Deadly Storm Read Online Free Page A

seem … quiet.”
    Mandy avoided his probing gaze. “I’m fine.”
    “I’ve known you for most of your life, kid,” Grady said. “I can tell when something is bothering you.”
    “Why are you doing that?”
    Grady balked. “I was just trying to find out what was wrong with you.”
    “Not that,” Mandy said. “That.” She pointed toward the sink. “Why are you washing them off?”
    “Because it’s seafood and that’s what you should do with seafood … and fruit … and vegetables, for that matter,” Grady said, arching an eyebrow. “Seriously, what’s going on?”
    “That’s what is going on,” Mandy said. “I didn’t even know that you should wash seafood. James deserves one stinking meal that doesn’t come from a delivery boy.”
    “James doesn’t care about takeout, Mandy,” Grady said, frustration bubbling. “He honestly doesn’t. You might be deluding yourself that he does, but he simply doesn’t care. I think you’re tying yourself up into knots for nothing.”
    “Who said I’m tying myself into knots?”
    “I … no one,” Grady said, forcing himself to remain calm even though he wanted to shake her. “You tend to get these ideas , though. You convince yourself of things that just aren’t true.”
    “I do not.”
    “How about when you convinced yourself that James was going to break up with you after the explosion?”
    “That was an accident.”
    “He had a ring hidden in his sock drawer and was trying to find the perfect time to propose and you thought he wanted to dump you,” Grady said.
    “Fine. I overreacted. That’s not what I’m doing here, though. I want to be able to cook a meal for my husband. Is that too much to ask?”
    “No,” Grady said. “I just … you’re doing this for yourself, right? You don’t need to prove yourself to James. He loves you the way you are.”
    “Of course I’m doing it for myself,” Mandy said. “This is something I want to do. Get a grip. It’s a cooking class. I’m not joining the Army.”
    Grady held up his hands. “Okay. I’m sorry. Do you want to help me wrap these guys up in tinfoil and put some butter on them?”
    Mandy shook her head. “I don’t like butter. It’s greasy.”
    Grady ran his tongue over his teeth, fighting the urge to tell her that butter was probably going to be an ingredient in cooking class. This whole endeavor had “disaster” written all over it.
     
    JAMES glanced down, surprised when Mandy’s arms snaked around his waist and she rested her head against his back. “What’s wrong, baby?”
    “I just wanted to hug you,” Mandy said.
    James rubbed his fingers over her hands. “Did you and Grady fight?”
    “No. He thinks I’m stupid for taking the class, but we didn’t fight.”
    That’s not how it sounded to James. “Mandy, you don’t need his approval.”
    “I didn’t say I did.”
    James grabbed Mandy’s hand and dragged her around so she was in front of him. He kept one arm around her waist as he used the other to turn the steaks. “See, you’re already cooking.”
    Mandy rolled her eyes. “You’re so funny.”
    “I’ll do my comedy routine later.”
    “You’d better be naked when you do it.”
    James grinned. “Deal.”
    “Yeah, that’s just what everyone wants to hear when they’re naked,” Grady said, appearing at James’ side with the wrapped crawfish. “Laughter.”
    “Shut up,” James warned. He glanced at the crawfish. “What should I do with these?”
    “Shove them on the far side of the grill and turn them over every few minutes. They’re going to be delicious.”
    “Grady is such a cute little chef,” Ally teased.
    “Don’t make me throw you in the pool,” Grady threatened, extending his finger in Ally’s direction. “You’re not going to think it’s so funny if you have to go through dinner soaking wet.”
    “Jake wouldn’t let you throw me in the pool, would you?”
    Jake took a swig of his beer, buying time so he could consider the