Free Grave Concerns by Lily Harper Hart Page B

leave. “We’re going to catch up by the fire. Do you want to join us?”
    “Not really,” Nick said, taking Kelly and Sydney by surprise. “We’re going back to our cabin.”
    “But it’s so early,” Sydney protested. “I haven’t seen you in … what … five years? I want to get caught up on your life. Are you still a police officer? Are you still living in the same house? I love that house. Waking up there after long nights of … hanging out … was one of my favorite things while we were together.”
    And there it is. Maddie briefly pressed her eyes shut. She knew Nick dated a bevy of women while she was out of town. She also knew he kept to a six-month schedule. So far she’d only met one of his former conquests – and it was a rough road before coming to an understanding with the woman in question. It seemed another had just landed in her lap courtesy of Kelly and her vindictive nature.
    “I sold the house to John,” Nick answered, his face unreadable. Maddie moved to pull her hand from his, but he refused to relinquish it. “I don’t really remember you spending a lot of nights there. I’m a detective with the Blackstone Bay Police Department. This is Maddie Graves and we live together.” Nick laid everything out like he was giving a lecture in front of a college class.
    Sydney’s eyes widened as she turned them on Maddie. “I see. You’re the famous Maddie Graves, are you?”
    Maddie’s tongue felt unnaturally thick. “I am,” she said finally, extending her free hand by way of greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    “Sydney Markham. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    After releasing the woman’s hand, Maddie turned to Nick expectantly. “I … .”
    “We should get going,” Nick said, cutting her off.
    “Oh, come on, Nick,” Kelly prodded. “Sydney is here to see you as much as she’s here to see me. You shouldn’t be rude and ignore her.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about me,” Sydney said. “I’ll be here the rest of the week.”
    “You’re staying?” Maddie was surprised, although she knew it was a waste of time. Kelly arranged for Nick’s former flame to join the family camping trip as a way to edge her out. Of course the woman was staying. That was part of Kelly’s plan.
    “I love camping,” Sydney explained. “Nick brought me to the family camping trip when we were dating. I’m very excited to see everyone.”
    Maddie’s heart dully thudded. “You camped with the family?”
    “You didn’t think you were the only one, did you?” Kelly asked, wrinkling her nose. “Nick dated quite a bit while you were out … sowing your wild oats. It’s not like he was sitting here pining for you.”
    “No,” Maddie said, rolling her neck. “I … .”
    “Maddie, ignore her,” Nick snapped. “She’s just trying to create problems.”
    Nick was angry. Maddie could read it in the stiff slope of his shoulders. Unfortunately, Maddie was angry, too. No, angry wasn’t the right emotion. She was hurt. She just couldn’t put her finger on why.
    “I think you should go to the bonfire and catch up with Sydney,” Maddie offered, choosing her words carefully. “I’m exhausted after all the fishing we did today. I’m going to go back to the cabin and take a bath.”
    “Maddie, that’s not what’s going to happen,” Nick charged.
    “Oh, listen to her, Nick,” Kelly said. “She wants to take a bath and you obviously want to talk to Sydney. It’s written all over your face.”
    “Shut up, Kelly,” Nick seethed.
    “Stay and talk to them,” Maddie said, her voice hollow. “I’ll be fine. It’s a short walk.” Maddie pulled her hand from Nick’s even as he fought the effort. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
    “Maddie … .”
    “Oh, come on, Nicky,” Sydney purred. “You know you want to hang out. It’s too early to go to bed.”
    Nicky? That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Maddie thought she was the only one to ever use that endearment