“That’s why you called and told me to run,” she said, her mind busy. “I couldn’t figure out why you were calling me, but I didn’t have time to think about it. Why didn’t you tell me you needed help?”
“Because I knew if you came back to help me that Ryan would grab you and I needed you to get away,” James replied, blinking rapidly to hold off his tears. “You wouldn’t have made it back to me. The only way for both of us to make it was for you to run.”
“Oh … .” Mandy rubbed her mouth. “You searched for me in the woods even though you were hurt.”
“You’re my wife,” James said. “I wasn’t coming back in this house without you.”
“Oh, James,” Mandy said, a lone tear slipping down her cheek. She moved over to him, resting her head against his chest and being careful to steer clear of his arm. James hugged her, burying his face in her hair.
“Oh, look, they’re hugging and they’re okay after another fiasco,” Grady said, trying to ease the tension. “I think that deserves a big breakfast, Ally.”
“I think you’re right,” Ally said, grabbing the box of Bisquick off the counter. “Mandy, do you want an omelet or over easy eggs?”
“Over easy eggs,” Mandy answered, her face still buried in James’ chest.
“Sit down at the table,” Ally ordered. “You’re both still recovering. Jake, pour juice for everyone and then sit with them. I’m in charge of breakfast.”
Jake brushed a kiss against her forehead. “You’re in charge this morning, angel,” he said. “I think you’ve earned it.”
“WHAT do you want us to do?” Grady asked an hour later, finally letting the seriousness of their situation descend. Mandy was upstairs drawing a bath, and James promised to join her there as soon as he showed Ally, Jake, and Grady out of the house.
“Do we have any leads on Ryan?”
“He’s completely fallen off the map,” Grady replied. “I called Art. He was … shocked and appalled. That’s what he kept saying over and over again. I’m not sure if he believed me.”
“I’m not sure I give a rat’s ass if he believed you,” James said before turning to Jake. “What about you?”
“We’re keeping our ear to the ground,” he said.
“Sophie went to Peter’s first thing this morning,” Grady said. “Peter has men parked on the street behind the house and across the road. If Ryan tries to get in this house once we leave … he’s going to have a rude awakening.”
“That actually makes me feel better,” James admitted. “I’m exhausted … and my back is killing me from sleeping on the floor.”
“You’re getting old,” Grady teased.
James wanted to embrace his brother’s levity, but he didn’t have the energy. “I think Mandy and I are going to end up spending the better part of the day in bed – and not for the fun reasons we usually do.”
“You need the rest,” Ally said.
James glanced at her, shame about the way he treated her the previous evening washing over him. “Ally, I … .”
“Don’t bother saying anything,” Ally said, holding her hand up. “I know you’re sorry.”
“I am,” James agreed. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way. It’s just … she was shaking and crying and … .”
“And you’re a mess because you think you caused her pain,” Ally finished. “I get it. The guilt you’re mired in is written on your face every time I look at you.”
“I hurt her.”
“You didn’t hurt her,” Ally said. “I don’t think she remembers anyway.”
“She’s had a few flashes,” James said. “She remembers you yelling and being dragged away. She thinks it was a dream.”
“Let her keep thinking that.”
“I need to tell her. She needs to know I hurt her.”
“Stop staying stupid crap,” Ally said, flicking the spot between James’ eyebrows and causing him to take a step back. “You didn’t hurt her. You would never hurt her. The circumstances hurt her. I made things ten times worse by screaming like a banshee. Stop being a whiny woman, though. Man up.
“Your wife is recovering and needs you,” she continued. “You’re recovering and need her. What you both really need is a whole day of sleep. So, you are to go upstairs and take a bath together – no funny business.
“Then you’re to take a long nap,” Ally said. “When you wake up, there’s soup in the refrigerator for your lunch. Emma made it. It’s good. It will make you feel better. Then you two can move down to the living room and watch shark movies to your heart’s content.
“Under no circumstances are you to do any of this ‘I hurt her’ bullshit in front of Mandy,” Ally ordered. “She’s dealing with enough. You’re dealing with enough. Go and take a bubble bath and shut the hell up.”
James ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded his sister. “That was fairly impressive,” he said finally.
“I’m always fairly impressive.”
“I think I’m going to take your fairly impressive ass home and put you to bed for a nap, too,” Jake said. “You didn’t sleep at all last night.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you were tossing and turning all night,” Jake replied, unruffled. “I was, too. I think everyone was keyed up.”
“Don’t worry about sleeping,” Grady said. “Set the alarm the second we leave. Peter’s men are out there. I already plugged your cell phone in and it’s on the nightstand on your side of the bed.
“We need you at full strength,” he continued. “Sleep. Sleep as much as you can. I’m going to keep working this all day. Peter is looking for Ryan, too. We will find him. When that happens, expect a call. We’re all going to move in on this jackass together.”
“Thank you,” James said. “I treated you horribly yesterday. I snapped at you and … .”
“It’s fine,” Grady said. “We all have issues when it comes to our women. Mandy is okay, though. She’s actually pretty chipper considering what she went through last night. Go upstairs and hold your wife. Get some sleep. The rest of this will work itself out while you rest.”
“I don’t know how to thank you guys,” James said. “I was a mess and you held everything together.”
“I’m thinking an extra paid week of vacation for everyone should just about do it,” Grady quipped, his eyes flashing.
“I know you’re joking,” James said. “Consider it done, though. You guys have earned it.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Jake said.
“I do have to do that. We all worked together to keep Mandy safe and warm her up last night. You guys kept me on task – especially Hurricane Ally. I owe you guys for keeping my heart intact.”
“You don’t owe us anything but a nap,” Ally said. “Now don’t make me follow you up there and tuck you in.”
James smirked. “I love you, Ally.”
“I love you, too. Now … go.” Ally made small shooing motions with her hands. “Try dreaming of something nice. I know! Think about the other day when you and Mandy got so excited you went for it on the pool table. Twice.”
“Mandy has a big mouth,” James complained.
“You told me about that, too,” Grady reminded him.
“You have a big mouth, too.”
“Just go rest,” Grady ordered. “I’ll call you the second we have a lead. I promise.”
Nineteen
“Let me see your arm.”
James fought the urge to roll his eyes as he moved over to Mandy. She sat on the edge of the bed, a pair of cotton pajama bottoms and a T-shirt covering her as they prepared to hop into bed. Her legs were bare, and James studied them as he held out his burned arm. “You’re going to be cold in that. You should put on longer pants.”
“That has to be the first time in our history that you’ve ever suggested I put on more clothes,” Mandy said. “I’m guessing I don’t look great to you right about now, huh?”
“That is not true,” James
balked. “I … you almost froze to death.”
“Let’s not get melodramatic,” Mandy said, blowing out a sigh as she lowered her lips and pressed a soft kiss to the sore spot on his arm. “How much does this hurt?”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“I have trouble believing that,” Mandy said. “I know you’re a tough guy, but even tough guys get hurt.”
“I’m fine, baby,” James said, cupping the back of Mandy’s head and pressing it against his chest. “I have you. I’m fine.”
“Did you sleep at all last night?”
“Obviously. You woke up before I did.”
Mandy pulled back so she could study his face. The circles under his eyes were pronounced. The taser shock and lack of sleep were obviously taking their toll. “You need sleep more than I do at this point. Get in here.”
Mandy lifted the covers and gestured so James would know he was meant to crawl under them.
“You’re really bossy, wife,” James muttered, but he did as instructed. “Ally is bossy today, too.”
“Well, maybe you need it,” Mandy suggested, crawling in next to him and cuddling close to his side as he tucked the covers around them. “I need you to try and sleep for me. You’re going to need your strength when everyone finds Ryan. Peter’s men are outside. There’s no reason for you to fret.”
“How did you know that?” James asked, knitting his eyebrows together. “Who told you Peter’s men were outside?”
“I’m not stupid. Besides, there’s a car parked across the road and I recognized Sven.”
“Oh,” James said, snorting lightly. “I guess I should have figured your eagle eyes wouldn’t miss that. Did you search for Christmas gifts while I was downstairs?”
“I’m too tired … crap! You didn’t go and look in my studio and see what I bought, did you? I only got about half of your presents wrapped.”
James laughed. He couldn’t help himself. Even in the aftermath of another crazy attack Mandy couldn’t be deterred. “I didn’t even walk into the guesthouse yesterday,” he said. “Your presents are safe. I promise not to go up there.”
“You’d better not,” Mandy warned, trying to stifle a yawn as she rested her head in the crook of James’ shoulder. “Close your eyes.”
“You close your eyes.”
“We’ll close them together,” Mandy said. “I’m sure we’ll both feel better after a few hours of sleep.”
James did as she asked, but he was awake long after she slipped into dreamland; memories of her cries as he forced her into the water pounding him until he couldn’t fight sleep for another second. Then, even in his dreams, her whimpers haunted him.
MANDY woke a few hours later, being careful not to jostle James as she slipped out of bed. He was dead to the world, snoring lightly, and she didn’t want to wake him for anything.
She made her way downstairs, pulling up short when she saw Grady standing by the sliding glass doors in the living room. He was staring out at the back patio, lost in thought.
“Are you supposed to be here?”
Grady jumped at the sound of her voice. “That was stealthy, kid. How did you learn to be so quiet?”
Mandy pointed at her bare feet. “I’m only loud in boots and heels.”
“You’re loud regardless,” Grady said, turning so he could look her up and down. Her hair was tied back in a braid, although parts of it escaped during her nap and jutted out at odd angles. “How did you sleep?”
“Like a log,” Mandy replied, shuffling into the kitchen. Grady followed her wordlessly. Mandy poured two glasses of iced green tea, pushing one across the counter toward Grady, and held his gaze for a few minutes as she decided how to proceed. “Tell me what’s wrong with James.”
“What do you mean? Does his arm hurt or something?” Grady was either genuinely confused or a better liar than his brother. Mandy wasn’t sure which.
“Don’t do that,” Mandy ordered. “I think his arm does hurt, but he’s too manly to admit that. I’m not sure what to do about his arm, but that’s not what I was talking about.”
Grady averted his gaze. “What were you talking about?”
“You’re a complete and total ass sometimes,” Mandy warned. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t lie to my face right now. I know something is wrong with James. He’s distant … and edgy … and he looks like he’s going to burst into tears at any moment.
“Something clearly happened while I was out cold,” she continued. “What is it?”
Grady rubbed his chin, conflicted. “He wouldn’t want me to tell you.”
“I want you to tell me,” Mandy countered. “I need to know.”
Grady sighed, resigned. “He’s upset because he thinks he hurt you.”
Mandy frowned. “I … how?”
“You were out of it when we found you,” Grady explained. “The cold zapped your energy. You were half asleep. I thought you should go to the hospital, but you kept crying that you didn’t want to go to the hospital.
“All we knew was that we had to get you warmed up,” he continued. “When we got to the yard, James realized that we had a ready way to do it. He carried you into the hot tub fully clothed – although Ally demanded he take his coat off so he didn’t ruin it and that really irritated him.
“Anyway, when you first got in the water your skin was so cold and numb that the hot water … burned,” Grady said, swallowing hard. “You were whimpering and crying and James had to hold you there until it passed, even though it killed him.”
Mandy licked her lips. “I … .”
Grady held up his hand. “Ally freaked out because you were crying,” he said. “Jake and I had to drag her away while she was screaming for James to take you out of the water. It was a mess.”
“Do you think I don’t remember that?”
Grady was taken aback. “I … James said you didn’t remember. He’s been walking around on eggshells because he feels so guilty. Are you saying you remember that?”
“I don’t remember all of it,” Mandy conceded. “I remember some of it, though. I remember crying.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Do you think I want to add to the guilt he’s feeling?” Mandy asked, her expression somber. “Do you think I want to make things worse? Do you think I’m not ashamed at the way I cried? That wasn’t one of my finer moments.”
“You were in pain,” Grady said. “Do you think we would hold that against you?”
“James didn’t hurt me,” Mandy said. “I was weak and blubbering like a baby, though. I can’t help but be embarrassed. I … I should have realized that’s what he was upset about. That’s why he’s so restless.”
“He loves you so much it paralyzes him sometimes,” Grady said. “He’ll never be able to forget holding you in that water while you tried to escape.”
“Well, he’s going to have to get over it then,” Mandy said, a plan taking shape. “I know darned well he was up for hours after I fell asleep upstairs. He’s tortured. I’m not going to let that continue.”
“What are you going to do?”
Mandy smiled, the first real one she’d managed to muster all day. “I guess it’s lucky that he found a wife who is a little bit devious and determined to make sure he doesn’t suffer.”
“I don’t even want to know what you’re going to do,” Grady grumbled.
“Probably not,” Mandy agreed.
JAMES stumbled down the stairs, his mind muddled from heavy sleep that left him more drained than he was before he succumbed to it. Mandy’s absence in the bed woke him, and now he was desperate to find her.
He pulled up short when he shuffled into the living room, glancing around as he took in the scene. Mandy was reclining on the couch, a catalog in her hand and a glass of tea on the coffee table. Deep Blue Sea was on the television, and she kept one eye on the movie as she glanced back and forth between the catalog and rampaging sharks.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” James ask
ed, his voice coming out in a hoarse croak.
Mandy glanced up. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I … I woke up because you were gone.” James was confused. Mandy was almost chipper.
“Ah, well, in that case … why don’t you come and snuggle with me on the couch?”
James shifted her legs so he could climb between her and the back cushions. When he tried to shift their bodies so her head was resting on his chest, Mandy resisted and instead positioned them so James had no choice but to settle his head on her chest as she continued to flip through the catalog.
“This is new,” James muttered.
Mandy reached for the iced tea and pushed it in front of his face. “Drink some of this. Your voice is dry. I don’t think you’ve hydrated enough today.”
James made a face. “Are you doing this as a way to hover over me because you think I hover over you too much?”
“I’m doing it because you’re thirsty and still exhausted,” Mandy countered.
James took the green tea and downed half the glass. He moved to hand it back to Mandy, but she shook her head. James reluctantly gulped the rest of the drink and then passed the glass back to Mandy so she could place it on the coffee table.
Mandy rubbed the back of his head, running her fingers through his hair as she settled him close. She knew he would find her downstairs. She thought about going to him upstairs, but she wanted to watch television while he slept so she opted to draw him to her.
“You’re going to pass back out in a few minutes,” Mandy said.
“I’m fine.” James’ voice was weary.
“You’re not fine,” Mandy argued. “You’re wallowing in guilt and you’re exhausted. You need to let it go.”
“Wallowing in guilt? I … .” James’ cheeks colored. “What do you mean?”
“First off, I drugged the iced tea with those meds the doctors gave us in case my nightmares got out of hand after being shot up with the Twilight a few months ago,” Mandy said, tilting James’ face back. “You’re going to be down for the count in five minutes, so we have to talk fast.”
“You drugged me?” James was incensed.
“You need sleep,” Mandy said, leaning forward and kissing his forehead.
Deadly Christmas Page 15
