Grave Concerns (3 page)

“What’s the big emergency?”

Christy Ford flashed a bright smile as she walked into Maddie’s bedroom the next morning.

“I love how you don’t knock.” Maddie was fixated on the pile of clothing on top of her bed.

“You’re the one who called me with a packing emergency,” Christy said, running a hand through her bright red hair. “I had a lull in my schedule at the salon so I rushed over. I’m doing you a favor.”

“I’m sorry,” Maddie said hurriedly. “I was joking … kind of.”

Christy smirked. “I’m the owner of the salon,” she said. “I can leave whenever I want. We were slow anyway. Besides, Maude let me in downstairs. She’s in a mood, by the way. She says she’s throwing a party in her new pad and she can’t figure out how to fit a band in there.”

Maddie scowled. “I’m actually kind of glad we’re taking off for the week,” she said. “She’s going to go wild over the next few days and I don’t want to deal with it.”

“And you’re going camping?” Christy furrowed her brow. “You and Nick are the only people I know who want to wander around the woods while you’re on vacation.”

“Technically we wanted to hang out here and just … chill,” Maddie countered. “Nick’s mother wants us there. Every year Nick’s family has a big camping trip. I used to go with him when I was a kid.”

“Of course you did,” Christy said. “You and Nick were joined at the hip. I’ll bet you guys … fished and hiked and stuff, too, didn’t you?”

“You said that with the same tone you would use for kicking puppies and starting fires,” Maddie pointed out.

“They rank pretty much the same for me,” Christy replied, nonplussed. “Still, this is kind of fun, huh? Nick is parading you around as his live-in lover instead of his best friend for the first time ever. Plus, you two love to sit in a field and stare at the moon and stars … that pretty much sums up camping. Well, you have to add bugs to the mix.”

Maddie smiled. “I’m excited to see his mom, although … .” She broke off, biting her lower lip.

“Although what?”

“I was close with Nick’s family while we were growing up except for one notable exception,” Maddie explained. “His sister Kelly never liked me.”

“Kelly was like six years older than us, right?”

“Yeah. Nick was the baby of the family. In fact, after they had a girl and a boy, I think Sharon and Don were probably done. I think Nick was a … surprise.”

“Lucky for you they didn’t know how to use birth control,” Christy teased.

“Very lucky,” Maddie agreed. “Kelly always disliked me, though. Something tells me that after I left town, she had quite a few nasty things to say about me.”

“That’s water under the bridge now,” Christy chided. “Kelly will have to get over it. Nick isn’t going to let her terrorize you, so I wouldn’t worry about it. Let’s see what you’ve got here, shall we?”

Maddie ran a hand through her hair, sighing as she regarded the pile of clothes in the middle of the bed. “Left town” was a nice way of putting it. After spending the bulk of her life hiding her abilities, Maddie fled to downstate Michigan to attend college. She ran away from Nick and the life she wanted because she didn’t want to saddle him with something she couldn’t explain or accept at the time. She’d crushed them both in the process.

By the time she came back, Nick was bitter. She didn’t blame him. He initially fought the inevitable pull between them. After discovering the truth, Nick was angry. He accepted Maddie’s gifts without question. Her reluctance to confide in him was another story. After several long talks, Nick gave up dwelling on the past. Maddie still couldn’t believe she’d finally gotten everything she ever wanted.

“I don’t really need help with camping clothes,” Maddie admitted. “I was hoping you could help me pick out … um … something to wear at night.”

“Oh, you’re so cute I want to eat you up, Maddie Graves,” Christy said, a wide grin splitting her face. “Not that I ever want to dissuade you from thinking outside of the box – and I’m always eager to help – but aren’t you guys going to be in a tent with his family around? I don’t know a lot about camping, honey, but I’m thinking that’s going to make romance uncomfortable.”

“Nick rented a cabin,” Maddie supplied. “He’s way ahead of you.”

“I’m confused,” Christy admitted. “Since when do campgrounds have cabins?”

“It’s technically not the same campground,” Maddie replied. “It’s a strip of cabins across the road from the campground. It’s within easy walking distance, though.”

“Well, that changes things. Wow. I’m impressed with my man Nick. He figured out a way to get what he wants and make his mother happy.”

“He didn’t do it just so we could be alone,” Maddie said. “I think that was a big reason, but the biggest reason because he didn’t want anyone to hear me if I have a nightmare.”

Christy’s face filled with sympathy. “How often do you have those dreams?”

“It depends on what’s going. I can go weeks without them. If something bad is about to happen, though, I have them quite often. He’s trying to protect me.”

“He loves you, Maddie,” Christy said. “He’s protecting his heart. If you’re sad, he’s broken. It’s very cute.”

“It
is
cute.”

“It’s also codependent,” Christy added. “You’re lucky that the cuteness outweighs the codependency. With that in mind … .” Christy pursed her lips as she studied Maddie’s assembled lingerie offerings. “We need to go to Victoria’s Secret one day and punch up your underwear choices. You know that, right?”

“I … .” Maddie was never comfortable with Christy’s sexual freedom.

“You have the body of a goddess, Maddie,” Christy said. “If I had your body I would walk around naked every single day.”

“You’re beautiful!”

“You’re very good for my ego.” Christy tilted her head to the side and pulled out a seamless black tank with spaghetti straps and matching black panties. “These are practical for where you’re going and Nick will love it if you wear this top.”

“Are you sure? I … I wish I had time to pick up something new.”

“Maddie, what you don’t seem to understand is that Nick loves you just the way you are,” Christy said. “You don’t have to impress him.”

“You can say that again,” Nick said, breezing into the room and causing Maddie to jump.

“I thought you were shopping,” Maddie said, flustered. “I … we’re not doing anything.”

“According to Maude, Christy is helping you choose naughty things for our camping trip,” Nick said dryly. “Don’t let me interrupt.”

“Granny has a huge mouth.”

Nick dropped the bags he was carrying on the floor at the foot of the bed and then shuffled to Maddie’s side. “Whatever you pick out will be … amazing,” he said. “You don’t need anything special, though. I already have my something special. It’s you, love.

“Quite frankly, my fantasies for this week involve you, me, and a fire,” he continued. “As long as I have that, I’m going to be perfectly fine. That being said … .” He leaned over and picked up the tank Christy selected moments before. “I would like you to bring this.”

Christy snorted. “I told you, girl. Take that. We’ll go shopping at Victoria’s Secret when you get back.”

“She doesn’t need any of that,” Nick countered. “She’s perfect the way she is.”

“Oh, you two are just so … vomit inducing,” Christy said. “Whenever I’m around you guys I feel so … lonely.”

“Well, I’m guessing that won’t last long once my brother officially moves to town,” Nick said, teasing Christy about her brief flirtation with John.

Christy brightened. “When is that happening?”

“Soon,” Nick answered. “I emptied all of my stuff out of the house yesterday. We’re camping as a family together this week. I would guess he will be here in the next two weeks or so.”

“Is it wrong that I’m jealous of you going camping now?” Christy asked.

“Well, I’m kind of glad you’re staying here,” Maddie replied. “I … um … don’t suppose you’d be willing to check on Granny while we’re gone, would you? I’m afraid she’s going to get herself in trouble with this party.”

“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?

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.”

Nick 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!”