“Pretty much.”
Grady rubbed his forehead. “How many people are we talking about here?”
Sophie considered the question. “I don’t know. It will be in double digits, though.”
Grady exhaled deeply. “Okay. Put together a list. When you’re done, bring it to our offices tomorrow. We’ll start running them one at a time and see what we come up with.”
“And then?”
“One step at a time, sweetheart.”
Sophie’s heart pinged at the endearment – even though she knew it didn’t mean anything.
“One step at a time,” she agreed.
Nine
When Sophie arrived at Hardy Brothers Security the next day she was surprised by their operation. She’d expected a hole-in-the-wall office, three men, four walls, and nothing else to set them apart from the pack. What she found was a streamlined facility with modern furniture and smooth, architectural lines.
The bell over the door jangled when she entered, causing her to jump. The man standing in the lobby was attractive, even hot in his own right. He had Grady’s eyes, although his hair was short and cropped close to his head.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Grady,” Sophie replied, trying to tamp down her nervousness.
The man narrowed his eyes, looking her up and down. “Are you Sophie?”
She hated being caught off guard. It made her feel like she was working from a disadvantage. “Yes.”
The man extended his hand. “I’m Finn Hardy, Grady’s brother.”
Sophie wracked her brain. She remembered James was the older brother. This was the other brother, the younger one. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand. “Is Grady here?”
Finn motioned for her to follow. “This way.”
Sophie clutched her files to her chest worriedly but did as instructed. Finn led her into an office where another man, also boasting Grady’s eyes, was sitting behind a desk. “This is James.”
James glanced up, gracing Sophie with a welcoming smile. “You must be Sophie. Grady informed us what’s going on. We were expecting you.”
Sophie shook James’ proffered hand. “You’re the brother who saved the clerk at the courthouse.”
James’ smile was wide, guileless. “That would be me. Although, we call her Mandy – not the clerk.”
“I know Mandy,” Sophie admitted.
“You do?”
“I’m a reporter. I’ve run across her at the courthouse a time or two. She’s pretty cool, always helpful.”
Finn snorted, something James pointedly ignored.
“We like her,” James said.
“Some of us more than others,” Finn teased.
Sophie was uncomfortable but, despite herself, she liked the other Hardy brothers. They looked different than Grady – kind of – but they had the same irrepressible appeal. Still, without Grady, she felt like an intruder. “If Grady isn’t here, I can come back.”
“He’s here,” Finn replied. “He just upstairs fighting with Mandy.”
Sophie faltered. “I’m sorry.”
James rolled his eyes. “He ate all of her Fruity Pebbles.”
Sophie was lost.
“Mandy has been sick,” Finn supplied. “She got food poisoning. She just got her appetite back and found out that someone – I’m not saying who, but someone – ate her favorite cereal. She’s not happy.”
Sophie battled back her doubts. “I can go and buy some cereal if that helps,” she offered.
The look Finn and James exchanged wasn’t lost on her.
“She’ll survive,” James said. “I’m just glad she’s got some color back in her cheeks – and a little spring in her step.”
Finn snorted. “I guess that means it’s back to business as usual. You obviously got sex last night.”
James rolled his eyes, shooting his brother the finger. There was no malice associated with the gesture, so Sophie forced herself to relax.
“I’m glad she’s feeling better. She’s a hard worker. She’s one of the few clerks who doesn’t annoy me.”
James smiled widely. “She’s the only one who doesn’t annoy me.”
“I’m still undecided,” Finn said.
Given his grin, Sophie realized straight away that he was joking. There were times when sarcasm was lost on her. It seemed to be a regular thing in the Hardy family, though.
Sophie shifted when she heard voices. She couldn’t tell where they were coming from, but she recognized one of them as Grady’s. Once he entered the room, her heart jumped at the sight of him. He hadn’t seen her yet. She took the opportunity to take him in – all of him. He was wearing simple blue jeans and a white T-shirt, and he looked phenomenal. She recognized the blonde entering the room behind him, too – although she’d never seen the woman so animated.