Grave Misgivings (8 page)

“Whenever you want,” Maddie said, smiling.

“When are you officially moving in, Nick?” Aaron asked.

“Technically I’m not moving in until the master bedroom is done,” Nick said. “We spend every night together, though, so it’s not like it will be a big change.”

“You guys seem happy,” Brian said. “It only took you … what … twelve years to admit you were madly in love with each other? That must be some sort of record.”

“It doesn’t matter how long it took them,” Christy said. “It just matters that they finally got all the obstacles out of their way and admitted they were soul mates.” It took Christy a moment to realize what she’d said, and she cast an apologetic look in Cassidy’s direction. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“It’s fine,” Cassidy said, waving her hand stiffly. “I’m used to hearing how I was the last obstacle to Maddie and Nick’s happily ever after. I’m not embarrassed about being dumped in the dirt and treated like crap at all.”

“You tell them,” Marla said, spurring her on.

Nick and Maddie exchanged a brief look.

“So, where is that dinner?” Nick asked.

“I can’t believe how close the river is to the back of the house,” Maddie enthused, slipping her shoes off so she could wade into the slow-moving water.

Nick followed suit, bending over so he could roll up his pants before joining her.

“I would think this is against building regulations,” he said, his gaze bouncing between the water and the back patio where everyone was milling about with cocktails. They were far enough away to speak freely, but they were close enough to still be considered part of the group. Nick was just happy to have a few minutes alone with his girl without Marla and Cassidy glaring at them like they’d been kicking kittens all night.

“I think, when you have as much money as Aaron’s parents, you get around building regulations,” Maddie said, her gaze focused on the river.

“Are you looking for a turtle?” Nick asked.

“No.”

He didn’t believe her. “Don’t get that dress wet and ruin it,” Nick warned. “I’ll catch you a turtle tomorrow. We’ll wear stuff that can get dirty and wet.”

“I wasn’t looking for a turtle,” Maddie protested.

“You’re always looking for a turtle,” Nick said.

Maddie rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to the expansive lawn rolling down the other side of the river. “How did Aaron’s family make their money? I don’t think I even know what Mr. Denton does.”

“They have family money,” Nick said. “The grandfather was one of the initial investors in IBM, and Aaron’s father continued the tradition by getting in early with Apple.”

“Wow,” Maddie said. “I guess they’re smart when it comes to business.”

“I would definitely agree,” Nick said. “Still, as cool as this house is, I like the idea of something a little smaller. I like knowing that when I call your name you’ll be able to hear me. The same goes for when we have kids. Can you imagine trying to wrangle little ones in this house?”

“I can barely imagine wrangling little ones in our house,” Maddie replied.

“I guess it’s good we don’t have to worry about that for a little bit, isn’t it?” Nick’s question was pointed. He knew Maddie was worried he was anxious for kids, even though nothing could be further from the truth. “I’m happy it’s just going to be the two of us for the next few years, Mad. We can have kids, but we don’t need them right away.”

“I know,” Maddie said. “I just like dreaming sometimes. Is that so wrong?”

“No, love,” Nick said, grinning. “I like dreaming, too. The thing is, we’re already living our dream come true, so try to enjoy it.”

“Then find me a turtle,” Maddie said.

“I knew you were looking for a turtle,” Nick grumbled.

“THEY
really look happy,” Lauren said, sipping her martini and  settling next to Christy as she watched Nick and Maddie cavort in the water. “I always knew they were destined to be together, but they’re really adorable.”

“They’re so sugary sweet it’s sickening sometimes,” Christy said. “Can you tell I’m jealous?”

“I’m jealous, too,” Lauren said. “Every little girl dreams of finding the perfect man. Maddie actually found hers.”

“It’s too bad they couldn’t have realized that back in high school,” Aaron said, joining them. “They would probably already be married and have kids if they hadn’t been so scared to admit how they felt back then.”

“I think they’re better off,” Christy said.

“Why do you say that?”

“Think about it,” Christy said. “We were all idiots when were eighteen years old. If they’d tried to make it work then, they probably would’ve failed and missed their chance. Now they’re both older, they’re both more mature … things just fit together perfectly for them.”

“Other than the woman they crushed on the way to their own happiness,” Marla said.

Christy ran her tongue over her teeth as she turned to Marla. Cassidy was standing next to her, and the look on her face was murderous. “Can’t you just let it go, Marla? Everyone in this town knew Nick was pining for Maddie. No one is saying what happened to Cassidy was right – especially Nick – but it’s over and done with. It’s not like anything is going to change. Maddie and Nick are happy. They’re not going to break up.”

“Until the six-month mark when Nick gets bored and decides he’s ready to move on and start another cycle,” Marla said.

“Oh, please,” Max scoffed, brushing past Marla and sitting in one of the patio chairs. “Nick is never going to get bored with Maddie. Those two were always in their own little world. No one else was even allowed to visit their world.”

“I thought Nick was popular,” Cassidy interjected. “Wasn’t he on the football team? How was he locked away in a world with Maddie if he was part of the popular clique?”

“Nick was on the football team, the basketball team, and the baseball team,” Aaron replied. “Those were things he did, though. Maddie came to each game and cheered him on, and then as soon as it was over, they left together.

“Nick didn’t go to team parties, and he really didn’t hang out with us that much off the field or court,” he continued. “All he cared about was running around the woods with Maddie. I swear, I always thought they were out there doing it. I was so disappointed when I spied on them and found out they really were just wishing on stars.”

“I spied on them, too,” Brian said, chuckling. “I wanted to see Maddie naked something fierce. I still wouldn’t mind seeing Maddie naked.”

“I wouldn’t say that when Nick can hear,” Max said.

“You wouldn’t say what when Nick can hear?” Nick stepped up onto the patio, his gaze busy as it moved from face to face.

“We weren’t talking about you,” Lauren said hurriedly.

“Yes, we were,” Christy said, knowing right away that lying was the wrong way to go. “We started out by saying how jealous we were of the two of you, and then Aaron and Brian admitted they snuck out to the woods behind Maddie’s house to spy on you guys when you were in high school.”

“Why?” Nick asked, confused.

“We thought you two were doing it,” Aaron admitted sheepishly.

“They also wanted to see Maddie naked,” Christy added.

“Brian wanted to see her naked,” Aaron said, pointing. “I didn’t. I’m not a pig.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “You all wanted to see her naked,” he said. “I’m not stupid. And, if you want to know the truth, it’s fantastic and you have no idea what you’re missing.” He shuffled over to the drink cart and grabbed two beers. “She looks like a goddess without her clothes on.”

Max snickered. “I knew it! She looks like a goddess with her clothes on. Nudity must be like Heaven where you two are concerned. Wait … that makes it sound like I want to see Nick naked, doesn’t it?”

“Don’t worry, you’re not the only one,” Lauren teased.

Nick’s cheeks colored. “You guys need to pick another activity,” he said. “The gossiping is getting old.”

“Then you and Maddie should stop being so cute,” Lauren challenged.

“That’s impossible,” Nick said. “Maddie was born cute and she’s going to die cute.”

“I’m going to puke,” Marla said.

“The bathroom is in the house,” Aaron said, not missing a beat.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to rejoin my girl in her turtle hunt,” Nick said.

“Turtle hunt? Is that what she’s doing?” Brian asked, leaning forward so he could study Maddie. “She’s never going to catch a turtle sloshing around like that.”

“She doesn’t catch them,” Nick said. “She finds them and then makes me catch them.”

“Oh, you two are even cuter now,” Lauren said. “You’re like a PG-13 couple with model looks and hot kisses.”

“How do you know the kisses are hot?” Nick challenged.

“Because I’ve seen the way you two look at each other,” Lauren replied. “No one smolders that much without some payoff between the sheets.”

“And I’m done here,” Nick said, moving back toward the steps. “You guys are just … too much.”

The night sky split suddenly, a bright bolt of lightning flashing. A terrific rumble of thunder followed, loud enough to shake the patio.

“I didn’t know it was going to storm,” Lauren said, disappointed.

“We should probably move this party inside,” Aaron said. “We’re going to get wet in exactly thirty seconds.”

“I need to get Maddie,” Nick said, turning his head as the wind gusted. She was still by the water, but her eyes were fixed on a spot behind a nearby tree and her back was to him. Nick had no idea what she was doing, but something told him her attention had been drawn to something only she could see. “Take these inside for us,” Nick said, handing the beers to Christy.

“What is she looking at?” Max asked, tilting his head to the side.

“There’s probably some deer out there,” Aaron said. “They’ve been coming closer to the house over the past few days.”

“I’m sure that’s it,” Nick said, exchanging a quick look with Christy. Both of them knew Maddie’s attention was more likely fixed on something supernatural.

“Let’s go inside,” Christy said, jumping into action. “Nick is fully capable of collecting Maddie.”

“I’ll be right back,” Nick said.

MADDIE
stared at the ghost, conflicted. The woman looked to have been in her early forties when she died, her dark hair shot through with gray, and the beginnings of some heavy lines colliding in the corners by her eyes. Her eyes were an odd color, more gray than blue or green, and she looked like she was wearing some sort of uniform – although Maddie couldn’t identify it.

“You can see me, can’t you?” The woman was studying Maddie with the same intensity as Maddie was looking at her.

“Yes,” Maddie whispered, making sure to keep her back to the patio so no one could see her lips moving. “Who are you?”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Maddie Graves.”

“Are you Maude’s daughter?”

Maddie stilled, surprised. “I’m her granddaughter. Do you know my grandmother?”

“She shouldn’t be old enough to be a grandmother,” the ghost mused. “Olivia is still so young. I didn’t even know she was pregnant.”

Maddie was confused, although she had a feeling she was nowhere near as confused as the spirit. “What year do you think it is?”

“It’s … um, I don’t know. Time doesn’t mean anything to me now.”

Maddie pressed her lips together. “That’s okay. Um … did you die here?”

“Someone is coming,” the ghost hissed, drifting to the side and hiding behind a tree.

Maddie turned, not surprised to find Nick moving in her direction.

“It’s going to storm, Mad,” Nick said. “We need to get inside.”

“Umm … okay.” Maddie glanced back at the woman.

Nick didn’t speak again until he was at Maddie’s side and could keep his voice low. “Who are you talking to?”

“There’s a ghost here,” Maddie said, tilting her head. “I … how did you know I was talking to someone? Does everyone up there think I’m talking to myself?”

“Calm down,” Nick said, rubbing her back and leaning closer. He wanted prying eyes to think they were being romantic. “Everyone thinks you’re looking at deer and that’s going to be your story when we go back inside. It’s fine. No one besides Christy suspects anything.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure, Mad. Tell me about the ghost. Do you recognize her?”

“No,” Maddie said. “She hasn’t told me her name. Do you want to tell me who you are?”

The woman remained silent, her eyes flooding with suspicion as they fixed on Nick.

“She knew Granny, although she thought I was her daughter,” Maddie said.

“She thought you were Olivia?” Maddie and her mother shared mesmerizing eyes and lithe figures, but Olivia’s coloring was much darker than Maddie’s. Nick had never met anyone who confused the two women.

“No, she just asked if I was Maude Graves’ daughter,” Maddie replied. “She has no idea what year it is. In her mind, Granny shouldn’t be a … well … granny, yet.”

“I’m sure Maude will be happy to hear that,” Nick said, kissing Maddie’s cheek. Another bolt of lightning ripped through the air, followed quickly by a menacing rumble of thunder. “Love, I’m willing to stay out here with you if you think it’s necessary, but that’s going to be hard to explain. Do you think we can put this conversation off until tomorrow and get inside before it starts to rain?”

“I … .” Maddie broke off, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. She wasn’t particularly fond of abandoning people – or spirits – in need. This woman was lost in time. She was definitely in need.

“Go,” the woman said finally. “It’s not safe out here … especially after dark.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Beware of the shadows,” the woman said, glancing at Nick one more time. “Be careful who you trust.”

She blinked out of existence, and when the thunder rolled again, Maddie slipped her hand into Nick’s. “We should go now. She’s gone.”

“We’ll talk about it upstairs,” Nick said, pushing Maddie in front of him and keeping her body close to his as he sheltered her from the rain, which was starting to fall. “We’ll tell everyone we’re going to bed early.”