“Your brother is dating Christy.”
“Kind of,” Nick hedged. “They’re not officially dating yet, Mad. I know you want that more than just about anything because you love Christy so much, but they’re still in the flirting stage.”
“They’re dating,” Maddie gritted out, crossing her arms over her chest. Her stubborn expression was enough to flip Nick’s heart.
“You’re so stinking cute,” he muttered under his breath, earning a dark glare, which caused him to sober. “Fine. They’re dating. John will tell Marla that when she approaches.”
“No, John won’t,” Maddie argued. “He’s a typical man so he’ll enjoy the way she flirts and try to make Christy jealous.”
For some reason Nick couldn’t identify, the “typical man” crack. “I didn’t let Marla flirt with me to make you jealous.”
“That’s because you’re not a typical man. You’re the zenith all men should strive to be.”
Nick didn’t want to encourage her, especially because she was treading a fine line when it came to getting involved in John and Christy’s business, but he couldn’t refrain from smiling. “Oh, you’re definitely on the ‘nice’ list today. Come here.”
Maddie avoided his outstretched arms and shook her head. “You’re on the ‘naughty’ list.”
“That’s a new way to play the game,” Nick remarked, amused. “I’m sorry if I upset you, Maddie, but John and Christy aren’t exclusive and I make it a point to stay out of my brother’s dating life. If you don’t like that … .” He broke off, unsure how to continue. If she didn’t like it what? They both knew he would kowtow to her whims because he wanted to make her happy.
“I don’t like the idea of Marla going after your brother,” Maddie said, exhaling heavily as she adjusted her tone. “She’s like a piranha. She eats everything in sight and doesn’t care what type of ecological trauma she inflicts.”
“Oh, even your insults are adorable,” Nick muttered.
Maddie ignored the cute smile he shot in her direction. “Christy has been through enough lately,” she reminded him. “She shouldn’t have to put up with Marla.”
Nick reluctantly sobered. He knew his blonde well enough to realize she wasn’t going to let this go unless he imparted some pragmatic wisdom on her. “Mad, my brother is an adult. He has a right to pick the perfect woman for himself.”
Maddie opened her mouth to argue, but Nick cut her off with a firm headshake.
“I love you more than life itself, but my family sat back and let me make my own decisions when it came to our future,” Nick reminded her. “I’m sure you recall that it wasn’t easy for everyone. My sister thought you were going to break my heart again and she worked overtime to submarine you.”
“Yes, I remember that very well,” Maddie said evenly. “She called one of your ex-girlfriends and invited her camping. As I recall, you didn’t take that very well.”
“Neither did you.”
“No, but I seem to remember how furious you were when they tricked me into getting separated on that kayaking trip,” Maddie said. “You didn’t let your sister manipulate you. I’m not sure your brother is capable of shutting down Marla when she puts on a full-court press. You should’ve shut her down for him.”
“What’s really the problem here, Mad?” Nick asked, sliding his fingers through his belt loops and leaning back on his heels. “Do you think my brother isn’t smart enough to figure out what Marla is? Do you think he’s an idiot?”
Maddie didn’t like the edge in Nick’s tone. “I don’t think John is an idiot.”
“Great.”
“I do think he’s easily swayed when it comes to women,” Maddie added. “He enjoys the game. That’s fine. He’s allowed to enjoy the game. He’s not allowed to crush Christy’s heart, though. She already had that happen once this year. It can’t happen twice. She doesn’t deserve it.
“Don’t you ever see the way she looks at us?” she continued. “She’s so wistful. She wants someone to love her so badly it almost swallows her up at times. I want that for her. I don’t want her to be miserable.”
Nick’s expression softened. Even when she was hard to deal with, Maddie’s heart was so pure he couldn’t imagine anyone being terrible enough to crush it. “Mad, I know you want Christy to get everything she deserves, but you can’t force the issue.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do.”
“That’s exactly what you’re trying to do,” Nick countered, resting his hand on her forearm as he inched closer. “John and Christy need to find their way to each other. We can’t do it for them. We can’t get in the way. We can’t influence the outcome. That’s all on them.”
“But … do you think they’ll be able to figure it out on their own?”
Nick couldn’t help but smile at the earnest question. “I think they both have a propensity for immaturity and overreacting. I don’t think we can fix that, though. I think they’re going to go a few rounds before they get to a place you’re happy with.”
“Do you think they’ll get there, though?” Maddie looked so hopeful Nick couldn’t bear to give her an answer she didn’t want to hear.
“I do, although I think it’s going to take time.”
Maddie chewed on her bottom lip as she peered around his shoulder and sighed. Marla stood next to the mistletoe display, gesturing wildly as she tried to get John’s attention. “I just want them to be happy.”
“I know you do.” Nick tugged Maddie against him and ran his hands over her back. “You’re a good person. You can’t fix everything, though. No one can.”
Maddie jutted out her lower lip. “I’m not sure I believe that. Maybe I do think I can fix everything.”
Nick studied her for a moment, resigned. “If anyone can fix everything, it’s you. I simply don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
Maddie surprised him when she bounced to her toes and kissed the tip of his nose. “I think you’re going to be surprised,” she whispered. “I think everything is going to work out for everybody.”
Nick stroked the back of Maddie’s head as he held her firm. “I think you’re going to make this Christmas magical for everybody, Mad.”
Maddie’s smile was so wide it threatened to swallow her face. “I think you’re absolutely right.”
7
Seven
“What are you doing?”
Nick arrived home early, and when he heard someone shuffling around upstairs he assumed it was Maddie. Her car was in the driveway, which didn’t mean anything because Christy’s salon was within walking distance and she’d been making noise about getting her hair trimmed. Nick had a feeling that would happen sooner rather than later so Maddie could hear about Marla’s sudden interest in John, but he was hopeful when he heard the noise. Instead he found Maude going through the guest room closet.
Maude straightened quickly, running her hands over her shirt as she swiveled. “I’m looking for the Christmas linens.”
“Uh-huh.” Nick wasn’t even remotely convinced by Maude’s feigned innocent act. “Your gift isn’t in there.”
Maude made a big show of pretending she was offended. “I am not looking for my Christmas gift. Do you think I’m a child?”
“I think you’re a wonderful woman.”
“Thank you.”
“I also think you’re looking for your Christmas gift because you can’t seem to help yourself,” Nick added. “It’s not in this closet. I can promise you that.”
“But … .” Maude pointed toward the corner of a wrapped parcel. “It’s right there. If you’d have waited for another five minutes I would be done looking at it and the long Christmas nightmare would already be in the past.”
Nick didn’t bother to hide his grin. He found Maude’s antics delightful. She was Maddie’s grandmother, but she was every bit as much a cherished member of his family. “That’s my gift.”
“Oh.” Maude looked marginally disappointed. “You shouldn’t hide Maddi
e’s gift in here. She’ll find it.”
“Let me rephrase that,” Nick said. “That’s the gift Maddie got for me.”
“Oh. How do you know that?” Maude’s tone shifted from intrigued to accusatory. “You shouldn’t be searching for your gift. You’ll crush Maddie’s heart if she can’t surprise you.”
Nick shook his head as he pursed his lips. He was fairly convinced he would never understand women. He’d grown up with a mother and sister. His best friend was a girl the entire time he was growing up. They still confused him at every turn. “I found that present when I was looking for a place to hide Maddie’s gift,” he explained. “I didn’t open it. I didn’t look.”
“How come?”
“Because I don’t want to risk doing one thing to ruin Christmas,” Nick replied, opting for honesty. “This holiday is very important to Maddie. I can wait a few days to see what she got me. I found another place to hide Maddie’s gifts.”
“This was always Olivia’s favorite holiday,” Maude said, taking on a far-off expression. “She always loved this time of year. That’s why Maddie is going all out this year. She wants to make her mother proud.”
“Even though Olivia is proud of Maddie no matter what she does,” Nick said. “I get it and I think things will be easier for future holidays. These first ones without Olivia have been rough, though. I’m going along for the ride. You should, too. Do you really want to ruin Maddie’s perfect Christmas by snooping?”
“It’s different for me,” Maude sniffed, averting her gaze. “They expect me to misbehave. I’m merely following tradition.”
Nick rolled his eyes as he pressed his hand to the back of Maude’s shoulder and prodded her toward the door. “That’s a load of hogwash and we both know it. You just want to know what she got you.”
“Fine. You’ve got me.” Maude threw up her hands in dramatic fashion. “Arrest me, officer. Lock me up with the other hardened criminals.”
“I think I’ll give you a pass this time,” Nick said dryly as he followed Maude down the stairs. “Just out of curiosity’s sake, though, what did you get Maddie?”
“I’m not answering that,” Maude answered, annoyed. “That’s nobody’s business.”
Nick didn’t point out that she wasn’t bothered by sticking her nose in Maddie’s business while searching for her gift. He didn’t think it wise to start a fight. “Forget I asked. What are you doing tonight, by the way? Maddie and I are going downtown for dinner and then we’re going to walk around the festival. Maddie is hoping to get a glimpse of Mike Robinson’s ghost. We looked earlier, but it was packed. We’re hoping to have better luck tonight.”
“Yeah, that’s something, huh?” Maude made a face as she rested against the stairway banister on the main floor. “Do you know that Mike Robinson asked me if I wanted to see Santa’s pipe last week?”
Nick snorted. He couldn’t stop himself. “Strangely enough, as far as we can tell he propositioned everyone he met.”
“Is that your way of telling me that I’m not special?”
“You’re special,” Nick said fondly, rubbing her shoulder. “You just weren’t special to Mike. He didn’t really seem to have a type … other than everybody, that is.”
“Don’t worry. My feelings aren’t hurt. That freak was a total pervert.”
Nick grinned. “That seems to be the general consensus. Still, I’d like to find out who did this before Christmas because I want to make sure I can relax and spend time with Maddie when the weekend hits. She deserves to get everything she wants this year.”
Maude tilted her head to the side, her eyes lit with interest. “What did you get Maddie?”
Nick uncomfortably shifted from one foot to the other. For one brief moment it was almost as if Maude could see into his soul. She suspected. He was almost sure of it. He wouldn’t let her draw it out of him, though. He wanted Maddie to get the perfect surprise and Maude wasn’t known for being able to control her mouth.
“That’s none of your business,” Nick replied, wagging a finger. “Don’t go snooping either. You won’t find your gifts or Maddie’s Christmas surprise, for that matter, anywhere in this house.” The second the words escaped his lips Nick knew he made a mistake.
Maude’s eyebrows flew up her forehead. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” Nick answered, averting his gaze. He was relieved when he saw the front door open to allow Maddie entry. Her cheeks were flushed with color and her eyes bright when they landed on her grandmother and boyfriend. “There’s my girl.”
“Saved by the bell,” Maude sneered.
Nick ignored her as he hurried to Maddie’s side. “I was worried. It gets dark early now. Where were you?”
“I went to the salon to get my hair trimmed,” Maddie answered. “It was due.”
Maddie never changed her hairstyle, but Nick knew better than pressing her on the issue. “That’s fine. I actually figured that’s where you were. Are you ready for dinner? I’m starving.”
“I’m hungry, too,” Maddie admitted. “I want some mashed potatoes. The cold weather makes me hanker for comfort food.”
Nick slid his gaze in Maude’s direction. “Where did you land on dinner? Are you coming to town with us?”
“I’m eating with the Pink Ladies,” Maude replied, referring to her social group. “We’ve got a lot going on and we need to get to a few things done before Christmas.”
Nick narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “Do I even want to know?”
“Probably not.” Maude’s tone was breezy as she blew past him, although she stopped close to Maddie long enough to pat her granddaughter on the arm. “The house looks beautiful, Maddie girl. Your mother would be proud of all the time you took with the decorations.”
Maddie’s face flushed with pleasure. “Do you think?”
Maude nodded. “Absolutely.”
Even though he was irked by her curiosity, Nick couldn’t help but silently thank Maude for the kind gesture. She was distracted with her dastardly plans, but she never forgot to give Maddie a little encouragement each day. That’s what made her the perfect grandmother.
“We’ll bring you back some pie,” Nick said, ushering Maddie toward the door. “Try not to get arrested if you’re doing something illegal.”
Maude’s smile was benign. “No promises. Have a good night.”
“WHAT WERE you and Granny talking about?” Maddie asked, slipping her hand into Nick’s as they left the diner an hour later. “And, before you say ‘nothing,’ you should be aware that I know you were up to something.”
Nick smirked as he pointed them in the direction of the festival. “We might’ve been talking about a few things,” he conceded. “I’m not sure I should tell you, though. You have a suspicious mind and it’s not a very attractive trait.”
Maddie balked. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I was just kidding, Mad.” Nick internally chastised himself. She was getting better about being flirty and forceful, but she still had a few insecurity issues. He had to remind himself not to push her too far if he didn’t want to legitimately cause her emotional upheaval. “We were talking about a few things. I might’ve caught her going through the guest room closet.”
“I knew it,” Maddie crowed, her earlier displeasure forgotten. “She’s such a sneaky sneak.”
“Oh, you have a way with words, my golden-tongued temptress.”
Maddie ignored him. “I knew she would go through that bedroom closet. She didn’t open your gift, did she?”
“Not once I told her it was mine instead of hers. She wanted to know if I opened it, and she was totally ready to jump all over me because she was worried I would ruin your Christmas if I snooped.”
Maddie snorted, amused. “That’s not stopping her from snooping.”
“She says it’s expected of her.”
“I guess it is.” The duo lapsed into comfortable silence for a moment before Maddie stirred. “What else did you talk ab
out? I saw the looks on your faces. I could tell you were having a serious discussion.”
Nick considered lying, but he ultimately discarded the notion. “We agreed that you seem fixated on Christmas because of Olivia and we both want to make sure you get exactly what you want this year. I asked her what she got you and she wouldn’t answer. She asked me what I got you and I wouldn’t answer. That was pretty much the gist of it.”
“Oh, well, it’s sweet you guys care that much.”
“Of course we care, Mad. You’re the most important person in both of our lives.”
Maddie’s smile was bright enough to recharge the dwindling daylight. “You always know the right thing to say. Why is that?”
“Practice.” Nick ruffled Maddie’s hair through the knit cap as she playfully punched his shoulder. “I only practice with you, though.”
“That’s good, because if you practice with someone else we’re going to have issues,” Maddie said. “You’re going to have to worry about a lot worse than being on my ‘naughty’ list.”
“Do tell.” Nick was enjoying the game. He liked it when she got feisty.
“Well, for starters, you’re going to have to learn to walk with my foot in your behind.”
Nick barked out a laugh, delighted. “There’s my girl.” He slung an arm around her shoulders and tugged her close so he could kiss her cheek. “I truly do love you, Mad.”
“Right back at you.”
They exchanged a sweet kiss before sobering.
“So, where do you want to start?” Nick asked, directing his attention to the winter wonderland. “The full festival doesn’t open until tomorrow. That leaves our options limited. We can either gaze into each other’s eyes in front of the tree or grope under the mistletoe display. I think you can guess which way I’m going to cast my vote.”
“The tree and hot chocolate it is,” Maddie teased, grinning at Nick’s hangdog expression. “We can hit the mistletoe on our way out. That’s close to the spot where Mike died and it won’t be so obvious if we act as if we want to check out the other attractions first.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Nick said. “Just so you know, though, if this is some elaborate way of evading the mistletoe, I’m not going to allow it to happen. If you even try, you’ll be back on the ‘naughty’ list.”
Grave Holiday (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 9) Page 6
