“What are you thinking?”
“Hmm?” Nick lifted his head. “I was just thinking how much I love you.”
Maddie cocked an eyebrow as she shifted in his arms. “Cute … and a really nice try. I happen to know what you were thinking, though, and it wasn’t that. Not that I believe you don’t love me or anything, for what it’s worth.”
Nick ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded her. “Oh, yeah? What was I thinking?”
“You were thinking that having a freshly prepared meal waiting on the table when you got home was homey and fun,” Maddie replied, not missing a beat. “You liked the idea of me making dinner for my tough cop after a long day.”
Nick opened his mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. “Am I that transparent?”
“Probably only to me.”
Maddie’s face was unreadable, but Nick couldn’t stop the momentary surge of panic as he regarded her.
“You know I don’t expect you to cook me dinner all of the time, right? That’s not what I was thinking. I was just excited because everything smells so good … and you look cute in your little apron … and I’ve been thinking about you all afternoon.”
Maddie offered a soft smile as she gripped his hand. “Don’t get used to it. I enjoy cooking, but I can’t see it happening more than twice a week.”
“I’ll take what I can get.” Nick dropped a kiss on her forehead before heaving out a heavy sigh and sitting at one of the stools on the opposite side of the counter. “What do you think about what happened today?”
Maddie arched an eyebrow as she carved the beef roast she’d been toiling over for hours. It was one of Nick’s favorite comfort meals and she’d been keen to make it after seeing him get socked in the face while trying to break up the fight. Sure, the inadvertent elbow came from his own brother, but it was still a tense situation. Thankfully the melee didn’t last long, although the townsfolk were still buzzing about it hours later.
“I don’t know what to think about what happened today,” Maddie admitted. “I never pictured Laura Brennan as the type to cheat on her husband. Not only did she do it once, though, she did it twice.
“Now, I know I might be biased because you’re so hot, but Stan and Mike are both kind of … um … schlubby guys,” she continued. “Why would Laura cheat on Alexander with either of those guys? Why cheat at all? I don’t get the point of it.”
“After talking to Alexander, I think I have an idea,” Nick replied. “He says he had an affair nine months ago and he made the mistake of admitting it to Laura. She agreed to save the marriage even though she was upset, but she’s been acting out lately.”
“So it’s payback?”
“That would be my guess. I guess sometimes you just want to feel desirable.”
Maddie tilted her head to the side, considering. “That makes sense in a weird way. Most people can’t look at themselves and see the truth. They get their self-esteem from how others perceive them.”
“That must be why you can’t see that you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Ha, ha,” Maddie intoned, shaking her head. “Just out of curiosity, though, why did you say that Alexander made a mistake when he admitted the truth to Laura?”
Nick sensed danger, but it was already too late. “Because he only made himself feel better by admitting what he did. He hurt Laura terribly in the process.”
Maddie swallowed hard. “Would you admit it if you cheated on me?”
Nick arched a surprised eyebrow. “I would never cheat on you, Mad.”
“I know. I mean … in theory.”
“In theory I can’t even imagine cheating on you,” Nick said. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted. A man doesn’t spend a decade pining for a woman just to turn around and cheat on her. You’re not really worried about that, are you?”
“No.” Maddie chewed on her bottom lip. “I would never cheat on you either.”
“I know that,” Nick said, cracking a smile. “It’s not in your nature. That’s just something you wouldn’t do. It does worry me that you think I might do it, though.”
“I didn’t say that,” Maddie protested. “I just … I don’t know what to think about all of this infidelity. I naturally assumed people who married wanted to mate for life. That’s the whole point of marriage, right?”
“For some,” Nick hedged. “I think some people are infatuated with the idea of being in love. That’s why a lot of marriages fail. When that initial lust wears off they realize they never really loved the person they married in the first place.
“For me, I realized I loved you long before I became attracted to you,” he continued. “That love morphed into something deeper throughout the years, of course, but I’ve never loved any single thing more than I love you. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible.”
Maddie couldn’t hide the grin as it lit up her face. “That was a really good answer.”
“I do my best,” Nick said, grabbing her hand and giving it a hard squeeze. “Maddie, infidelity will never be an issue for us because we don’t want anyone else. I would hope we’d be smart enough to give the other what they need in times of crisis, too.
“For example, if you feel I’m not giving you enough attention, I want you to tell me,” he continued. “Don’t do what Alexander did and look for attention from someone else. We need to talk about little things before they become big things. That’s the key to a lasting relationship.”
“I don’t want attention from anyone else.”
“That makes two of us.” Nick drew Maddie to him and sighed as she slipped her arms around his neck. “You’re all I’m ever going to need and want. Please believe that.”
“I believe it. I feel the same way.”
Nick pressed his eyes shut as he hugged her, taking a moment to bask in her soft body and fragrant skin before Maude stalked into the room and threw her purse at the wall.
“The end of the world is here!”
Maddie breathed heavily through her nose two times in rapid succession before shifting her head over her shoulder and focusing on her grandmother. “What now? Alien invasion or deadly flu epidemic?”
“Ha, ha,” Maude intoned, making a face. “I haven’t watched the SyFy channel in almost two weeks. There’s no need to get snarky.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” Nick said, rubbing Maddie’s back as he held her close. He wasn’t ready to release her quite yet. “You’re the queen of snark.”
“And you’re merely one of my subjects,” Maude shot back, showing her teeth. “What’s your deal, by the way? Are you two getting fresh in the kitchen? That’s what your bedroom is for. I’ve also ceded the window seat after five because I don’t want to risk seeing anything that will scar me for life. What are you guys doing in here … and what is that smell?”
Nick hid his mouth behind Maddie’s shoulder so Maude couldn’t see his smile as Maddie made a face.
“That smell is dinner,” Maddie replied. “I made pot roast with fresh carrots, corn, and potatoes. As for the other thing, well, we were just hugging. There’s nothing wrong with hugging.”
“If it’s just hugging, why is Nick petting you as if you’re his favorite dog?”
“Hey.” Nick shook his head in warning. Much like his brother, Maude didn’t always recognize the line until she’d already crossed it. “We’re just cuddling before dinner. We both had long days. Do you have a problem with that?”
“I’m not fond of the petting, but I’m curious about your long days,” Maude said, climbing onto the stool next to Nick and grabbing a carrot from the roasting pan. “I had a long day, too, and I’m totally going to smack Harriet over the head. That’s nothing new, though, so I can catch you up over dinner. I want to hear about you. I heard there was a brawl at the holiday cornucopia tent and three people died.”
“I’m glad to see Blackstone Bay’s gossip mill is as reliable as ever,” Nick said dryly, shaking his head. “No one died. Alexander Brennan attac
ked Stan Gunderson and a few punches were thrown. That’s all that happened.”
“Is that because Stan was dipping his little Gunderson in Laura Brennan?”
Maddie clapped a hand over her mouth to shield her dismay and Nick’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.
“How did you even know about that?” Maddie asked, horrified. “I thought it was some big secret.”
“You can’t keep anything secret in Blackstone Bay,” Maude said. “The town is too small and everyone knows everyone else’s business. It’s never wise to have an affair in a city that only has one stoplight.”
“That’s wonderful advice,” Nick deadpanned. “Why were you looking at me when you said it?”
“Relax, Romeo,” Maude said. “You’re far too whipped to ever cheat on Maddie. I’m not worried about that at all.”
“That’s good to know,” Nick said dryly.
“It’s just that everyone knows that Laura Brennan has been having a midlife crisis or something. She’s been sleeping with Stan, Mike Robinson, and Teddy Dorchester.”
Maddie knit her eyebrows together. “Teddy Dorchester? Doesn’t he cut hair at the salon over in Bellaire? I know it’s judgmental and everything to make assumptions due to a job, but I always thought he was gay.”
“That’s how far Laura has fallen.” Maude’s tone was solemn. “She’s having an affair with a gay dude.”
“I’m not sure I believe that,” Maddie hedged, darting a quick look in Nick’s direction. “What do you think?”
“I don’t think it really matters,” Nick answered. “Laura Brennan was sleeping with Mike Robinson, and Alexander is clearly violent. That means he’s now a suspect in Mike’s death.”
“I didn’t even think of that,” Maddie mused. “He acted as if he just found out the news today, though.”
“He acted as if he found out the news about Stan today,” Nick clarified. “He found out about Mike two weeks ago. He admitted it at the police station, although he denied having anything to do with Mike’s death before lawyering up.”
“So, what does that mean?”
“It means we keep getting hit over the head with suspects because Mike was incapable of keeping it in his pants,” Nick replied. “For right now we’re still questioning people and waiting for forensic evidence from the state lab technicians. They’re backed up because the holidays are so close and everyone is on vacation.”
“That’s too bad.” Maddie lifted her head when she heard the doorbell chime. “That must be John and Christy. I invited them for dinner.”
“Ah, that explains the feast,” Nick said, looking around. “And here I thought you made this for me.”
“I did. I just made it for them, too.”
Nick gave Maddie’s rear end a friendly swat as she got to her feet and headed toward the door. “Either way, I’m thankful you’re such a marvelous cook, Mad.”
“Oh, you’re such a suck-up,” Maude intoned, shaking her head. “What are you trying to worm out of her this time?”
“Nothing but love,” Nick answered, flicking Maude’s ear. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Maddie smiled to herself as she made her way to the door. She loved the way Nick and Maude interacted. They were truly family despite not being linked by genetics, and she adored that about them. Her good mood only lasted a few seconds, until she opened the door and found Marla Proctor standing on the other side of the threshold, a bottle of wine in her hand.
“Am I late?”
Maddie wrinkled her nose as she glared at her childhood nightmare. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard John was eating dinner here,” Marla replied, peering into the storefront while shoving her foot between the door and the jamb in case Maddie tried to slam it shut. “I thought I would join everyone. Is he here yet?”
“You’re not invited,” Maddie said, struggling as she tried to slam the door in Marla’s face. “Move your foot.”
“Oh, don’t be like that,” Marla said. “You act as if I’m after your precious Nick. I realize he’s taken. I’m after John. There’s a difference.”
“You’re still a terrible person either way,” Maddie pointed out, grunting as she heaved her hip into the door. “I don’t want you in my house. You’re evil … and banned … and I hate you.”
“It’s not as if I like you,” Marla shot back, refusing to give up ground despite Maddie’s anger. “If you even think of tossing me out of this house, I’m going after Nick. You’ll cry when I seduce him. We both know I’m prettier than you and he won’t be able to stop himself from falling in love with me.”
Nick, who stood in the doorway and watched the spectacle, made a move to help Maddie, but Maude stopped him with a shake of her head.
“Let Maddie handle this,” Maude whispered.
“Nick wouldn’t touch you with John’s north pole,” Maddie scoffed, causing Nick’s chest to fill with warmth. “He loves me. Even if he didn’t, though, he would still hate you.”
“You take that back,” Marla hissed. “You’re the reason Nick and I never got together. You were so insecure you couldn’t take it.”
“You never got together with Nick because he’s not blind and doesn’t like evil people,” Maddie said, taking Marla by surprise when she suddenly stopped resisting her efforts to push the door open. Marla’s eyes widened as she fell inward, but Maddie was waiting for her and caught the woman by her shoulders. Maddie shoved Marla through the door with minimal effort and lobbed a haughty glare in the gasping woman’s direction as she caught her breath. “Nick and I were always destined to be together. The only thing you’re destined for is unhappiness … and you earned every bit of that yourself. Now, get off my property.”
Maddie slammed the door shut and slid the chain lock in place, widening her eyes when she swiveled and came face to face with her applauding grandmother and smiling boyfriend.
“I … .”
“You were amazing,” Nick said, holding out his hand. “You cook, kiss, and fight like an angel, love.”
“You’re not embarrassed by what I just did?” Maddie couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Are you embarrassed by what you just did?”
“No. I’m kind of proud of myself.”
“That makes two of us,” Nick said, chuckling when Maddie slipped her hand into his. “I’m totally going to let you tickle me into a coma tonight. I think you’ve earned it.”
“I definitely have,” Maddie agreed, squaring her shoulders. “We need to figure a way to get Marla off the porch before John and Christy get here. She’s going to ruin everything otherwise.”
Maude snapped to attention. “I’ll get the hose.”
Maddie and Nick dissolved into giggles as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.
“That was really hot, Mad,” he whispered.
“Thank you.” Maddie rested her head against Nick’s chest, her eyes narrowing when she saw a dark figure detach from a tree in the front yard. For a moment she thought it was Marla, but then she heard screeches at the side of the house as Maude unleashed the hose. When Maddie glanced back at the tree, the figure was gone. A muted sense of dread remained, although Maddie couldn’t identify why. “I need to finish dinner,” she announced, pushing the worry from her mind. “Do you want to help?”
“As long as I get to spend time with you, I’m up for anything.”
“You might change your mind when I start tickling you later.”
“I’m willing to risk it.”
11
Eleven
“What are you doing?”
Christy rubbed her bottom lip with her glove as she watched Maddie’s head jerk in a variety of different directions the next morning. The women met at the diner for coffee before heading toward the festival, but Maddie seemed hopped up on more than just caffeine if Christy had to hazard a guess.
“I’m looking for someone,” Maddie muttered.
“Marla?”
Maddie snapped her eyes to Christy. “Why would I be looking for Marla? I don’t give a rat’s behind about her.”
“Ooh. Rat’s behind. Them there are fighting words,” Christy teased. “I was just asking because you kicked her out of your house last night. I thought maybe you were worried she was going to make a scene.”
“I don’t care if she makes a scene,” Maddie replied. “She makes scenes all of the time. That’s what she does. I’m used to that.”
“Are you worried she’s going to punch you in the face? Given how mad she was when Maude turned the hose on her, I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to jump you. Personally, I’m just glad I wasn’t laughing so hard that I missed taking a photograph with my phone. I’m totally printing out a copy and putting it in the salon.”
Maddie made a comical face as she regarded her friend. “I’m hardly worried that Marla is going to beat me up. My best friend was a boy while growing up. I know how to fight.”
Christy snorted. “Your best friend was Nick and he wouldn’t hurt you for anything, even then.”
“We weren’t always dating.”
“No, but he always loved you.”
“You have a point,” Maddie mused. “I’m still not worried about Marla picking a fight, though. I’m pretty sure I can take her.”
“I’m pretty sure you can, too. I’m also pretty sure that Marla wouldn’t risk it because she knows you exercise on a regular basis. There’s no way she could outrun you.”
Maddie giggled, legitimately amused. “Thank you for that.”
“Oh, no, thank you,” Christy intoned. “I will never forget the look on Marla’s face when Maude chased her with the hose. It’s so cold that she was already developing icicles by the time she hit the driveway. Speaking of that, how does Maude have a running hose in the middle of winter?”
“She keeps it in the garage, which is heated. That’s where the spout is located, too.”
“Why?”
Maddie shrugged. “So she can spray Marla, I guess. I never really asked her.”
“I guess that’s fair.” Christy sipped her coffee before surveying the winter wonderland. “The kids are out of school for their winter break now. This place will be packed in another hour. Even the older kids enjoy the Christmas festival.”
Grave Holiday (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 9) Page 9
