Table of Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Mail List
Acknowledgments
Books by Lily Harper Hart
Grave Haunting
A Maddie Graves Mystery Book Ten
Lily Harper Hart
HarperHart Publications
Copyright © 2017 by Lily Harper Hart
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Contents
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven
8. Eight
9. Nine
10. Ten
11. Eleven
12. Twelve
13. Thirteen
14. Fourteen
15. Fifteen
16. Sixteen
17. Seventeen
18. Eighteen
19. Nineteen
20. Twenty
21. Twenty-One
22. Twenty-Two
Mail List
Acknowledgments
Books by Lily Harper Hart
1
One
Maddie Graves was fairly certain life couldn’t get better.
She wasn’t an optimist by nature – insecurity often threatening to derail her happy train – but for the past month and a half she could do nothing but smile. That’s what she did now. Smile. She smiled as she dusted the shelves in her magic store in Blackstone Bay, Michigan. She also smiled when the antique light fixture overhead glinted off her new engagement ring and caused her to lose focus with her cleaning endeavor.
That’s where the man who gave her the ring, Nick Winters, found her a few minutes later. He stood in the doorway that separated the storefront from the rest of the house they shared, a muffin in his hand and an adoring look on his face as she swished her hips and stared at the ring.
Nick considered leaving her to the potentially embarrassing moment without comment, but the idea of doing that held little appeal as he thoroughly enjoyed messing with her whenever the mood struck. “Are you dreaming of a prince or something?”
Maddie froze, her cheeks instantly flushing as she darted a gaze to the open doorway. They’d been engaged for weeks. She should be over this, she realized. Still, she couldn’t quite seem to wrap her head around the fact that the boy she’d loved since her childhood was finally going to be her forever. “I … .”
Nick remained calm, his expression unreadable, and broke off a chunk of the muffin. “Were you singing Cinderella songs in your head?”
Maddie narrowed her sea-blue eyes to dangerous slits, sensing he was about to make fun of her. “Actually, I was wondering if I still had time to trade up.”
Nick knew that in Maddie’s head she considered that a biting insult, something that might actually hurt his feelings. She would feel guilty about it later. That was her way, of course. She was getting better – growing into her own skin and starting to feel comfortable with their relationship – but she still had some ground to cover before her ego would be where he believed it should be. “Who are you going to trade up for?”
Maddie rubbed her peaches-and-cream cheek and stared, caught off guard. “I … .”
Nick’s smile was serene as he broke off another chunk of the huge muffin. She’d made them this morning and they were delicious. He would eat the entire lot of them before the day was done if he didn’t pace himself. His woman was beautiful, sweet and a master in the kitchen when she wanted to be. He knew there was nothing to trade up for when it came to Maddie.
“I hear Joe Martindale is looking for a woman who cooks and cleans,” Nick offered, fighting the urge to grin at the way Maddie scowled. “He told Dale that he needs a woman who is a slave in the kitchen and obedient in the bedroom. I think he sounds like a real winner so he should probably make your list.”
Dale Kreskin was Nick’s partner on the Blackstone Bay Police Department. He was happily married but enjoyed messing with Nick and Maddie from time to time. He found their dramatic “young love” amusing and couldn’t stop himself from making fun of them whenever the opportunity arose. Maddie had no doubt that Dale brought up Joe Martindale’s statement merely to see how fast he could make Nick blush.
“Joe Martindale is eighty,” Maddie pointed out.
“So?”
“So he’s eighty, has none of his original teeth, and smells like a bottle of whiskey spilled on him no matter the time or day,” Maddie replied. “How is that trading up?”
Nick ran his tongue over his teeth and shrugged. “I think he’s your best option in Blackstone Bay. He’s too pathetic for me to beat up and I would pound the crap out of anyone else you tried to shake me off for.”
Maddie didn’t want to smile – it was a form of encouragement, after all – but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “You’re too cute for words.” She slipped closer to Nick, rolled to her toes, and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I couldn’t possibly trade up because there’s nothing above you when it comes to the ladder of love.”
Nick’s grin was lazy. “I was thinking exactly the same thing,” he murmured, rubbing his nose against hers. He took them both by surprise when he captured Maddie around the waist and dumped her on his lap as he sat in one of the over-sized chairs near the front window of the store.
“What are you doing?” Maddie squealed as Nick tickled her ribs, feeling him shift beneath her until he was sure they were both comfortable.
“I’m spending quality time with my woman,” Nick replied without hesitation.
Maddie cocked a confrontational eyebrow. “Your woman? That’s a bit condescending, don’t you think?”
Nick shrugged, unbothered by her tone. “You’re wearing my ring, Mad.” Nick lifted her hand for emphasis, enjoying the way the ring sparkled underneath the muted light shining through the window. It was February in Blackstone Bay – which should’ve meant piles of snow and days of being trapped in front of a roaring fireplace – but the ground was bare. It had been a mild winter, something that Nick wasn’t overly happy about because he knew Maddie enjoyed cavorting in the snow. Still, the prospect of enjoying another summer with Maddie almost made up for the lack of cuddling time in front of the fireplace.
“I am wearing your ring.” Maddie turned her attention back to the lovely piece of jewelry. “How did you know this was the ring for me? I don’t think I thought to ask.”
Nick tilted his head to the side, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know, Mad. I went into the jewelry store over in Traverse City and told the clerk behind the counter that I was looking for an engagement ring. If you ask me, she was a bit disappointed because she was clearly hot for me.”
Maddie snorted, amused. “I’m sure.”
Nick rubbed his cheek against Maddie’s, content to remain that way for the rest of the day even though his shift started in an hour. “I cou
ld see it in her eyes, Mad,” he teased, relishing this part of the retelling. “She thought I was hot and wanted to rub herself all over me the second I walked through the door.”
“Okay, I think we’re done with this story.” Maddie moved to push Nick’s arms away so she could get up, but Nick merely tightened his grip.
“I’m still telling my story,” Nick whispered, running his lips across the sensitive ridge of her ear and delighting in the involuntary shudder that ran through Maddie’s body. “Anyway, I explained to the clerk that I needed the perfect ring for the perfect woman and she was understandably crushed because she knew she could never be that perfect woman in my heart, but managed to collect herself after an hour of crying in the backroom and return to show me a few choices.”
“She cried for an entire hour, huh?” Maddie chuckled. “That sounds terrible.”
“Oh, it was terrible, Mad.” Nick’s lips curved against her cheek and Maddie felt powerless to do anything but remain where she was and take it. “She showed me a good twenty rings and I didn’t think they were right for you. They didn’t seem to fit you, or encompass everything I wanted to give you.
“Now, keep in mind that the only thing I knew about ring shopping was what I’d learned from television,” he continued. “Bigger is better … and all that jazz.”
“That’s not true,” Maddie protested, horrified. “I would’ve been fine with a small stone.” She cradled her hand to her chest, causing Nick to snort.
“You would’ve been fine with it,” Nick confirmed once he regrouped. “That doesn’t mean that would’ve been your dream ring. I wanted you to have the absolutely perfect ring so … I stared … and stared … and stared. I didn’t know what to do.
“The clerk clearly read my indecision and the fact that she was about to lose me,” he continued. “She brought out an antique ring that was only for someone serious, someone who knew that he was giving the ring to a woman he would never part with. That’s what she said anyway. I think she was trying to entice me.”
“It sounds as if I’m going to need to track down this clerk and beat her up,” Maddie noted. “Is that what you’re telling me?”
Nick snickered, pressing the palm of his hand against Maddie’s flat stomach. She was in ridiculously good shape, running at least five miles a day unless the weather prevented it. Since the winter had been mild – especially by Blackstone Bay’s standards – she hadn’t missed many runs over the course of the past few months and was already primed for bathing suit season. “I’m telling you that I was a nervous wreck and thought I would ruin everything if I picked out the wrong ring.”
Maddie’s stomach flipped. “Why would you think that? That hardly seems fair … or right. Nicky, I would’ve loved any ring you got me. I swear it.”
“I know you would have.” Nick did know that. She wasn’t materialistic and would’ve instantly fallen in love with any ring he slipped on her finger, mostly because the love associated with the gesture was genuine. “I still wanted you to have something perfect because you’re my perfect Maddie.”
“Oh, geez.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “You’re laying it on a bit thick. Is that why the clerk couldn’t stop herself from drooling?”
“I paid very little attention to the clerk,” Nick replied. “All I could think about was you. I wanted so much to make you happy.”
“Oh, Nicky.” Maddie forced out a sigh. “You do make me happy. I’m sorry. Go back to how the clerk was mooning over you. You sounded a lot happier when telling that part of the story.”
Nick chuckled, delighted. “Good grief, I love you so much.” He pressed a kiss to Maddie’s cheek, causing her to nestle closer to him. “As for the ring, I really liked the antique option she showed me. I thought it was perfect … and so you. Things clicked into place right away.”
“So you bought it,” Maddie finished, lifting her hand to study the item in question. “You made a beautiful choice.”
“I almost didn’t buy it,” Nick admitted.
“Really?” Maddie was interested despite herself. “How come?”
“I was terrified of making the wrong decision and I froze a little bit,” Nick replied. “I kept staring at it … and the clerk kept telling me it wouldn’t last long … and I kept seeing your face if I gave you the wrong ring.”
“Nicky, I already told you that I would’ve loved any ring you picked out,” Maddie pressed. “You know that. I love you. That’s all that matters.”
“I do know that.” Nick flipped her hand over and pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand. “I still couldn’t help but wonder what kind of ring you dreamed about when you were younger. I’ve watched a lot of movies and know that young girls do that.”
Maddie rolled her eyes and elbowed his stomach. “You were my best friend when I was a young girl. I think I would’ve told you about any such daydreams.”
Nick stilled, knitting his eyebrows. “What do you mean? Are you saying you didn’t dream about marrying me?”
“I think that’s too simplistic of a question,” Maddie clarified. “I never dreamed about marriage. I just wanted you to forgive me and … maybe not hate me.” Maddie’s voice cracked, causing Nick’s heart to roll. They’d been best friends since the day they met in kindergarten, easy camaraderie switching over to love they both believed to be unrequited once they were in high school.
Unfortunately for Maddie, she harbored a secret she was terrified to tell. She could see and talk to ghosts – and boasted the occasional psychic flash. It was hereditary. Her mother, Olivia Graves, had it, too. Olivia ingrained the necessity of secrecy in Maddie from a young age so Maddie fled Blackstone Bay out of fear after graduation. She didn’t return for ten years – until Olivia was dead and Nick bordered on bitter. They managed to find their way back to one another, nothing standing between them now, including the truth. Maddie owned up to what she could do and Nick accepted it. In truth, he would’ve accepted a lot more just to be with her. Somehow, though, they made it work.
“I never hated you.” Nick dropped the muffin on the table next to him so he could use both hands to hold Maddie close. “I was angry and hurt … but I never hated you. If you would’ve called … .” Nick broke off. Maddie was magical, but she couldn’t go back in time and fix the hurts of a decade. He’d put it past him. He’d never been happier. That was the thing to focus on. “I have always loved you … and I will always love you. I never hated you.”
“I know.” Maddie’s voice was thick with unshed tears. “I was wrong before. There is no trading up where you’re concerned.”
Nick’s worry eased as he smirked. “I know. You still haven’t explained why you never dreamed of marriage, though.”
Maddie shrugged, noncommittal. “Why would I? I never really saw a happy marriage other than when I was at your house and your parents were around. I wasn’t sure they existed … especially for someone like me.”
Nick pursed his lips, his eyes keen as they scanned Maddie’s profile. It took a moment, but things slipped into place. “Your father left your mother and abandoned you. Of course you wouldn’t have a good opinion of marriage.” He’d never even considered it until now and he felt foolish for overlooking it. “You know, Mad, just because your father was a jerk and missed out on the best daughter ever, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be happy.”
“I know that, Nicky.” Maddie linked her fingers with Nick’s in a form of solidarity. “When I was younger, though, I used to eavesdrop on Granny and Mom when they talked. They didn’t know I was there so they … mentioned … that my father left because he thought the odds were high that I would turn out to be like Mom.”
Nick fought the urge to curse and instead ground his molars together to maintain a calm facade. When he was sure he would refrain from saying something biting, he spoke. “Your father was weak and he will never know what he lost out on when he abandoned you. I’m not weak, though. I know who you are. I know what you are. I love you more than anything. I always have
.”
“I know.” Maddie rested her head against his solid chest. “I love you, too.”
They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts, and then Maddie shook her head to escape the melancholy that slipped over both of them. “I’m sorry I ruined your ring story. That wasn’t my intention. I love my ring almost as much as I love you.”
Nick’s easy smile returned as he tipped his head back so he could look at her. “The ring story is only entertaining at the end.”
“What happened at the end?”
“Your mother’s ghost showed up to whisper in my ear because she knew I was about to melt down,” Nick replied, causing Maddie’s eyebrows to fly up her forehead. “She knew which ring you would like and she saved me.”
“My mother went ring shopping with you?” Maddie should’ve been flabbergasted … or perhaps annoyed that her mother didn’t give a hint about what Nick was planning. She was thrilled that Olivia Graves’ spirit opted to remain behind until Maude Graves, Maddie’s grandmother, was ready to pass over. Maddie was the one with the psychic gift, but Nick managed to hear Olivia whispering on more than one occasion – usually when Maddie was in trouble. The fact that Olivia’s ghost showed up when Nick was in trouble and struggling somehow made Maddie feel better. “That kind of fits, huh?”
“Just like us,” Nick said, linking their fingers so Maddie’s hand was on top of his and they could both stare at the ring. “Everything is fitting together exactly how it’s supposed to, Mad. You believe that, don’t you?”
Maddie nodded without hesitation. “I believe in you more than anything.”
“Right back at you, love.” Nick pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Now, how about we share this muffin before I have to leave for work. How does that sound?”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“I thought it would.”
2
Two
“What are you doing?”
Maude Graves sauntered into the store not long after Nick left for work, her gray curls practically bouncing as mischief flitted across her face. Maude lived in the old Victorian home with Olivia until her daughter’s death and remained when Maddie returned to Blackstone Bay. Once Nick moved in with Maddie, Maude converted the garage they never used into an apartment. She had free run of the house whenever it suited her, but she enjoyed having her own space. That didn’t stop her from dropping in on Maddie and Nick whenever the mood struck.
Grave Haunting (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 10) Page 1
