Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

survive.”
    Mandy’s fingertips rubbed across the top of James’ fresh bandage on his shoulder. “I should be on top.”
    James shook his head. “You’ve been on top for the past week.”
    “But … .”
    James kissed her again. “No buts.” He slipped his hand beneath her rear and squeezed. “Well, maybe one … butt.”
    Mandy met James’ earnest expression with a soft smile. “I love you, James.”
    “You’re my whole heart, baby,” James said, lowering himself on top of her. “Now, no more talk. We have a guesthouse to christen. If you play your cards right, we can christen the bar downstairs later on tonight.”
    “Huh, look at that, I think I have a full house.” Mandy’s eyes were sparkling.
    “I fold,” James said, crushing her lips with a full kiss. “You win.”

Seven
    By the time Monday morning rolled around, Mandy was reluctant to leave James alone. The look on his face when she’d voiced her concerns was enough to tell her that she was being overbearing. So, despite her misgivings, she’d given him a quick kiss goodbye, promised not to wear underwear to work to give him something to fantasize about, and then made her way to the courthouse.
    It took her almost an hour to catch up on her correspondence. Since she’d taken two days off the previous week, she was behind. Her boss, Judge MacIntosh, appeared in her doorway about a half hour before she was expected to arrive in his courtroom.
    “Hello.”
    Mandy jumped at the sound of his voice. “Hi,” she said, catching her breath. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
    The judge chuckled as he stepped into her office. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. I’m guessing, after your eventful week, you’re a little edgy.”
    “I’m … James says I’m being a mother hen.”
    “And how is Mr. Hardy?”
    “He’s sick of me,” Mandy admitted. “He thinks I’m hovering.”
    “Well, when the person you love gets shot, I think hovering is in order,” MacIntosh said. “How is his recovery?”
    “He’s fine,” Mandy replied. “I mean, he was shot, but the wound isn’t too bad.”
    “It’s still scary to think about.”
    “I didn’t handle it very well,” Mandy admitted.
    “No one expects you to, my dear,” MacIntosh said. “When you love someone, all reason goes right out the window.”
    “James hasn’t been handling things all that well either.”
    “Well, perhaps you should remind Mr. Hardy about his breakdown when you were injured,” MacIntosh suggested. “As I remember, he didn’t exactly handle that situation like a professional. You’re both allowed to worry.”
    “He handled that situation better than I did,” Mandy said, her mind traveling back to another meltdown.
    “You were on heavy medication,” the judge said. “You had every reason to be confused and upset.”
    Mandy smiled, affection for the judge welling in her heart. “I think you always just like being on my side.”
    “That’s a distinct possibility.”
    “Thank you,” Mandy said.
    “Thank you,” the judge said. “Oh, by the way, I got my invitation to the wedding. My wife already sent the RVSP back. We’re both very excited.”
    “It’s not going to be a big deal,” Mandy cautioned. “I … I just wanted something small. Just close friends and family.”
    “Well then, I’m gratified to have made the cut,” MacIntosh said, smiling warmly. “If you ask me, the smaller and more intimate a wedding, the more heartfelt it is.”
    “It’s not that,” Mandy said. “I just don’t want a big hoopla. My mom does, and we’re still kind of fighting about it. I just want the people I love most in the world to be there. It’s a private moment – or at least it should be. I don’t know.”
    “I think it’s your wedding,” the judge said. “If you want a small wedding, you should have a small wedding.”
    “My mom disagrees.”
    “Have you tried talking to her?”
    “Yes,” Mandy said. “I’m an only child, though. This is her