Grave Homecoming (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 1)
Page 21
“She’s fine,” Kreskin said, patting his arm reassuringly. “The doctors want to keep her overnight. Her grandmother is in with her now. She hasn’t woken up. They gave her a sedative to make sure she would get the rest she needs. They wanted to give you one, too, but I didn’t want to face you tomorrow if they did.”
She was okay. Nick exhaled heavily. “What happened to Todd and Dustin?” Much of the night was a blur, but Nick hadn’t forgotten finding the two of them next to the lake.
“They’ve been taken into custody,” Kreskin replied. “We’re questioning them in the morning. I figured you’d want to be there for that. Dustin was singing a pretty song in the car, though. He’s blaming everything on Todd. He says he was coerced.”
“They’re both assholes.”
“They are,” Kreskin agreed. “The state police are coming to help. We have them searching Winthrop’s townhouse and Dustin’s parents’ house. We had to wake the judge up, but when we told him what happened, he signed the search warrants without complaint. He says he wants updates.”
“Did they say why they killed Sarah Alden?”
“As far as I can tell, it was out of boredom.” Kreskin didn’t seem any more thrilled with the explanation than Nick was.
“What about Maddie? Did they say why they went after her?”
“They saw her at the greenhouse tonight,” Kreskin said. “They thought she knew.”
Nick rubbed his forehead wearily. “How is Maude?”
“Feisty.”
“Is she … is she okay? Maddie is all she has left. She loves her.”
“I don’t think Maude is the only one,” Kreskin said, his face serious. “By the way, Cassidy is in the waiting room. She’s been demanding to see you, but … .”
“I don’t want to see her.”
“I figured,” Kreskin said. “You’re going to have to deal with that situation. You know that, right?”
“I can’t deal with it now,” Nick said. “I need to see Maddie.”
“How did I know that you were going to say that?” Kreskin led Nick down the hallway. “She’s in there. She’s not going to wake up tonight. They drugged her. She kept calling for you and … well … her mother. I think she was just confused.”
Nick’s mind flooded with the memory of Olivia’s voice as she led him – not one misstep – to Maddie. “Yeah, she’s probably just confused. She’ll be fine in the morning.”
“You’re going to sit with her all night, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
Maude was asleep in a chair when Nick entered the room. He was quiet. He didn’t want to wake her. She’d had a long night, and she would spend days doting on Maddie.
He made his way to Maddie’s bed and studied her face. She looked content. Her face was pale, but there was a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. Was she dreaming of him?
Nick lowered his mouth to Maddie’s forehead and pressed his lips to it. He was relieved to find warmth there instead of cold. “I’ll be right here, Mad.”
“Of course you will.”
This time, Nick was sure it was Olivia’s voice he was hearing. “We’ll all be here,” he said, kissing her forehead again. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
From her spot next to Maude, Olivia couldn’t help but smile. Things were falling into place. Maddie was going to be happy. She was sure of it. “Goodnight, Mom,” she said, lowering her mouth to Maude’s ear. “Take care of our Maddie. Oh, and don’t forget to take care of Nick, too. They’re about to go on a bumpy ride together.”
Maude didn’t answer, but her mouth slid into a sly smile.
“It will be bumpy,” Olivia whispered. “It’s going to be wonderful, too. Just you wait and see.”
Up Next
Life should be good for Maddie Graves and Nick Winters. The only thing standing in the way of their happiness is stubbornness and doubt.
After surviving an ordeal that almost claimed Maddie’s life, and admitting his true feelings (at least to himself), Nick is at a crossroads. He has a girlfriend to break up with, and a move to make. Both tasks are giving him fits.
Maddie is happy to be alive, and thrilled to have her best friend back. She’s also panting after Nick – and the early summer heat wave isn’t helping matters. Every new encounter is steamy, and every touch is a promise of forever.
When death returns to Blackstone Bay, Maddie’s special abilities have her chasing another mystery. Nick is going along for the ride, even though he’s afraid for her safety. He knows what he wants, and he’s ready to claim the life he’s always yearned for. He just has to muster the courage to tell Maddie how he feels.
There’s an enemy stalking Nick and Maddie, and if they want to survive, they’re going to have to embrace ‘together’ before they can sample forever.
Grave Insight is available here.
Author’s Note
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
If you’re interested in upcoming releases, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I do not spam. I don’t believe it and, as a reader, I find it annoying. Only new release information and special sales promotions will be posted.
This book is available for lending. Please do so.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Books by Lily Harper Hart
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition (Coming June 2015)
Deadly Vacation (Coming July 2015)
Deadly Secrets (Coming August 2015)
Deadly Storm (Coming September 2015)
Deadly Dealings (Coming October 2015)
Deadly Christmas (Coming November 2015)
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delights (Summer 2015)
Grave Haunting (Fall 2015)