“I’m not telling you how to live your life, Ally,” Vince said, his congenial tone firmly in place. “I lost that right a long time ago.”
“You never had that right,” Ally clarified.
Vince ignored the statement. “I’m just saying that you’re living with this guy and you claim you love him and yet he hasn’t put a ring on your finger,” he said. “If he loves you so much, why isn’t he already married to you?”
“We haven’t even been living together for a year,” Ally protested.
“But you’re ready to get married,” Vince pointed out. “Why isn’t he?”
“I … don’t know.” Ally was frustrated. She didn’t trust Vince as far as she could throw him – and she was pretty sure his ego was so big she could never muster the strength to lift him off the ground – but the fact that Jake still hadn’t committed to forever with her grated.
Ally would never admit it to anyone – not even Mandy – but she was starting to wonder if Jake would ever ask her to marry him. She told herself it wasn’t a big deal and she hated herself for doubting him, but her heart hurt when she saw Emma and Finn planning a wedding. They had everything she wanted. And while Ally wouldn’t trade Jake for anything, at a certain point she was going to have to draw a line in the sand because she wanted to be a wife … and she definitely wanted to be a mother. She never thought of herself as old-fashioned, but she wanted to be married before she had children. She couldn’t help it.
“I’m not trying to screw up your life, Ally,” Vince said. “I just want you to know that I’m not the same man who walked out on you. I’ve changed. I’ve grown up. You have other options if this guy isn’t going to give you what you deserve. You don’t have to settle.”
Ally sucked in a breath and steadied herself. It didn’t matter if Jake never proposed to her. She loved him. Vince wasn’t a quarter of the man Jake was and she had no doubt the man before her was working an angle. “I’ll make sure James calls you,” she said. “As for Jake … don’t worry about it. Things have a way of working out.”
“They definitely do,” Vince agreed, smirking. “I have no doubt about that.”
“HOW WAS your shopping excursion?”
James found Jake in the kitchen shortly before five, the generally quiet man smiling as his eyes boasted a distant quality. He was obviously daydreaming.
“That good, huh?” James’ smile was as goofy as Jake’s when they locked gazes. “Where is my wife? You didn’t lock her in a closet and leave her somewhere, did you?”
Jake snorted. “She’s upstairs changing for the barbecue. I think you give her a bad rap sometimes,” he said. “She was great. She was nowhere near as bad as you make her out to be.”
James stilled. Did he do that? “I don’t ever think she’s bad,” he said. “I love everything she does.”
“I was joking,” Jake said, rolling his eyes. “I know you love her. Anyone who has ever met you knows that. You like to play games, though. She does, too. I didn’t mean it as an insult.”
“That’s good,” James said, pursing his lips. “I would hate to think my teasing gives people the wrong idea. She doesn’t deserve that.”
“You’re in a mood,” Jake said. “What’s going on?”
James shrugged. “Nothing is going on. Peter is hearing whispers that the car theft was an inside job, though. He’s got feelers out and if it shows up at a chop shop we should hear about it before anything happens to it.”
“That’s good,” Jake said, grinning. “You have a look, though. It says you’re feeling guilty about what you said and now you want to make it up to Mandy even though there’s nothing to make up.”
“I’m not thinking that,” James protested. “It’s just … sometimes she’s still insecure. I hate it. I never want her to worry about anything, especially the way I feel about her. Maybe I give her reason to worry without realizing it.”
“You’re like a woman sometimes. You know that, right?”
James scowled. “Fine. I’ll let it go. Tell me how the shopping went.”
“She was great,” Jake said. “She was a little leery at first. I think she was worried about draining my bank account. I had to set her straight after the second time she told me Ally’s dream was to be with me and that the ring was only secondary.”
James snorted. He could practically picture the scene unfolding. “Did you find something?”
“We did,” Jake replied. “It’s getting sized tonight and I can pick it up tomorrow. I had no idea how expensive rings were, though.”
“Do you need money?” James made the offer without thinking it through. “I can float you a loan if this straps you.”
“I have money,” Jake said, making a face. “I’m not the type of guy who lives high on the hog. Before Ally and I moved in together I was socking away a nice sum every month. Once we started sharing the same roof – and bills – that allowed me to save even more. I have a lot of money, in fact.”
“That’s good,” James said. “I can’t imagine Ally’s dream ring was cheap.”
“No.” Jake shook his head, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “The second Mandy demanded to see it, though, I knew she was right. She said it’s exactly like a ring Ally showed her when they were fourteen.”
“Fourteen?”
“Yeah. She said they got a jewelry catalog from your mother and spent hours going through it,” Jake said. “Mandy dreamed about marrying you with the ring she picked and Ally dreamed about snagging whoever the quarterback was at that time. At least she’ll get half of her dream.”
“She’s getting the whole package,” James corrected. “You’re better than the quarterback. I knew they picked out rings together. That’s why I had Ally help me. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to keep her big mouth shut, but she was so excited for Mandy I remember thinking it was the first time she seemed like a real adult to me.”
“Yeah, Mandy was all business,” Jake said. “She even told the sales clerk to shut up at one point. She was worried I felt pressured.”
“Well, you pick up the ring tomorrow,” James said. “When are you going to do it?”
“Mandy and I talked about that, too,” Jake said. “I asked her what Ally’s dream proposal was and she kind of laughed. She said the dream proposal always shifted depending on the guy so she didn’t know. She said I would know the right way to do it.”
James rubbed his hand over his jaw as he considered the statement. “Do you know?”
“I have an idea,” Jake confirmed. “I did need Mandy’s help picking out a few things.”
“Like what?”
Jake averted his eyes. “Oh, you know … things.”
James’ eyes darkened. “Like sex things?”
“No! You’re such a pig.”
James wasn’t convinced. “Then what did she help you buy?”
“I don’t want to tell you all of the details about what I have planned,” Jake admitted. “One thing I’ve noticed about these women is that half the fun of getting engaged is telling your story thirty times. I want her to be able to tell you.”
“That sounds reasonable,” James said. “I’m still curious what you went shopping for with my wife. I keep picturing a sex shop with flavored oils and lingerie … and wow, look at that. Now I want to punch you.”
Jake barked out a coarse laugh, amusement washing over him. “She helped me pick out some candles and plan a menu. It was nothing nefarious.”
“Candles, huh?” James’ expression was thoughtful. “I never planned out Mandy’s proposal. I mean, I did, but it never happened the way I thought it would. I found her that day crying because she was upset about killing her stepmother and losing the house and … I just did it.”
“So?” Jake was confused. “As far as I can tell she loves her proposal story. You gave her a ring and her dream house in the same thirty seconds.”
“Yeah, but … it wasn’t special like I planned,” James said. “Maybe I should
propose again. You know, do it right this time.”
Jake made an incredulous face. “You’re already married.”
“I don’t want to do the wedding over,” James said. “I could just give her a special proposal. She deserves a great story.”
“Oh, whatever,” Jake scoffed. “You just want to win. Not everything is a competition, man. Now that I’m going to propose to Ally you’re worried Ally will have a better story than Mandy, and for some reason, that drives you crazy.”
James wanted to argue, but he feared his friend was right. “It’s not that I want to win,” he said. “I just want Mandy to have everything she’s ever wanted.”
“She does,” Jake said. “While we were eating lunch she told me that she used to believe that happiness like she feels when she’s with you only existed in books and paintings. She said that’s why she wanted to be an artist, so she could always get a glimpse of happiness. Now she gets it whenever she looks in your eyes.”
James briefly pressed his eyes shut, the words warming him to the core. “She said that?”
“Your biggest problem is that you’re a little insecure, too,” Jake said. “You’re so worried about making everything perfect for Mandy that you don’t realize you’ve already done it. She’s happy. Why can’t you just enjoy that?”
James shrugged. “Because I like to win.”
Jake rolled his eyes. “I think the Hardys are too competitive for their own good,” he said. “You’re all desperate to win even though you’ve already claimed the top prizes.”
“Yes, well, we are what we are,” James said, reaching for the refrigerator door. “Now help me with the hamburgers. I need to feed my wife if I’m going to plan a surprise proposal.”
“And you say Mandy is work,” Jake muttered. “I think you’re the one who is work.”
“And just think,” James said brightly. “Mandy says that Ally and I are the most alike.”
“That, my friend, is a terrifying thought.”
13
Thirteen
“How much longer?”
Mandy appeared at James’ elbow and fixed him with a cute smile. She was dressed down in simple cut-off shorts and a Jaws tank top, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, but she made James’ heart skip a beat when he gazed at her.
“We haven’t even put the burgers on the grill yet,” James replied, waving his spatula for emphasis. “Chill out, wife. I will feed you. Don’t fret.”
“I love it when you use words like that,” Mandy teased, resting her chin on his shoulder. “I’m hungry, though.”
“You know, there’s a simple solution to that problem.” Grady stood next to James, a beer in his hand. “You could always pretend you’re the wife and do the cooking.”
James punched his brother’s arm and shook his head. “Don’t say things like that to her.”
“That’s right,” Mandy said, feigning anger. “It’s not a woman’s place to cook food anymore. Get out of the past, butthead.”
James loved it when his wife got feisty – especially with Grady. They had a unique relationship. They fought like cats and dogs – almost like brother and sister – but when she was really upset, he was almost always the one who helped her out of her doldrums. They enjoyed messing around with one another, though. “That’s right,” James said, bobbing his head. “Not only is this not the past, but in the present we don’t want food poisoning. There’s a very good reason why my wife doesn’t cook.”
Mandy frowned, affronted. “Hey!”
“Oh, baby, I love you more than anything,” James said, adopting a soothing tone. “We both know you can’t cook, though. If we didn’t have a phone to order takeout and I couldn’t grill, we would starve.”
Grady snorted. “You guys are totally screwed if the zombie apocalypse comes to pass.”
“Yes, but if the sharkpocalypse comes we’re going to be the winners,” Mandy said, poking the end of Grady’s nose for emphasis. “We’re not going to help you either. I’m going to let the sharks eat you so we can get away.”
“That’s so ridiculous I’m not even going to comment on it,” Grady said.
“And the zombie apocalypse isn’t ridiculous?” James challenged.
Grady shrugged. “It’s a lot more probable than the sharkpocalypse,” he said. “I mean … all you have to do to get away from a shark is stay on land.”
“Not if the polar ice caps melt and the world is flooded,” Mandy pointed out.
“I never thought of that,” Grady said, taking Mandy by surprise and grabbing her around the waist. “Let’s test your swimming prowess out right now, shall we?”
“Let me go,” Mandy said, vainly wriggling against Grady as he shuffled her toward the pool. “I don’t want to swim.”
“Oh, no,” Grady said, struggling to hold onto Mandy without spilling his beer. “You’re all mouth. I want to see you swim from the shark.”
“James!”
James lifted an eyebrow but otherwise remained motionless. “What’s up, baby?”
“If you let him throw me in the pool there will be no fun and frolicking for you tonight.”
It was an empty threat. They both knew it. Still, James always wanted to be his wife’s hero. “Let her go, Grady.”
Grady stared him down for a moment. “What if I say no?”
“Then you’re not getting any food,” James shot back. “She’s wearing her favorite shirt. The chlorine will ruin it.”
“You guys are absolutely no fun,” Grady said, reluctantly releasing Mandy and grunting when she elbowed him in the stomach.
Mandy hurried back to James and wrapped her arms around his waist. “My hero.”
James couldn’t help but smile. “That’s a role I’ll gladly take,” he said. “Just for saving you, though, you have to hold off on the onions tonight.”
“Oh, you’re such a smooth talker,” Grady said, taking a seat between Sophie and Louis. “I can’t believe you’re talking like that in front of our parents. It’s so … disrespectful.”
James had almost forgotten that his parents were present. Louis’ ominous words at Peter’s house still haunted him, although he had no idea what they meant. “Our parents have four children,” James said after a beat. “I’m sure they understand about onions.”
Louis chuckled at his children’s banter, enjoying the way they interacted. “I certainly do,” he said. “Your mother and I solved that particular problem by eating onions together. If you both do it, no one complains or notices.”
“Let’s do that,” Mandy suggested. “You know I love onions on my hamburgers.”
James sighed, resigned. “Fine. You have to rub me in the hot tub tonight, though.”
“Ooh, that sounds fun,” Rose enthused. “We should all meet for a double date in the hot tub this evening. I’ll bring a bottle of wine so we can really cut loose.”
“Um … sure,” James said, faltering. “I … that sounds great.”
Grady almost fell over he was laughing so hard. “Ha, ha. I think the sharkpocalypse is about to hit after all.”
Mandy looked almost sad when she shifted her clear blue eyes to James. “We can sleep in the guesthouse tonight if you want,” she whispered. “We can create our own sharkpocalypse with the projector once we’re alone.”
James smiled. She always knew how to make him feel better. “I’m so glad we have a good lock on that door.” He kissed the tip of her nose and kept his voice low. “You didn’t tell me how your outing with Jake went.”
“I thought he told you.”
“He did,” James confirmed. “He said you were wonderful. I already knew that, though. I wanted to hear about things from your perspective.”
“Oh, he got Ally the most beautiful ring ever,” Mandy enthused. “She’s going to be so happy. I almost wish I could be there to see it when he pops the question.”
“That’s a little weird, baby,” James said. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to do something filthy when that hap
pens. I’m sure you remember what happened when we got engaged.”
“Yeah. You pulled your truck in the garage and lowered the door and we went at it like drunken teenagers at a kegger because we didn’t have keys to the house yet. It was a dream come true because I always wanted you when I was a teenager.”
James chuckled, delighted. “You shouldn’t want to see that part,” he said. “That’s private.”
“I don’t want to see that part,” Mandy clarified. “I just want to see her get everything she’s ever wanted.”
“We will get to see that,” James said. “It’s not a one-day thing. It’s a forever thing.”
Mandy’s smile was so pretty it almost blinded James. “I’m glad I get to spend forever with you.”
“Oh, wife, you have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that,” James said. “We’re definitely sleeping in the guesthouse tonight.”
“You’re so romantic.”
“Oh, baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
ALLY WAS quiet when she entered the house, Jake thoughtful as he trailed behind her. She’d answered questions and laughed when appropriate over the course of the barbecue, but she didn’t appear to be herself.
Jake locked the front door and set the security system before dropping his keys on the sofa table and moving closer to the woman he loved. “What’s wrong, angel? Do you feel all right?”
His voice was barely a whisper and they’d been silent for so long the questions jolted Ally back to reality. “I’m fine.” She plastered a smile on her face. “I was just thinking.”
Someone else might’ve been fooled by the act. Jake knew every smile in her repertoire, though, and he recognized the fact that the happiness she professed didn’t make it all the way to her eyes. “Come here.” Jake pulled Ally to him, wrapping her in a tight hug as he rested his cheek against her forehead. His mother used to check to see if he had a fever that way when he was a child. It stuck with him, and now he associated the gesture with love. “You don’t feel warm.”
“I’m not sick,” Ally said, tilting her head back so she could meet Jake’s steady gaze. “I’m fine. Honest.”
Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) Page 11