Grave Concerns

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Oh, don’t worry about that,” Christy said. “I’m on the VIP list. I’ll watch her.”

  “OKAY, I think that’s everything,” Maddie said, surveying the duffel bags one more time.

  Nick reclined on the bed, his shirt off and a book in his hand. He wasn’t nearly as worried about forgetting something as Maddie seemed to be. She was a planner. He often found it adorable. At times like this, he also found it grating.

  “Come to bed, Mad.”

  Maddie ignored him. “You bought sleeping bags, right?”

  “I didn’t trust whatever bedding they had at those cabins,” Nick replied. “I bought two. I figure we can zip them together if we want to sleep outside by our fire pit.”

  “What else did you buy?”

  Nick sighed, resigned. She wasn’t going to relax until he went through the list again. “I bought two flashlights. Yours has a pink light because it’s going to make it easier for me to find you in the dark. I’m going to be doing a lot of that, by the way. Darkness is going to be our friend.”

  Maddie giggled. “Cute.”

  “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, love,” Nick said. “I bought bug spray, sunscreen, hot dogs, a case of bottled water, buns, condiments, steaks, several bags of ice for the cooler, stuff to make s’mores, paper plates, plastic silverware, garbage bags, and batteries for the flashlights.”

  “That sounds like everything.”

  “It is everything,” Nick said. “You packed all of our clothes. I can rest easy knowing you packed enough socks to get us through a zombie apocalypse. We’ve got towels, shorts, hoodies, underwear, bathing suits, and calamine lotion because you’re convinced someone is going to get poison oak. You didn’t miss anything, love.” He patted the bed enticingly. “Now, come over here and cuddle with me.”

  “You have more on your mind than cuddling,” Maddie said, although the smile she graced him with was undeniably seductive. “I guess you’re right. I … oh! Do you know what we need?”

  “I need you in this bed.” Nick was almost out of patience. If he had to wrestle her down, he would do it. That would probably lead to what he really wanted to spend the last night in their bed doing anyway.

  “We need a blanket,” Maddie said, ignoring the irritated tilt of his chin.

  “We have sleeping bags.”

  “Yes, but we need a blanket for when we’re by the fire,” Maddie said. “That way we can have something to sit on or cuddle underneath if it gets really cold.”

  Nick’s mind wandered to a few other things he could do under the blanket when no one was looking. “That’s a very good point, Mad. There’s one on the top shelf of the closet.”

  Maddie retrieved the blanket, resting it on top of the bags and giving their assembled goodies one final look. “I think that’s everything.”

  “Then get in bed.”

  Nick lifted the covers so Maddie could crawl underneath, hitting the switch on the bedside lamp before drawing her to him. “I’m hoping that this manic packing extravaganza is because you’re excited and not nervous.”

  “I think I’m a little of both.”

  “How come?”

  “I haven’t seen your family in a long time, Nicky. What if … what if they don’t want me back in your life?”

  Nick’s heart rolled. “Maddie, I want you in my life. My family wants me to be happy. They all love you.”

  “Kelly doesn’t love me.”

  “Kelly doesn’t love herself most of the time,” Nick argued. “Kelly was so much older than me that we’ve never really bonded. My parents had her when they were teenagers themselves. Kelly married the first loser she ever slept with right out of high school and had her own kid. Then the deadbeat left her and never paid child support. Kelly has the life she never wanted.

  “She might be … jealous … of what we have,” he continued. “I can’t change that. She’s been bitter for years now. You can’t take it personally. Kelly doesn’t hate you. She hates her life and her choices.”

  “She didn’t like me even when we were little,” Maddie countered.

  Nick racked his brain. He’d never really thought about it before. He couldn’t remember a single instance of Kelly being pleasant to Maddie. “She won’t hassle you. I won’t let her.”

  “Don’t start a fight with your family to protect me.”

  “You are my family, Mad. You’re the most important person in my world. It’s going to be okay.” Nick meant every word. Still, the more he thought about it, the more worried he became.

  Would Kelly really hold onto a grudge that he’d long since released?

  Four

  Nick made his way down to the regular family camping spot alone the next morning. Maddie was nervous. She put on a brave face when saying goodbye to Maude – and warned her about letting people wander around the storefront – but she clasped her hands in her lap for the entire half-hour drive to the campground.

  He left her at the cabin to put everything away. He knew she was happy organizing, and it gave him an excuse to feel out his family – especially his sister – before subjecting Maddie to anything unpleasant. If Kelly was going to be obnoxious, he had no qualms about packing Maddie up and taking her right back home.

  Sharon sat at the picnic table, glancing up when she heard Nick’s approach, her eyes brightening momentarily before dimming. “Where’s your stuff?”

  Nick opened his mouth to answer, but Sharon cut him off before he could.

  “If you think you’re dropping in for one afternoon and not staying, you march your behind back home and get your stuff right now,” Sharon said.

  Nick scanned the campsite. There were at least ten tents already erected and yet his mother was the only person present. “We’re staying,” he said. “Where is everyone?”

  Sharon was still suspicious. “They all walked down to the fishing spot to check it out. We’ve only been here about two hours. I … if you’re staying, where is your stuff?”

  “You’re not going to like it, but it’s what’s going to happen so don’t even bother arguing,” Nick said, choosing his words carefully. “I rented one of the cabins right across the road from the campground. We’ll be here for all of the activities – well, at least most of them – but we’re sleeping in the cabin.”

  Sharon hopped to her feet. “That is not how family camping goes.”

  “Well, it is this year.”

  “Nicholas!”

  “Mom, it doesn’t matter what you say,” Nick said, holding firm. “This is the way it has to be and … well … if you don’t like it, we can go home.”

  “Are you telling me Maddie is refusing to camp in a tent along with the rest of us?” Sharon was incredulous. “I … she’s always loved us.”

  “Mom, she still loves you,” Nick snapped, looking over his shoulder to make sure they were still alone. “She can’t sleep in a tent here because people might hear her.”

  Sharon cuffed Nick, taking him by surprise. “Are you some kind of animal? Are you saying you two are so … loud … you can’t control yourselves?”

  “Oh, good grief, Mother! That’s not what I’m talking about. Oh, my … ugh! Don’t ever bring something like that up again!”

  Sharon’s expression softened. “Why don’t you try explaining to me why you can’t camp in tents? I’ll try to keep from screaming. When you’re done, we’ll find a way to compromise.”

  “Mom, Maddie can’t sleep around other people,” Nick explained. “She has … dreams … sometimes. Sometimes she talks in them. Sometimes she whimpers. Sometimes … and it’s rare, but it does happen … but sometimes she screams.”

  “I don’t remember Maddie having night terrors.”

  “Mom, they’re not night terrors,” Nick said. “They’re … psychic dreams.” Since Maddie’s mother Olivia informed Sharon of her daughter’s abilities when Nick and Maddie were still children, Nick knew he wasn’t betraying anyone by telling his mother the real reason behind the segregation.
>
  “Oh,” Sharon said, realization dawning. She exhaled heavily. “Oh.”

  “It’s nothing personal, Mom,” Nick said. “I won’t put her in a position where people will ask questions. She’s uncomfortable with it. She thinks I’m going to get fed up and eventually leave her. I’m not putting her on display. I don’t care what you say.”

  “Of course you’re not putting her on display,” Sharon chided. “It never occurred to me that she had to deal with something like that. I’m so sorry. I … you did the right thing getting the cabin.”

  Nick arched a challenging eyebrow. “Seriously? You’re not going to give me crap about this?”

  “Nick, I love Maddie almost as much as I love my own children,” Sharon snapped. “I want her to be comfortable as she gets to know everyone again. The cabin was a great idea. If she needs a place to get a few minutes alone, she can go there. I am truly sorry I pushed you on it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Does she really think you’re going to walk away from her?” Sharon was more troubled with that admission than the news about Maddie’s psychic nightmares.

  “She knows I love her more than anything,” Nick replied. “She’s still insecure. I’m working on it. She spent years believing I would walk away if I found out the truth. It’s hard for her to shake.”

  “You’re doing remarkably well considering all that’s going on,” Sharon said. “I’m proud of you. You have the woman you’ve always loved, you moved in together, and you’re dealing with something you never even fathomed. You’ve grown into a marvelous man.”

  Nick’s cheeks burned. “I don’t know about that,” he said. “I know I love Maddie enough to protect her no matter what.”

  “And that’s why you’re a marvelous man,” Sharon said, patting Nick’s arm. “Why didn’t Maddie come down with you?”

  “She’s unpacking and organizing.”

  “She always was an orderly little thing,” Sharon said, smirking. “You probably didn’t put up much of a fight this time because it gave you a chance to come down and fight with me without an audience.”

  “Pretty much,” Nick said. “Now, when everyone else asks why we’re staying in the cabin, I want you to blame me. Go ahead and make fun of me. Act like I want that cabin so we can be alone for other reasons. I don’t care what you say. Do not let them blame Maddie.”

  “Don’t worry your handsome little head about that,” Sharon said. “I will definitely handle it.”

  “That’s good,” Nick said, offering his mother a genuine smile. “There’s also one other thing I want you to handle. After that, I’ll go and get Maddie and we can officially start camping.”

  Sharon stilled. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

  “No.”

  “What is it?” Sharon was wary.

  “If Kelly is mean to Maddie even one time there’s going to be trouble.”

  “Oh, well, that sounds easy to fix,” Sharon grumbled. “I’ll just lock your sister in her tent for the entire week and everything will be perfect.”

  “I don’t care what you do,” Nick said. “You make sure she doesn’t go after my Maddie. If she does, it’s going to get ugly.”

  MADDIE slipped her hand into Nick’s as he led her down the gentle slope toward his family’s camping spot.

  “Are they going to be angry about the cabin?” Maddie’s voice was low.

  “Nope. They’re going to think I’m a pervert. I’m actually looking forward to it.”

  Nick’s smile was so charming Maddie couldn’t help but return it. “You’re going to play that angle up, aren’t you?”

  “My brother is here, love. Of course I’m going to play up that angle.”

  The Winters camp bustled as they approached and Sharon was the first one on her feet. She brushed past Nick and pulled Maddie in for a warm hug.

  “I’m so happy to see you.”

  Maddie returned the embrace. “I’m happy to see you, too, Mrs. Winters.”

  Sharon stilled. “Mrs. Winters? You haven’t called me that since you were in kindergarten and Nick brought you home and announced that you were his new best friend and he didn’t care that you were a girl.”

  Maddie snorted. “I forgot about that.” She glanced at Nick, a mischievous smile on her face. “Do you remember that?”

  “I remember it all, Mad.”

  Sharon snickered. “I’ll bet you’re glad she’s a girl now, aren’t you?”

  “I’m definitely glad she’s a girl now,” Nick agreed.

  John Winters pulled away from the gaggle of kids he was entertaining by the fire pit and strode over. He exchanged a friendly “man hug” with his brother and then embraced Maddie full force.

  “How is the prettiest blonde in the world?”

  “I’m good,” Maddie said, patting his back. “How is the flirtingest man in the Midwest?”

  “I’m not flirty,” John said, taking a step back. “I’m naturally charismatic. I’m the most charming Winters in the land.”

  “You’re definitely full of yourself,” Nick said, slipping his arm around Maddie’s waist and pressing her in close to his side. “Stop hitting on my girl.”

  “Ugh. I see you two are still reciting poetry and pawing at each other every chance you get,” John lamented.

  “That’s right,” Sharon said, her eyes sparkling. “I forgot you had the chance to spend some time with your brother and Maddie when you were in Blackstone Bay a few weeks ago.”

  “Yes, it was lovely,” John deadpanned. “I solved a murder and Maddie and Nick groped each other.”

  “You solved a murder?” Nick scoffed. “I solved a murder.”

  Maddie poked his side. “I think I solved the murder.”

  “Getting taken hostage isn’t solving a murder,” John countered.

  “He’s right,” Nick said. “It’s giving me a heart attack.”

  “Oh, I’m so happy you guys are together,” Sharon gushed. “You’re just so … cute.”

  “Thank you, Mother,” Nick said, tugging on his patience. “You don’t have to keep saying that. Maddie knows she’s cute.”

  “Nicky,” Maddie scolded.

  “Oh, that’s right, she pretends that she’s not cute so she can pull compliments out of me,” Nick teased, tickling her ribs. “She likes it when I tell her how beautiful she is.”

  “That is not true,” Maddie countered. “I … .” She helplessly turned to Sharon. “I don’t think that.”

  “Oh, honey, you really are beautiful,” Sharon said, brushing a flyaway strand of Maddie’s flaxen hair out of her face. “You were always lovely, but you’ve really come into your own. Nick enjoys teasing you, doesn’t he?”

  “He really does.”

  “It’s good for you,” Sharon said. “He’ll never let you disappear inside your own head.”

  “I definitely won’t let that happen,” Nick said, brushing a quick kiss against Maddie’s temple.

  “It’s good for Nick, too,” Sharon added. “You’re exactly the person to rein him in when he gets too full of himself.”

  “I don’t get too full of myself.” Nick’s fake outrage made Maddie giggle.

  “Both of my sons have a tendency to think a lot about themselves,” Sharon countered. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing … except when it is.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” John said, clutching the spot above his heart. “You really know how to wound your favorite son.”

  “I’ll have you know that she told me I was her favorite son two days ago when she came to the house I so nicely sold to you,” Nick reminded him. “Not only did I sell it to you, but I gave you quite a deal on it.”

  “Oh, please,” John snorted. “I did you a favor when I bought that house. I freed you to move in with your lady love and still gave you a spot to fish.”

  “Boys, stop arguing,” Sharon ordered. “You’re giving Maddie a headache.”

  Maddie blanched. “I don’t have a headache.”

  N
ick smirked. “Mother, do not push her over the edge on the first day,” he said. “You’ve got almost a full week to do it. Pace yourself.”

  “Fine,” Sharon said. “Come on, Maddie. Everyone is dying to see you again. There might even be a few faces here you don’t recognize. Nick’s cousins were fruitful and multiplied. I still only have one grandchild. Thanks to you two, though, I finally have hope for more.”

  “Mom!”

  Five

  Reintroduction to the Winters family wasn’t as uncomfortable as Maddie initially envisioned.

  Don Winters, a big bull of a man with a huge heart, hugged Maddie so tightly Nick finally had to pry her away out of fear he would smother her. His Aunt Bernadette “oohed” and “aahed” over Maddie’s hair and “tiny figure” until Maddie’s face was so red Nick worried she would pass out. His Uncle Chester leered at her suggestively, forcing John to drag him away before Nick completely lost his temper.

  Maddie chatted with Nick’s cousins and their spouses. She met their children, although she couldn’t remember everyone’s name. Two of the kids were teenagers – Ryan and Tyler – and they couldn’t stop staring at Maddie. Nick wasn’t nearly as worried about their reactions as he was about his uncle’s suggestive stare. In fact, he thought it was funny they seemed gobsmacked in the face of Maddie’s cut-off shorts.

  “It’s not funny,” Maddie hissed. “They keep staring at me.”

  “They’re teenagers,” John shot back. “You’re their ideal pin-up girl … except they get to gawk in person.”

  “I don’t think it’s funny.”

  “It’s completely funny,” Nick countered, slinging an arm over her shoulders. “I’m going to be the most popular guy at the reunion thanks to you, love.”

  “You’re so funny.”

  “I’ll put on a standup routine for you when we’re back at the cabin,” Nick offered, wriggling his eyebrows. He was clearly enjoying himself.

  John glanced around to make sure the trio was out of earshot and lowered his voice. “How come you got the cabin? Is it because Maddie is psychic and sees ghosts?”

  Maddie paled while Nick scowled.

  “Keep your mouth shut,” Nick warned. “Don’t you even think of … .”