Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) Read Online Free PDF

“I’m not about to let you use me as a weapon to get your own way with Nick. I have faith that if he did arrest you … well … you would probably deserve it.”
    “I can’t believe my own granddaughter would turn on me like this,” Maude muttered, her eyes busy as they scanned the growing crowd. The festival wasn’t technically scheduled to kick off until the next day, but the bonfire was an annual event for residents. The area would be packed within the next hour. “Fine. Do you really want to know what I’m plotting?”
    “Not particularly,” Nick answered, not missing a beat. “If it’s illegal and I do nothing, then I would become an accessory. I’m far too handsome to do time.”
    “I agree with that,” Maddie said, giggling when Nick tickled her ribs.
    “Harriet Proctor is doing an end run around the Pink Ladies,” Maude explained, referring to her social group. They were supposed to do charitable work for the county – it said so in their bylaws and everything – but mostly they sat around drinking tea and bourbon and playing euchre. “She knows we’ll never give her entrance, so she’s starting her own club.”
    In addition to being Maude’s sworn enemy, Harriet Proctor was Marla’s grandmother. The Proctor and Graves family battle was as long and storied as the Hatfield and McCoy feud.
    “This isn’t the first time Harriet has threatened to start her own club,” Nick pointed out. “She does it once a week. Why do you care?”
    “Because this time she’s going to call them the Purple Ladies and two of my members are considering defecting because they say purple is a better color than pink,” Maude said. “I can’t stand for that.”
    Maddie loved her grandmother beyond words. She was her only living relative. Well, sure, she had a father out there somewhere. He hadn’t been in the picture since before Maddie was born, though, so he didn’t count. When it came down to it, Maude and Nick were Maddie’s family. She would always take her grandmother’s side no matter the battle, but Maddie couldn’t help but wonder if Maude only picked fights with Harriet for lack of anything better to do.
    “Well, if someone would pick Harriet’s group over yours because of a color, that’s on them,” Maddie said. “Besides, even if they did leave, two minutes with Harriet as the boss would have them running back to you. Maybe you should just let them learn their lesson the hard way.”
    “Did you just meet me?” Maude was incensed. “That’s not how I do business.”
    “How are you going to do business?” Nick asked. “It’s not illegal, is it?”
    “Of course not,” Maude said. “That being said … um … the less you two know about my business, the better.” She pushed herself to a standing position. “Thank you for dinner, but I have to round up my posse before the bonfire. I’ll see you guys later.”
    Nick frowned. “No drinking and driving,” he ordered, wagging a finger for emphasis. “I know how you guys get with your bourbon … and don’t bother denying it.”
    “I would never drink and drive,” Maude said. “I’m not that kind of lady.”
    “Whatever,” Nick said, his interest in the conversation waning. “We’re going home right after the bonfire. If you need a ride, find us before you get soused and forget.”
    “I’ll be spending the night at Edna’s house tonight,” Maude replied. “Her house is only a block away and we can get as drunk as we want and still find it in the dark. Does that make you happy, Detective Buzzkill?”
    “Yes,” Nick replied, unruffled. “Now … go off and make mayhem. I want to romance my woman.”
    “You’re nothing if not predictable.”

4
    Four
    “ I t’s getting colder out ,” Maddie said, holding her hands up to catch some of the bonfire’s warmth.
    Nick moved in behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he nuzzled his face in the hollow between her neck and shoulder. “If you would let me take