Deadly Memories (Hardy Brothers Security Book 18) (2 page)

“Right,” James said, bobbing his head. “I forgot all about him when he didn’t get back to me in a timely fashion. Did he find anything?”

“He did,” Mandy said, her eyes sparkling. “He found Sophie’s past, which should make her present all the happier. He found all of her childhood things.”

G
rady Hardy hummed
to himself as he opened the bag of fresh vegetables he’d been marinating all day and tipped them into the frying pan with the sliced steak. The rice was done and covered on the stovetop and now all he had to do was finish the meat and vegetables. Sophie was due home any second, which meant she would have a home-cooked meal waiting for her after a long day.

Grady wore his “Kiss the chef” apron – a gag gift from his reporter girlfriend that he loved because she purchased it for him – and he was excited to see her face when she saw the dinner he prepared. He was even more excited to see her face when he showed her the surprise he planned in her honor.

Grady left the vegetables sautéing and opened the drawer at the end of the cupboard bank, pulling out a blue velvet jewelry box and flipping it open so he could study the ring inside. It was an engagement ring – a round diamond in a simple platinum setting that caused him to go into sticker shock at the store and yet purchase the piece all the same – and his stomach knotted when he considered the ramifications of what he planned to do this evening.

He was going to propose. He was almost sure of it. He cooked a special meal, he bought an expensive bottle of wine, and he had plans to make a romantic speech to go along with his grand ring.

Of course, he’d had the same plan three other times since he purchased the ring a month before. Every time the moment came, though, he chickened out and distracted Sophie with kisses and romance rather than heartfelt emotions. He had no idea what his problem was, but he was sick and tired of running from his future.

When Grady met Sophie he was instantly attracted. She was mouthy and standoffish, though, so it took the duo an inordinate amount of time to trust one another enough to join in a relationship together. Then, months later, when it came time to tell Sophie he loved her, Grady got cold feet until her life was on the line and he knew nothing was more important than her knowing how he felt.

He was faced with a similar situation now. Something held him back from making both of their dreams come true. He wished he knew what.

The sound of Grady’s cell phone ringing jolted him, and he frowned when he retrieved it from the counter and saw James’ name pop up on the screen. Grady didn’t bother with a standard greeting.

“If you’re calling to con me into taking that kid off your hands, you can forget it,” Grady said. “I have plans and they don’t include changing diapers … or spit up … or screaming. Well, screaming of the baby kind, mind you. There might be a different type of screaming.”

James was silent for so long on the other end of the call Grady was sure someone had dropped a signal.

“James?”

“I’m here,” James said after a moment. “I was just waiting to see if you were done boasting about your sexy evening. I didn’t want to get in the way of you patting yourself on the back.”

Grady rolled his eyes. “Ha, ha,” he intoned. “Before you say whatever you’re going to say, keep in mind that I wasn’t joking about the kid. I think Emma had to be desperate to leave him with you and Mandy, but I’m not helping. Just don’t kill him and everything will be fine.”

“For the record, Avery is happy and already home,” James said, his tone weary. “He’s a little poop monster, don’t get me wrong, but he’s kind of cute and he’s in love with Mandy. He can’t take his eyes off of her.”

“Does that bother you?” Grady asked. “I’ll bet you never realized how much you had in common with an infant. You’re both in love with the same woman and obsessed with boobs. Granted, it’s a different set of boobs, but there’s still a big resemblance there. You drool when you sleep, too.”

“Mandy drools when she sleeps,” James corrected. “You’re right on the rest of it, though. The kid has good taste. I can’t blame him.”

“Have you held him yet?”

“Yes.”

Grady stilled. That wasn’t the answer he expected. “You held the baby? Really?”

“Really,” James confirmed. “Mandy batted those blue eyes of hers at me until I gave in.”

Grady smirked. “She’s a master at that,” he said. “How did it go?”

“The little bugger is cute,” James said. “He didn’t convince me to change my life plans and start having kids, though. I’ll babysit him once in awhile, spoil him rotten, fill him with sugar, and then send him home to his parents and do something filthy with my wife once he’s gone. That’s the life I want.”

“Your life plan and my life plan sound remarkably similar,” Grady said. “Not that I’m not happy to gossip with you, but did you have a reason for calling? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“What are you in the middle of?”

“Cooking dinner for Sophie.”

James was silent for a few moments. “Are you trying to psych yourself up to propose again?”

Grady sighed. “I wish I would’ve kept my plans to myself,” he grumbled. “I wanted guidance when I told you, not mocking.”

“I’m not trying to mock you,” James said. “I remember how nervous I was when I proposed to Mandy. I was shaking like you wouldn’t believe when I got on one knee and whipped that ring out. It was worth it, though. This will be worth it to you, too.”

“I know that,” Grady said, licking his lips as he moved to the stove to flip the vegetables. “It’s just … what if she says no?”

“She won’t.”

Grady wasn’t convinced. “But what if she does?”

“Grady, I had the same fears you’re facing when I asked Mandy to marry me,” James said, adopting an even tone. “I knew she loved me and yet part of me still thought there was a chance she would laugh … or run away.”

“That’s so stupid,” Grady muttered. “Anyone could see Mandy was in love with you and she desperately wanted to marry you.”

“It’s harder to see that when you’re in the middle of things and not outside looking in,” James explained. “
You
could see how much Mandy loved me and yet fear clouded
my
vision when it came time to pop the question. You’re dealing with the same thing.”

“So … you’re saying that you believe Sophie wants to marry me,” Grady said. “You think she’s going to be happy and relieved and throw herself on me to hug it out when I ask. Then we’re going to get naked and roll around together for twenty-four hours to celebrate. That’s what you’re saying, right?”

“I have no idea how long you’re going to roll around naked together,” James clarified. “Mandy and I were naked for three days, but you probably won’t be able to keep up with our effort. We’re a special case.”

Grady made an exaggerated face as he stuck his tongue out at the phone. “Are you saying Sophie and I can’t keep up with you and Mandy?”

“I’m saying my baby is the best thing that ever happened to me and I was scared beyond belief when I proposed,” James corrected. “It’s normal to be afraid. There’s a moment when you lose the fear, though. You’re going to see Sophie’s face and realize she’s the one and everything is going to pour out of you. It will feel … natural.”

“That’s almost poetic,” Grady teased. “Mandy has turned you into the world’s biggest softie. You know that, right?”

“I’m fine with that,” James said. “Speaking of my wife, she’s waiting for me in the hot tub. Finn picked up the kid twenty minutes ago. The pizza should be here any minute and then we’re going to be unavailable for the rest of the night.”

“Is that why you called? Did you want to brag or something?”

James made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “No, I didn’t call to brag,” he scoffed. “I don’t need to brag. My sexual prowess is known across the state. Bragging would be gauche.”

“Of course,” Grady muttered, shaking his head and causing his hair to brush against his shoulders. “Why did you call? Are you giving me a raise?”

James owned Hardy Brother Security by himself, but he was generous with bonuses and vacation time. Grady was only half-joking about the raise. It would come in handy now that he wiped a good chunk of his savings out buying Sophie’s ring.

“Actually, I called to tell you that the guy I hired to find Sophie’s childhood belongings all those months ago finally called in,” James said. “He found something.”

Despite himself, Grady was intrigued. “Seriously? She doesn’t have any photographs of her biological parents. Are you saying you found stuff like that?”

“We found a storage bin that had a lifelong lease and she’s the beneficiary listed on it,” James said. “I can’t guarantee what’s in it because I didn’t think it was my place to look. Sophie should be the one to do that. They’re her things.”

“That’s great,” Grady said, his excitement building. “She’s always so sad when she talks about her parents. She says she can barely remember what they look like.”

“Well, that’s good then,” James said. “I’m going to email you the location of the storage locker. We don’t have a key, but I figure we have the tools to get around that if it becomes necessary. You can tell Sophie about your big present after you propose.”

Grady snickered. “I have a different big present for her after that,” he said.

“And people say I’m the pig,” James groused. “Either way, it sounds like Sophie is going to have a good night.”

“I certainly hope so.”

“
H
EY
,
sugar.”

Grady greeted Sophie with a kiss and hug as she walked through the door ten minutes later, enjoying the way her eyes lit up when she saw the feast he prepared.

“What’s all this?” Sophie leaned over the stove and inhaled, grinning when she saw the kitchen table decked out with romantic candles and a bottle of wine. “Did you do something you’re trying to get me to forgive you for? If so, I think you’ve already managed to do it.”

“I don’t need forgiveness,” Grady said. “I’m an angel. We both know it.”

“I thought Ally was the angel,” Sophie teased, referring to Grady’s rambunctious sister. Her boyfriend Jake – also an employee at Hardy Brothers Security – called her “angel” when he was feeling amorous.

“Don’t gross me out by talking about my sister’s sex life,” Grady warned. “That’s going to ruin my entire evening.”

“You’re such a prude sometimes,” Sophie said, digging a piece of baby corn out of the stir-fry and popping it into her mouth. “Oh, wow. What did you marinate these vegetables in? They’re awesome.”

“Red wine,” Grady replied. “Take your shoes and coat off and sit at the table. Dinner will be served shortly.”

Sophie arched an eyebrow, surprised and pleased by Grady’s romantic showing. “You’re serving me dinner, too? What’s the special occasion?”

“Why does there have to be a special occasion?” Grady asked, fingering the jewelry box in his pocket. “Maybe I just want to spend a special night with my special girl. Have you ever considered that?”

Sophie was in a good mood, but she and Grady bantered incessantly as part of their foreplay. “I think you’re up to something,” Sophie countered, glancing around the house. They’d been living together for months and while she originally thought it would be an adjustment, she’d never been happier. “It doesn’t look like anything caught fire, though, and you haven’t moved more furniture in without telling me. You didn’t fall in love with another woman when I wasn’t looking, did you?”

Grady knew Sophie was playing a game, but her words chafed all the same. “Why would you say that?”

Sophie balked at the serious expression on Grady’s face. “It was a joke, Grady. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I know, but … I don’t like it when you say things like that,” Grady said. “I love you, Sophie. I can’t fall in love with someone else because it’s impossible for me to love anyone but you. You should know that.”

Sophie did
know that … well, mostly. Years spent shuffling from one foster home to the other after her parents’ untimely death taught her a valuable lesson, though: Nothing is forever. “I’m sorry I upset you, Grady,” she said, biting her bottom lip. “This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. I honestly didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

Grady tugged on his limited patience to calm himself. “I didn’t mean to snap at you, sugar,” he said, leaning over and pecking her cheek. “That was unfair. Get comfortable at the table. I’ll bring dinner over in a minute.”

Sophie wasn’t convinced the storm had passed. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Grady said. “It’s going to be a pleasant and fun night. I promise. Just … get comfortable. I’ll bring the food over right away and you can tell me about your day.”

Sophie didn’t think Grady was over her dig, but she decided to do as he asked instead of pressing the issue. The sooner she pretended it didn’t happen, the more likely he was to forgive her and move on. “Okay,” she said, offering him a bright smile. “I can’t wait to eat it.”

“Me either,” Grady said, watching as the love of his life leaned one hand on the couch to balance herself as she flipped her shoes off. Grady took the opportunity to pull the ring out of his pocket. He knew the moment had passed on their night before things even ramped up. He had to think of something better. He had to create the perfect moment to make Sophie realize she was the only one for him. He hadn’t found the right level of perfection yet.

Grady slipped the ring in the drawer as he arranged plates on the counter, making a mental note to retrieve it and hide it in a better place later in the evening. Then he doled out dinner and moved to the table.

Maybe James was right, he internally mused. Maybe he could take the discovery of Sophie’s childhood belongings and turn them into the surprise to end all surprises. Maybe they would serve as the final piece of the proposal puzzle.

It couldn’t hurt, after all. As of now they were treading in water and Grady wanted to dive into the deep end of love and bond himself to Sophie forever. He needed more time to gather his courage, though.

Tonight officially wasn’t the night.