Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6) (15 page)

“Because it’s your nature,” Louis said. “You take the world on your shoulders, never asking for help. It’s what you do.”

“He has help,” Jake said. “We’re all in this together.”

Louis shifted his gaze to Jake, smiling. “I’m starting to like you more and more.”

“Oh, this looks like a nice restaurant,” Rose said, looking around with bright eyes. “We don’t have anything like this up in Barker Creek.”

“Barker Creek has one stoplight,” Finn said. “You don’t have anything up there period.”

“That is still your home,” Rose said. “Don’t speak badly about it.”

“I’m not speaking badly about it,” Finn countered. “Speaking the truth is not the same thing as speaking badly.”

“Oh, you have such a fresh mouth sometimes.”

The group followed the hostess as she led them to a table, leaving them with menus and promising the waitress would be by shortly to take their drink orders. James purposely positioned himself so his back was to the wall, wanting a clear view of the entire restaurant. He even made Finn move so he could have the specific chair he wanted.

“Why is that chair so important?” Rose asked.

“I just want it,” James said. “I’m the one getting married. I get my way this week.”

“What was wrong with the other chair?”

“Nothing,” James said. “I wanted this chair.”

Louis recognized what his son was doing. “They have prime rib, Rose,” he said. “That’s your favorite.”

Rose frowned, scanning the menu. “Oh, it’s so expensive, though.”

“Dinner is on me,” James said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, no, we should pay.”

“Don’t argue with me, Mom,” James said. “I’m paying.”

“I’m getting the prime rib,” Finn announced. “That sounds good.”

“Me, too,” Mandy said.

“They have a really good vegetarian lasagna here,” Emma said.

Rose wrinkled her nose. “Vegetarian lasagna? Oh, that doesn’t sound like food, honey.”

“Emma doesn’t eat meat, Mom,” Finn said.

“Why not?”

“I kind of have to watch what I eat,” Emma hedged, clearly uncomfortable.

“This is a celebration, though.”

“Mom, leave her alone,” Finn chided. “She can eat what she wants.”

“She’s too thin,” Rose said. “You need to fatten her up.”

“I have to fit into a bikini for the opening of the new marina out in New Baltimore tomorrow,” Emma said. “I can’t have prime rib, or empty carbs, if I can help it.”

“Men like it when women have a little meat on their bones,” Rose said. “You have no meat on your bones.”

“No, they don’t,” Ally said. “Men like their women to look like waifs.”

“That’s not true,” James said. “I like my women round and soft.”

Mandy frowned, glancing down at her thighs. James immediately regretted his comment. “You’re not fat, baby. Stop doing that.”

Mandy didn’t look convinced. “Maybe I should try the lasagna.”

James growled. “You’re getting the prime rib.”

“I need to fit into my wedding dress in a few days,” Mandy countered.

“I’ve seen you in that dress. You have nothing to worry about. You’re eating a big dinner. Don’t even think about arguing with me.”

“You’ve seen her in her dress?” Rose was scandalized. “Why?”

“It was an accident.”

“It’s bad luck,” Rose argued.

“That’s what I said,” Ally interjected.

“Our luck is fine,” James said, scorching Ally with a look. “Stop telling her we’re going to have bad luck.”

“Don’t snap at your sister,” Louis ordered.

James pinched the bridge of his nose to calm himself.

“What kind of vegetables are in the lasagna?” Mandy asked Emma.

“Um, zucchini, carrots, tomatoes. You know, the usual.”

“You’re not eating the lasagna,” James said. “I love your body the way it is. You’re eating the prime rib, and you’re going to like it. Then you’re going to eat a big dessert. We’ll work off the calories later.”

Rose scowled. “James Hardy, don’t you dare say things like that in public.”

James cracked his neck, shooting a hard look in Finn’s direction. “Do you want to pipe in here?”

“Why should I?”

“It’s your girlfriend who started all of this.”

“Hey, she has a right to eat what she wants,” Finn said.

“I’m so sorry,” Emma said, her face cloudy. “I’ve ruined the whole night.”

“You have not,” Ally said. “Mom ruined the night.”

“Thank you, dear,” Rose said. “You always know just what to say to make me feel good.”

Ally made a face. “Oh, great, now you’re going to be sensitive.”

“Everyone study their menus,” James ordered, getting to his feet. “I’ll be back in a second.”

“Where are you going?” Mandy asked, concerned.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to climb out the bathroom window and run,” he said. “I just see someone I have to talk to.”

Mandy looked unsure. James leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I’m fine. I promise.”

James loosened the tie around his neck as he stepped away. He felt like the air was closing in on him. Only his mother could make him feel this way.

He’d told Mandy the truth when he said he’d seen someone he had to talk to. There had been a familiar face in the crowd, and that face just happened to belong to an item on James’ very long to-do list.

James made his way across the restaurant, pausing next to the table where Judge MacIntosh was holding court. The judge was in the middle of some story, an entertaining reenactment of a long-forgotten murder trial, and the other people at his table were enthralled.

When he finished, everyone broke out in spontaneous guffaws.

That was when the judge finally noticed James. “Mr. Hardy,” he said, getting to his feet and extending his hand. “I didn’t see you standing there.”

“I enjoyed the story,” James said.

MacIntosh peered around James’ shoulder. “Is Mandy with you? I’d like to say hi. Since I won’t see her before the wedding, I just want to give her my best.”

“Actually, we have a big group,” James said. “I’ll take you over there in a second. I just … um … there’s something I was hoping to talk to you about first.”

“Certainly. Would you like to have a seat?”

James scanned the curious faces at the table and shook his head. “Can we talk alone?”

“Of course.”

The judge followed James to the bar, which was conveniently out of sight from both of their parties.

“Is something wrong?”

“What? Oh, no,” James said hurriedly. “We actually have a solid lead that we’re following. I’m hopeful that whole thing will be taken care of before the wedding.”

MacIntosh sighed, relieved. “Good. I had faith you would, but I know how these things can go.”

“Yeah,” James said, running his hand through his hair. Now that he had the man here, and they were alone, he wasn’t sure how to progress.

“You said there was something you wanted to discuss?” MacIntosh prodded.

“There is,” James said. “Now that I’ve got you here, I’m not sure how to do it.”

“Well, why don’t you just tell me? It can’t be as terrible as you’re making it out to be.”

“I just … it’s a weird request,” James explained. “I’m not even sure it will be necessary.”

The judge waited patiently.

“Something has been off about the wedding,” James said. “Not with me, but with Mandy. Most women can’t stop talking about a wedding, but she’s exactly the opposite. It’s like she doesn’t want to have to deal with it.”

The judge chuckled. “You’re worried she has cold feet, aren’t you? I wouldn’t worry about that. I’ve never seen a woman so in love with a man before. Never.”

“No,” James said, shaking his head. “Not at all. I know she wants to marry me. That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“I … I think I know what’s bothering her,” James said. “And, if I can fix it, I want to.”

MacIntosh raised an eyebrow. “This must be a big request. You can’t seem to get the words out.”

James realized he was meandering. “I think it’s her dad.”

Realization dawned on MacIntosh’s face. “You think she’s not excited because her father won’t be there to walk her down the aisle?”

“Exactly.”

“That makes sense,” the judge said. “She’s been dreaming of marrying the perfect man – she’s been dreaming of marrying you, to be more precise – since she was in middle school. Part of that dream was her father walking her down the aisle.”

“Yes.” James exhaled heavily.

“How can I help?”

“I … I’m not sure,” James admitted. “I think she wants someone to walk her down the aisle, someone to give her away. I thought about asking my father, but it doesn’t feel right. My dad loves her. He’s always loved her. He’s still
my
dad.”

“What about an uncle? What about a grandparent?”

“Her grandparents are dead,” James said. “She’s not close with any of her uncles.”

“You want me to walk her down the aisle, don’t you?”

“I want you to be an option to walk her down the aisle,” James clarified. “I haven’t figured out how I’m going to broach the subject with her yet.”

“I would be happy to walk her down the aisle,” MacIntosh said.

“You would?”

The hope in James’ eyes was enough to squeeze the judge’s heart. “Of course. You’re not the only one who loves her, Mr. Hardy. She’s a good girl. Giving her away isn’t something I would ever want to do, but the fact that you’re here asking me this tells me that you’re the only man who is worthy of her.”

James smiled. “I hope to be worthy of her for my whole life.”

“You will be.”

“It’s not a hundred percent,” James cautioned. “I’m not sure what she wants, or how things will shake out.”

“I understand.”

James smiled. “Thank you.”

“No thanks are necessary. Just make sure that girl is happy forever.”

“That’s the only thing I want.”

Once they were done, James led MacIntosh over to his party, a bright smile on his face. “Look who I found.”

Mandy jumped to her feet and moved around the table so she could hug the judge. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t think I was going to get to see you before the wedding.”

“I ran into Mr. Hardy across the way,” MacIntosh said. “I wanted to come over and say hello.”

James introduced him to everyone at the table.

“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you,” Rose said, getting to her feet. “James said you’re a wonderful man.”

“Well, I guess I’m in good company then,” MacIntosh said, his eyes twinkling. “Mandy seems to surround herself with wonderful men.”

“Oh, I like you even more now,” Rose said, squeezing the judge’s cheek. “You’re so cute.”

“Mom,” James admonished. “You don’t do that to a judge.”

“It’s fine,” MacIntosh said. “She’s just … enthusiastic.”

“She’s something,” James agreed.

“We ordered,” Mandy said. “You were gone for a long time. I got you the prime rib and a potato.”

“That’s good,” James said. “What did you get?”

Mandy’s face flushed.

“If you ordered the vegetarian lasagna, I’m walking back into that kitchen and changing your order.”

“I ordered the prime rib,” Mandy said. “If I don’t fit into my dress, though, I’m blaming you.”

“Fine.”

The judge smiled. “You have a good one here, my dear,” he said, patting James on the shoulder. “You should feel lucky. He looks out for you every chance he gets.”

“I’ve noticed,” Mandy said, squeezing the judge’s hand. “You’re coming to the wedding, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good. It wouldn’t feel right if you weren’t there.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” MacIntosh said, exchanging a quick look with James. “I’m here for anything you need.”

Mandy’s smile was wide. “You’re the best boss ever.”

“He’s cute,” Rose agreed, reaching her hand up.

James slapped it down. “Stop doing that.”

“If you don’t get out of that tub your skin is going to fall off,” Grady warned, poking his head into the hotel bathroom and smiling as he caught a glimpse of Sophie relaxing with her head against the rim.

They’d spent two nights there – mostly because Grady was having such a good time in the hot tub himself – but now the duo had one more stop to make before they headed for home.

Sophie had insisted on a final soak – and then she’d proceeded to hide in the bathroom for two straight hours.

“You’re ruining my quiet time,” Sophie said, refusing to open her eyes.

Grady moved into the bathroom, kneeling down next to the tub and kissing the side of her face. “I don’t want to make you move, but I’m out of options,” he said. “We have to check out in an hour. We still have to try and track down Anderson’s neighbors who weren’t there yesterday, and if we’re not back home in time to have dinner with my parents tonight, my mom is going to have some sort of meltdown.

“So, as much as every fiber of my being resists the urge to tell you to get dressed, sugar, you have to get dressed,” Grady said.

“Grady?”

“Yes.”

“I want to live in this tub.”

Grady smirked. “You know, we could buy a hot tub for your house,” he said. “We could get an outdoor one, and even enjoy it in the middle of winter.”

“Is it already in my yard?”

“No.”

“Then I want to live here,” Sophie said.

Grady pursed his lips. The past two nights had been invigorating, to say the least. He was halfway tempted to climb into the tub with her one more time. Only the thought of his mother’s disappointed face was enough to keep him clothed. “Sophie?”

“Grady?”

“I … .”

Sophie opened one eye and fixed it on him. “I know we have to go.”

“If there was any way of getting out of this, I would be downstairs paying for another night right now,” Grady said.

“I know.”

“How about, the day after the wedding, we go and buy a hot tub of our very own?”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise,” he said.

“Okay.” Sophie sighed, reluctantly standing up.

One look at her naked body, the lithe swell of her hip teasing him, and Grady was stripping out of his clothes. “One more round in the tub can’t hurt us.”

“I’M
starving,” Sophie admitted as Grady pointed his truck back in the direction of Tony Anderson’s house.

“Me, too,” Grady said. “We’re already behind schedule, though. I figured we’d pick something up to eat on the road once we’re done.”

After two trips to Anderson’s neighborhood, Grady didn’t even have to check his GPS to navigate.

“This trip has been something of a bust,” Sophie said. “His house is beyond boring, and if he has a computer, he took it with him. I don’t think James is going to care that he wears briefs instead of boxers.”

“No,” Grady agreed.

“Do you really think these neighbors will know anything about him? The others couldn’t even remember if he was black or white.”

“I don’t know,” Grady said. “We might as well give it a shot. It’s a long drive back home, and at least we can say we did our due diligence.”

“You’re just using the neighbors as an excuse to justify staying another night in the hotel, aren’t you?”

Grady shrugged. “I want to talk to the neighbors.”

“And you stayed in the hotel another night because of me,” Sophie said. “Thank you, by the way.”

“Sugar, wild horses couldn’t have dragged me out of that room after that first night,” Grady said, flicking his turn signal. “I stayed in that hotel for me. You just happened to be with me.”

“You’re only saying that to make me feel better.”

“I’m saying that because you’ve spent the past two nights making me feel like a king,” Grady countered.

Sophie bit her bottom lip. “Grady?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

Grady shifted his gaze to her serious face. “You’re welcome, but I meant what I said. I didn’t just stay for you.”

“I know that’s not true,” Sophie said. “You want to see your parents.”

“My parents are going to be here for days,” Grady said. “Trust me. I’ll be ready for them to go by the time the wedding hits.”

“Still … .”

“Sophie,” Grady said, smiling. “Can’t you just enjoy the two days we had and let it go? Not every single thing has to be overanalyzed. I know it’s your nature, but come on.”

Sophie made a face. “Fine.”

Grady shook his head, parking his truck in front of a two-story bungalow on a quiet street. “Sophie?”

“Yeah.”

“Let it go.”

Grady climbed out of the truck and stood in front of it, waiting for the pouty brunette to join him. When she did, she had a sheepish look on her face. “I’m sorry.”

“I know,” Grady said, giving her a quick kiss. “You overthink everything. I’m used to it.”

“Still, you went out of your way for me.”

Grady stuck his fingers in his ears. “La-la-la.”

Sophie snorted, grabbing his arm and jerking his hands down. “Fine. I get it. I’m being ridiculous.”

Grady kissed the tip of her nose. “Let’s get this done. I’m hungry.”

Sophie linked her fingers with his, letting him lead her up the cobblestone steps to the modest ranch house. Grady knocked and waited.

The woman who answered was old and tiny. Sophie couldn’t be sure, but if the woman cleared five feet, it would be some sort of miracle.

“I don’t buy things from people,” the woman barked, pointing at the “no solicitors” sign on the front door. “You’re trespassing.”

Grady pasted a wide smile on his handsome face and tucked a strand of shoulder-length hair behind his ear. “Do I look like I’m selling something?”

“Are you a boy or a girl?”

Grady frowned as Sophie stifled a giggle. “I’m a boy.”

“Are you sure? Your hair would seem to suggest otherwise.”

“Ma’am … .”

“Edna.”

“Excuse me?”

“If you’re going to stand on my front porch and bug me, you might as well call me by my name,” the woman said.

“Edna,” Grady said, spreading his hands out in a placating manner. “We’re not selling anything.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I want to know about your neighbor,” Grady said, pointing to the house next door.

“Why?”

“I’m investigating him,” Grady said, deciding honesty was the best policy. “He accosted my brother and his fiancée up in Michigan earlier this week, and I’m trying to find some information on his comings and goings.”

Edna’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really.”

“I don’t know a lot about him,” she admitted. “He’s quiet. He keeps to himself. He’s really not a bad neighbor.”

“How long has he lived there?” Sophie asked.

“About five years,” Edna said.

“Does anyone ever visit him?”

“Well, he’s not a monk, if that’s what you mean,” Edna said. “A few people come around from time to time.”

“Women? Men?”

“Always men,” she said. “I’m pretty sure he’s a fruit.”

Grady stilled. “A fruit?”

“You know, a fruit loop,” Edna said.

Grady was fairly certain he knew what Edna was alluding to, but he wanted to be one-hundred-percent sure. “Are you saying he’s gay?”

“He doesn’t look particularly happy,” Edna said.

Grady fought the urge to strangle the elderly woman. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know,” Edna said. “I’m just kind of curious how many different ways you can skirt around the question before you actually ask it.”

Grady scowled.

“We’re asking if he’s a homosexual,” Sophie said, grinning so hard she looked as if her face was about to split.

“Oh, you want to know if he’s a butt bandit, don't you?”

Grady took a step back. “That’s pretty insulting.”

“It’s not like I called him a faggot,” Edna said.

Grady struggled to collect himself. “Why do you think that Mr. Anderson is … homosexual?”

“Because only men stop by,” Edna said. “And when they do, it’s always a different one. They go in, spend the night, and then leave in the morning.”

“Like an escort service?” Sophie asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I think they’re male whores,” Edna said.

Sophie fought the mad urge to laugh. “Can you be sure that they’re … what you think they are?”

Edna shrugged. “What else would they be? They all look like models, like this one, and then they all leave and never come back. That doesn’t sound like a friend to me.”

“I’m not gay,” Grady said.

“If that’s your story,” Edna replied.

“This is my girlfriend,” Grady said, gesturing to Sophie.

“You poor girl,” Edna said, shaking her head. “You’re dating a poof. Well, you’ll figure it out some day.”

“THAT
woman is evil,” Grady announced once they were back in his truck.

“You’re just saying that because she doesn’t like your hair,” Sophie said. “That’s never happened to you before.”

“My hair is awesome,” Grady said, merging onto the freeway. “Keep your eye on the exits. When you decide what you want to eat, we’ll stop and get some food.”

“Okay,” Sophie said, smirking as she stared out the window.

“Stop doing that,” Grady ordered.

“Doing what?”

“Thinking about what that evil woman said.”

“Oh, honey, isn’t it enough that I love your hair?”

“Are you a boy or a girl?” Grady mimicked.

“You should have dropped your pants and proven your masculinity.”

“You’re not funny.”

Sophie was quiet for a moment, her mind obviously busy as she mulled their conversation with Edna. “Do you think she’s right about Anderson being gay?”

Grady shrugged. “She thought I was gay. I don’t put much faith in her powers of observation.”

“I think … .” Sophie broke off, unsure.

Grady had learned a long time ago that when Sophie was on to something, she was usually right. “What do you think?”

“I might be way off here,” she warned.

Grady waited.

“What if Anderson was so upset about Jeff Pace dying because … well … they were more than friends?”

Grady leaned back in his seat, his face contemplative. “I don’t know,” he said. “I would think that would be hard to hide.”

“Isn’t homosexuality still frowned upon in the military?”

“It’s complicated.”

Sophie lifted an eyebrow.

“I think most soldiers are fine with it,” Grady said. “I think there are some, though, that probably aren’t. You know how that goes.”

“Don’t ask, don’t tell.”

“That’s not the way of the world anymore.”

“I know,” Sophie said. “That doesn’t mean that keeping something like that hidden might not appeal to some people.”

“Huh.”

“Huh good, or huh bad?”

“Right now? Just huh. I need to think about this.”

“You think I’m right,” Sophie said, crossing her arms over her chest smugly.

“I think you’re beautiful.”

“And right.”

“You might be right.”

“Tell me I’m right.”

“Sophie?”

“Yeah.”

“Let it go.”