“So far all I’m doing is sweating,” Hayley replied. “I’m sure it’s going to pay off any minute, though.”
“At least you’re diligent,” Maddie said, her eyes never leaving the boys. “Have you seen Howard since that first night he joined us for dinner?”
“Who is Howard?”
Maddie internally chuckled. The teenage mind was a wonder. It never occurred to Hayley that Kevin and Kyle were hanging out when their father was nowhere to be found. Apparently some people ceased to exist when they became old enough to vote. “Kevin and Kyle’s father.”
“Oh, that Howard,” Hayley said, knitting her eyebrows together. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him since he had dinner with us.”
“Have Kevin and Kyle mentioned him?”
“No,” Hayley replied, shaking her head. “Why are you so worried about their father?”
“I’m not worried,” Maddie countered. “I’m just … it seems weird to me that they’re on a family vacation and yet Kevin and Kyle are spending all of their time with us. Shouldn’t they want to hang out with their dad?”
“You really are old,” Hayley said. “No one wants to hang out with their parents when they’re young. That’s something you do when you’re too old to have fun.”
“Oh, well … .” Maddie had no idea how to respond to that. Thankfully, she didn’t have to because Kelly picked that moment to interrupt them.
“Hey, Maddie,” Kelly said, her voice strained.
“Hi, Kelly.”
“Um … do you think we can talk for a second?” Kelly shifted from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable.
Maddie swallowed hard. The last thing she needed was a showdown with Kelly. Of course, that was exactly what she would get if she opted not to give the woman what she wanted.
“Of course we can talk,” Maddie said, getting to her feet. “What do you want to talk about?”
“WHAT do you think?” John asked, kneeling next to Nick as they studied the crushed grass beneath a large pine tree.
The men went out in a large group, pairing off so they could search but agreeing to stay close in case they discovered something. Nick didn’t expect anyone to find anything, but even so he asked Maddie to identify exactly where she thought she heard rustling during her walk the night before. Sure enough, there were footprints in the spot she identified.
“I think someone was standing here for a decent amount of time,” Nick replied, keeping his voice low. “I think the noise Maddie heard when she was walking was whoever went after Hayley.”
“Why do you think he decided to go after Hayley instead of Maddie?” John asked. “No offense to our niece, but if it was some random pervert, Maddie would make a more … appealing package.”
Nick scowled. “Nice.”
“You know what I mean,” John said, holding his hands up in a placating manner. “It sounds to me like he was watching Maddie first. Why change tactics and go after Hayley?”
“Hayley would be an easier target,” Nick supplied. “She’s younger. Maddie has thirty pounds on Hayley. She’s stronger and would put up more of a fight. Plus, well, I love Hayley, but she’s not great at paying attention. Maybe whoever it was thought they could sneak up behind Hayley and blitz her.”
“I guess,” John said, rubbing his stubbled jaw. “Still … I can’t quite wrap my head around this. From what you told me, Olivia saw someone in the woods watching Jessica. Maybe he wasn’t watching Jessica at all. Maybe he was watching Maddie. She’s the common denominator in both of these scenarios.”
“She is,” Nick agreed. “However, she went after Jessica because she heard her crying in her head. She knew Jessica was in danger. Sure, Jessica could’ve been in danger simply from being out in the elements all night, but if I’ve learned anything about Maddie’s abilities it’s that they lead her to where she’s supposed to go for a specific reason.”
“And you think the specific reason Maddie found Jessica when she did is because the girl was in danger from something else at that moment in time,” John surmised.
Nick nodded. “You’re missing the other important detail about this,” he said. “Maddie may be the common denominator, but Hayley and Jessica have something in common.”
John furrowed his brow, confused. “What?”
“They’re both kids,” Nick replied. “Maybe whoever was out here last night is interested in younger models than my Maddie.”
John clenched his jaw, realization washing over him. “Well … crap. That means there could be a child predator out in these woods.”
“That’s exactly what that means.”
“SO, UM, I think I owe you a really big apology,” Kelly said, clasping her hands together as she shuffled in front of Maddie.
“For what?”
“For all of it,” Kelly said. “I’m sorry for what I did with the kayak. I’m really sorry I called Sydney and invited her. I’m also sorry that I didn’t realize what a good person you are.”
Maddie was surprised. “I … thank you.” She had no idea what else to say.
“No, Maddie, you don’t understand what I’m saying here,” Kelly said. “I was wrong. I don’t like saying those words, but there it is. I was terribly wrong and I would understand if you never forgive me.”
Maddie’s smile was rueful, even as her heart swelled. “I was wrong, too, Kelly,” she said. “I understand why you did what you did.”
Kelly narrowed her eyes. “You do?”
Maddie nodded, her flaxen ponytail bobbing. “Kelly, I’m not going to pretend that I know you very well,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “You were older than us and you had different interests. Still, the one thing I do know about you is that you’re loyal to your family. They’re the one thing you love more than anything else.
“I get that … and I respect it,” she continued. “From your perspective, I did a horrible thing when I left Blackstone Bay. I crushed Nick and I broke both of our hearts. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I had my reasons. Unfortunately, they were all bad ones.
“I can’t go back in time and undo what I did,” Maddie said. “That’s my biggest regret. I hurt my mother … and I hurt Nick. It’s always going to haunt me. I missed out on seeing my mother for the bulk of her last ten years.”
“I guess I never thought of that,” Kelly admitted. “Still … what I said about Maude was one of the worst things I’ve ever said … and that’s saying something because I say awful things every chance I get. I know you love Maude. I know you would never want anything to happen to her.”
“Thank you for that.”
“As for the kayak, that was just juvenile and stupid,” Kelly said. “I have no idea why I did it. It never even occurred to me that I was putting you in a bad position. Nick told me about that guy … and if he’d been anything other than nice, something horrible could’ve happened to you.”
“I’m fine,” Maddie replied. “You don’t have to worry about that. I flipped myself out where Darrin was concerned. He didn’t do anything overt. I still got worried and hurried away from him. It was … kind of an embarrassing assumption.”
“I think it was a reasonable one to make, though,” Kelly supplied. “You were alone and something could’ve happened to you.”
“Thank you for the apology, but … it’s really not necessary,” Maddie said. “I know you didn’t mean any real harm by what you did.”
“That’s nice of you to say, but I did mean real harm to you when I called Sydney,” Kelly countered. “I didn’t mean harm to your person, but I did want her to drive a wedge between you and Nick.
“Don’t get me wrong, I knew Nick would never fall for her,” she continued. “I was just hoping Sydney would make you so upset you’d snap and make a scene.”
Maddie tilted her head, confused. “Why did you want me to make a scene?”
“Because I thought that was what would finally make my mother like me more than you,” Kelly answered, her cheek
s coloring. “I’ve always been jealous of you because … I know this is going to make me sound petty … I’m positive my mother likes you more than she likes me.”
Maddie laughed, taking Kelly by surprise. “Oh, Kelly, you couldn’t be more wrong,” she said. “Everyone thinks their mother hates them at some point or other. My mother and I were very close and yet there were times I knew she liked Nick more than me.
“The truth is, though, no one is every going to love you like a mother does,” she continued. “Your mother adores you. She just doesn’t always understand you.”
“I can’t believe you’re being so nice to me after the way I’ve treated you,” Kelly said. “Not only are you forgiving me, but you also went out of your way to save my daughter last night.”
“That was nothing special.”
“Maddie, I know what John and Nick aren’t saying,” Kelly interjected. “They’re officially worried. They’re not out on a hike. They’re looking for evidence. They think you saved Hayley from something last night … and I happen to agree with them.”
“It was just instinct,” Maddie replied. “I … I would never let anything bad happen to Hayley. I hope you know that.”
“I do know that,” Kelly said. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I was hoping we could start over. I promise to stop messing with you and treat you with respect if you’ll give me another chance.
“I don’t blame you if you want to wipe your hands of me,” she continued. “It’s just … you’re going to be in my brother’s life forever. I would like to be a part of the same family you guys are in.”
A wide grin split Maddie’s face. “That sounds like a plan.”
Kelly sighed, relieved. “Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“Um … do you think we should hug?”
Kelly’s question threw Maddie for a loop. “I guess we have to,” Maddie said. “Families always hug, don’t they?”
The two women embraced, putting the past behind them and looking forward to the future. Bygones were finally bygones, and Maddie couldn’t have been any happier.
Twenty-One
“I think the world may be ending,” Nick said, reclining on the blanket and staring up at the stars as Maddie settled at his side.
“You’re so dramatic sometimes. You know that, right?”
Nick ignored her. “Do you think it will be an asteroid slamming into the Earth, or will it be a zombie apocalypse?”
“What are we talking about?” Maddie was officially confused.
“The end of the world,” Nick filled in. “Will it be zombies or an asteroid?”
Maddie frowned. She’d been excited to relate her afternoon conversation with Kelly to Nick upon his return. His reaction wasn’t what she was expecting. “Nicky, your sister was very sweet and nice to me. I would think that would make you happy.”
The duo sat on a blanket next to the river, waiting for dinner to be completed, and caught each other up on their respective days.
“I am happy, Mad,” Nick countered. “I’d be even happier if I was convinced that she was telling the truth.”
Maddie sighed. Nick had a weird pessimistic streak that she couldn’t always understand. “She was sincere, Nicky. You should’ve seen her.”
“I’d like to believe you, Mad, but I’ve spent more time with my sister than you have,” Nick replied. “I love her, don’t get me wrong, but she’s not exactly known for apologizing and meaning it.”
“Well, believe it,” Maddie said. “Your sister and I are starting anew and you’re going to be surprised at how well things go. I have faith. You can’t ruin this for me.”
“I would never try to ruin this for you, love,” Nick argued. “I just don’t want you to turn your back on my sister and end up with a knife between your shoulder blades.”
“She owned up to every single thing she did, explained why she did it, and admitted she was wrong,” Maddie said. “She also thanked me for going after Hayley last night. She almost cried.”
Nick made a face. “My sister doesn’t cry.”
“She almost did today.”
“Okay, love, Kelly almost cried,” Nick said, giving in. He wasn’t in the mood for an argument, even if it might lead to Maddie’s proposed “making up” scenario. He was going to hold off on that until he could be assured they had time alone. “How was Hayley today?”
“She acted as if nothing out of the ordinary happened last night.”
“Do you think it was an act or a teenage thing?”
“I think she’s so caught up worrying about Kevin noticing her that she’s avoiding practically everything else,” Maddie replied. “Last night she asked me how to attract a teenage boy.”
Nick snorted. “Did you tell her you had no idea because you were oblivious to all teenage boys who didn’t have my handsome face when we were in high school?”
Maddie didn’t want to smile, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “Your ego is unbelievable.”
“That’s because it keeps getting bigger every time you kiss me.”
“Well, I guess it can’t be helped then,” Maddie said, rubbing her nose against Nick’s cheek. “I can’t see myself ever stopping the kissing.”
“Exactly.” Nick pressed his lips to Maddie’s, sinking into the kiss for a few moments before finally separating. “Maybe we should skip dinner and go to bed early?”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “This is our last night here. We can spend it with your family. When we get back to our house, then we can play those games.”
“Which games are you talking about?” Nick asked, enjoying the flush of Maddie’s cheeks. Whenever he questioned her about sex, she always got embarrassed.
“If you keep playing this game – you know the one where you get off on making my cheeks burn – then we won’t be playing any of the fun games you like so much when we get out of here,” Maddie warned.
“I like it when you’re stern,” Nick said, his eyes twinkling. When Maddie didn’t immediately melt into his arms, he gave in. “Okay, Mad, you and Kelly made up and we’re not going to talk about our fun bedroom games. Go back to telling me about Hayley. Are you sure she wasn’t upset?”
“She seemed fine. Well, other than her Kevin mania.”
“Isn’t she a little young to be boy crazy?” Nick asked, wrinkling his nose. “I think she should have to wait until she’s at least sixteen years old.”
“I think you’re living in the Dark Ages.”
“When we have a daughter, she’s not dating until she’s thirty,” Nick said.
“Really?” Maddie giggled. “Are you going to lock her in the house or something?”
“I just know if we have a daughter that she’s going to look exactly like you,” Nick countered. “That means we’re going to have every miscreant, bad boy, and random walking hormone hanging around our house when she gets to be a certain age. I shall greet them all with a shotgun.”
“I see,” Maddie said, resting her head against Nick’s shoulder as she cuddled a little closer. “And what happens if she has a best friend who is a boy and he wants to take her into a funhouse when she’s seventeen?”
“Then I’m going to have to kill him.” Nick looked deadly serious, so of course Maddie laughed. “I’m not joking, love. I can’t let some filthy walking hormone touch my daughter.”
“Don’t you think we should wait until we actually have a daughter before you get all worked up about this?”
Nick shrugged. “I like to dream, Mad,” he said. “My favorite dreams are of you, me, and the life we’re going to build. If you think I’m too … I don’t know, manly … to admit it, you’re wrong. I have grand plans for our future.”
“I think this is exactly why I love you,” Maddie said. “I’m dying to hear what these plans entail, by the way.”
“Oh, well, good,” Nick replied. “You’re a captive audience until my mother feeds you, so you might as well get comfortable. For starters, I’m thinking we should
go to Hawaii for our honeymoon.”
“Why Hawaii?”
“Did you have someplace else in mind?”
“No,” Maddie answered, shaking her head. “I just want to know why you picked Hawaii.”
“Because I’m dying to see you in a coconut bra.”
“Yeah, I should’ve seen that coming,” Maddie muttered.
“Get comfortable, love,” Nick ordered. “Dinner is still an hour away and I have a lot of dreams to catch you up on.”
“WHAT do you think they’re doing over there?” Kelly asked John, settling at one of the picnic tables and handing him a beer.
John glanced over his shoulder, smiling when he realized who Kelly was referring to. “Planning their happily ever after.”
“That’s what it looks like, doesn’t it?” Kelly mused.
“You should spend some time around them,” John suggested. “They’re even more lovey-dovey up close and personal.”
“That’s right, you spent days with them when that girl went missing in Blackstone Bay and turned up dead on the beach,” Kelly said. “How did you get involved in that again?”
“Nick and Maddie found her body on the beach,” John replied. “The state had to get involved for the autopsy and I hung around to help with the investigation. Blackstone Bay only has two full-time cops. They can use the help whenever it’s offered.”
“It’s kind of weird when you think about it,” Kelly said.
“What’s weird?”
“All the trouble that Maddie has found since she got back,” Kelly replied. “First there was that whole stalking thing where she almost drowned and Nick had to resuscitate her. Then the mayor killed a woman and went after Maddie. Then Nick and Maddie found that girl’s body on the beach. Then they had that whole thing where that kid they graduated with tried to kill Maddie.”
“Thanks for the news update,” John said dryly.
Kelly playfully punched his arm. “You know what I mean,” she said. “Maddie has been in the center of four cases since she got back to town, and she’s barely been back for three months.”
“I think it’s just bad luck,” John said, taking a pull from his beer and averting his gaze.
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