“Thank you for that terrifying visual,” James said. “And don’t get ahead of yourself. I know how to please my woman.”
“Oh, there was no technique involved,” Finn said. “Well, maybe the first time – and a little the second – but by the fifth time, you just do it, especially when she’s forcing you.”
“The fifth time?” James was impressed, despite himself.
“All I have to do is touch her,” Finn said. “She’s like a volcano. She’s erupting every time I turn around.”
“See, pregnancy isn’t all bad,” James said, intrigued. “If I could get that volcano thing without the baby, I’d be all over it.”
“She woke me up twice.”
“How is that bad?”
“Dude, I know it’s unbelievable, but sometimes you just need to sleep.”
James barked out a laugh. “You’re going to have a long eight months in front of you,” he said. “You might want to enjoy this. Once you have an infant, you’re going to be begging for nights like last night.”
“Oh, that’s when you and Mandy are babysitting,” Finn said.
“Mandy is scared of babies,” James said. “And, truth be told, they make me nervous, too. I think Aunt Ally is going to be your babysitter.”
Finn mulled over the suggestion. “How do you think Jake is with babies?”
“He’s got a bunch of nieces and nephews. He’s probably better than us,” James replied.
“You know what? I’m looking forward to the baby.”
James steepled his fingers, resting his elbows on the desk as he regarded his brother. “You are? You made that turnaround pretty quickly.”
“I’ve always wanted a family,” Finn said. “You know that.”
“I do know that,” James conceded. “You were freaking out two days ago, though.”
“I was freaking out because I thought I was losing Emma,” Finn clarified. “I’m not losing Emma. We’re happy. We’re having a family. My life is good.”
“Except?” James prodded.
“Except for her mother,” Finn said. “I think she’s going to cause some heartbreak before this is all over.”
“You can’t fix that,” James said.
“What about the background check? Did anything come up?”
“It’s just superficial right now,” James said. “It looks like she’s spent the last three years in Vegas. Before that? She spent some time in Ohio, and then Florida, and then Texas. I have to dig deeper, but it takes time.”
“Just tell me if you find anything,” Finn said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I have to believe that something is there. She didn’t pick now to come out of the woodwork because she missed her daughter. Something else is going on. I mean, she hasn’t even mentioned her son, who is in prison. She’s got to be up to something.”
“I agree,” James said. “My meeting with the woman didn’t go so well.”
“How so?”
“Let’s just say you’re lucky Mandy didn’t rip every hair out of that woman’s head.”
“I would pay to see that.”
“We all would.”
Finn stifled a yawn.
“Why are you here on a Saturday?” James asked. “I would have thought you’d want to spend time with Emma now that you’ve dropped the love bomb and she’s hornier than a ten-pronged rhino.”
“Nice one,” Finn said, chuckling. “I just need a nap. I figured I would crash out upstairs.”
“You can’t do that at home?”
“I already told you I can’t,” Finn said. “Emma wakes me up every three hours for sex. I need some sleep – and a protein shake to bulk up.”
James pursed his lips. “Go ahead.”
“Great,” Finn said. “Oh, are we still barbecuing at your place tomorrow?”
“It’s Sunday, isn’t it?”
“Good,” Finn said. “Get extra burgers – and some shrimp.”
“Shrimp?”
“Emma won’t eat meat unless it’s shrimp, and she needs the protein, too,” Finn said.
“Shrimp it is.”
Finn paused at the stairs. “Can you wake me up before you go? I’m afraid I’m going to pass out for too long.”
“You’re just loving your sexual prowess, aren’t you?”
“Of course not,” Finn scoffed. “It’s a hard cross to bear. I’m willing to do what Emma and my baby need, though. I’m just that kind of man.”
“You’re an unbelievable piece of work.”
“WAKE up, Sleeping Beauty.” James pinched Finn’s nose, cutting off his brother’s melodious snores.
Finn jerked awake, slapping James’ hand away from his face. “Don’t do that! I hate it when you do that.”
“You always were a snorer,” James said. “Now I remember why I hated sharing a bedroom with you.”
“You snore, too.”
“Only when I’m really tired,” James said. “And then Mandy rolls me over on my stomach and tries to smother me until I stop. That’s pretty rich since she snores like a freight train.”
Finn snorted. “Thankfully, Emma sleeps like an angel. She’s all … delicate. She occasionally makes little sighing sounds, but I kind of like them.”
“You’re all gooey with love,” James said.
“So? You’re always gooey with love.”
“Yes, but it’s cute when I do it. Just ask my wife.”
“Oh, whatever,” Finn said.
“Speaking of wives, are you going to marry Emma?” The question was blunt.
Finn pulled himself to a sitting position, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he regarded his brother. “I don’t know.”
James settled in the chair next to the couch. “Do you want to marry her?”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you ask her?”
“I’m afraid of overwhelming her,” Finn said. “I just told her I love her. Even the next morning – the very next morning – I had to reinforce it. If I ask her to marry me now, I’m afraid she’ll just think it’s because of the baby.”
James considered Finn’s predicament. “We need a woman.”
“We have women.”
“No, we need a woman to talk this out with,” James said. “You need to make an informed decision, and you can’t do it with just the two of us putting our heads together. We need someone smarter. We need someone that speaks girl.”
“Which one do you want to call?”
James smiled.
“SO, what’s the big emergency?” Mandy asked, breezing into the apartment.
“There’s my baby,” James said, patting his lap invitingly. “I’ve missed you.”
“That’s what happens when you work on Saturdays,” Mandy shot back.
“That’s what happens when my brother takes half the week off,” James teased.
Mandy flopped onto his lap and kissed his chin. “Whatever. So, what’s going on?”
James gestured to his brother. “Should Finn ask Emma to marry him?”
Mandy stilled. “How should I know?”
“Because you’re a woman,” James said.
“Thanks for noticing. I knew my ovaries would come in handy one day.”
“You’re feisty this afternoon,” James said, tickling her ribs.
“I’ve been planning a surprise for you all day,” Mandy said.
“What surprise?”
“Not until you get home.”
“Oh, come on,” James prodded.
“Can we return to my dilemma?” Finn asked. “Whatever sex games you two have planned for later aren’t on the top of my to-do list.”
Mandy sighed. “Do you want to ask Emma to marry you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why haven’t you done it yet?”
“Because I don’t want to overwhelm her,” Finn said. “I’m worried, if I do it now, then she’ll only think I’m doing it because of the baby.”
“Are you just doing it because of the baby?”
/> Finn shook his head. “I want her with me forever.”
“Then tell her that.”
“What if she doesn’t want to marry me?”
“She wants to marry you,” Mandy said. “If any woman was ever built for a wedding, it’s Emma. She’s going to make a beautiful bride.”
“She is,” Finn agreed. “I … I need to buy a ring.”
“That would probably be a good idea,” Mandy said. “Don’t you dare ask her without a ring, even if it bubbles up one night and you feel the need. Then she’ll definitely think it’s because of the baby.”
“What kind of ring should I get?”
Mandy smiled sympathetically. “Do you want me to go ring shopping with you?”
“Is that allowed?”
“Ally went with James,” Mandy said. “That’s how I ended up with the ring of my dreams – along with the man of my dreams.”
James smiled indulgently. “I also bought her a house and gave it to her on the same day.”
“Yeah, I’ve been saving for a house,” Finn said. “Between a ring, a wedding, and a house, one of those things is going to have to give.”
“I can loan you the money,” James said. “I know you’re good for it.”
“No, I don’t want that,” Finn said. “This is my family. I need to do it myself.”
“Well, you don’t need a house right away,” Mandy said.
“A kid needs a yard.”
“They do,” Mandy said. “Your kid isn’t going to be old enough to enjoy a yard for five years, though, so you have time. You can use our yard for weekend excursions.”
“So, ring first?”
“Ring,” Mandy agreed. “Then a wedding. For all we know, Emma might want to wait until after the baby is born to get married. The promise of the wedding will probably get her through.”
“Why do you say that?”
“No one wants to be fat on their wedding day.”
“She’s pregnant,” Finn said. “That doesn’t mean she’s fat.”
“She’ll feel fat,” Mandy said. “Trust me.”
Finn rubbed his forehead. “So, I just need to find a place to live.”
Mandy glanced around the apartment, pushing herself off James’ lap as she scanned her former home. “Maybe not.”
“What are you thinking?” James asked.
“There’s a way for Finn to have a place to live without wasting money while he saves up for a house,” she said.
“What?”
“Here.”
James looked around. “Here? This place was barely big enough for you, me, and your shoe collection. There’s not enough room here for a baby.”
“There is if we knock out that back wall and refinish the storeroom,” Mandy said. “That room is huge, and a baby needs a big room.”
James rubbed his chin as he considered the suggestion. “You know, that’s a pretty good idea. I’ve been sad thinking about this place being empty. I had the best year of my life when we lived here together. I know I’m going to have even better years in the house, but this place could be a good home for you, Finn.”
“It’s not just that,” Mandy said. “Emma is going to be a new mother, and she’s going to be terrified. There’s always going to be someone downstairs if she needs help.”
“That’s another good point,” James said. “Right after the baby comes, you can be on office duty. That way, you can bond with the kid and still be able to work.”
“We can put a playpen down in the office,” Mandy suggested.
“Yeah, that will make us look terrifying,” James said.
Mandy shot him a look.
“What do you think, Finn?”
“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.”
Fifteen
“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.
Deadly Addition (Hardy Brothers Security Book 9) Page 11
