“She’s cheating on me,” Finn announced, storming into James’ office at Hardy Brothers Security the next morning.
“She is not,” James said, refusing to look up from his laptop. “You’re overreacting.”
“You have no idea what I’m even talking about,” Finn replied.
“You think Emma is cheating on you,” James said, his voice calm. “You’re clearly freaking out about something that isn’t there.”
“She’s cheating on me,” Finn repeated. “I know it.”
James made an exasperated sound in the back of his throat. “Why do you think she’s cheating on you?”
“She’s been distant.”
“She’s got stuff on her mind,” James said. “Her mother is evil incarnate, and when you’re dealing with evil, even if it’s your mother, then you’re going to be distracted. Cut her a break.”
“She was distracted before her mother showed back up.”
“Emma works a full time job that requires a lot of scheduling,” James said. “She also is going to school full time. That’s a lot for one person to handle.”
“Why are you making excuses for her?”
“I’m not making excuses,” James said, finally meeting Finn’s probing gaze. His brother’s eyes felt like they were boring into his skull. “I just think you need to chill out and relax. Emma isn’t the type of woman who would cheat.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
James was exasperated. He understood Finn’s worry, but he was starting to take unsubstantiated leaps that had no basis in reality. “Before you, Emma never wanted anything to do with any man,” James said. “She was scared of men. We both know why.”
“Maybe I was just the guy who helped her get over that little fear.”
“I don’t think that’s it,” James said. “And neither do you.”
“Maybe she just doesn’t love me,” Finn said. “Maybe she’s trying to find a way to tell me that, and because she’s so sweet and nice, she keeps putting it off. That sounds exactly like something she would do.”
James couldn’t argue the point. Emma was the type of person who would walk through glass rather than hurt someone. Still, since he had inside information, he knew that wasn’t the problem. “Why don’t you take the day off,” James suggested. “Why don’t you go and buy Emma some flowers, and pick something up for a nice romantic dinner tonight, and I’m sure she’ll be ready to talk then.” And, if she wasn’t, James would tell his brother the truth himself.
“No,” Finn said, pacing across the narrow room. “She’s cheating on me. I know it.”
“You keep jumping back and forth,” James said. “Emma isn’t a cheater.”
“She got a call last night,” Finn said.
“Women talk on the phone all the time,” James said. “It’s what they do.”
“She said it was probably the mall calling,” Finn said. “It wasn’t, though. She took the phone in the other room and then talked in a really low voice so I couldn’t eavesdrop.”
“Why were you listening?”
“Because she was being secretive.”
James sighed. “She was on the phone with Mandy last night.”
“You’re making that up to make me feel better,” Finn said.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
James slammed his hands down his desk. “No, I’m not. You’re acting crazy.”
“Well, forgive me,” Finn snapped. “The woman I love is cheating on me.”
“She’s not cheating on you,” James said. “Get a grip. She got a phone call last night. It was my wife. I can guarantee they’re not having an affair.”
“Whatever,” Finn said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m … I need the rest of the day off.”
“Why?” James asked. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to follow her and find out who she’s cheating with,” Finn said. “She made a date with him for three today. I’m going to find out who it is and beat the crap out of him. Then I’m going to get drunk and go back to dating random women who won’t break my heart.
“This whole love thing is an unmitigated disaster,” he said. “I’m done with it.”
“Sit your ass down,” James ordered.
Finn was already moving toward the front door of the office.
“Finn, you have no idea what you’re doing,” James called after him. “Finn!”
“YOU’RE sure?”
Emma’s face was awash with disbelief.
Dr. Evelyn Morrison smiled at the young woman. “I’m sure.”
Emma glanced at Mandy. “You were right.”
“You already knew you were pregnant,” Mandy said. “You’re just letting the fear take over. This is a reality now. Let’s take it one step at a time.” She turned to the doctor. “Do you know how far along she is?”
“It’s still early,” Morrison said. “You’re only six weeks along. Other than missing your period, I’m surprised you even noticed. Some people are especially sensitive, though, and I have a feeling you’re going to have a rough first trimester.”
“Great,” Emma said.
Morrison’s face was soft as she regarded the terrified mother-to-be in front of her. “You have options, Emma.”
Emma stiffened. “I’m not getting an abortion. This is my … baby.”
“You don’t have to,” Morrison said, holding her hands up. “This is entirely your decision. You don’t have to do anything today.”
“I know,” Emma said. “Mandy is right, though, I have to start making plans.”
“Well, first off, I think you need to start taking prenatal vitamins,” Morrison said. “You’re very thin. You’re also anemic.”
Mandy leaned forward. “Is that dangerous?”
“It means she has low iron in her blood,” Morrison explained. “Pregnancy will tire out a woman on its own. Add anemia to it, and she could spend the next eight months in bed.”
“Can she take medicine for it?”
“Yes,” Morrison said. “I would also suggest eating some iron-rich food. She should introduce more meat into her daily life.”
Emma made a face. “I’m a vegetarian.”
“Okay,” Morrison said, not missing a beat. “The supplements will help. Try to eat more iron-rich vegetables, too. It can be monitored. May I ask how many calories you eat in a day?”
Emma exchanged a wary look with Mandy. “Twelve hundred.”
“Twelve hundred?” Mandy was dumbfounded. “I eat that for lunch.”
“You don’t have to parade around in a bikini once a week,” Emma shot back.
Morrison frowned. “You need to take in more than that when you’re pregnant,” she said. “You also need to try and increase your calcium intake. Your nutrition is very important.”
“I understand,” Emma said, rubbing her forehead. “Maybe there’s a book I could read.”
“That’s a good idea,” Morrison said. “I can tell you’re overwhelmed.”
Mandy already had her phone out and was navigating Amazon. “Which book?”
The doctor glanced at the phone and pointed. “That’s a good one.”
Mandy tapped the phone screen. “It will be here in two days.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Emma said. “I can buy my own book.”
“Shh,” Mandy said. “You’re having a baby. You need to rest. I can buy a book. James is used to my constant deliveries from Amazon. He’ll be fine with it.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“No, you won’t,” Mandy said, waving off the next complaint she was sure was about to come out of Emma’s mouth. “How long should she be sleeping?”
Morrison smiled. “You’re very efficient.”
“I’m a clerk at the circuit courthouse,” Mandy said. “I like to be organized. Well, I like to be organized about some things. I still can’t keep my house clean.”
“You should get a maid.”
“Oh, m
y husband hired a maid,” Mandy said. “He’s handsome and smart.”
“She needs at least eight to ten hours of sleep a night.” Morrison turned back to Emma. “How is your support system?”
“What?” Emma asked, confused.
“Do you have a strong support system? What about the baby’s father?”
“He doesn’t know yet,” Emma said. “He’s a very good man. This is just going to … throw him.”
“He’ll be fine,” Mandy said. “He’s my brother-in-law. The family is strong. I’ll be there for Emma, too, and my sister-in-law is already buying baby clothes.”
Morrison tilted her head. “And I’m sure your parents will be thrilled.”
Emma balked. “I don’t think … .”
“She’s got a big support system,” Mandy interjected. “I promise, she won’t lack for love and people who will bend over backwards to take care of her.”
Morrison nodded. “Good. Well, why don’t Mandy and I step out into the hallway, so you can get dressed?”
Emma nodded mutely.
“Once you’re dressed, I’ll have some vitamins and iron pills ready for you.”
“Sounds good.”
Mandy followed the doctor into the hallway, knowing the woman had a few more questions that she didn’t want to ask in front of Emma.
“I’m guessing this is a difficult situation,” Morrison said.
“She’s had a rough life,” Mandy said. “Her father is … in prison. Her mother abandoned her when she was a teenager and just showed up out of nowhere. We still don’t know what she wants.”
“That’s terrible.”
“She’s got us,” Mandy said. “I wasn’t lying when I said that she had a strong support system. It just doesn’t involve her parents – and if you could avoid bringing them up again, well, that would be great. They’ve caused her a lot of pain.”
“I understand,” Morrison said. “I’ll make a note in her file. What about the baby’s father?”
“He’s a standup guy,” Mandy said. “He loves Emma. She’s just terrified to tell him. Her experience growing up was much different than our experience growing up. She’s not used to people staying. She’ll be okay. Trust me, Finn is a great guy.”
“Where is she?”
The voice from the front of the office stopped Mandy in her tracks, and Morrison’s face went from sad and understanding to worried and alert in an instant. “What’s going on?”
“I know she’s here,” the voice bellowed. “Where is she? I want to see her – and her new friend – for myself.”
“Don’t worry,” Morrison said. “Some men think this is an abortion clinic. They go nuts. I’ll go and talk him down.”
There was something about the voice that set Mandy’s teeth on edge. She reached out a hand to stop the doctor. “I think … .”
“Don’t worry,” Morrison said. “Emma will be perfectly safe. We have security.”
Morrison was already halfway down the hallway before Mandy regained her senses enough to follow.
“Sir, you’re going to have to calm down.”
“Oh, I am calm,” Finn said, fixing Morrison with a hard look. “Who are you?”
“I’m Dr. Morrison. Who are you?”
“I’m Finn Hardy.”
“Finn?” Morrison glanced back down the hallway, meeting Mandy’s apologetic gaze evenly.
“Who are you looking at?” Finn asked. “Is that Emma? Is that Emma and her new boyfriend?”
Mandy wasn’t surprised when Finn pushed his way past Morrison. From the looks of it, Finn was surprised to see her, though.
“Mandy?”
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m looking for Emma,” Finn said. “She’s cheating on me.”
“Oh, she is not,” Mandy said. “What is the matter with you?”
“She made an appointment to see whoever she’s cheating with last night,” Finn said. “I heard her.”
“She made an appointment to see me.”
Finn narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here?”
“Emma had a doctor’s appointment, and I came with her,” Mandy said.
Finn pulled up short. “Why did she need you to come to the doctor’s office with her?”
Mandy bit her bottom lip.
“This is the man you said would be a good support system?” Morrison asked.
“He’s not himself,” Mandy replied. “He’s … .”
“Finn, what are you doing here?” Mandy recognized James’ voice. When he joined Finn in the hallway, his eyes falling on his her, he realized he was already too late. “Hello, wife. How is your day going?”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“He thinks Emma is cheating on him,” James said.
“I figured that out.”
“I told him you were the one who called last night,” James said. “He didn’t believe me.”
“That’s because you’re a terrible liar,” Mandy muttered.
“Why would he need to lie?” Finn asked. “Is … something wrong with Emma?”
“Finn, you need to calm down,” Mandy said.
“Something is wrong with her, isn’t it? Is she sick?”
Mandy’s heart flopped painfully. “She’s … .” Mandy snapped her mouth shut when she heard the door open behind her.
“It’s okay,” Emma said. “It’s time.”
Finn took a step toward Emma. “Are you sick? Is that what’s going on?”
“I’m not sick,” Emma said. “Well, not sick sick.”
“Someone needs to tell me what’s going on here right now,” Finn said. “I think I’m about to have a heart attack.”
Emma squared her shoulders. “I’m pregnant.”
Finn’s face drained of color.
“Congratulations,” James said. “You’re going to be a father.”
Finn’s knees gave out.
“Finn!”
Eight
“I think you all need some time alone,” Dr. Morrison said, her face bouncing between worried faces. “You’re my last appointment for the day. Why don’t you take the exam room and … talk this all out.”
“Thank you,” James said, wrapping his hands under Finn’s armpits and hoisting him to his feet. “I’m really sorry about this. I promise we’re not crazy.”
Morrison swallowed her upper lip with her bottom.
“He’s right, we’re not crazy,” Mandy said. “We’re just highly emotional.”
“You’re a family,” Morrison said. “Emotion comes with being a family.” She focused back on Emma. “You need to try to stay calm. I’ll get your vitamins, and I wasn’t joking about the anemia. You need to change your eating habits if you want this baby to be healthy.”
Emma nodded. “I know.”
“You’re going to be okay,” Morrison said. “I think you’re in good hands.” She patted Finn on the head. “Even if this one is clearly in shock.”
“I’m sorry he made a scene,” Emma said.
“He’s kind of cute,” Morrison said, shooting Emma a wink. “I’ll forgive him this time.”
Once the four of them were back in the exam room, Finn finally regained some semblance of himself. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was scared,” Emma admitted. “I wanted to make sure I was really pregnant before I told you. I didn’t know what you would say.”
“What did you expect me to say?” Finn asked, raising his head. “Did you expect me to abandon you?”
“No,” Emma said. “I expected you to stay, even if you didn’t want to.”
“Didn’t want to? Emma, what are you even saying?”
“I don’t want you staying because you think you have to,” Emma said. “That’s not what I want.”
“Dammit, Emma!” Finn exploded. “I thought you were cheating on me! I drove myself crazy because I saw you pulling away.”
Mandy took a step between Finn and Emma, sheltering the sobbing woman from Finn’s
anger. “Don’t yell at her.”
“Don’t get involved in this, Mandy,” Finn seethed.
“Don’t talk to my wife that way,” James warned. “She’s trying to help.”
“Help?” Finn swiveled, fixing James with a dark look. “You knew this was going on and you didn’t tell me. How long have you known?”
“Since Saturday,” James said. “I only found out by accident.”
“Saturday?” Finn wracked his brain. “That’s when you were all up in the bedroom acting weird.”
“Ally went out and picked up a pregnancy test,” James explained. “I found it in the garbage that night. I thought it was Mandy. She told me then, and she made me promise to give Emma time to tell you herself.”
“You’re my brother,” Finn said.
“And Emma is the one who is pregnant,” James replied, forcing himself to remain calm. “She wanted to tell you.”
“She didn’t tell me,” Finn said. “I found out. No thanks to any of you.”
“Don’t yell at him,” Mandy said. “I made him promise.”
“I’m his brother,” Finn said.
“And I’m his wife,” Mandy shot back. “I used that to my advantage. I was trying to protect Emma.”
“From me?” Finn was incensed.
“From the crazy man who stormed into a woman’s health clinic and made a scene,” Mandy said. “What were you thinking? Who comes to a clinic to have an affair?”
Finn faltered. “I … how did this become my fault? I’m the one who was lied to.”
“Oh, grow up,” Mandy snapped, turning back to Emma. “You need to sit down. The doctor was very clear. You need to keep up your strength, which means you need more iron in your diet. I know you don’t want to eat meat, but I could use a big hamburger right now. How about I take you out to dinner?”
“Did you just swallow a big handful of crazy pills?” Finn asked. “She’s going home with me. We have things to talk about.”
“Not when you’re acting like this,” Mandy said.
“And how am I acting?”
“Like a jackass.”
Finn took a step forward. James grabbed him by the arm to stop him. “Don’t go over there.”
“I’m not going to hurt your wife,” Finn said.
“I know you’re not,” James said. “You need to stop yelling at them. The more you yell, the more belligerent Mandy is going to get. Look at Emma, for crying out loud. She’s shaking. That can’t be good for her … or the baby.”
Deadly Addition (Hardy Brothers Security Book 9) Page 6