Page 68 of Deadly Conflicts

“Well, that’s good enough for me,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist. “You’re still in trouble, wife. I’m going to spank you when we get home.”

Mandy giggled. “Can I have ice cream first?”

“Sure. I think you’ve earned it.”

“JAMES?”

Mandy found her husband in his office shortly before midnight. Rose and Louis retired hours before, no one mentioning her escape – or the stupidity associated with it – and instead the older Hardys allowed the younger ones space to deal with their issues. James dealt with it by giving Mandy ice cream and then retreating to his office.

James shifted his eyes from the computer screen to his wife’s face. “What’s up?”

“I … um … are you going to come to bed tonight?” Mandy hated how whiny she sounded, but she needed to know.

James nodded. “That’s where I sleep, so yes.”

“Can we make up first?”

James didn’t want to smile. He was still annoyed with his blonde. That didn’t mean he wanted her to suffer. “Come here, wife.” He patted the open spot on his desk and waited for Mandy to join him. She sat on the edge of the desk and twisted her hands together as she nervously waited for him to explode. “Why did you leave, Mandy?” James’ voice was as soft as a kiss.

“Because … I was ticked off.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know,” Mandy admitted. “I was in a good mood for most of the day. Then … there was so much work and my head started hurting. I kept trying to run information on the search you gave me, but I didn’t have enough time. Things kind of overwhelmed me.”

“You could’ve told me that,” James pointed out. “If you were overwhelmed, all you had to do was call – or even text – and tell me you couldn’t get to the search. Did you think I wouldn’t understand that?”

“No.” Mandy’s expression was earnest. “I didn’t understand it.”

“Now I’m the one who doesn’t understand,” James said, tucking a strand of her silky hair behind an ear. “What are you saying?”

“I didn’t want to do my work. I wanted to do your work.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“I’m ready to leave the courthouse,” Mandy admitted. “I hate being there. I used to like it. I thought it was exciting and even though I hated the criminals, I still liked the work. That changed over the past two years and I don’t know how to explain it.”

“So quit, baby,” James prodded. “You don’t need that job. We’ll both be happier when you quit.”

Mandy wet her lips and lowered her eyes. “If I tell you something, do you promise not to make fun of me?”

“I have no idea until you tell me,” James replied honestly. “I love you beyond measure, but you’re occasionally silly.”

“I think I’m agitated because Judge MacIntosh keeps telling me that I should go,” Mandy admitted. “I thought it would be hard on him. I thought he needed me. It turns out I was making that up in my head.”

“Oh, baby, that’s not true,” James said, tilting up her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze. “The judge loves you. He told me you’re the best worker he’s ever had. He also wants you to be happy. He wants that more than he wants a good worker.” James wiped a stray tear from Mandy’s cheek. “Is that what’s bothering you? You thought you were indispensable and now the judge is urging you to go because he wants you to be happy?”

“It’s not that I thought I was indispensable … well, not mostly.”

“You’re indispensable to me, Mandy,” James said. “I can’t live without you. The judge loves you, but that is a job. That’s not your life. This is your life.” He took her hand and pressed it to his heart. “This is yours. This is where you’re most important.”

Mandy pressed her lips together and nodded.

“I don’t think that’s the only reason you left, though,” James said. “I think there was more to it.”

“I heard what Jake said about me,” Mandy admitted. “I didn’t like it. I waited for you to stand up for me … but you didn’t do it.”

“I did stand up for you before then,” James said. “I realized after the fact that Jake was just venting. He’s nervous, Mandy. His heart is pounding all of the time and his palms are sweaty. Do you know how I know that? I felt the same way before I proposed to you.”