"Fully updated three years ago," Tanya replied. "All the plaster and paneled walls have also been replaced with drywall."

James nodded, following Mandy into the room to the right.

"This is the living room," Tanya said. "As you can see, there's plenty of room and Internet and cable interfaces are all upgraded."

James glanced at the far end of the room where a wrought-iron spiral staircase rested.

"What's the deal with the stairs?"

"There are three different staircases on the main floor," Tanya said. "Two are spiral. Since this is Harrison Township, and the lake is so close, this house has a nautical feel. The staircase behind the main foyer is wider."

The tour continued, covering the main floor of the house first. The first floor encompa.s.sed the huge living room, the open foyer, a full dining room, and an engaging kitchen with a homey eating area.

James was a little charmed himself.

Tanya showed them all five rooms on the second floor, with the master suite boasting a private bathroom and whirlpool tub big enough for two.

When Tanya led them into the backyard, Mandy could barely contain her glee. James was more stoic, but even he was impressed. "How long ago was the roof replaced?"

"I can see you know what you're talking about," Tanya said, practically purring. "It's been two years."

James ignored her flirty behavior. "And the lining in the pool?"

Tanya checked the file in her hand. "Four years."

James fixated on the rectangular guesthouse off to the right. "Let's see that."

Tanya led the way, casting the occasional weighted glance in James' direction. She was clearly trying to pique his interest, all the while he was trying to make his disinterest evident without tipping Mandy off that anything was going on.

The door to the guesthouse opened into the saloon Mandy had told him about. The walls were paneled with wood, the bar authentic looking and entirely delightful. The room was so large they could have thrown a party with everyone they knew and it wouldn't have been crowded.

James ran his hands over the hand-carved bar, sighing. It really was beautiful. He saw the potential, and he couldn't help but let his imagination run a little wild, too. Tanya led them up the stairs at the back of the guesthouse, into the open loft. Actually, the word "loft" was an exaggeration. It was really two rooms, both graced with bay windows that looked down upon a gorgeous expanse of trees and field.

James watched Mandy as she looked around the room. She was beaming.

"Okay," he said. "Tell me what you want to do up here."

Mandy bit her lower lip, embarra.s.sment washing over her features. "Do you remember our first date?"

James stilled. He wasn't sure what she was considering as their first date. He'd taken her out to dinner. A night later, he'd just taken her. Five hours after that, he'd left her in the dust. After realizing his mistake and reuniting, they'd gone to an art festival together. Those were his options.

Actually, the more he thought about it, they'd never had an official first date. There was no way he was admitting that to her.

"Of course."

Mandy's eyes narrowed. She knew what he was thinking. "What was our first date?"

"Why don't you tell me," James suggested.

"I was thinking of our first dinner together," Mandy said.

James wracked his brain, searching for what she was trying to tell him. Then, out of nowhere, something clicked.

"You want to make this an art studio, don't you?"

The tension in Mandy's shoulders vacated as she slumped in relief. "You do remember."

James glanced around the room again. That was the night she'd admitted that being a court clerk wasn't what she'd envisioned for her life over the long haul. She'd said she had dreams of making art her future if it was possible.

James searched the room, overlapping his future fantasies with the realities of right now. It was perfect.

He glanced over at Tanya. "I need an inspector in here," he said. "If I like the report, we'll make an offer."

The businesswoman in Tanya was thrilled but the other part of her was disappointed. "Are you sure?"

James cast his gaze around again. "We're sure."

Mandy threw herself at him, pressing her lips to his as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you."

Her smile and her enthusiastic reaction was enough encouragement for James to pay for an endless string of home inspections. Pushing all of that to the side, this house had everything they would ever need. And, despite himself, he could picture them there forever.

This could be their life.

Nineteen.

Grady and Sophie were mauling each other on the couch when his phone rang. He sighed, pulling his mouth from hers and glancing over at the screen. It was Sunday. Who would be calling him on a Sunday?

"Who is it?" Sophie asked, propping herself up so he could lean over and grab the phone from the coffee table.

"I don't recognize the number," Grady said. He slid his finger over the screen and pressed the phone to his ear. "h.e.l.lo."

"Is this Grady Hardy?"

It was a man's voice, although Grady didn't immediately recognize it. "Yes."

"This is Jake Harrison."

Grady stiffened, wrapping his arm around Sophie's naked waist so he could hold her stationary as he sat up. "Mr. Harrison, do you have something?"

"I've been doing some work," Jake said. "Questioning some of the men out here when I've had the chance."

"And?"

"Well, I've come across some disturbing information," Jake admitted.

"Tell me."

"It seems that Cole was bragging about coming into some money," Jake said. "He told at least fifteen different guys here that he was going to be able to buy a house and be rich sometime soon."

Grady mulled the statement over, rubbing Sophie's back as she looked down at him with curious mocha eyes.

"Did he say where he was going to get the money?"

"He said he had a rich benefactor," Jake said.

Grady nodded, brushing his lips over Sophie's defined chin. "What are you doing now?"

"Nothing."

"Can you meet me in Sterling Heights?"

"I guess. Why?"

"I want to introduce you to my brother."

WHEN JAKE saw Grady getting out of his truck, he was still trying to decide if he was doing the right thing. The men he was trying to help were at risk, they were desperate. Turning into an informant didn't sit well with him. Of course, blowing up an innocent blonde didn't sit well with him either.

Jake watched as Grady moved to the pa.s.senger side of his truck, opening the door to help a brunette woman out. The woman was beautiful, all brown hair waves and lithe body swells. She was carrying a bag from Dairy Queen, which seemed odd to Jake.

Jake opened the door of his truck, climbing out and fixing Grady with a hard look. "I thought we were meeting your brother."

Grady didn't look affronted by Jake's coldness. "This is Sophie," he said. "She's my girlfriend."

Jake nodded, but he still didn't understand. "And she can help us how?"

"She's here because she wants to see Mandy," Grady said. "She brought her ice cream. She's not here because of you."

Jake felt like an idiot. He was suspicious by nature, but the woman's curious brown eyes had set him on edge. These people were friends, he reminded himself. They were family. Not everyone was trying to take something from someone else.

Jake hurried across the parking lot, an apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry. This is ... ."

"It's uncomfortable," Grady finished for him. "You feel like you're selling out. I get it."

Jake sighed, forcing himself to relax. "The building looks dark. Are you sure your brother is here?"

"He has an apartment on the second floor," Grady said, unlocking the main door so Jake and Sophie could enter.

"Not for long," Sophie said. "They saw a house yesterday."

Grady tilted his head, his long hair dipping below his shoulder on his right side as he took in his girlfriend's statement. "How do you know that?"

"Mandy told me," Sophie said, shrugging. "They liked it enough to call an inspector."

Grady smirked. "How do you know more about my brother than I do?"

"Girls are gossipy," Sophie said. "Mandy is really excited, by the way. She's in love with the house."

"Which means James is going to find a way to make it work," Grady mused, testing the door behind them to make sure it latched properly. "I can't believe they're buying a house. It's so ... adult."

"She's happy," Sophie warned, climbing the stairs without looking back. "Don't you dare try to shame him."

"I would never try to shame him," Grady said.

Sophie paused, casting a doubtful look in Grady's direction. "Who do you think you're talking to?"

"I would never try to shame him," Grady repeated. "I might make fun of him."

Sophie sighed, the sound low and exasperated. "Your brother and Mandy have been through h.e.l.l and a handbag over the past three weeks," Sophie said. "If you rain on their parade, I'm going to rain on your parade."

Grady frowned, following her up the stairs. "What does that mean?"

"You know what that means," Sophie shot back. "Mandy is happy. I'll make you really unhappy if you ruin that."

Grady rolled his eyes. "You're such a killjoy."

Jake couldn't help but marvel at the couple's friendly banter. They were completely comfortable with each other, clearly in love even if they hadn't admitted it to themselves yet. The warmth between them was contagious.

Grady raised his hand outside the apartment door, preparing to knock. He stilled suddenly. "What if she's asleep?"

"It's barely seven," Jake said.

"Mandy is still recovering," Grady said. "She's kind of nap happy."

Sophie shrugged, motioning to his key chain. "If they're having s.e.x, we'll only be scarred for life. What's more important?"

Grady tilted his head to the side, considering. Ultimately, he pushed his key into the lock and pushed the door open.

Jake was surprised by what he found inside. The apartment was small, although it felt homey even from afar. The man on the couch had Grady's brown hair, although it was shorter. His eyes were closed, his hand hanging off the couch, the remote still clenched between his fingers.

The television was muted, and the blonde woman stretched out on top of James Hardy seemed dead to the world. Her head was settled on James' chest, his left arm around her waist, his hand resting on her rear.

James opened an eye, the noise stirring him. He glanced at Grady, Sophie, and then Jake in turn. He dropped the remote to the floor and brought his hand to his lips, warning the visitors to be quiet.

"It's seven," Grady said, ignoring the silent admonishment. "How are you sleeping?"

James rolled his eyes. "She's tired," he whispered. "If you wake her up, I'll ... ."

"I'm awake," the blonde said, her voice m.u.f.fled.

James sighed, pressing his lips to her forehead and shooting a dark look in his brother's direction. "Nice."