Deadly Addition (Hardy Brothers Security Book 9) Read Free Page B

me.”
    “Nothing is wrong with me,” Mandy said. “I promise.”
    James squared his shoulders, opting to believe his wife. “Okay.”
    “Come to bed,” Mandy said. “I’ll prove to you nothing is wrong.”
    “I have to brush my teeth,” James replied. “I won’t be long.”
    “Hurry,” Mandy said, removing her bra and giving him a gander at her naked breasts. “I have plans for you.”
    James smirked. “Don’t tempt me, woman.”
    “I thought that was my job,” Mandy teased.
    “Your job is to let me love you,” James countered. “I’ll be right out. Don’t you dare put pajamas on.”
    “You’d better hurry then,” Mandy said. “I might fall asleep waiting for you.”
    James filled his toothbrush with paste and jabbed it into his mouth enthusiastically. He loved his wife. No, he adored his wife. Romantic nights with his wife filled him with joy. He was looking forward to just such a night when something in the bathroom garbage caught his attention. He reached down, snagging the covered item from it and focusing.
    His heart stopped.
     
    “IT’S okay,” James said, moving from the bathroom.
    “What’s okay?” Mandy asked, tossing the comforter down so she could climb beneath the covers.
    “It’s okay,” James repeated. “It wasn’t in our plans … we’ll deal with it.”
    Mandy stilled. “We’ll deal with what?”
    “I know you’re pregnant,” James said, holding up the test in his hand for proof. “It wasn’t part of our plans. We’ll … figure it out.”
    Mandy’s cheeks were burning. “Where did you find that?”
    “It was in the garbage,” James said. “I’m … I don’t know why you didn’t tell me. It’s okay, though. We’ll deal with it.”
    “I … James … .”
    “It’s okay,” James said, his face blank. “We can turn one of the guest rooms into a baby room.”
    Mandy forced her face to remain placid. “I thought you didn’t want a baby?”
    “I don’t,” James said, collecting himself. “No, wait, I didn’t mean that. I just thought we both agreed that kids weren’t in our immediate future. It’s fine. It’s an accident. We’ll be okay.”
    Mandy fought the mad urge to laugh. “It’s fine?”
    “Yup,” James said. “We’re having a baby. I’m … fine.”
    “You keep saying that.”
    “That’s because I’m fine.”
    Mandy pursed her lips. “How are we going to travel with a baby?”
    “I … I’m not sure.”
    “You wanted to travel,” Mandy pressed, playing with him.
    “So did you,” James shot back. “That’s why this surprised me so much. It’s … fine.”
    “I didn’t think this would make you happy,” Mandy said.
    James swallowed hard. “I … no, it’s okay. It’s fine. I love you. You’re my everything. A baby will … be an adventure.”
    Mandy couldn’t take his discomfort. “I’m not pregnant.”
    James rolled his eyes. “I see the test. I’m not stupid. It’s a plus sign. I know what that means.”
    Mandy sighed. “That doesn’t mean it’s mine.”
    James stilled. “It doesn’t?”
    “No,” Mandy said. “I can guarantee you, I’m not pregnant. Breathe, James. Breathe!”
    James exhaled heavily. “This isn’t yours?”
    “No.”
    James’ shoulders slumped. “Thank God.”
    Mandy finally let a smile wash across her face. “Throw that back in the garbage.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Because someone else peed on it,” Mandy replied.
    James made a face and disappeared back into the bathroom. Mandy rolled her eyes when she heard the faucet engage. Two minutes later, James walked back into the room. “You’re sure you’re not pregnant, right?”
    “I am,” Mandy said. “I’m very diligent.”
    James moved toward the bed. “Not that it wouldn’t be okay,” he said. “We’d deal with it.”
    “I’m not pregnant, James,” Mandy said. “Chill. I haven’t changed my mind. I still don’t want kids.”
    James breathed heavily through his nose, dropping down next to his wife as he