Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6)
Page 21
“Oh, don’t cry,” James said. “You can pick something else out. I’m sorry. I thought you would like it.”
“I do like it, you idiot,” Mandy said, brushing the tears away from her face. “It’s just so sweet.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“It’s my wedding day,” Mandy replied. “I have a feeling I’m going to be crying a lot. It’s an emotional day.” She reached into the box, flipping the charm over. The lone word on the back tipped her from sniffles to outright bawling. “I love you.”
“Oh, jeez,” James said, wrapping her in his arms. “I love you. Please don’t cry.”
“I’ll try. Open your gift.”
James arched an eyebrow. “Not until you stop crying.”
“Open it!”
“You have no patience whatsoever.”
James unwrapped the box, peering inside curiously. The watch was simple, and yet elegant. “This is beautiful, baby.” He pulled the watch out of the box and flipped it over so he could read the inscription.
When he finally found the courage to lift his head, his eyes were swimming with his own set of tears. “You’re my everything, too, baby.”
“Oh, don’t you start crying. I’ll never be able to stop.”
James pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. “Let’s go and get hitched.”
Twenty-Eight
The sight of Mandy walking down the aisle toward him, her face beaming, was a moment James knew he would never forget.
She was radiant. He knew he would never see anything that beautiful again in his entire life, and he didn’t want to. All he needed was that memory etched in his mind forever. Nothing would ever make him that happy again.
When Grady handed her off to him, James was positive he saw tears in his brother’s eyes. After joining their hands together, Grady stepped into the line of groomsmen so he could finish his second wedding task. Things between the brothers were back to normal, and they were both relieved.
“The bride and groom have written their own vows,” the minister said. “They would now like to recite them to each other. Ms. Avery, you’re first.”
Mandy smiled, fighting to keep control of her emotions as she began to speak.
“I fell in love with James Hardy when I was fourteen years old. He was the big man on campus then, and I was a lowly middle-schooler. Despite all that, he always found the time to talk to me. When it would snow, he’d make sure I got a ride home. When it was dark, he’d make sure I didn’t walk home alone. When I was excited about something, he’d listen to me babble on about books and movies, even if he didn’t care.
“I knew when I was fourteen that I wanted to marry James,” she said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think he felt the same way about me. That would have been illegal.”
The crowd laughed appreciatively.
“When we met up again ten years later, I wasn’t sure what to think. The second I saw him – I mean the second I saw him – I thought I would swoon right there. It seems those feelings I had as a teenager were still present, and they were stronger than ever.
“We’ve had a hard road,” Mandy said. “Sometimes it’s been bumpy, and sometimes I’ve worried that there would be a fork and he’d opt to go the other way. He’s never once failed me, though. He’s never once made me believe that I couldn’t have everything I’ve ever wanted.
“The funny thing is, the one thing I’ve always wanted is him,” she said. “He’s all I want, and I’m finally getting my everything. I love you so much that it overwhelms me. I don’t care what happens down the road. I don’t care where the road takes us. I just want you with me. Forever.”
James swallowed hard, tamping down his tears.
“Mr. Hardy?” The minister smiled at James indulgently.
“You’re wrong about me not loving you back then,” he said. “I’ve always loved you. Sure, it was in a different way back then, but it was still strong. I think I’ve always been waiting for you. You weren’t ready back then – obviously – and I wasn’t either. Life kept us on track to find each other when the time was right.
“I never knew it was possible to love someone as much as I love you,” he said. “I thought that love was the stuff of romance novels, and daydreaming school girls. What I feel for you is beyond words, it’s beyond understanding, and it’s beyond measure. You complete me. You make me feel … whole. You are my everything.
“I promise to give you the best life,” he said. “I promise to give you everything your heart desires. I promise to be by your side forever. I will never leave you. I will never stop loving you. I will never need anything but you. There is no me without you.
“You are my whole heart, baby,” James said, his voice cracking. “I couldn’t love anything more than I love you, and from now until forever, I will always be with you.”
The sounds of sniffles filled the air, and only a few were coming from the bride.
“Well, I guess we’ve made the bride wait long enough to get her man,” the minister teased. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
James reached for Mandy, frowning when the minister didn’t say the words he was waiting for.
“Oh,” he said. “You may kiss your bride.”
James lowered his mouth to hers, giving her the kiss of her life as he wrapped her in his love.
“Yay!” Ally jumped up and down, clapping enthusiastically. “Finally!”
The kiss broke, but their eye contact didn’t.
“So,” Mandy said. “Where are we going on our honeymoon?”
James grinned. “It’s still a surprise.”
“But … .”
“Oh, no,” James said, wagging his finger in her face. “We still have dinner, and cake, and dancing. I’m not telling you where we’re going until we’re at the airport.”
“You’re so mean,” Mandy pouted.
“I love you … wife.”
“I love you, too. I still want to know where we’re going.”
“Soon. Now kiss me again.”
Mandy did as she was told. Happily ever after was finally here.
Up Next
As honeymoons go, James Hardy can’t imagine having a better one. He’s rested, relaxed and romantically fulfilled thanks to two weeks of fun and frolicking in the island surf with his new wife, Mandy. Life couldn’t be better – for either of them.
All of that changes when a drunken party reveler accosts Mandy – and then turns up dead at the rental home where the newlyweds are staying. After being cleared by local authorities, Mandy and James return home and move into their new house, seemingly putting the problems of the last few days behind them.
That’s when things take a turn.
After a man tries to steal her purse while shopping, Mandy discovers a foreign jump drive in her possession – and the investigation into what’s on it leads James to realize that the problems from their island getaway have followed them home.
The jump drive is the key to a hidden fortune – and everyone seems to want to lay claim to it, and they don’t care how they get it. Macomb County becomes a war zone as warring factions take aim at each other – and threaten everyone who crosses their path.
James has to find a way to keep his new wife safe – and he might have to go to an unlikely source for help. When things come to a head, the whole Hardy family – and their loved ones – are in danger, and no one may get out alive.
Deadly Honeymoon hits shelves April 1, 2015. Purchase it here.
Author’s Note
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
When approaching the Hardy Brothers Security series, I decided to do it differently than a normal series
romantic suspense series. I started out with James and Mandy – and I’ll continue on to the other Hardy family members – but I plan on continuing everyone’s stories in each progressive book.
What does that mean? It means you’ll see progression with James and Mandy in Grady’s story. You’ll find progression with James, Mandy, Grady and Sophie in Finn’s story – and so on. Everyone is going to get a shot at love – and story fulfillment.
I love these characters and I want them to live on. Each book will not be strictly about one couple’s story. I want everyone to grow together.
If you’re interested in upcoming releases, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I do not spam. I don’t believe it and, as a reader, I find it annoying. Only new release information and special sales promotions will be posted.
This book is available for lending. Please do so. I want people to fall in love with the Hardys – and all their friends.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Books by Lily Harper Hart
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions (Coming May 2015)
Deadly Addition (Coming June 2015)
Deadly Vacation (Coming July 2015)
Deadly Secrets (Coming August 2015)