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

you home, I would draw you a long bath and we could warm up that way.”
    Maddie smiled at the suggestion. “Okay. If that’s what you want, I’m fine with it.”
    Nick rested his chin on Maddie’s shoulder for a moment, rolling her words and tone through his head. That wasn’t what she wanted. “How about we compromise?” he asked, trying again. “How about we spend one more hour here and then we go home and take a bath?”
    “That sounds perfect.”
    “Yes, it does,” Nick agreed, swaying slightly as he kept Maddie warm. “The fire is pretty. I like how it glows against your hair.”
    “This has always been my favorite time of year,” Maddie mused, moving her warm hands over Nick’s colder ones to stave off the chill. “I love horror movies and candy. I love the changing leaves. I love the summer activities more, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something magical about this time of year.”
    “I enjoyed summer because it was hot enough to convince you to skinny dip,” Nick said, laughing as Maddie’s cheeks colored under the muted light. “Summer is always going to have a special place in my heart because that’s when we got together.”
    “You’re a romantic at heart sometimes, Nicky. I forget that.”
    “I’m a romantic where you’re concerned,” Nick clarified. “I’ve never considered myself a romantic other than that.”
    Maddie carefully turned in his arms so she could slip her hands under his jacket and rub her cheek against his chest. “I love you, Nicky, even if you are jealous.”
    Nick scowled, but he pulled Maddie tighter, his eyes bouncing to the other side of the bonfire where Cooper Ashton was surrounded by almost every woman between the ages of twenty and forty. He was a hit, and even women in relationships – including Cassidy – were enthralled with whatever story he deigned to weave for their benefit.
    “I’m not jealous, Mad,” Nick clarified. “I’m … annoyed on the behalf of women everywhere because that guy is a tool.”
    Maddie’s giggle was so delightful Nick couldn’t help but smile into her hair.
    “How come you’re not over there falling over that guy, Mad?” Nick asked, genuinely curious. “Are you too good for him?”
    “Do you want an honest answer or do you want me to pump your ego?”
    Nick tilted his head to the side, considering. “I guess I want an honest answer.”
    “I don’t like flashy guys like that,” Maddie said. “Plus, you didn’t see it, but he put on a little display for us before you showed up. He faked a psychic vision.”
    “You didn’t tell me that,” Nick said, pulling his head back far enough to study Maddie’s pleasing features. “What happened?”
    “He just put his hand to his head and declared he saw a long feud between Marla and me,” Maddie replied. “Of course, this was after Marla sniped at me twice, so it wasn’t exactly a huge leap.”
    “Of course,” Nick muttered, kissing Maddie’s forehead. “Did you say anything?”
    “No, and I’m not going to,” Maddie answered. “I don’t want to get involved in anything like that. It’s not smart and he’s a pretender. That’s obvious. Even those who really have the sight screw up eventually and someone gets hurt. If he hasn’t hurt someone already, I would be stunned.
    “He doesn’t seem to care, though,” she continued. “He’s playing a part. He doesn’t want to help anyone but himself.”
    “You’re very astute, love,” Nick said, humming quietly as they swayed. “You’re my favorite person in the world. You know that, right?”
    “Of course I am,” Maddie teased. “That’s why you’re jealous.”
    “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”
    “Probably not for the next few days,” Maddie conceded. “After that, though, you should be fine.”
    “Well, there’s always that to look forward to.”
    Maddie and Nick lapsed into amiable silence, clinging to one another as they moved to music only they could hear. Their