Free Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) by Lily Harper Hart Page B

fabric board. “So, what color do you like?”
    “Did those women mentioning kids freak you out?”
    Mandy worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “It’s just … .”
    “You know, it’s kind of funny,” James said, cutting her off. “We’ve never really talked about kids.”
    “No, we haven’t.”
    “Do you want kids?”
    “Right now?”
    “We can start with that,” James said.
    “I don’t want them right now,” Mandy admitted. “I’m happy with the way things are. I want time with just the two of us.”
    “I want that, too,” James said, capturing Mandy’s hand in his and pressing the palm to his lips. “We’re young, baby. We don’t have to make this decision now.”
    Mandy looked unsure. “What if I never want kids?”
    “What if I never want them?” James asked.
    Mandy’s face was unreadable. “When I picture our future, I think of things like traveling abroad and spending weekends in bed. Whenever I picture it, I never see kids there.”
    James took in the information. “I’m going to be honest with you, baby,” he said. “I’m not sure our lives are conducive to children.”
    Mandy exhaled heavily, relief washing over her face. “Really?”
    “If I never have anything but you, I’m going to consider myself a lucky man,” James said. “And, truthfully, the idea of being able to take off and travel and spend weekends in bed is exactly how I picture our future, too.”
    “But what about your parents?”
    “I have two brothers and a sister,” James said. “While I’m not sure kids are in Grady’s future, I’m fairly certain they’re going to be part of the equation where Finn and Ally are concerned.”
    Mandy nodded.
    “What about your mom, though?” James asked. “You’re an only child. She might be really disappointed.”
    “I’m not having kids for her,” Mandy said. “We’re the ones who would have to raise them. Besides, her husband has three daughters. She can spoil those kids.”
    “As long as you’re okay with that, so am I.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “You’re the only baby I need,” James said, giving her sweet kiss.
    “What if I change my mind?” Mandy asked, her eyes wide.
    “Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” James said. “I love you more than anything, and if it takes kids down the road to keep that smile on your face, I’m sure I can be persuaded. Besides, I can’t see myself not loving anything that comes out of you.
    “Who knows,” he continued. “We may feel differently down the road. I just ask that we talk about it first.”
    Mandy’s face broke into a wide – and relieved – smile. “You really are the perfect man.”
    “I keep telling you that,” James said, tugging her in for a quick kiss.
    “It’s not that I don’t like kids,” Mandy said hurriedly. “I like them fine. For like an hour.”
    James smirked. “We have that in common.”
    “Sometimes I think one might not be so bad,” Mandy hedged. “If it is really quiet, and really self-reliant, that is.”
    “So, you want a robot child?”
    “Or a cat.”
    James barked out a laugh. “Maybe we can just be the fun aunt and uncle for the multitude of kids that Ally and Emma supply.”
    “That sounds fun,” Mandy said. “And then, when they’re knee deep in diapers and colic, we can go to New Orleans.”
    James arched an eyebrow. “New Orleans?”
    “I’ve just always wanted to go there,” Mandy admitted. “I love the idea of the cemeteries and the voodoo culture. Oh, and I desperately want to go on one of those haunted bayou rides.”
    James reached over, pushing the strand of hair that had fallen into her face to the side. “We’ll put it on the top of the list.”
    “We have a list?”
    “How about we start making one tonight?”
    “A list of places we want to visit?” Mandy shifted excitedly.
    “Yeah,” James said. “We’ll take turns picking destinations.”
    “Oh, fun,” Mandy said. “I’m definitely putting New Orleans