Deadly Addition (Hardy Brothers Security Book 9) (12 page)

“I … I can’t ask you to do that,” Finn said. “That’s a big construction project.”

“It’s not that big,” James said. “I like the idea of Emma and the baby being protected here. No one will be able to get past us, and you’ll have three uncles down here ready to dote on the kid. It will give us a chance to bond, too.”

Mandy smiled.

“Are you sure?” Finn’s voice cracked.

“Don’t you dare start crying,” James said, his voice raising an octave as he struggled with his own emotions. “Don’t.”

“Oh, you guys are so cute,” Mandy enthused.

“This is going to be one spoiled kid,” James said. “And, what I said before about babysitting, I think we can probably be persuaded to take the kid once a month so you and Emma can have time alone. Right, baby?”

Mandy shook her head.

“No?” James was stunned.

“Not until the kid can hold its own head up,” Mandy said. “I need it to be somewhat durable before you leave it with us. We’ll break it if you don’t.”

Finn jerked Mandy to him, giving her a ferocious hug. “Thank you.”

Mandy patted his back. “Save your thanks. You have no idea how big the ring I’m going to pick out for Emma is going to be.”

“This is a beautiful home.”

Mandy forced a tight smile onto her face as she regarded Sheila with what she hoped was a welcoming expression. The weekly family barbecue was bigger than usual – and the only person excited by the addition was Emma. Everyone was putting on a good show, though. Disappointing Emma was not an option.

“Thank you,” Mandy said. “It’s a work in progress. We’re nowhere near being done. We have a bunch of art that we ordered, and it just arrived, but we haven’t put it up yet.”

“Oh, the stuff from that website?” Ally asked. “The website I found, mind you.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “Yes, the stuff from the website.”

“Where is it? I want to see it. Is it good quality?” Not long after Mandy and James returned from their honeymoon, Ally had discovered a website that turned pop culture art into canvas paintings. Mandy and James had gone nuts when ordering.

“It’s out in the saloon,” Mandy said.

Sheila perked up. “Saloon?”

“It’s really not a saloon,” Emma explained. “The main floor of the guesthouse was fashioned after a saloon from the old west. Mandy and James kept it. It’s really cute.”

“Oh, I want to see it.”

Emma glanced at Mandy, uncertain.

“Sure,” Mandy said, grabbing her beer from the table. “Come on. It’s cool.”

Mandy led the group of women to the guesthouse, meeting James’ curious gaze as she opened the door. He’d gathered the men in the saloon for some much-needed alone time, so he was surprised by the invasion.

“Sheila wanted to see the saloon,” Mandy explained.

James handed his pool cue to Grady. “Of course.”

“This is so cool,” Sheila said. “It’s very unique. Since it’s not in the main house, though, it fits. This is great. Oh, what a neat pool table. I’ve never seen a purple one before.”

“Mandy picked out the felt,” James said, keeping his gaze level. “She wanted the game table and pool table to match. She gave it to me for my birthday a few weeks ago.”

“Oh, that was a nice gift,” Sheila said. “You obviously have good taste.”

Mandy’s pressed her lips together. Having a woman who she violently disliked back up her decorating decisions was a blow.

“Oh, that light is cool,” Sheila said, pointing to the unique lamp above the pool table. That looks like … all of you.”

“Mandy had it made,” James said. “It’s my favorite part of the room.”

“It’s very nice,” Sheila said. “All you need in here is one of those old-fashioned juke boxes.”

“I’m not sure if that would fit with the saloon motif,” Emma interjected, clearly nervous.

“It’s something to consider,” James said.

“Where’s the art?” Ally asked, impatient.

“Upstairs,” Mandy said. “I put it in my studio to keep it out of the way until we can hang it.”

“Studio?” Sheila was intrigued. “Do you sing?”

James snorted. “Only in the shower.”

Mandy shot him a look. “I could sing.”

“You have many talents, baby,” James said. “Singing is not one of them. You have no rhythm, and I think you might be tone deaf.”

“You suck,” Mandy grumbled.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

“No, Sheila,” Mandy said. “It’s an art studio.”

“You’re an artist?”

“No, I’m a clerk in the circuit courthouse,” Mandy said. “I like to paint, though.” Mandy gestured to the stairs. “The art is up there.”

“Oh, I’ll stay down here,” Sheila said. “I’m not really an art enthusiast. I do love a game of pool.”

When Sheila’s back was turned, Mandy stuck her tongue out at James. “I’m sure the guys would love for you to play. I’ll show everyone else the art.”

Once they were upstairs, Emma attacked the stack of canvases excitedly. “Oh, these are great. They look authentic.”

“I know,” Mandy said. “I was really happy with how they turned out. I can’t wait to get them up.”

“Oh, I love the Hogwarts one,” Emma said, pulling the canvas to her lap as she settled on the ground.

“Do you want a chair?” Sophie asked. “You should be comfortable.”

“I’m pregnant, not eighty,” Emma said. “I’m fine.”

“You look good,” Ally said. “Are you taking your vitamins?”

“Yes, Mom.”

Ally scowled. “Hey, I love you. I want my niece or nephew to be healthy.”

“Finn is watching me like a hawk,” Emma said. “He’s force feeding me shrimp every time I turn around.”

“I thought you didn’t eat meat?”

“I don’t, but shrimp don’t have nervous systems,” Emma said. “I don’t feel like I’m killing God’s creatures when I’m eating them – although I am. It makes Finn feel better, so I do it.”

“You’re getting more today,” Mandy informed her. “I made kabobs. Some are beef, and some are shrimp.”

“Did Finn force that on you?”

“No,” Mandy replied. “I love shrimp.”

“You’re lying,” Emma squealed, smacking Mandy’s bare leg.

“Finn is cute with how doting he is,” Mandy said.

Emma bit her bottom lip. “He’s not the only one who is doting. Between you and Ally, I feel spoiled for the first time in my life.”

“I haven’t done anything,” Mandy said evasively.

“Finn says you’re the one who came up with the idea of expanding the apartment upstairs at the security building,” Emma pointed out.

“That was a great idea,” Sophie said. “That allows Emma and the baby privacy, but it also gives her help when she needs it.”

“That
was
a great idea,” Ally said. “I wish I had come up with it.”

“It’s only until they get a house,” Mandy said. “Finn is desperate for that kid to have a yard. It’s kind of cute. I told him you could bring the baby over here and use our yard when it’s time.”

“I’m kind of excited to get the baby in the pool,” Ally admitted. “How fun is a baby going to be in the pool?”

“Very,” Sophie said.

“That’s like a year away,” Emma said, laughing.

“So? How fun is next summer going to be?” Ally enthused.

“It’s a lot to deal with,” Emma admitted. “Finn has been great, though. Every time I come up with a problem, he immediately fixes it – even if he has help when he does it.”

“It was an obvious answer,” Mandy said. “I like the idea of you being in that apartment. It’s a happy place.”

“You and James were very happy there,” Emma agreed. “Still … it’s like we’re stealing something from you.”

Mandy stilled. “Stealing?”

“That’s your home.”

“This is our home,” Mandy corrected. “We were very happy there, but it was a stopgap. It’s going to be a stopgap for you and Finn, too. It can be a great home for you until you find your dream house.”

“It still feels like it’s yours,” Emma countered.

Mandy considered the statement. “You know what we should do?”

Ally was one step ahead of her. “Paint.”

“Absolutely,” Mandy said. “That place needs a spruce, and while we have construction people working, you should pick the colors you like.”

“That doesn’t seem right,” Emma hedged.

“That’s not our home, Emma,” Mandy said. “This is our home. That is going to be your home for years to come. Plus? I hate that gray in the living room. I never told James, because it seemed inappropriate, but that is the most boring color.”

“I think we should paint it eggplant,” Ally suggested.

“Emma gets to pick the colors,” Mandy chided. “You’re a paint whore.”

“I know.”

“I like eggplant,” Emma said.

Ally clapped her hands together. “Finally! Someone agrees that I should be able to pick paint colors. Emma is definitely smarter than you.”

Mandy scowled. “I still maintain that the blue you picked for the kitchen was ugly.”

“And I still maintain that your house would be so much better if you’d let me pick the colors.”

Mandy yanked Ally’s hair playfully. “You drive me crazy.”

“You drive me crazy,” Ally shot back.

“You both drive me crazy,” Sophie said.

“I just love you all so much,” Emma said, bursting into tears.

MANDY
managed to escape from the upstairs studio ten minutes later, abandoning Sophie and Ally to Emma duty as she begged off with food-preparation excuses.

“What’s going on up there?” James asked when she hit the main floor of the guesthouse.

“Emma really loves everyone.”

Finn sighed. “Hormones?”

“She’s fine,” Mandy said. “Sophie and Ally are hugging her.”

“You’re still free after work tomorrow, right?” Finn asked pointedly.

“What’s happening after work tomorrow?” Grady asked.

James shook his head, pressing his finger to his lips. “It’s a secret.”

“I can keep a secret,” Grady protested.

“We’re not keeping it from you,” James said pointedly.

Jake balked. “I don’t tell anyone anything.”

“You tell Ally stuff,” James said. “And this secret is something for Emma.”

“I wouldn’t tell Ally.”

“Oh, please, you fold like a towel where my sister is concerned,” Finn said.

Jake shrugged. “She’s got powers of persuasion. They are varied, and fascinating.”

James extended his index finger in Jake’s direction. “Stop talking dirty about my sister.”

“Your sister is the dirty one,” Jake countered.

“My sister is an angel.”

Jake cocked an eyebrow.

“Okay, my sister is a filthy little minx,” James conceded. “She’s still my sister. She doesn’t have sex in my world.”

“Fine,” Jake grumbled.

“I mean it.”

“I said fine.”

Mandy rolled her eyes, scanning the room. “Where did Sheila go?”

James made a face. “She got bored and went back to the house. She’s probably stealing our silverware.”

“Our silverware is a hodgepodge of crap,” Mandy said, moving to the front window of the guesthouse. The patio was empty. “What do you think she’s really doing?”

“She’s probably seeing if there’s anything she can steal,” James said, checking the stairs to make sure Emma wasn’t within earshot. “Thankfully, we’re insured, and all of the jewelry is in the safe.”

Mandy scowled. “I’m going to go and get the stuff for the grill. I’ll check on her. Finish your game and meet me on the patio.”

“Why? We’re happy out here,” James protested.

“You’re grilling,” Mandy said. “If I have to entertain that woman, you’re doing the cooking.”

“Admit it, you just don’t like to cook.”

“Do you want sex later?” Mandy threatened.

James paled. “I love to cook. I can’t wait to grill.”

“Ten minutes.” Mandy wagged her finger in front of his face before giving him a quick kiss. “I can’t guarantee she won’t be dead if you’re gone for a minute longer.”

James smiled. “Since prison would put a crimp in my hot-tub plans tonight, I promise we’ll be there.”

THE
kitchen was silent and empty when Mandy entered the house. She cocked her head, listening. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve assume the house was empty. She knew better.

Mandy collected the tins of skewered meet and vegetables and carried them out to the grill. When she returned to the kitchen, she found Sheila descending the back stairs from the second floor.

“Oh,” Sheila said, clearly surprised. “I thought you were out back.”

“We’re ready to start grilling,” Mandy said. “I just came to get the food.”

Sheila collected herself. “I hope you don’t mind, but I just wanted to see the rest of the house.”

Mandy pursed her lips, shaking her head as she regarded the woman with faux innocence. “It’s fine. There’s nothing up there but offices and bedrooms.”

“You’ve done a wonderful job decorating. I’m an interior-design buff.”

“We’re a work in progress,” Mandy said.

“Well, you’ve made a great start.”

Mandy waited, but Sheila didn’t expand. “Why don’t you join us out on the patio? Dinner is going to be good. I promise.”

“Of course,” Sheila said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mandy didn’t believe her for a second.