … that’s good.”

“You’re a terrible liar,” MacIntosh said. “I just saw fifty different emotions flash across your face. The first was worry because you thought you did something wrong. Then there was a brief bout of anger because you know you’re a good worker. Then there was worry again because you thought Heidi’s job might be in danger. Then, my dear, there was relief.”

Mandy opened her mouth, flustered. “I … .”

MacIntosh held up his hand to cut her off. “I know you’re leaving in September. It’s okay. I never expected you to stay here forever. You don’t need to hide it. You don’t need to twist yourself into knots while wondering how you’re going to tell me. I already know.”

Of course he knew. He wasn’t an idiot. Mandy was still flummoxed. “Who told you? Was it James? Did he pressure you to boot me out of here early? I will kill him.”

“James didn’t tell me,” MacIntosh replied. “No one told me. I figured it out myself. I am a judge, after all. Reading people is part of the job description.”

“Oh, well, then ignore what I said about James,” Mandy said. “I don’t want to kill him anyway. It’s just … I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“You never wanted to be a clerk, but you picked a job you would be good at because you were frightened about following your dreams,” MacIntosh said. “It’s perfectly okay. Finding love with James allowed you to admit what you want and take a chance. I’m very proud of you.”

“But … you’re going to have to replace me.”

“That is part of life,” MacIntosh said. “I will miss you. I want you to be happy, though. This place doesn’t make you happy. It certainly doesn’t make James happy. You two can have the kind of life most people only dream about.

“You can travel together and see the world,” he continued. “You can build your own perfect world. Heck, you’re mostly there already.”

“But ... are you angry I didn’t tell you?”

“No,” MacIntosh answered, opting for honesty. “I wanted you to know I was aware, though. We will make sure we have a replacement in here so you can train her. You don’t have to fret about it. Stop making yourself sick with worry. I don’t like that.”

“Thank you,” Mandy said. “I … that’s a weight off my shoulders.”

“And that’s why I stopped in,” MacIntosh said. “You’re a part of my family, young lady. Just because you’re leaving the nest here, that doesn’t mean we won’t see each other outside of this courthouse. You’re leaving a job, not my life.”

“You’re the best boss anyone could ever wish for.”

MacIntosh smiled. “I know,” he said. “It warms me to hear you say that, though. I haven’t even given you the surprise I planned for you yet. Now I’m going to be elevated to the best boss in the universe. It’s a new milestone for me.”

Mandy was legitimately confused. “I’m sorry. I … what are you talking about?”

This time the grin MacIntosh shot in Mandy’s direction was mischievous. “Your husband isn’t the only one full of surprises. I’ve got a dilly of one for you.”

“
T
HIS
place is something else
,” Jesse said, watching as James maneuvered behind the bar in the guesthouse and reached for a bottle of whiskey. “I mean … you designed it with a
Jaws
theme.”

James smirked. “It used to have a western theme but … something happened out here and we needed a fresh start.”

“What happened?” Jesse asked, genuinely curious. “The western theme sounds amazing, by the way. Don’t get me wrong, I like the sharks, but the western theme sounds more … you.”

“The western theme was already here when we bought the house,” James replied, pouring two glasses of whiskey over ice and handing one to Jesse. “I liked it a great deal but after what happened I wanted a complete change so Mandy wouldn’t be reminded of … the worst thing that ever happened to her.”

Jesse swished the whiskey in his cup before sipping. “If you don’t want to tell me what happened it’s okay. It sounds bad.”

“It was bad,” James confirmed. “I’m going to tell you because you’ll be in the office and hear things. Don’t ever mention it to Mandy, though.”

“She can’t take it?”

“She can take anything,” James replied. “I don’t want her dwelling on it, though. It’s been … hard.”

“Okay.”

James directed Jesse toward the booth and sat across from him. “I told you Finn is engaged, right?”

Jesse nodded. “I saw her on the stairs at the office this afternoon,” he said. “She’s very pretty. The kid is cute, too. Finn said they live upstairs.”

“They do until they save up for a house,” James confirmed. “I think they’re happy up there for now. Emma is a new mother and she has constant help with Avery if he needs it.”

“Avery is your wife’s maiden name,” Jesse said. “Does the kid have something to do with whatever you’re about to tell me?”

“He has everything to do with it,” James answered. “Emma’s father was a man named Lance Pritchard. That name won’t mean anything to you, but he was big news around here. He molested a bunch of kids and went to prison. He was brutal … and he didn’t leave his own kids untouched.”

“That is … terrible,” Jesse said, making a face. “That poor girl.”

“Emma is stronger than anyone gives her credit for,” James said. “She survived. She’s a little shyer than the rest of the women, but she’s really coming out of her shell. She’s a good woman.”

“Okay.” Jesse knew something big was about to be dumped on him, but he had no idea what.

“A few months ago Lance Pritchard escaped from prison,” James supplied. “It was part of a conspiracy with the warden. That part isn’t important. Emma was very close to her due date and Pritchard was determined to get his hands on her.”

“I’m guessing you guys protected her, right?”

“Kind of,” James hedged. “We were looking for him and tracked down where we thought he was hiding. Mandy and Emma were left at the house alone. While we were gone, Pritchard attacked and Emma went into labor. It happened out here in the guesthouse.”

“Holy … wow,” Jesse said, his eyes widening. “You guys got here in time, though. It ended well.”

“We didn’t get here in time,” James said, gripping his glass tightly. “Mandy had to deliver Avery while Pritchard threatened to kill her and Emma. He was going to take Avery and run. I’m sure you can imagine what else he was going to do to him.”

Jesse mutely nodded, his heart constricting.

“Mandy knew she was out of time as soon as the baby came,” James said. “She knew Emma was helpless. So she delivered Avery, handed him to his mother, and then attacked Pritchard. She was hoping to give Emma enough time to hide. It was her only option. She knew she would be giving up her life to save Emma and the baby.

“Pritchard attacked her behind the bar … which used to be where this booth is now … and she fought him,” he continued, his voice cracking. “By the time we got here everything was quiet. Emma pointed at the bar and I thought for sure my wife was dead.

“She wasn’t, though,” James said, briefly pressing his eyes shut as he cleared his throat. “She was covered in blood and shaking, but she was alive. Pritchard was the dead one. She used his own knife on him.”

“Good for her,” Jesse said. “I can’t believe that. She’s … amazing.”

“She
is
amazing,” James agreed. “She’s the most amazing person I know … and then some.”

“So you changed the guesthouse as a gift for her,” Jesse surmised. “That was pretty sweet. You’re a softie where she’s concerned, huh?”

“I want her to have everything she’s ever dreamed about,” James replied. “I am not responsible for this place, though. Since the house was a crime scene we stayed in a hotel for several days. She needed to be isolated and left alone. The blood on her hands really bothered her.

“While we were out of the house, Grady did all of it,” he continued. “I added the shark projector because it turns her on, but Grady did everything else. She wouldn’t come out here for weeks so I kept it a surprise, but when she finally did get her courage to come back she fell in love with the place all over again.”

“I’m guessing you two have a lot of sex out here, don’t you?” Jesse asked dryly.

“We have a lot of sex everywhere,” James said, offering a legitimate smile. “I’m telling you this so you’ll understand there’s a lot of baggage that comes along with this family. Don’t bring up Pritchard, though. Emma and Mandy don’t need it.”

“I have no intention of bringing up that animal,” Jesse said. “If he wasn’t already dead, I’d gladly do the deed.”

“You would have to beat me to it,” James said.

Jesse pointed toward the stairs. “What’s up there?”

“Mandy’s studio and a bedroom.”

“Ooh, I want to see her studio,” Jesse said, moving to climb out of the booth. James stilled him with a shake of the head, though. “How come?”

“That’s Mandy’s private space,” James answered. “If she wants to take you up there eventually, that’s great. Stay out of there until she invites you, though. That’s her … sanctuary.”

“Okay,” Jesse said, holding his hands up. “I’ll stay on the main floor. It’s not like it’s boring down here. Speaking of that, I see you have a pool table in the other room. Do you fancy a game? I’ll let you win.”

“Oh, please,” James said, shaking his head. “I’ll mop the floor with you.”

“Game on?”

James nodded. “Game on.”

M
ANDY
was so excited
by the time she got home she practically ran through the door.

“James?”

She didn’t hear an answer but knew he was home because his Ford Explorer was parked in the garage.

“James?”

Mandy felt desperate she was so excited, and there was only one person with whom she wanted to share the news.

“James Hardy!”

When he didn’t answer the third time she moved toward the back of the house. He had to be in the guesthouse. There could be no other explanation. Mandy kicked her heels off next to the sliding glass door and hurried across the pavement.

Judge MacIntosh’s surprise had indeed been a doozy. A friend of his who happened to own a Grosse Pointe art gallery had a last minute cancellation, which meant in a few days time Mandy could host her own showing. She was excited and unbelievably freaked out. She needed James to talk her off a ledge.

Mandy threw open the guesthouse door, ready to blurt out her big news to James and then strip him down to work off some of her excess energy. She pulled up short when she realized James wasn’t alone.

“Hey, baby,” James said, smiling when he caught sight of her as he lined up a shot on the pool table. “How was your day?”

“Um … good,” Mandy said, her earlier excitement deflating. “Hi, Jesse. I’m glad you took James up on his offer. How was your first day?”

“Great,” Jesse said, sipping his drink. “Tonight is going to be great, too. James called Grady and Jake and they’re going to come over for a pool tournament.”

“Really?” Mandy knew it was unreasonable to be angry, and yet a twinge of fury washed over her all the same. “You’re playing pool tonight?”