Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) Read Free

definitely love you most,” James said. “Have fun shopping. I promise to have a surprise for you when you get back here tonight if you’re good and avoid trouble.”
    “You had me at surprise.”
    James’ smile was soft. “You had me the first time you smiled, wife. Have a good day.”

2
    Two
    “ D id James give you crap about skipping out on the painting?” Ally hopped onto the mall escalator right behind Mandy and fixed her friend with a quizzical smile. “You look all shiny today, by the way. It’s obvious you had sex.”
    Two older women on the escalator heading in the opposite direction shot Ally a dirty look as they descended. Ally returned the ugly glare, causing Mandy to laugh as they disembarked on the second floor.
    “Not really,” Mandy replied. “He kind of teased me about it, but I honestly don’t think they wanted us there. In their minds we would probably do nothing but get in the way.”
    “You’re probably right,” Ally agreed, pointing to direct Mandy toward a store she wanted to visit. “Jake made a big deal about it because he likes messing with me. Then I made a big deal about him saying he was glad I was going shopping because I like messing with him. You know, typical Friday before a holiday weekend.”
    Mandy laughed. “Yeah, I’m so glad that the courthouse is closed today,” she said. “A four-day weekend sounds perfect right about now.”
    “I don’t see why you don’t just quit,” Ally said. “You have one foot out the door as it is.”
    “I do,” Mandy agreed. “It’s just … I can’t leave before I’m ready.”
    “You are ready.”
    “I know. Maybe ‘ready’ wasn’t the right word. I guess it’s more that I can’t leave until it’s time.”
    Ally rubbed her thumb over her chin as she regarded her best friend. “It is time, Mandy,” she said, adjusting her tone so it was softer. “You’ve been talking about leaving the courthouse for months now. James is desperate for it to happen. Why not give him what he wants?”
    “Because … .” Mandy wasn’t sure how to answer.
    “Because you’re kind of a martyr when you want to be,” Ally finished. “You can’t leave until September because that’s when you told the judge you were leaving and to go early – even though he wouldn’t care and your husband would be thrilled if you did it – isn’t in your nature.”
    Mandy scowled. “You’re such a know-it-all.”
    “And I’m right,” Ally crowed, theatrically hopping in front of her best friend. “Tell me I’m right.”
    “You’re a pain in the butt is what you are,” Mandy grumbled.
    “Admit I’m right.”
    “Fine, you’re right,” Mandy conceded. “I want to leave the courthouse now, but I can’t because it will forever bug me not to finish the job I was hired for. I still haven’t trained a replacement. I can’t do that to the judge.”
    “Even if he wouldn’t care?”
    “Even if,” Mandy acknowledged. “It just … doesn’t seem fair. He took me on when I was fresh out of college even though he could’ve hired someone with experience. I owe him.”
    Ally’s expression softened. “Mandy, Judge MacIntosh loves you,” she said. “He would understand if you wanted to call it quits early.”
    “I wouldn’t understand.” Mandy’s stance was firm. “It’s only a few months. James and I have forever together. There’s no reason to rush it.”
    “I guess,” Ally said. “The lingerie shop is this way.”
    Mandy fell into step with the woman who had been her best friend for as long as she could remember, giggling as a memory overtook her. “Although, you know who did find out I was leaving and have something of a meltdown?”
    “Heidi?”
    Heidi was the courtroom stenographer who worked alongside Mandy. They were close friends.
    “No.” Mandy shook her head. “She’s known for a few weeks. I asked her not to tell anyone, though. I don’t want word getting around until I’m ready.”
    “If that’s the case,