“We are,” Mandy said, committing to the lie. “We noticed some … areas that needed attending. What? We were all in bikinis. That’s plausible.”
“Uh-uh,” James said, shaking his head. “What are you really up to?”
“We’re waxing,” Mandy said, placing her hands on her hips. “It’s a private thing. You should go.”
“Who is in the bathroom?” James asked.
Mandy furrowed her brow. “Emma is sick.”
James’ face softened. “Why didn’t you just say that? Does she need anything?”
“Just privacy,” Mandy said. “She’s embarrassed. She’s been puking buckets.”
“Nice visual, baby,” James said, wrinkling his nose. “Do you want me to get some ginger ale or something?”
“No,” Mandy said. “I think she has food poisoning. That won’t help.”
The memory of Mandy’s bout with food poisoning flooded James’ mind. “Do you want me to get Finn?”
“Do you think he can magically cure food poisoning?” Mandy asked.
“No.”
“Then we don’t want him,” Mandy said.
“I was just checking to see if you guys wanted me to start grilling,” James said. “I … .”
“Start grilling,” Sophie said. “We’re starving.”
“I thought Emma was sick?”
“We’re not all sick,” Mandy replied, her voice shrill. “Go and cook dinner. We’ll be down in a few minutes.”
James was uncertain. “I’m not sure what’s going on here.”
“It’s girl stuff,” Mandy said. “Just … I love you. Cook dinner. We’ll be down in a second.”
“I love you, too,” James said, scanning the two women with a dubious look. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Mandy said. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Okay,” James said, shrugging as he turned toward the door.
Ally chose that moment to barrel through it, holding up the pharmacy bag triumphantly. “I got it!” She stilled when she saw her brother. “What are you doing in here?”
“This is my bedroom,” James said.
“Well, not right now it’s not,” Ally said, tossing the bag to Mandy and grabbing her brother by the shoulders. “Get out.”
“But … .”
“Get out!”
“THEY’RE up to something,” James said, glancing up at the second-floor balcony that led to his bedroom as he handed the steaks over to Jake. “They’re acting all … squirrely.”
“They always act squirrely,” Grady said. “This shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
“No, this was beyond weird,” James countered. “Sophie and Mandy were hovering outside of the bathroom. They said Emma was sick.”
Finn squared his shoulders. “She’s sick? Maybe I should go up there.”
“They also said they were waxing,” James said.
“I don’t want to see that.”
“They’re lying,” Jake said. “Women don’t get waxed in a group.”
James shot him a look.
“Hey, you’re sister is chatty,” Jake said.
“They’re not waxing,” James said. “There’s something else going on.”
“How do you know they’re not waxing?” Finn asked.
“Because I know,” James said. “Mandy goes to a spa to get that done. I see – and pay – the bills.”
“They all do,” Grady said, shuddering. “I saw that up close and personal. It was horrifying.”
James smirked.
“Well, what do you think they’re doing?” Jake asked, worry overtaking him. “Did you see Ally?”
“She came in at the last minute,” James said. “She had a bag in her hand.”
“What kind of bag?”
“It was a pharmacy bag,” James said.
“What did she say?”
“Nothing,” James said. “Just that she’d got it.”
“Got what?” Grady was intrigued.
“I have no idea,” James said.
“WELL?”
“There’s a little pink plus sign,” Emma said.
“That means you’re pregnant,” Ally said, shaking the instructions for emphasis.
“No, it doesn’t,” Emma argued.
“Yes, it does.”
“Let me see that,” Emma griped, grabbing the instructions from Ally.
“Oh, wow,” Sophie said. “You’re going to have a baby. Do you want me to congratulate you?”
“You congratulate someone when they’re pregnant,” Ally said.
“Not necessarily,” Mandy said.
“Oh, whatever,” Ally said. “Just because you and James have decided that you don’t like kids, that’s not how everyone feels.”
“I’m not saying it is,” Mandy said.
“Whatever,” Ally said, holding up her hand and turning to Sophie. “You like kids, right?”
“I hate them,” Sophie said.
Ally stilled. “What?”
“I don’t like them,” Sophie said. “They bug the crap out of me.”
“You don’t want kids?” Ally was incensed.
“I want to travel,” Sophie said. “I like naked Sundays in the hot tub. Kids will ruin that.”
Emma burst into tears.
“I’m with Sophie,” Mandy said, ignoring Emma’s sobs. “I’ve never wanted kids. I didn’t even like dolls when I was a kid.”
“That’s not true,” Ally said. “You carried that stuffed dog around with you everywhere in elementary school.”
“That was a stuffed animal,” Mandy pointed out. “I like animals. I’m trying to convince your brother to adopt a cat.”
“A cat is not a baby,” Ally pointed out.
“I don’t like babies,” Mandy countered. “They freak me out.”
“How can you not like babies? You must be a sociopath.”
“I don’t like babies,” Sophie said. “I’m with Mandy. They freak me out, too.”
“Babies are beautiful,” Ally complained. “Babies are a gift.”
“Then have a dozen of them,” Mandy said. “I’m not having any. James and I have already talked about it. We’re happy with just the two of us.”
Ally shifted her gaze to Sophie. “Have you and Grady talked about it?”
“No,” Sophie said. “We haven’t made any decisions.”
Ally shot a triumphant look in Mandy’s direction.
“That doesn’t mean we’re having them,” Sophie said. “I’m not sure I want any.”
“Oh, come on,” Ally protested. “Everyone wants babies.”
“Not everyone,” Sophie said. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
“And I’m saying no,” Mandy added.
“I think you’re both heartless,” Ally said.
Emma’s sobs overtook the room.
“Oh, Emma, it’s going to be okay,” Mandy said, pushing past Ally and kneeling down next to the crying woman. “If you don’t want it … there are options.”
“There are not,” Ally argued.
“Shut up, Ally,” Sophie said, joining Emma and Mandy on the floor. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I don’t know what to do,” Emma admitted, her face streaked with tears.
“Just … you have time,” Mandy said. “Don’t make your decision tonight. You have to think about it. You have to talk to Finn.”
“No,” Emma said hurriedly. “I can’t tell Finn. Not yet.”
Ally was nonplussed. “You have to tell him. You’re having a baby.”
“I need time to absorb this,” Emma said. “I’ll tell him when I’m ready.”
“But … .”
“You can’t tell them,” Emma said. “Not until I’m ready.”
“It’s okay,” Mandy said, brushing Emma’s hair out of her face. “We won’t tell.”
“We won’t,” Sophie agreed.
Three sets of eyes shifted to Ally.
“Fine,” Ally grumbled. “We won’t
tell. You have to make a decision, though. I’m not good at keeping secrets.”
“None of us are,” Mandy said. “This isn’t our secret to tell, though.”
“SO, are you going to tell me what was going on here tonight?”
James fixed his eyes on Mandy, curious.
“Nothing was going on,” Mandy said, stripping her shirt off and dumping it in the hamper inside of her closet. “I don’t know why you’re so suspicious.”
“I know when you’re lying.”
“I’m not lying,” Mandy said, unbuttoning her shorts and tossing them into the hamper next to her shirt. “I’m offended that you think I’m lying.”
James pursed his lips. “I love you.”
Mandy lifted her head, her face muddied with confusion. “I love you, too.”
“If something is wrong with you … tell me.”
“Nothing is wrong with me,” Mandy said. “I promise.”
James squared his shoulders, opting to believe his wife. “Okay.”
“Come to bed,” Mandy said. “I’ll prove to you nothing is wrong.”
“I have to brush my teeth,” James replied. “I won’t be long.”
“Hurry,” Mandy said, removing her bra and giving him a gander at her naked breasts. “I have plans for you.”
James smirked. “Don’t tempt me, woman.”
“I thought that was my job,” Mandy teased.
“Your job is to let me love you,” James countered. “I’ll be right out. Don’t you dare put pajamas on.”
“You’d better hurry then,” Mandy said. “I might fall asleep waiting for you.”
James filled his toothbrush with paste and jabbed it into his mouth enthusiastically. He loved his wife. No, he adored his wife. Romantic nights with his wife filled him with joy. He was looking forward to just such a night when something in the bathroom garbage caught his attention. He reached down, snagging the covered item from it and focusing.
His heart stopped.
“IT’S okay,” James said, moving from the bathroom.
“What’s okay?” Mandy asked, tossing the comforter down so she could climb beneath the covers.
“It’s okay,” James repeated. “It wasn’t in our plans … we’ll deal with it.”
Mandy stilled. “We’ll deal with what?”
“I know you’re pregnant,” James said, holding up the test in his hand for proof. “It wasn’t part of our plans. We’ll … figure it out.”
Mandy’s cheeks were burning. “Where did you find that?”
“It was in the garbage,” James said. “I’m … I don’t know why you didn’t tell me. It’s okay, though. We’ll deal with it.”
“I … James … .”
“It’s okay,” James said, his face blank. “We can turn one of the guest rooms into a baby room.”
Mandy forced her face to remain placid. “I thought you didn’t want a baby?”
“I don’t,” James said, collecting himself. “No, wait, I didn’t mean that. I just thought we both agreed that kids weren’t in our immediate future. It’s fine. It’s an accident. We’ll be okay.”
Mandy fought the mad urge to laugh. “It’s fine?”
“Yup,” James said. “We’re having a baby. I’m … fine.”
“You keep saying that.”
“That’s because I’m fine.”
Mandy pursed her lips. “How are we going to travel with a baby?”
“I … I’m not sure.”
“You wanted to travel,” Mandy pressed, playing with him.
“So did you,” James shot back. “That’s why this surprised me so much. It’s … fine.”
“I didn’t think this would make you happy,” Mandy said.
James swallowed hard. “I … no, it’s okay. It’s fine. I love you. You’re my everything. A baby will … be an adventure.”
Mandy couldn’t take his discomfort. “I’m not pregnant.”
James rolled his eyes. “I see the test. I’m not stupid. It’s a plus sign. I know what that means.”
Mandy sighed. “That doesn’t mean it’s mine.”
James stilled. “It doesn’t?”
“No,” Mandy said. “I can guarantee you, I’m not pregnant. Breathe, James. Breathe!”
James exhaled heavily. “This isn’t yours?”
“No.”
James’ shoulders slumped. “Thank God.”
Mandy finally let a smile wash across her face. “Throw that back in the garbage.”
“What? Why?”
“Because someone else peed on it,” Mandy replied.
James made a face and disappeared back into the bathroom. Mandy rolled her eyes when she heard the faucet engage. Two minutes later, James walked back into the room. “You’re sure you’re not pregnant, right?”
“I am,” Mandy said. “I’m very diligent.”
James moved toward the bed. “Not that it wouldn’t be okay,” he said. “We’d deal with it.”
“I’m not pregnant, James,” Mandy said. “Chill. I haven’t changed my mind. I still don’t want kids.”
James breathed heavily through his nose, dropping down next to his wife as he fell onto the bed. “I’m … relieved.”
“I noticed.”
“I … just didn’t want you to think I would be upset,” he admitted.
“Duly noted,” Mandy said, brushing his brown hair away from his forehead. “I’m very careful.”
James wrapped his arms around his naked wife, resting his head on her abdomen. “Thank you for being careful.”
Mandy swallowed her upper lip. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great now,” James said.
“Good,” Mandy replied. “Breathe.”
“I’m breathing.”
“Is now the perfect time to plan a vacation to New Orleans?” Mandy had always wanted to visit the city, and she wasn’t above playing James to get what she’d always envisioned.
“I’ll buy a house there,” James said, pressing his lips to her belly.
Mandy ran her hands through his hair. “It’s okay.”
“I know,” James said. “It would have been okay either way.”
“I admire the way you stepped up to the plate,” Mandy said. “I especially liked how you kept saying everything was fine.”
James shifted, his brown eyes meeting the clear blue seas reflecting from his wife’s face. “It would have been okay. I love you. I’d love anything that came from you.”
“I know,” Mandy said, keeping her voice level. “I actually really appreciate it. I loved you before, but I love you even more now.”
James sighed, rolling to his side and pulling his wife onto his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
James pressed his lips to his Mandy’s forehead. “Thank you for not being pregnant.”
“Thank you to being there for me no matter what,” Mandy replied.
“I … I’m there for you no matter what,” James said. “Nothing will ever change that.”
“I know.”
James tightened his arms around Mandy’s lithe frame. “So, wait, who’s pregnant?”
Three
“What are you doing, sweetheart?”
Emma glanced up from the laptop. She’d been researching baby sites, excitement and worry warring in her brain. She minimized the Internet window and focused on Finn. “I was just checking my email.”
Finn fixed Emma with a questioning look. She’d been an emotional mess for weeks. He loved the woman. He basked in her warmth. For some reason, he was unsure. “You’re okay, right?”
Emma pasted a bright smile on her face. She was a model. She did this for a living. She could put on a show, even if her heart wasn’t truly in it. “I’m fine,” Emma said. “Why do you ask that?”
Finn gripped his hands together, unsure. “I’ve been a little scared, sweetheart.”
“Why?”
Finn ran his tongue over his bottom teeth, considering. He’
d never lied to her. He didn’t want to start now. “You’ve been kind of distant lately.”
The statement floored Emma. “I have?”
Finn immediately regretted his admission. “No,” he said. “Well, I’ve been worried.”
“About what?”
“Honestly?”
Emma nodded.
“I’ve been worried you’ve been losing interest in me,” Finn admitted.
Emma’s face drained of color. “What? Why?”
“You’ve just been off,” Finn said, reaching for her hand. “It’s like … it’s like you don’t want to be around me.”
“Finn, that is just … don’t be ridiculous,” Emma said, fighting to control her breathing. “I … I’m so happy with you.”
“You are?” Finn’s face was so earnest, it punched a hole in Emma’s heart.
“I am,” Emma said. “I … I’m so sorry you’ve been worried.”
Finn leaned down, kissing the only woman who had ever managed to chisel away at the wall around his heart. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” Emma replied, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him close. “I’ve never been this happy.”
Finn kissed her. “It’s nice to hear.”
Emma smiled. “I’m really happy.”
Finn kissed her again. “I’m happy, too.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Finn said, wrapping his hand around Emma’s neck. “Really happy. I’m really happy, Emma.”
Emma bit her lip. She knew she needed to tell him. If there was ever a time … .
“You’ve just seemed distant lately,” Finn said, cutting Emma off mid-thought. “Maybe I was imagining it, but it seemed like I was an afterthought. It was kind of like you were trying to figure out a way to break up with me.”
Emma’s heart clenched. “Don’t ever think that. I’m so sorry.”
Finn sighed, relieved. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Emma said. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“I CAN’T tell you,” Mandy said, averting her gaze.
James wasn’t falling for that. “There’s a positive pregnancy test in the garbage.”
“No, there’s not.”
“Oh, don’t bother lying, wife,” James said, shifting so he could prop himself up on his elbow. “Someone is pregnant. I’m not stupid.”
“I didn’t say you were stupid,” Mandy said.
Deadly Addition (Hardy Brothers Security Book 9) Page 2