Page 17 of Deadly Conflicts

“I’m sorry, baby,” James said, holding his hands up. “That was unfair. We both know the hot water heater didn’t go out, though. They’re … doing something else.”

Mandy snorted, unbothered by James’ potential freakout. “So what? We did something else last night and this morning. Why should they have to live by different rules?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, baby, I’m at work on time,” James pointed out. “Even Grady is on time, although he’s over by the coffee tent with Sophie. She told me not to bug him for twenty minutes because he has PMS or something. Despite that, he’s here.”

“He has PMS?” Mandy was intrigued. “I guess the long hair really is turning him into a woman, huh?”

James rolled his eyes. “Wife, I love you more than life itself, but you’re always going to take Ally’s side and that really irritates me right now because I just know she’s doing something filthy with my employee.”

Mandy returned the exaggerated eye roll. “First off, Jake is not your employee right now,” she said. “He’s your friend and he’s having a nice morning with his girlfriend. Let it go. Second off, Ally is your sister and you want her to be happy, right?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” James had a stubborn streak a mile wide. “Is that my only option?”

Mandy playfully slapped James’ arm and sent him a warning look. “They’re not hurting anyone and Jake is never late. Let them be.”

“Fine.” James grabbed Mandy around the waist and dipped her low, pressing his chest against hers as he kissed her. “You’re extremely mouthy and bossy. You know that, right?”

“I might’ve been told that a time or two,” Mandy conceded. “You only notice the bossiness because you’re bossy, too.”

“I am the boss.”

“You’re not my boss.”

“I will be tonight,” James said, mock growling as he kissed Mandy’s neck and caused her to giggle. The couple was so lost in their game they didn’t notice they had a guest until the unmistakable sound of a man clearing his throat assailed their ears. James returned Mandy to a standing positioned and swiveled, an apology on his lips. He expected to find a festival organizer watching their morning interlude. Instead he found Vince Dawkins. He would’ve been happier with a disappointed festival representative – or even a deranged carnival clown. “Oh, good grief. What are you doing back in town?”

Mandy’s sea-blue eyes widened as she took in the man she recognized from her trip to the mall with Ally. He was handsome, there was no mistaking that, but there was something off about the way he carried himself. His cheekbones were high, his shoulders squared, and his smile bright. Everything about him still screamed “fraud,” though.

“James,” Vince said, keeping his tone even. “It’s so nice to see you.”

“So I’ve been told,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist and drawing her to him as he studied Ally’s former boyfriend. “I thought you moved to California.”

“I did,” Vince confirmed. “I spent several years out there building a business and making a name for myself. Then I decided to move back home. My mom hasn’t been doing well and I thought I should be closer for her sake.”

James had the grace to look abashed, but only marginally. “I’m sorry about your mother. I never met her, but that’s always difficult.”

“Thank you,” Vince said. “How are things with the security business? It was just taking off when I left town.”

“They’re good,” James replied. “How are things in the … whatever it is you do?”

“I own about twenty car dealerships all across the country now,” Vince answered. “It’s going well. In fact, I’m the one raffling off a new car here. It’s part of a publicity push for my grand opening.”

“Awesome,” James intoned, utilizing his easygoing voice even though he was feeling anything but friendly. “That sounds neat.”

Mandy pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at her husband’s fake act as Vince shifted his eyes to her.

“And how are you?” Vince asked.

“Oh, I apologize,” James offered. “This is Mandy Avery-Hardy. She’s my wife.”

“We’ve actually met,” Mandy said, extending her hand to shake Vince’s even as James scowled.

“You’ve met? When?” James didn’t appear happy with the development.

“Ally and I ran into him at the mall yesterday,” Mandy explained.

“You didn’t tell me that,” James said.

“That’s because you were too busy carrying her craft treasures,” Vince said, chuckling lightly as James scorched him with a murderous look. “I saw you yesterday, even if you didn’t see me. I was talking to your sister at the time. She is so … great.”