Grave Misgivings (5 page)

“I think your head is a pretty terrific place to be,” Nick said, brushing his lips against her forehead. “It’s my favorite place in the world.”

“I thought my bed was your favorite place in the world.”

“It’s one of them,” Nick said. “Along with our window seat, and your heart.”

“Oh, you’re so sweet,” Maddie said. “Still, I’m tired of being scared of things. I spent years being scared to live my life. I have everything I’ve ever wanted now. I have you. It’s time I started to relax and enjoy life.”

“Your life is with me, love,” Nick said. “We’re definitely going to enjoy it.”

“Do you think we can start tonight?”

Nick wrinkled his nose. “What did you have in mind?”

“I’ll race you home.”

“Granny, we need to talk,” Maddie said, sitting down in the kitchen chair across from Maude the next afternoon.

“Is this where you tell me where babies come from?” Maude asked, her eyes wide. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.”

Maddie pursed her lips, tilting her head to the side and forcing herself to remain calm even though there were times she legitimately wanted to shake her grandmother. Of course, the times she loved her far outweighed the bad times.

Maude sipped her tea, and Maddie didn’t miss the flush of her cheeks. She had a feeling there was more than lemon zinger in the cup. “Where’s the bourbon?”

“I have no idea,” Maude said, taking another sip.

“You keep hiding it because you know I’m going to dump it out,” Maddie said. “I’m onto you.”

“I’m in my seventies, Maddie. I’m allowed to drink.”

“I want you to live a really long time,” Maddie said. “I don’t think the bourbon is going to help my cause.”

“Hey, I don’t want to live a life that doesn’t include bourbon,” Maude said. “What did you want to talk about? Was that it? If it will make you feel better, I promise to relegate all of my drinking to the house this weekend.”

“See, that makes me even more nervous,” Maddie said. “What are you planning to do this weekend?”

“What do I do every weekend?”

“I have no idea,” Maddie said. “You usually sneak around and stalk Harriet Proctor. You never give me the details, though. I’m a little worried to leave you here by yourself.”

Maude rolled her eyes, making a comical face as she stuck her tongue out. “Oh, I have no idea what I’ll do without you here policing my every move. I’ll probably play with matches, run with scissors, and go swimming five minutes after I eat.”

“I’m sorry,” Maddie said, instantly contrite. “That’s not fair. I don’t mean to smother you. You’re the only family I have left, though. It would kill me if something happened to you.”

Maude’s face softened. “Nothing is going to happen to me, Maddie girl,” she said. “If it will make you feel better, though, I’ll tell you what I’m doing. Tonight I’m going down to the fair. We’re following Harriet around because we heard she’s trying to influence another vote on the Pink Ladies council.”

The Pink Ladies was the social group Maude belonged to. As far as Maddie could tell, the group essentially sat around and gossiped over tea and bourbon. She wasn’t thrilled with the group, but since Maude needed constant stimulation, they were also a godsend.

Since Maude’s mortal enemy, Harriet Proctor, announced her intention to infiltrate the group, it had been an “all hands on deck” situation for weeks. Maddie was weary of all the drama.

“That sounds … fun,” Maddie said. “You’re not going to drive, right? I know you guys like to drink while you stalk.”

“I’m not an idiot,” Maude said.

“What are you going to do the rest of the weekend?”

“I’m having a card night on Saturday.”

“Is that code for something?”

“Yes. It’s code for having the Pink Ladies over so we can play euchre and drink more … tea.”

Maddie arched an eyebrow. “Tea?”

“Do we really have to do this?” Maude asked, sighing. “We both know I’m going to lie and say we’re drinking straight tea. We both also know there’s going to be whiskey in that tea. It’s just so … juvenile.”

“Fine,” Maddie said, giving in. “I’m just … worried.”

“Maddie, I don’t think you’re worried about me,” Maude said. “I think you’re nervous about going away with Nick for an entire weekend. You’re going to be hanging around with people you don’t know very well, and it’s going to be a new experience for you.

“I think you’re really worried about how
you’re
going to handle this,” she continued. “Instead of admitting that to yourself, though, you’re focusing all of your attention on me.”

“I … you’re right,” Maddie said. “I’m sorry. I am worried about you, though.”

“You’re giving me an ulcer,” Maude griped. “I’m going to be fine. You’re going to be fine. Everyone is going to be fine. This is the first weekend since you came home where you haven’t had something – like a murder, for crying out loud – hanging over your head. Can’t you just enjoy it?”

Maddie furrowed her brow, taking in Maude’s words and rolling them through her mind. “I hate it when you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” Maude said. “Maddie, you’re a young woman. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. You’re spending a romantic weekend with the man of your dreams. You’re finally happy. Just … enjoy it.”

“How about we make a compromise?” Maddie suggested.

“What?” Maude was suspicious.

“I promise to enjoy my weekend if you promise to text me every morning … just one sentence … so I know you’re okay. How about that?”

“Deal,” Maude said, extending her hand.

Maddie shook it, grinning at her grandmother. “If you get arrested for stalking Harriet, though, make sure someone calls so we can come and bail you out.”

“That would just be a wasted call,” Maude said. “The judge won’t grant bail on a holiday weekend. Trust me. I know.”

Maddie frowned. “How do you know that?”

“I just do,” Maude said. “Speaking of your fancy weekend, when are you leaving?”

Maddie glanced at the clock on the wall. “Soon,” she said. “I should probably go and get our luggage from upstairs.”

“That’s what Nick is for,” Maude said. “It’s in the man handbook. They have to carry you over the threshold when you get married, they have to kill spiders in the tub, and they have to do the heavy lifting when you have a big suitcase. I don’t make the rules. I just enforce them.”

“Well, I’m a modern woman, Granny,” Maddie said. “I’m more than capable of carrying two suitcases downstairs.”

“Do what you want,” Maude replied, nonplussed. “Just remember, I have enough wisdom for the both of us.”

“I’ll always remember that.”

It took Maddie about five minutes to freshen up, and she was navigating the narrow staircase with her suitcase when something prickled the back of her neck. She felt as if she was being watched. She turned around quickly, expecting to find Olivia loitering in the hallway. The corridor was empty, though.

“Mom?”

“Did you say something, Maddie girl?” Maude asked, sticking her head through her bedroom doorframe.

“I … were you just watching me?” Maddie asked, confused.

“I love you,” Maude said. “I don’t love you enough to find carrying a suitcase entertaining, though. Why?”

“I don’t know,” Maddie said, wrinkling her nose. “I felt as if someone was watching me.”

“Maybe your mother is here.”

“I don’t see her,” Maddie said. “She’s generally not big on playing hide and seek.”

“Maybe you’re just tense,” Maude suggested. “Do you want a cup of tea before you go? I’ll bet the bourbon will settle your nerves.”

“Thanks,” Maddie said dryly. “I’d prefer to be sober when I get out to Aaron’s house.”

“Honey, I think there’s going to be quite a bit of drinking out there this weekend,” Maude said. “I know you’re not used to people partying, but there’s going to be drinking. Prepare yourself.”

Maddie scowled. “I know people drink. I’ve been known to partake a time or two myself.”

“Yes, but you never drink enough to get out of control,” Maude said. “That defies the purpose of drinking if you ask me.”

“I’ll take that under advisement,” Maddie said. “I … .” There it was again. Maddie swiveled swiftly, turning her attention to the far end of the hallway. This time she was almost certain she saw a hint of wispy movement.

“What is it?” Maude asked. While she enjoyed messing with her granddaughter, she also knew how to read her face. Maddie was sensing something.

“I thought … I thought I saw something down by my bedroom,” Maddie said. “I … I need to look.”

“Be careful,” Maude said. “Don’t leave that suitcase in the middle of the stairs. Someone will trip over it.”

“I’ll take it down first,” Maddie said, making up her mind quickly. “Do me a favor and stand right there. Don’t move.”

“I have nowhere to go.”

After depositing her suitcase next to the front door, Maddie returned to the staircase. She was halfway up to the top when a keening wail assailed her ears. She swiveled again, preparing herself to find an angry spirit or … something … floating behind her.

The spot was empty.

“Granny?”

“What?”

“I … something is in this house,” Maddie said. “Can’t you hear that?”

“You know I don’t have the gift, Maddie,” Maude said, appearing at the top of the stairs. “I … .”

A filmy figure moved to the spot behind Maude, and before she realized what she was doing Maddie was racing up the steps. Maude pitched forward suddenly, her arms flailing forward. Maddie caught her before she could fall, using her body as a buffer to protect her fragile grandmother as they hit the ground at the top of the staircase.

“What was that?” Maude asked, breathless.

“There’s a presence in the house.”

“Your mother?”

“Mom would never try to push you down the stairs,” Maddie said, shifting her head. “I … where did it go?”

“I can’t help you, Maddie,” Maude said. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Sit here,” Maddie said. “Keep your back to the wall.” She got to her feet and peered around the corner. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. Maddie stood there, willing the presence to return. After a few minutes, Maddie had pretty much convinced herself it was gone. When she turned back to Maude, she felt her body being snapped to the side as a force moved through her.

For a second, Maddie’s mind was flooded with angry images – none of which she recognized. Then she was falling – and she was falling down the steps and toward certain doom.

NICK
caught Maddie in midair, surprise washing over his features. He pressed her against his chest tightly, stunned and confused. “What the … ?”

“There’s something in the house,” Maddie gasped, her heart pounding. “I … Nicky.”

She threw her arms around his neck, and even though he didn’t understand what was happening, Nick cradled her close. “What’s wrong, love?”

“There’s something here,” Maude said, peering around the corner. “It tried to knock me down the stairs and Maddie caught me. Then … and I swear I’m not making this up … I think I saw something run through her. It was just for a second, and it was like I was seeing it out of the corner of my eye, but it was definitely there.”

“Stay there,” Nick ordered. He carried Maddie down the steps and settled her on one of the chairs in the front of her store. He ran his hand down the side of her head, drawing her eyes up to his. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m going up to get Maude,” Nick said. “You stay here.”

“I … be careful.”

“I’m always careful, love,” Nick said. “You stay right here.”

“I DON’T
like it,” Maddie said, her hands on her hips as she paced the kitchen. “We can’t leave Granny here if there’s something in the house.”

“Are you sure it was a spirit?” Nick asked.

“I don’t know,” Maddie said. “That’s what it felt like, and it when it ran through me I saw … things.”

“Like?”

“I don’t know,” Maddie replied, frustrated. “It was like I was seeing scenes from someone else’s life. They were really brief clips, though. It all happened so fast. Whatever it was, though, it was angry. I’m sure of that.”

Nick tugged on his ear, unsure. He believed Maddie implicitly. He was also in unfamiliar territory. “Do you want to cancel our weekend?”

“I … .” Maddie broke off, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

“That’s not going to happen,” Maude said. “I want you guys to have your weekend. I’ll be fine.”

“No,” Maddie said, immediately shaking her head. “I won’t leave Granny in this house without knowing if something is here.”

“Is it possible it was just one visit?” Nick asked. “Could the spirit have been … I don’t know … drawn to you?”

“It’s happened before,” Maddie acknowledged.

“Do they usually stick around?”

“Actually … no. It could’ve been a drive by.”

“See, I’m fine,” Maude said.

“There’s always a first time for everything,” Maddie said. “That spirit could’ve killed Granny on the stairs.”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. “Okay, how about everyone agree to a compromise? Maude, would you be willing to stay with one of your Pink Ladies for the weekend?”

Maude nodded without hesitation.

“If Maude promises to stay out of the house until we come back, will that make you happy? That would leave the house empty for several days. If a spirit is here, it will probably give up when it realizes no one is coming back.”

Maddie wasn’t thrilled with the suggestion, but since she couldn’t think of anything better to do, she found herself nodding. “As long as Granny promises to stay out of the house until we get back, I’ll agree to it.”