Page 27 of Deadly Conflicts

“I guess it’s good I like your mouth, isn’t it?” Sophie beamed as she extended her lips and brushed them against Grady’s. “I love your mouth, in fact.”

“And I love your mouth,” Grady said, wrestling his girlfriend to the blanket and causing her to squeal. “You’re still a pain in the butt.”

“Oh, that should be the Hardy family motto,” Mandy said, smiling as James rested his chin on her shoulder. “I love you, but you’re a pain in the butt. We should have matching T-shirts made.”

“I’ll get right on that, baby,” James said. “Until then, though, we have a half an hour until the fireworks hit. Who wants ice cream and elephant ears?”

“Ooh,” Mandy enthused. “You had me at elephant ears.”

“Oh, baby, I’m going to have you at a lot more than that later,” James promised, extending his hand to help her to her feet. “We’ll get treats. You all keep … doing whatever it is you’re doing.”

“Finally something I want to do,” Grady said, smiling as Sophie giggled under his tickle assault. “Don’t forget the sprinkles!”

James shook his head. “You make me tired, Grady.”

“Life would be duller without me. Admit it.”

James thought about arguing, but he knew it was a moot point. The Hardy family was a complete set. The loss of any one member would destroy them all. They just had to keep the core safe if they wanted the family to thrive.

“I’ll get your sprinkles,” James called out. “Try not to embarrass yourself while we’re gone.”

“Don’t go expecting any miracles,” Sophie said, laughing as Grady returned to tickling her. “You can’t force the impossible to happen.”