"Get cleaned up," James said. "I'll be waiting right here for you."

MANDY had stopped crying about the house, but her heart still hurt. She knew she was overreacting, and she had a feeling that Sheryl's death was part of the cause. She didn't want to dwell on that too much, the idea of killing someone even someone h.e.l.l-bent on trying to kill her was hard for her to wrap her mind around.

She had no idea where James was heading, but when he pulled into a familiar neighborhood in Harrison Township, her heart skipped a beat.

"Where are we going?"

"We're just driving," James said.

"But ... ."

"Do you know what's great about this area?" James asked, clearly changing the subject. "You have direct access to the freeway, and yet you wouldn't know it from all the foliage. It's kind of a hidden gem."

Now he was just torturing her. "Yeah. It's great."

James flicked his turn signal, pulling onto Park Street. He was heading in the direction of the house.

"What are you doing?"

James ignored her, coasting to a stop on the long driveway of Mandy's dream house. He killed the engine and got out of the car.

Mandy remained inside, pouting. When he didn't come to collect her, she sighed dramatically and climbed out of his Explorer. "What are we doing here? Are you trying to make me cry again?"

"I just thought you might want to dream a little more."

Mandy joined him in front of the Explorer, the dreams she'd tried to tamp down flitting through her head again. "It really is beautiful."

"It is."

"Do you think we could have been happy here?"

James didn't answer immediately, causing Mandy to look in his direction. Instead of leaning against the vehicle like he had been a few seconds before, though, he was kneeling in front of her a blue jewelry box in his hand.

Mandy's mouth went dry. "W-w-what are you doing?"

James flipped the top of the box open, revealing a huge emerald cut diamond ring. It was two carats, simple, and set in platinum. It was the ring she'd dreamed about since she was a teenager a dream she'd only ever told Ally about.

"I bought the house," James said.

"You ... you bought the house?"

"I bought the house."

"Why?"

James pursed his lips. "Because I had the same dreams you did. I saw us here, and we were happy."

"But ... you're, um ... are you doing what I think you're doing?"

"You seem surprised."

"I just ... I didn't think you were there yet," Mandy admitted.

"Well, I gave it some thought," James said. "Loving you is one thing. Pledging forever is another."

"Do you want forever?" Mandy's heart was welling with hope.

"I want you," James said. "Today. Tomorrow. Forever. You're all I want. You don't just own my heart, baby. You are my heart. You're my whole heart."

Tears were flowing from Mandy's eyes again, this time for an entirely different reason.

"Will you marry me?"

Mandy opened her mouth to answer, but no sound would come out.

James shifted, his knee uncomfortable against the ragged cement of the driveway. "You need to give me an answer, baby. I'm starting to get a complex."

Mandy dropped to her knees next to him, the emotions running through her too much to fathom. "Yes."

James pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers so he could kiss her senseless. When they came up for air, James pulled the ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

"How did you know?"

"Ally does give sage advice sometimes," James said. "She's also a fountain of information."

"Did you really buy this house for me?"

"No," James said. "I bought this house for us. We both have a lot of dreams, and we can share them here."

"This is what you want, right? You're not just proposing because of all the c.r.a.p we've been through over the past month, are you? Because that would be a total b.u.mmer if you changed your mind."

James smiled, kissing her more sweetly this time. "I've had the ring for three months."

Mandy's mouth dropped open. "Three months?"

"I've known you were my forever for a really long time," James said. "I was just waiting for the perfect moment."

"And me crying on the couch was your perfect moment?"

"Baby, you're my perfect everything."

James claimed her mouth again, wrapping his arms around her back not worrying about hurting her for the first time in as long as he could remember. For him and for her happily ever after officially started today.

Up Next.

Sa.s.sy and fun are the two words Ally Hardy lives her life by. She also wants love and happiness but she's not sure either are in her immediate future. She's content to tread water until she gets everything she's ever dreamed of.

Jake Hardy is just trying to get by. His six-year tour in the Army haunts him, and he's decided distance is the best way to survive. He doesn't want or need any waves in his immediate future.

Ally's mere existence might put Jake's plan in jeopardy.

While her brothers are happily paired off, Ally is still floundering. She's attracted to Jake. Who wouldn't be? He's every woman's physical dream, and yet his mental stamina might leave much to be desired.

Ally can't stay away, though, and when trouble upends her life, the woman who wants everything can't help but cling to the man who desires nothing.

Jake wants distance, but his heart has an argument his body can't deny.

After discovering a dying man, someone thinks Ally knows a secret. When they go after her, Jake can't fight the urge to protect her.

Her brothers want a "perfect" man for their baby sister, and Jake is far from a perfect man. Ally only wants Jake, and she's decided no one is going to stand in her way.

Jake fights the pull but it seems to be a fruitless endeavor. Her energy is too much for him to resist, and despite her brothers' misgivings, Jake can't stay away.

Despite his best efforts, Ally manages to catch Jake's attention and heart. Someone is still after Ally, and her brothers may never approve, but Jake soon realizes he's beyond caring.

Ally is in danger, and Jake plans to stand in the path of anyone who would try and hurt her.

Will this duo survive to find out if they can find happily ever after, too? Or will someone snuff out potential love before it has a chance to bloom?

Deadly Prospects will be released on Feb. 3, 2015. Buy it here.

Coming Soon.

The Hardy brothers and their love stories aren't over. Track their progress through upcoming books and maybe find out a little more about the Hardy family, too.

Deadly Prospects: Ally Hardy has watched all three of her brothers find happiness, and now she wants some of her own. When Hardy Brothers Security employs Jake Harrison to help with their expanding business, none of the of Hardy boys think he's good enough for their baby sister. Ally has other ideas, though, whether Jake is agreeable to them or not. When Ally finds herself in boatload of trouble, it's not her brothers she turns to. Jake can't fight Ally's pull, and, at a certain point, he's not sure he even wants to try. Will this duo survive to find out if they can overcome the disappointment of three brothers and forge their own path?

Deadly Ever After: James and Mandy are looking forward to moving into their new house, and enjoying their upcoming wedding. The road to happily ever after is littered with hurdles, though, and maybe a few bodies. Will this beloved couple get to say "I do"? Or will the enemy finally be too much for the Hardy family to overcome?

Deadly Honeymoon: After more drama and a romantic wedding James and Mandy are going on a honeymoon. After frolicking in the sun and getting frisky in the water they discover a dead body. The mystery surrounding that death follows them home and the entire Hardy family is put on alert when danger rears its head. Again.

Deadly Questions: Grady has never been fond of Sophie's foster father, Peter Marconi, the mob a.s.sociations always giving him pause. When Peter approaches Hardy Brothers Security with a problem Grady is hard pressed to deny him. Someone is trafficking young women across the Michigan border to Canada, and Peter needs help figure out whom. Grady agrees to help, but only if Peter is honest. Can Grady and Sophie find common ground when his family starts fighting with hers?

Deadly Addition: After years of turmoil, Emma Pritchard is finally happy. She's found the man of her dreams, and a new family to love and accept her. All of that is put at risk when Emma's absentee mother returns to town. The woman is full of apologies and promises but Finn doesn't believe she's good for Emma. When the couple is faced with another problem, Emma's world starts to close in. Can she ever fully let go of the past and look forward to the future?.

Books by Lily Harper Hart.

Hardy Brothers Security.

Deadly Intentions.

Deadly Intuition Deadly Illusions.

Deadly Proposal Deadly Prospects.

Deadly Ever After (Coming March 2015) Deadly Honeymoon (Coming April 2015).

Deadly Questions (Coming May 2015) Deadly Addition (Coming June 2015).

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