Deadly Storm

by Lily Harper Hart

  “I will beat you,” James threatened.

  Grady held up his hands. “What do you think Mandy is searching for?”

  “I don’t know,” James said. “What if … what if she’s bored? What if she’s realized I’m not enough for her? What if she doesn’t want to be married to me because she wants something more exciting?”

  Grady had to force himself to keep from laughing at the absurd suggestions. He didn’t claim to know everything in the world, but one thing he knew with absolute certainty was that Mandy loved James beyond all reason and measure. “I don’t think it’s that,” he said. “If you want to know the truth, we had a talk in the kitchen yesterday.”

  “I know. She was irritated when she came back outside.”

  Grady pretended he didn’t hear the rebuke. “I do think she’s kind of manic about the cooking thing, but I don’t think it’s because she’s bored with you,” he said. “I think she’s trying to make you happy.”

  “I don’t want her to take the class,” James said. “I want her home with me.”

  “I know that,” Grady said. “I’m not sure she does.”

  “I told her that!” James was bordering on shrill.

  “Calm down, Esmeralda,” Grady said. “I think she thinks you’re lying to her in an attempt to make her feel better. I definitely don’t get the feeling she cares about cooking. She just kept saying that she had to make a romantic dinner for you. It wasn’t about the cooking … it was about you.”

  James made a face, although he was internally relieved. “Do you really think that’s it?”

  “I think Mandy wants to be the best at everything,” Grady said.

  “You’re saying she wants to be the best cook?” James was dubious. “I love her. I don’t think she’s going to be a great cook no matter how many classes she takes, though. I’ve seen her burn Pop Tarts.”

  “I’m saying she wants to be the best wife,” Grady replied softly. “Somehow, in her mind, she’s convinced herself the best wife in the world cooks for her husband. It may not make sense, but that’s where I think her head is.”

  Part of James thought that made sense. Another part of him, though, was still unsure. What if Grady was wrong? What if he was losing his wife? What if he was losing his heart?

  “I need to make some reservations for tonight,” he said, reaching for his cell phone. “Get out of my office so I can have some quiet.”

  “Yes, sir,” Grady said, clicking his heels together and mock saluting.

  “You’re fired,” James said.

  Five

  Mandy was nervous as she glanced around the classroom. She didn’t know what she expected, but this wasn’t it. She was picturing the home economics room from high school. You know, four small kitchens and a homey atmosphere. What she got was something else entirely. It was all modern stations and contraptions she wasn’t sure she recognized. This was going to be a nightmare.

  “Are we supposed to pick a cooking station?”

  Mandy shifted her attention to the woman behind her, taking in her round features, bright red hair, and nervous face as she scanned the classroom. She looked just as nervous as Mandy felt. “I have no idea,” Mandy replied. “I … I’ve never taken a cooking class before.”

  “Me either,” the woman admitted. “I’m Marian Jessup, by the way.” She extended her hand.

  Mandy shook it, relieved she wasn’t the only person to feel nervous given the circumstances. “Mandy Avery-Hardy.”

  “That’s a mouthful,” Marian said, smiling.

  “You can call me Mandy.”

  “Call me Marian.”

  The two women smiled at each other. “So … um … do you think we’re supposed to pick our own spots or pair up?” Mandy asked.

  “I’m guessing we each have our own spot,” Marian said. “We’re not going to be able to pair up at home. Let’s pick spots next to each other, just to be on the safe side.”

  Mandy was glad to have a friend. “That sounds like a good idea.”

  After settling in spots toward the center of the room – neither wanted to be too close to the front, or so far back they couldn’t hear – the two women spent the next ten minutes amiably chatting. The room slowly filled with people, and by the time the professor moved in front of the room, Mandy felt more at ease.

  Then the bottom dropped out of her cooking world.

  “You have got to be kidding me.”

  Mandy worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she regarded Ann Nelson, the bane of her early teenage existence. What are the odds?

  Mandy knew Ann was living in the Southeastern Michigan suburbs, but she had no idea the woman was living on this side of town. The last time she’d seen her was in James’ office – in the immediate aftermath of a particularly trouble morning-after jilting. Mandy had called James on his actions and then made a scene and stormed out. It wasn’t one of her finer moments. Of course, Ann’s presence in James’ office was particularly annoying because of their past ties. Ann was James’ high school girlfriend, and she’d gone out of her way to torture Mandy – who was five years younger than James – when she realized Mandy had a crush on her best friend’s older brother.

  “Hello, Ann,” Mandy said, keeping her voice even. “How are you?”

  “I’m great,” Ann said, squaring her shoulders. “I’m just … great. How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” Mandy said, refusing to engage further.

  “That’s good,” Ann said. “I haven’t seen you since you walked out of James’ office. What was that? A year and a half ago?”

  “That sounds about right,” Mandy said primly.

  “I’m sorry you got hurt in all of that,” Ann said, her eyes wide with faux innocence. “I always knew you had a crush on him. It’s too bad you were so young – and he was involved with me. You should know that, after you left, we had a long chat and we’re dating again. It’s going well.”

  Mandy had to swallow her laugh. She thought about calling Ann on the lie, but it seemed like it would cause more problems than solutions, so she let it go. “Good for you.”

  “We’re very happy,” Ann said, embracing the lie. “I think he’s going to propose soon.”

  “Well … good luck.”

  “I … .”

  Mandy pointed to the front of the classroom, directing Ann’s attention to an angry-looking Professor Barnes and then mimed zipping her lips. Ann had the grace to look embarrassed.

  “I’m so sorry,” Ann said. “We went to high school together years ago – it was way up north, actually – and it was just a surprise to see each other. We can catch up later, though.”

  “That would be great,” Barnes said.

  “I … I should probably find a little kitchen, right?” Ann asked, batting her eyelashes at the attractive chef. “Is there one available up front? I don’t want to miss anything you have to say.”

  Barnes didn’t appear to be impressed with the shift in Ann’s demeanor. “I think all those stations are taken. There are some in the back, though.”

  “I … of course,” Ann said, flashing a derisive smile in Mandy’s direction. “I’m sure we’ll catch up later.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “WHAT do you think?” Marian asked once Professor Barnes dismissed the class two hours later.

  Mandy, who was more interested in Ann and the hasty path she was beating to Barnes’ side, had to force her attention to Marian. “It seems fine,” Mandy said. “The professor seems nice, and he’s open to questions. I was afraid he was going to think I was stupid when I asked about the butter.”

  “Hey, I didn’t know you could burn butter either,” Marian said. “That wasn’t just you.”

  “I think you’re trying to make me feel better,” Mandy said.

  “I’m just as clueless as you are,” Marian said. “That’s why I’m taking cooking classes. I’m trying to better myself. I … wow … how hot is he?”

  Mandy turned curiously, ready to offer
Marian encouragement if she saw a man she was romantically interested in. The man moving toward the two women was one Mandy already recognized, though, and he cut quite the dashing figure as he moved across the room.

  “Omigod, he’s heading this way,” Marian said, glancing around. “Do you think he’s here to take a class?”

  “I … .” Mandy never got a chance to finish her sentence because Ann was moving to intercept James – and from the looks of it, he’d just recognized her.

  “That must be the James guy she was talking about,” Marian said, wrinkling her nose. “You know him, right? Is that him?”

  “That’s him,” Mandy said, fighting the urge to smile as Ann threw her arms around James’ neck. She also had to tamp down the irrational surge of anger coursing through her. She reminded herself Ann was about to get her comeuppance, and she should be happy with that. It still galled her to see another woman holding on to her man.

  “It’s so good to see you,” Ann said loudly. “I … how did you know I was here?”

  James pushed Ann away, making a face. “I didn’t know you were here. Trust me. If I knew you were here I would have hidden in the corner until Mandy was ready to leave.”

  Ann stilled, her gaze bouncing between Mandy and James. “I don’t understand.”

  James glanced at Mandy, unsure. “What’s going on?”

  Mandy had a choice: She could be the bigger person and let Ann bow out gracefully, or she could embarrass her in front of the whole class. Mandy wished she was capable of being the bigger person, but it just wasn’t in her. “Ann is in my cooking class.”

  “I noticed,” James said dryly. “If it wasn’t a bad idea for you to take the class before … .”

  “She was telling me right before class started that you and she have been involved for the past year and a half,” Mandy said. “I was shocked.”

  “I’ll bet,” James said, furrowing his brow as he considered how to handle the situation.

  “We’re happy aren’t we, Snookums?” Ann slipped her arm around James’ waist.

  James irritably disengaged Ann from his side. “The only time I’m happy when you’re around is … never.”

  “Oh, he’s such a kidder,” Ann said, smacking his arm playfully. “He loves to pretend we’re not in love. It’s just one of the little games we play.”

  “Really?” James asked, nonplussed. “I’m not sure how my wife is going to feel about you telling people we’re dating. Personally, I keep picturing her ripping your hair out while you scream like a banshee.”

  “Wife?” Ann shifted uncomfortably. “I … oh, you’re just teasing me again, aren’t you?” Ann was starting to sound desperate. Mandy knew she wanted to save face, but she obviously hadn’t put two and two together regarding James’ appearance in the classroom.

  “You’re dating a married man?” Marian asked, confused. “I thought you said you were going to marry this guy.”

  “I would rather die,” James said. “Besides, I’m already married.” He flashed his wedding ring as proof.

  “He’s just playing around,” Ann said. “He probably bought that ring in a gumball machine. I … stop doing that.” She gritted her teeth as she tugged on his arm. “Let’s talk about this outside.”

  “I’m not here for you,” James snapped.

  “Oh, right,” Ann said, placing her hands on her hips and shaking her dark head huffily. “If you’re not here for me, why are you here?”

  “I’m here to pick up my wife,” James said, not missing a beat.

  “I … um … she’s in this class?”

  “Last time I checked,” James said. “Baby, do you want to explain to me why you didn’t tell Ann you were my wife?”

  Marian shifted her eyes to Mandy, positively giddy with the new development. “Oh, wow, that was smooth.”

  Mandy preened under the compliment, even as James glowered at her. “It seemed like a mean thing to do,” Mandy admitted. “I knew she was lying. I thought calling her on it would make me shallow.”

  “She was mean to you all throughout high school,” James reminded her. “I’m a catch. I would think you’d want to do a little dance when you showed her the ring I bought you – and photographs of the house we live in.”

  “Your ego is huge,” Mandy said, giggling.

  “I have my moments,” James agreed.

  “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?”

  “I figured while we were out here I would take you to dinner at that Middle Eastern place you love,” James said.

  “Really?” Mandy’s face brightened. “You came out here for me?”

  “Of course I did,” James said. “You’re my favorite person in the world. If you are going to take this class and limit your time with me for six weeks, I’m going to go out of my way to do what I can to make sure we spend as much time together as possible.”

  “You’re my favorite person in the world, too.”

  James grabbed her and pulled her in for a hug, reveling in her warmth and the ready embrace she had waiting for him. He was starting to think Grady was right and he was overreacting. “I love you, wife,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  “Wait, is this some kind of elaborate prank?” Ann asked. “Am I on a candid camera show?”

  “You’re in your own little world,” James said. “You can go back to it right now, in fact.”

  “You can’t seriously be telling me that you married … her.” Ann scrunched her face up into an awful sneer. “She’s … Amanda Avery.”

  “She’s Mandy Avery-Hardy,” James replied, nonplussed. “She’s also the love of my life.”

  “I’m the love of your life,” Ann countered. “I … I’ve been waiting for you to realize you made a mistake and come back to beg me for a second chance.”

  “Well, you can keep waiting,” James said. “That’s never going to happen.”

  “Because you married her?”

  “Oh, Ann, you’re so very deluded,” James said. “I married Mandy because I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. Even if she didn’t exist, though, I would jump off a bridge before I married you.”

  “This has to be a prank,” Ann snapped.

  “Is something going on here?” Professor Barnes, all dark hair and chiseled cheekbones, joined the small group. “I don’t remember seeing you in class,” he said, looking James up and down.

  “I’m not in the class,” James said. “I just came to pick my wife up for dinner.”

  Barnes smiled at Mandy. “And this is your wife?”

  “It’s definitely not her,” Marian said, inclining her chin in Ann’s direction.

  “Am I missing something?” Barnes asked, mystified but intrigued.

  “No,” Ann said hurriedly.

  “No,” Mandy agreed, figuring Ann had been embarrassed enough for one evening.

  “Yes,” Marian said, grinning at the professor. “Ann said she was married to this guy without realizing he was actually married to Mandy. When he showed up, Ann tried to pretend they were together – even though he was here to pick up his wife. It was really funny.”

  Ann glowered at Marian. “You’re going to be sorry you did that.”

  “Don’t threaten her,” Mandy said.

  James slipped his arm around Mandy’s waist to calm her. “Baby, if you’re going to pull her hair out, you should probably do it now. I’m officially starving.”

  “You just want to see me fight with another woman because you think it will be hot,” Mandy scoffed.

  “You’re always hot,” James said. “Ann freaks me out, though. While I do admit the idea of watching you roll around with another woman turns me on, there are a few exceptions to that fantasy.

  “Ally is one,” he continued. “Ann is the other. I’m going to have nightmares as it is.”

  “I’ve had just about enough of you two,” Ann said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’ve purposely gone out of y
our way to embarrass me here tonight.”

  “I think you did that to yourself,” James said. “Don’t blame Mandy. You’re the one who lied because you thought it would bug her. It’s not her fault you’re a terrible liar, and she already snagged the big prize.” He held his hand out to Mandy. “Now, come on, wife. I think we’ve had enough fun for one evening.”

  Mandy took his hand and shot Marian a small smile. “I’ll see you at the next class. It was really nice to meet you.”

  “It was amazing to meet you,” Marian said. “I think we’re going to be great friends.”

  “Because you’re both evil,” Ann grumbled.

  Mandy ignored her old rival and let James lead her out of the classroom. “Hey, James?”

  “Hmm.”

  “I love you more than anything.”

  James glanced at her. “I love you, too. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that.”

  Mandy stilled. “What?”

  “We’re about to have a big talk over your special dinner,” he said. “You’d better gear up.”

  “You’re not going to leave me for Ann, are you?” Mandy was going for levity, but part of her was legitimately worried.

  “There’s nothing in this world that will ever drag me away from you,” James said.

  Mandy smiled, relieved.

  “We’re still going to have a big talk.”

  Six

  “Are you mad at me?”

  Mandy was focused on James as they walked outside of the campus building, her heart pinching as she studied his features.

  James, his fingers linked with hers, shifted his attention to her earnest face. “Why would I be mad at you?”

  The night was muggy, and it was obvious another storm was approaching.

  “I’m not sure,” Mandy admitted. “I just … I feel like you’re mad at me.”

  “Do you want to have our big conversation here or at dinner?”

  “If we don’t do it now I’m going to have a heart attack,” Mandy said. “I keep picturing you telling me awful things.”

  James tilted his head to the side, considering. “That’s how I’ve felt the past few days,” he said. “That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling.”

  “Why?” Mandy was confused.

  “I’m worried, baby,” James said, realizing they were going to be relegated to having the conversation now if he wanted to enjoy a nice dinner with his wife. “You seem … unsettled.”