Deadly Christmas

by Lily Harper Hart

  “This bites,” Jake muttered. “I don’t know what else to get her. My sister said gift cards for your girlfriend are a no-no. I know she loves shoes and clothes, but I would never pick any of that stuff out for her.”

  “I think gift cards are only a no-no when they’re the only thing you buy,” James corrected. “I got Mandy gift cards for DSW, Amazon, and Think Geek.”

  “What’s Think Geek?”

  “It’s a place for nerds to buy stuff,” Finn said. “Grady shops there, too.”

  Grady scowled. “I’ll have you know that Think Geek is the height of sophistication.”

  “Ally isn’t going to like any of that stuff,” Jake said.

  “Ally is a Trekkie,” James reminded him. He turned his attention back to his laptop and brought up a Google search window. After clicking on the Think Geek website, he beckoned for Jake to move around his desk. “They have a ton of cool Star Trek stuff. You could start a Pandora bracelet for Ally – like I did for Mandy – and add some of these Star Trek charms.”

  Jake was intrigued. “Click on both of those and the bracelet,” he ordered. “What else does this site have?”

  James smirked. “There are these really cool tumblers.”

  Jake studied them for a moment. “Click on those, too. Show me more.”

  “This is really the man’s way to shop,” Grady said, curiosity getting the better of him as he joined his brother and Jake behind the desk. “Ooh, order those planet glasses. Sophie would love those. She’s a science nerd, even if she doesn’t like pop culture stuff.”

  “I guess we’re getting all of this delivered here,” James muttered.

  “One one-day rush to be safe,” Jake said. “I’ll pay for the extra shipping.”

  “We’ll split it,” James said, sighing as he added two Harry Potter charms to the shopping basket. “What? Mandy loves Harry Potter.”

  “None of this is going to do me any good,” Finn lamented. “Emma doesn’t like any of this stuff.”

  James rubbed his forehead, searching his memory for anything on the site Emma might like. “Wait a second … .” He navigated through a few panes and pulled up a set of gorgeous journals. They looked like antiques. “Wouldn’t she like stuff to write down her thoughts after she has the baby?”

  “Those are pretty cool,” Finn admitted. “Order me one of those.”

  “Me, too,” Grady said. “Sophie is always jotting stuff down in notebooks.”

  “Add one for me, too,” Jake instructed. “Get the pink one. Ally loves pink.”

  “What else does this site have?” Finn asked. “I … holy crap! Is that a Batmobile replica?”

  James nodded. “There’s more than just women stuff on here. I’ve found a ton of stuff I would love. I’ve even purchased a few things for the saloon. Mandy is on here constantly. Oh, they have Star Trek garden gnomes that are beyond cool, Jake.”

  “Load me up,” Jake said. “She’s going to be wowed by presents if it kills me. Are those Tribble slippers? Add those.”

  “This order is going to be huge,” James said, laughing.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat by the door tore everyone’s attention from the computer screen. James got to his feet when he recognized Art Carmichael, confusion washing over him.

  “Art?”

  “James,” Art said, a tight smile on his face. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “We were just doing some last minute Christmas shopping,” James said, moving out from behind the desk. Grady plopped down in his vacated chair and immediately started navigating the site. “Add those zombie bookends,” James said, almost as an afterthought. “Mandy needs some organization in her office.”

  “Give me your credit card,” Grady instructed.

  James dug into his pocket and handed over the piece of plastic wordlessly before focusing his full attention on Art. “Is something wrong?”

  “Can we talk here?” Art asked.

  “Yeah, we all work here,” James said, his expression rueful. “Shopping doesn’t usually take us over like this.”

  Art graced James with a genuine smile. “I know how that goes,” he said. “Ava gave me a list of her last minute items yesterday.”

  James fought the urge to scowl. “These are more impulse purchases for us,” he said, gesturing toward one of the chairs across from the desk. “Have a seat.”

  After settling, Art got straight to the point. “Did you hear about the attempted robbery at the store here the other day?”

  “Actually yes,” James said, glancing at Jake as he debated how much to tell Art. “For full disclosure, my wife and sister were in the store when it happened.”

  Art’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. “They weren’t hurt, were they?”

  “Actually … um … my sister is the one who tasered the guy and made him run,” James said.

  Art barked out a mirthful laugh. “Seriously? I saw the video of that. She’s a spitfire.”

  “You have no idea,” Jake muttered.

  “We explained to her that tasering a guy in the middle of a store when he’s brandishing a firearm probably wasn’t the best way to go,” James said. “If you’re angry about that … .”

  Art waved off James’ concerns. “Your sister probably saved hundreds of thousands in inventory alone,” he said. “The only thing the robber got away with was personal items and cash from the customers. I’ve already replaced all of that. I’d like to reward her for stopping things before they really got out of hand.”

  “Oh, well, good,” James said. “Ally loves presents.”

  Jake groaned and focused back on the computer screen. “Show me some other stuff.”

  “I know we talked about the time it was going to take to get the other stores up and running on the new security system, but I would like to get the one here in Michigan settled as soon as possible,” Art said. “I know this is your home and I don’t want to speak disparagingly about it, but the crime rate in this area – even in the suburbs – is high. The crime rate in California is high, too. That’s why I wanted that store done quickly. How soon do you think you can get the store here on the system?”

  James rubbed his chin. “It honestly shouldn’t take too long,” he said. “We’re local. In fact, the mall in question is only about five minutes from here. If we all work together, I don’t see why we can’t have it done in a few days.”

  “I don’t see why we can’t put a presence in at the mall either,” Grady piped in. “Jake and Finn have more shopping in front of them anyway. They can multitask.”

  Finn cuffed the back of Grady’s head. “Stop reminding me what an idiot I am.”

  “James, do you think Mandy will be available to take me shopping later this week?” Jake asked.

  “Ask Finn,” James replied. “They’ve already set up a shopping date. I’m sure you can go with the two of them.”

  “Cool.”

  “Whatever you can do to get us through the next few days will be greatly appreciated,” Art said. “And anyone here who needs Christmas gifts for the women in their life can stop in at the store and get whatever they need at a steep discount because of your availability. I’ll make sure the manager knows today.”

  “Thank you,” Finn said.

  “Have you talked to the police?” James asked. “Do they have any leads on who tried to rob the store?”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t follow up since your wife and sister were involved,” Art replied.

  “My wife and sister find a lot of trouble,” James explained. “Keeping up with it would be like getting a second job. Jake and I took them out to dinner after the event and then we had a big snowstorm. It wasn’t really a high priority for me since they weren’t hurt and they didn’t lose anything in the robbery.”

  “The man was wearing a mask and he disappeared in the parking lot. The cameras only go so far,” Art said. “He kept his mask on the entire time.”

  “Well, hopefully he learned his less
on about approaching women in jewelry stores,” James said. “The next ones might have a full charge on their tasers. By the way, Jake, did you take that taser from Ally?”

  “I can’t find it,” Jake replied. “I went through her purse looking for it and she’d already taken it out and hidden it. I have no idea where it is.”

  Grady snorted. “That’s my baby sister,” he said, grinning. “She’s no idiot. She knew you would try and take that from her and she hid it before you could. Now I’m getting her something special for Christmas.”

  “Are you telling me you wouldn’t be worried about Sophie running around with a taser?” Jake pressed.

  “You forget who raised Sophie,” Grady replied, nonplussed. “She carries a small handgun in her purse. She has a license to carry concealed. She wouldn’t have bothered to shock anyone. She would’ve just shot them.”

  “That sounds like a woman I want to meet,” Art said. “With that in mind, we’re staying at the Ritz Carleton out by the airport. Ava isn’t thrilled, so I gave her my credit card and she’s throwing a big party. You’re all invited.”

  “Oh, well … .” James balked. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

  “Since you missed the California party, I insist,” Art said. “I’ll email you four invitations. I can’t wait to meet the rest of your family, including that wife you never stopped talking about … and now your sister, of course.”

  “Sure,” James said, clenching his jaw. “I’m sure Mandy and Ally will be thrilled to go to a Christmas party.”

  Ten

  “I don’t want to go to a Christmas party given by some dippy California trophy wife,” Mandy pouted later that evening, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Tell me how you really feel,” James said, wrapping his arm around her waist and tumbling her into his lap. They were in the living room, four takeout menus spread across the coffee table as they tried to decide what they were going to order for dinner, when James sprung the big news on his favorite blonde.

  “You said yourself that she was insufferable.”

  James couldn’t remember if he used those words or not. He knew he’d left out all of Ava’s overt flirting when reporting back to his wife every night. He didn’t want her worrying and, loath as he was to admit it, she still had an insecure streak where he was concerned. He was trying to eradicate it, but he knew Ava’s intentions would bug Mandy.

  “She’s a pain, baby,” James conceded. “Art is a client who is paying very well for a security system that he’ll hopefully utilize for years to come. Can’t you spend one hour at a Christmas party for me?”

  “Oh, sure, use that as an excuse,” Mandy said, rolling her eyes. “Like I can really say no to that.”

  James grinned. “Thank you, wife.”

  Mandy’s expression was thoughtful as James nuzzled his nose against her cheek. “Does he know Ally and I were in the store during the robbery?”

  “I told him the truth,” James replied. “I didn’t think lying about something like that was in our best interests. He thought it was funny and now he’s dying to meet Ally. He wants to give her a gift for saving his merchandise.”

  “Ally will like that,” Mandy said. “She loves getting gifts.”

  “Speaking of that, Jake wants to hijack your shopping trip with Finn. He’s convinced he needs to buy Ally more for Christmas.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine with whatever he bought for her.”

  James arched a challenging eyebrow.

  “Okay, you’re probably right,” Mandy conceded. “Ally is just so manic about Christmas. She’s going to love those diamond earrings, but I think she kind of had her heart set on another type of diamond.”

  James stilled. “Is she expecting Jake to propose over Christmas? If so, I don’t think he’s there yet.”

  “He’s not,” Mandy said. “I told Ally to let things happen in their own time, but I think she’s worried he’s going to leave her. I wish she could see – I mean actually see – the way he looks at her.”

  “Yes, it’s absolutely filthy,” James said, resting his hand on Mandy’s flat abdomen.

  “You know what I mean,” Mandy said. “She needs to relax. I told her that when you surprised me with your proposal it was the best thing ever. I was convinced you were nowhere near that point yet, so when you asked … .”

  “You thought I asked because of the explosion,” James corrected, referring to an incident that left Mandy recovering for weeks.

  “I thought there was a chance you were asking because of the explosion,” Mandy conceded. “I don’t think that now, though, so don’t worry.”

  “What do you think now?”

  “I think that you would cry if you didn’t have me with you every day for the rest of our lives,” Mandy teased. “I think you cried every night we were apart.”

  She wasn’t far off. “I didn’t cry. I just pouted,” James said, kissing her cheek.

  “Did you buy me a lot of Christmas presents while you were in California?”

  “Oh, here we go,” James said, shifting Mandy so she was facing him but still comfortable on his lap. “Tell me the truth, did you search this house for gifts while I was gone?”

  “I … .” Mandy broke off, biting her lip.

  “That’s what I thought,” James said, tickling Mandy’s ribs. “Why do you think I changed the combination on the safe while I was gone?”

  “Because you don’t trust me.”

  “I trust you with my heart but not with Christmas gifts, baby,” James said. “You’re going to have to learn to live with that.”

  Mandy sighed. “Where are my gifts now?”

  “Where are my gifts?” James pressed.

  “I’m not telling you that,” Mandy said, giggling when James dug his fingers in and tickled her harder. “You can’t know what I bought you until Christmas morning.”

  “Well, then you can’t know what you’re getting until then either,” James said. “I don’t care how you try to manipulate me.”

  “Just tell me … is it bigger than a breadbox?”

  James snorted. “I got you more than one thing, baby.” He racked his brain. He was fairly certain he had more than forty gifts for her now. Cripes. Her head was going to implode when she saw all of her loot. “Actually, if you want to let your mind run wild, you’re going to have quite a few gifts to open this year.”

  Mandy wrinkled her nose. “Did you go overboard?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I did, too,” Mandy admitted. “I like buying things for you. I can’t help myself. That being said, you know that I don’t need gifts, right? I just need you for Christmas.”

  “Oh, so cute,” James said, grabbing her around the waist and lowering her toward the floor. “We both know you want gifts. Don’t go all martyr on me now, baby.”

  Mandy pursed her lips to keep from laughing. “Okay, I might like a few gifts.”

  “Something tells me you’re going to be happy, wife,” James said, reaching for the button on her work slacks. “Now, how about we celebrate Christmas early with a present for both of us?”

  “I thought you wanted dinner.”

  “I’m just switching out my menu choices. Guess what? You’re the appetizer, main course and dessert.”

  “WHERE do you think the best spots for the cameras are?” Jake asked the next morning, his eyes busy as they scanned Art’s Michigan store location.

  All four members of Hardy Brothers Security were at the store to expedite matters. Since things were slow so close to the holiday, they left Emma in charge to man the phones and converged on the jewelry store to map out a plan. The faster they got it done, the faster they could focus on their women – and all of them would rather be doing that than this.

  “I say we hide one in the sign so we catch people approaching the store,” Grady said. He stood in the archway separating the store from the rest of the mall. “It won’t deter anyone, but it might give us a good shot of people approac
hing and leaving.”

  “Good idea,” James said. “We also need at least one in the merchandise room.”

  “I think we should put two in there,” Jake said. “That way every corner is covered.”

  “Agreed.” James let his gaze bounce around the rest of the store. “I’m thinking we should also put one in that corner and another under the clock on that wall. We’ll have to test them, but I think that’s going to give us full coverage. What do you think, Finn?”

  “Hmm?” Finn glanced up from the display case he was studying. “Oh … um … I trust your judgment. Do you think Emma would like a Pandora bracelet? I know you got Mandy all those geeky charms – I especially like the Hulk one – but they have pretty charms, too.”

  James frowned. “Are you saying my wife isn’t pretty?”

  “Of course not,” Finn scoffed. “She likes weird stuff, though. Emma likes girly things. Mandy wouldn’t be caught dead in a bracelet with little hearts and flowers on it.”

  “I had a blue rose made special for Mandy’s bracelet,” James said.

  “That’s different. Blue roses signify your relationship with Mandy. In general, she wouldn’t pick out flowers for her bracelet. She’d rather have sharks … and witch hats … and slasher movie dudes.”

  James looked thoughtful. “Do you think they make a Jason Voorhees charm for a Pandora bracelet? Mandy would love that.”

  “Mandy already has more loot than she needs,” Finn countered. “Focus on me.”

  James sighed and moved to the display case so he could study the bead assortment. Finn was right. Mandy would hate all of them. Well … except for the little owl.

  “Do you see something you like?” In addition to being the store manager, Ryan Carmichael was also Art’s son. He watched the Hardys work for thirty minutes straight, intrigued by what they were doing but eager to stay out of their way. He approached them cautiously now. “I’m not in your way here, am I?”

  “You’re fine,” James said, smiling. The man was nervous. He didn’t know if it was because of his small frame or the excitement from a few days before. “I think Finn wants to get his girlfriend a Pandora bracelet and a few charms.”

  “Sure,” Ryan said, opening the back of the case and pulling the beads out. “What do you like? Dad said to make sure you guys got a good deal.”