Grave Seasons (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 8)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Sage finally reacted, turning a pair of sad eyes in Maddie’s direction. She didn’t speak, or even acknowledge Maddie’s existence, but for some reason Maddie was convinced the young woman saw her.

  “We’ll find you,” Maddie repeated. “We’ll find you!”

  “Mad?” Nick’s voice was muddled with sleep as he shook her awake. “You’re having a nightmare, love.”

  It took Maddie a moment to get her bearings. “It wasn’t a nightmare. I saw Sage.”

  Nick was exhausted, but he wrenched open his eyes anyway. “What did you see?”

  “Nothing,” Maddie replied. “She was just standing there in a pink sweater staring at me.”

  “Do you think it was one of those prophetic dreams you get?”

  “I don’t know.” Maddie cuddled closer to Nick, resting her cheek on his chest as he tightened his arm around her back. “She looked sad.”

  “Maddie, we don’t know if your dream was real or something you imagined,” Nick chided. “Don’t work yourself up before we have a reason for you to do it.”

  “I know.” Maddie kissed Nick’s neck. “I’m sorry I woke you up. Go back to sleep.”

  “Oh, Mad, never be sorry,” Nick said, his eyes drifting closed. “Now rest that busy mind of yours. We have a long day ahead of us.”

  “Because you think I’m going to be a crazy cook?”

  “Because we’re both related to nutty people and they don’t know how to behave themselves,” Nick countered. “Now, sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up in the morning. I’ll keep you safe – even in your dreams.”

  “You always do.”

  11

  Eleven

  Nick was worried when he pulled into their driveway the next morning and found his mother’s car in a prime parking spot. Maddie didn’t appear bothered when she hopped out of the Explorer and headed inside, but Nick wasn’t convinced. He got Dwight settled in a guest room – the room that used to belong to Maddie when she was a child, in fact – and then led the nervous police officer to the main floor so they could turn on the television and watch the unfolding show in the kitchen.

  “What’s going on?” John Winters joined the two men shortly before noon, a beer in his hand so he could watch the Detroit Lions with a liquid soother (because they were notorious for losing) and a curious look on his face as he got a gander at Dwight and Nick’s serious expressions.

  “Mom and Maddie are cooking,” Nick replied, entranced. The women seemed to be getting along fine, but Maddie’s mania over producing the perfect meal the previous week made him believe the peace would be short-lived. “I don’t understand why Mom showed up early when she knew Maddie wanted to cook dinner.”

  John snorted his delight. “Yes, because our mother always follows rules and never oversteps her boundaries.”

  Nick made a face as he shifted his attention to his brother. “Why are you here already?”

  “I wanted to watch all of the football hoopla with you,” John replied, averting his gaze. “Now that we’re living in the same town I thought we could do those traditional male bonding exercises together.”

  “You’re a terrible liar,” Nick challenged. “What are you really doing here?”

  John feigned offense. “Can’t a man just want to spend time with his brother?”

  “Not you,” Nick replied, not missing a beat. “You only want to spend time with me when it benefits you. That’s the curse of an older brother.”

  “I’m wounded!” John pressed a hand to the spot over his heart. “How can you think such things about me?”

  “Because I know you,” Nick said, leaning back on the couch. They were in the den – the only room other than Maude’s garage apartment on the main floor that boasted a television – but he had a clear view through the hallway and into the kitchen. “I’ll figure out what you’re doing. I’m good at my job and you’re horrible at subterfuge.”

  “Whatever,” John intoned, rolling his eyes as he pulled on his beer and focused on Dwight. “You’re Dwight Kincaid, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Nick said, knitting his eyebrows together as he watched the men shake hands. “I’ll try to be better about introducing you to people, Dwight. My brother just brings out the worst in me.”

  “Yes, well, that’s a brother’s job,” Dwight said, relaxing a little when he realized this was John and Nick’s normal routine. “So you just moved to town?”

  John nodded. “Nick inherited our grandfather’s cabin out on the river – which I was jealous about for years – but when he decided to become whipped and move in with a certain blonde, he sold it to me. I think I ended up with the better end of the deal.”

  Nick scorched his brother with a dark look.

  “Not that there’s anything wrong with being whipped,” John added hastily.

  “I don’t care how whipped you think I am,” Nick countered. “Living with Maddie is well worth the trade off of losing the river house. Besides, I can go out and fish with you whenever I want so I really lost nothing and gained everything.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think you were saying that when Maddie made you sort through hundreds of paint samples for your bedroom.”

  “Whatever.” Nick rolled his neck until it cracked. “Ignore my brother. He’s not happy unless he’s getting attention. Even negative attention will do.”

  Dwight snickered. “I have four brothers. I know how that goes.” His expression was thoughtful as he mulled over the living arrangements. “If you loved the river house so much, why not have Maddie move there with you?”

  “Because no matter what she would never let go of this house,” Nick replied. “Olivia poured her blood, sweat, and tears into renovating this place. Maddie loves the house and I do, too. I spent a ton of time here when I was a kid.

  “Plus, Maddie’s store is here and she enjoys working,” he continued. “Maude is here, too. There’s a lake behind the house. It’s only a twenty-minute hike to it. Once it gets dark we always have it to ourselves. There’s also a little meadow on the side of the house where we have picnics.

  “I loved my grandfather’s house but … this is my home,” he said. “The river house isn’t big enough for more than one child and Maddie and I want a few. This is where we see our future so I was happy to sell the house to John. I wanted to keep it in the family, but I will never regret moving in with Maddie.”

  “No, I can definitely see that,” Dwight said, smiling.

  “Oh, you’re such a sap,” John said, cuffing his brother. “Before Maddie came back to town you were nothing but a morose pain in the butt. Now you’re all smiles and coos. You’re a regular romance novel hero.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Christy said, joining the small group in the den. “That’s a good thing. All women want to end up with a romance novel hero.”

  John’s cheeks colored slightly when he realized Christy overheard him. “I … um … when did you get here?”

  “Five minutes ago,” Christy replied, unruffled by John’s inability to keep from tripping over his own tongue. “I stopped in the kitchen to talk to Maddie and Sharon. They seem to be doing okay. I didn’t want to get in the way so I decided to join you guys instead of helping.”

  Nick barked out a laugh. “Who are you trying to kid? You don’t like cooking.”

  “This is true,” Christy said. “I love food, though, and whatever they’re making smells delicious.” She shifted her attention to Dwight. “I’m Christy Ford. You must be Dwight Kincaid. Maddie has told me a lot about you.”

  Nick was mortified by his bad manners. “I am so sorry, Dwight. I keep forgetting to introduce you.”

  “That’s because you’re too worried about Mom and Maddie throwing down in the kitchen,” John said, regaining his bravado. “Personally, I like a woman who admits she doesn’t want to cook. That leaves more time for other things.” He waggled his eyebrows as Christy fought the urge to smil
e.

  “You’re pretty full of yourself today, aren’t you?”

  “He’s full of himself every single day,” Nick said, letting his gaze drift to the kitchen. “They weren’t fighting when you were in there, were they?”

  “No,” Christy answered. “They were just talking. Maddie was telling some story where you locked her in the car like a dog while you went investigating with Dwight.”

  “That is not what happened,” Nick protested, eliciting a giggle from Christy. “Her hair is too noticeable.”

  “He also didn’t want to put her in danger,” Dwight added.

  “He’s good that way,” Christy said, her eyes thoughtful as she studied Dwight’s profile. “I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. Maddie will find her, though. Just give her some time.”

  Dwight mustered a wan smile. “You seem to have a lot of faith in Maddie.”

  “I haven’t seen her fail yet,” Christy said. “Sure, she’s made a few mistakes – like we all do – but she’s like a dog with a bone when she wants something. Right now she wants to find your daughter. I’m going to bet she wins in the end.”

  “Me, too,” Nick said, glancing at the clock on the wall. “When are Dad, Kelly, and Hayley getting here?”

  “Like in a half an hour,” John replied. “Dad wants to be here in time to watch the entire game and Hayley has some hair dye stuff she wants Maddie to help her with. I thought Kelly was going to freak, but she’s been much calmer since everything happened.”

  Dwight was intrigued. “What happened?”

  “We went camping as a family and my niece Hayley was almost kidnapped,” Nick explained. “Maddie saved her and my sister – who was wound incredibly tight before that – loosened up on the reins a bit. She’s been decent to be around ever since.”

  “Yes, it’s thrown us all for a loop,” John said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re early, though. Dad wants to chill in front of the television and Hayley is desperate to see Maddie. She thinks she’s cool, which is ridiculous because we all know she’s kind of a Mary Sue.”

  “She’s not a Mary Sue,” Nick argued.

  “What’s a Mary Sue?” Dwight asked.

  “It’s a stupid reference to a woman who is kind of … perfect,” Christy explained. “Maddie really doesn’t have a lot of faults – other than insecurity, that is, and she’s working on that – so people think she’s a Mary Sue.”

  “Stop saying that,” Nick ordered, extending a finger. “I don’t like it.”

  “I’m not saying she’s a Mary Sue,” Christy said, holding up her hands. “I’m just saying she’s annoyingly perfect. She always makes me feel substandard when standing next to her.”

  “Stop saying that, too,” Nick said. “It drives Maddie crazy.”

  “It drives me crazy, too,” John said. “I happen to think you’re … smoking hot.”

  Christy’s cheeks colored under the compliment and it took Nick a moment to realize why his brother really arrived early.

  “I knew you weren’t here to bond with me,” Nick said. “You came early because you figured Christy would be here and you guys are pretending you’re not a couple until after the holidays. Ha!”

  Now it was John’s turn to blush. “That is not true!”

  “Oh, whatever,” Nick scoffed. “It’s completely true.”

  “What’s true?” Nick’s fourteen-year-old niece Hayley picked that moment to hop into the room, her long hair wild as she joined the fray. Nick’s father, Don Winters, trailed behind her with a six-pack of beer clutched in his hand.

  “Your uncle is hot for Christy and he won’t admit it,” Nick said, making room for his niece on the couch. “He’s not a very good liar.”

  “Is he whipped like you?” Hayley asked, genuinely curious.

  Don chuckled at both of his sons’ reactions as he took the spot next to Dwight. He introduced himself and gave the man a sympathetic pat on the arm before handing him a beer. “I know this must be difficult for you – spending the holidays with another family when you can’t stop thinking about your own, that is – but there’s nothing you can do today.”

  Dwight eyed the beer for a moment and then opened it. “It is difficult,” he admitted. “It’s nice having all of you around to take my mind off of things, though. Thank you for having me.”

  “Oh, don’t thank me,” Don said. “Thank my son. He has a heart of gold. He always has.”

  “I don’t think he’s the only one,” Dwight said, his eyes briefly landing on Maddie as she laughed with Sharon and Nick’s sister Kelly in the kitchen. “Maddie does, too.”

  “Oh, Maddie has always been an angel,” Don said. “When Nick first started bringing her around when they were little I couldn’t figure it out. Nick was a boy’s boy, if you know what I mean? He loved baseball, football, and basketball. Maddie was as quiet as a mouse.

  “She took a little bit of time to come out of her shell, and when she did I fell in love with her just like my son,” he continued. “I was used to a different sort of girl, but Maddie was so sweet you couldn’t help but love her. She was the best friend I could ever hope for when it came to Nick. They were … adorable … together.”

  “I’ll bet,” Dwight said, smiling. “Did you think they would end up together back then?”

  “I knew they would,” Don said, bobbing his head. “They had a lot of pressure on them, though. Sharon and Olivia were always cooing over how cute they were. When Maddie left … I thought Nick might break.”

  “Dad, we don’t need to talk about this,” Nick protested. “It’s over and done.”

  Don ignored him. “I’m thankful she left now because I think they would’ve been facing a different sort of heartbreak if they didn’t separate for a bit. Now they’re happy and I can’t wait to see how cute my grandchildren will be.” He jerked a thumb in Hayley’s direction. “This one won’t let me carry her around and throw her in the lake like she used to.”

  Hayley rolled her eyes like only a teenager can and smiled prettily at Nick. “Speaking of grandchildren, when are you and Maddie going to give me cousins?”

  Nick floundered at the question, surprise rolling off of him. “I … don’t … know. I … who told you to ask that question?”

  Hayley’s smile was impish as she shrugged. “I just want cousins. I hate being an only grandchild.”

  “You say that now, but you’re going to change your tune when Maddie pops out a kid,” John said. “The kid is going to be cute – and probably blond – and you’re going to be the forgotten grandchild.”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Don chided. “He’s just looking for attention.”

  “Like always,” Hayley teased, giggling as John poked her side. “Seriously, though, Uncle Nick, when are you and Maddie going to have kids?”

  “We’re not even thinking about that,” Nick replied, annoyed. “We have to get married first.”

  “Oh, well, then when are you going to get married?” Hayley’s question seemed off the cuff, but Nick knew better. He darted a glare into the kitchen and locked gazes with his sister. She was behind this.

  “We’ll get married when we get married,” Nick replied. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “But … .”

  “Knock it off,” Nick warned, extending a finger as he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. “That’s none of your business and don’t bring it up to Maddie. She’s got enough on her plate right now.”

  John narrowed his eyes as he regarded his brother with overt suspicion. “What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing is up with me,” Nick replied, relief easing the pressure in his chest when he saw his mother approaching. “Let it go and focus on the game. It’s Thanksgiving. Stop being a pain.”

  Sharon smiled at her son as she stepped into the room. “The stuffed mushrooms will be ready in twenty minutes and then dinner will be ready in an hour and a half. How is everything going in here?”

  “Good,” Nick answered for everyone.


  Hayley’s age wouldn’t allow her to be deterred. “Uncle Nick is mad at me because I asked him when he’s going to marry Maddie. His cheeks got really red and now he won’t look at me.”

  Sharon cast a sympathetic look in her son’s direction as she patted his shoulder. “Oh, Nick, I’m sorry this is happening.”

  “Thank you, Mother,” Nick muttered.

  “It will stop happening when you put all of us out of our misery and propose,” Sharon said. “Just keep that in mind.”

  Nick’s mouth dropped open as he glared at his mother. “Really?”

  Sharon shrugged. “I want pretty little blond grandchildren,” she said. “Sue me.”

  “I’m considering it,” Nick said, shaking his head as he glanced back in the kitchen and focused on Maddie and Kelly. They seemed happy and relaxed, which was a far cry from their relationship a few months ago. “Is Maddie okay?”

  “She’s fine,” Sharon replied. “She’s having a good time cooking and I’m even letting her be the boss and following her directions.”

  Nick made a comical face. “I don’t believe that.”

  “Well, believe it,” Sharon said. “That’s how much I want grandchildren.”

  Nick was at a loss. “How did I end up here today of all days?”

  Dwight chuckled as he leaned back on the couch. “I think it’s great,” he said. “It reminds me of home.”

  For Nick, the words were enough to make him put up with weeks of familial abuse. “I’m glad,” he said. “I’m still going to murder my family. You might have to look the other way.”

  Dwight shrugged. “Let’s see where the day takes us, shall we?”

  12

  Twelve

  “That was the best Thanksgiving dinner ever, love.”

  Nick ignored the dirty look his mother shot in his direction as he pressed a kiss to Maddie’s cheek.

  “I think my pants are going to burst,” John intoned, causing Hayley to giggle. “I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in turkey.”