“She said that her parents never thought she was good enough for Trevor and acted as if she was somehow beneath him,” she continued. “If I had to guess, I would say that Trevor has been doing that man thing where he’s a jerk so she’ll break up with him. The thing is, Alicia was already so broken down that she didn’t manage to salvage any of her self-worth and actually do it.”
“I’ve wondered that myself,” Kreskin admitted. “Nick used to do that with his girlfriends before you two found each other. He had his little system where he wouldn’t date them for more than a few months. He would often ghost women or simply ‘forget’ dates and events when the end was near.” Kreskin used the appropriate air quotes as Nick groaned.
“There was one woman — I think it was two women before Cassidy, if you’re keeping score — and Nick simply stopped calling her after dating for months,” he continued. “She shows up at the department, all fire and vinegar, and Nick says he simply forgot they were dating. No joke. He forgot he was dating someone.
“Obviously she was so upset she caused a scene and dumped him right there,” he said, rubbing his hands together with glee as he told the story. “After the woman left — I think her name was Candy — I asked Nick what he was thinking. He said that breakups were easier when he wasn’t the bad guy.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes to dangerous blue slits. “I can’t believe you did that.” She was horrified. “Why would you torture some poor woman like that? And Candy? How could you date a woman named Candy?”
“Her name was Sandy,” Nick corrected. “I wouldn’t date a woman named Candy.”
“That doesn’t make things better.”
“And her name was Candy,” Kreskin argued. “I remember because there were a lot of candy corn jokes flying around.”
Nick wrinkled his nose. “Huh. Now that you mention it, I seem to remember that. What was I thinking dating a woman named Candy?”
Kreskin shrugged. “You’re asking the wrong person.”
Maddie’s expression was straight out of a horror movie. “I am officially disgusted.”
“Aw, Mad, you can’t be angry at me,” Nick complained. “I was pining for you. I had a broken heart. I did the best I could to survive without you after you ghosted me in the first place.”
“I ... .” Maddie couldn’t come up with a believable argument.
“Ha!” Nick extended a triumphant finger, grinning. “See. I was right. You broke me.”
“That’s neither here nor there,” Maddie argued, collecting herself. “We’re talking about Trevor, not you. If you ever ghost me, though, I’m going to collect a bunch of actual ghosts to haunt you. Keep that in mind.”
Nick’s lips curved. “I’ll never ghost you. In fact, you’re never going to be able to get rid of me.”
“I’ll never want to get rid of you. That’s how much I love you.”
“Oh, great.” Kreskin slapped his hand to his forehead, frustration evident. “It’s time for another episode of Days of Our Schmaltzy Lives. I can’t wait.”
Maddie giggled. “Don’t worry. We’re not going there. I just wanted to stop in and tell you guys how I spent my day. I can’t stay and play games with Nick, which I know will break your heart, Dale.”
“You can stay a little longer,” Nick prodded.
“No, I can’t.” Maddie shook her head. “I have to change my clothes and head up to the festival. It opens tonight, and now that I don’t have the shop this is my big chance to prove I can add something to the household finances. Otherwise I’m going to have to get a job.”
Nick shook his head. “You don’t have to get a job. I have more than enough money.”
The look Maddie shot him was withering. “I want to work.”
“I know but ... .”
“No. I want to work.” Maddie was firm. “I may change my mind down the road when we have kids. I don’t know how I’m going to feel then. I want to work now, though. That either means making this festival idea work ... or going back to nursing. I noticed they were advertising for nurses at the hospital when we were there last night.”
Nick felt caught. That was the last thing he wanted. Not because he enjoyed Maddie being unfulfilled on the professional front, but because she would be on call all hours of the night and working double shifts at times if she went back to nursing. That would put a crimp in their lives he didn’t want to deal with.
“I think the festival thing is going to work well,” Nick said. “I’ll be there to cheer you on later.”
Maddie briefly held his gaze. “So ... you’re not mad?”
“Nope. Although I reserve the right to make up later anyway.”
Maddie’s smile was small but heartfelt. “Okay. That sounds good.”
“We’ll keep an eye on Alicia and drop back by the house,” Kreskin offered. “We’re spinning our wheels here anyway. That way you don’t have to worry about Catelynn.”
“That will be a load off.” Maddie flashed a tight-lipped smile as she stood. “I’m going to walk home, change my clothes, check on Granny to make sure she’s not in trouble, and then head to the festival.”
Nick stood and crossed to her, running his hands up and down her arms as he smiled. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. I know I don’t need to tell you this, but if you could be careful, that would be great.”
“I’m always careful.”
“Not always. I want my wife to always be careful, though, because I plan on keeping her forever.”
This time Maddie’s soft smile lit her entire face. “The same goes for you.”
“Yes, it does.”
“I’ll be careful.” She stood on the balls of her feet and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I’ll see you later. Keep me updated if something happens.”
“I will. Be safe.”
“I will.” She waved at the men as she crossed to the door. “Oh, and by the way, that ghosting thing you did to Candy was mean, but I agree that’s a stupid name so she probably had it coming.”
Nick snickered. “I love you, Maddie.”
“Oh, now I wish you two would ghost me,” Kreskin complained. “Can we make that happen?”
MADDIE WAS EXCITED WHEN she arrived at her tent. She’d dressed in a blue skirt she found online — it was patchwork and featured drawstrings with tiny bells on them so she jingled when she walked — and the white peasant blouse she wore over it was bright. She put a scarf over her blond hair, allowing a few tendrils to slip out, and then opened her tent for business.
It was still early. Technically the festival didn’t open for another twenty minutes, but Maddie was ready to get to work. She was determined to bring money into the marriage no matter what Nick thought — and she understood his real worry — so she was focused on making the night a success.
That notion flew out the window the second Marla showed up and fixed her with a haughty look.
“Is it Halloween already?” she drawled, sneering as she took in Maddie’s new skirt.
“I don’t know,” Maddie replied without missing a beat. “I didn’t check the calendar. That might explain why you’re dressed as a slutty go-go doll, though.”
Marla furrowed her brow as she glanced down at her short skirt and knee-high boots. “I’m not dressed as a doll.”
“And yet you own the ‘slutty’ comment without blinking an eye,” Maddie muttered, shaking her head. “That just figures.”
“Whatever.” Marla was clearly in a foul mood because she openly glared as she folded her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe you’re embracing this festival thing like your mother did. I always thought she was nuts for doing it. I guess that makes you nuts for following in her footsteps, huh?”
“Just call me a cashew,” Maddie said sweetly.
“I don’t understand what Nick sees in you.” Marla was talking to herself more than Maddie now, although she was clearly agitated. “I’ve never understood what he sees in you. When we were kids, even before you filled out and star
ted looking like a girl instead of a really skinny boy, he spent all his time with you. I was right there and he never noticed.”
“Maybe that’s because you were trying too hard,” Maddie suggested. “Nick prefers people who are real rather than fake. You’re the fakest person in town.”
“Says you,” Marla sneered. “I happen to think the opposite. You’re the fake one, always acting sweet and trying to convince Nick you’re this adorable little angel that needs his constant protection. I know better than that. You’re a horrible person. I’m the one who says the truth and people spit on me for it.”
“And what truth are we speaking about today?” Maddie asked, legitimately curious.
“Well, for starters, I heard what you were saying in the salon today and none of it is true. Trevor isn’t the sort who cheats with everyone. That’s not who he is.”
Maddie furrowed her brow. “According to everyone who knows him — including his own brother — he is the type who cheats. My understanding is that he’s taken one mistress after another for the entire duration of his marriage. He’s a jerk.”
“Mistress is an ugly word.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s not the right word,” Maddie shot back. “If you purposely sleep with a married man and maintain a relationship with him, then you’re a mistress.”
“You take that back!” Marla’s eyes fired with rage. “That is not true ... and you’re just saying it to be a jerk.”
“I’m saying it because it’s the truth.”
“It’s not.”
“It is.”
“It’s not.” Marla raised her hand as if to hit Maddie.
When she was in high school, Maddie would’ve been frightened enough to shrink away and hide in the face of Marla’s aggressive nature. She wasn’t that girl, though, and Maddie instinctively caught Marla’s wrist before she could make contact with Maddie’s face.
“What are you thinking?” Maddie growled, fury threatening to overwhelm her. “I’m getting married in less than a week. I don’t want any marks on my face.”
“Oh, you’re getting married,” Marla mocked, fruitlessly trying to remove her arm from Maddie’s iron grip. “You’re getting everything you ever wanted while the rest of us are being left behind.”
“What is wrong with you?” Maddie complained. “I ... .” Whatever she was about to say died on her lips due to the fact that the proximity with Marla caused something odd to happen. Images from another life started fluttering through Maddie’s head. It took her a few seconds to organize the flashes, understand what she was seeing, and when she did, she was furious.
“Oh, my ... I should’ve seen this coming.”
“What?” Marla sputtered, her cheeks turning red with fury as she fought to free herself from Maddie. “What should you have seen coming, oh great one?”
“It’s you.” Maddie was unemotional. “You’re the one who has been having an affair with Trevor. That’s why you were acting the way you were acting in the salon.” Disgusted, Maddie released Marla’s elbow and watched with some satisfaction as the woman took an exaggerated step back. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me?” Marla was furious. “I’m the one who is the victim here. My boyfriend is in the hospital and I can’t even visit him.”
“Your boyfriend has a wife.”
“Who shot him!”
“We don’t know that,” Maddie hedged. “We’re not sure what happened yet. Ultimately, that part of the conversation is moot, though. What is wrong with you that you’d purposely sleep with another woman’s husband?”
“I didn’t make him cheat,” Marla spat. “I know people believe that’s possible, but I didn’t cause this.”
“I know you didn’t.” Maddie folded her arms over her chest. “You can’t make another person cheat. Trevor made his own decisions where you’re concerned. Frankly, in the grand scheme of things, you both kind of deserve each other. That’s neither here nor there, though. You have to talk to Nick. He needs to know that you’re the one who has been sleeping with Trevor.”
“I most certainly won’t talk to Nick.” Marla squared her shoulders. “I don’t want to have anything to do with your stupid fiancé. He’s a jerk for what he did to Cassidy.”
Maddie bit back a sigh, but just barely. “Don’t bring Cassidy up again.” When Maddie returned to Blackstone Bay, Nick was involved with a woman named Cassidy Dunham. The relationship quickly soured when Nick made a beeline for Maddie, but Marla was still holding the incident over her head. “It’s over and done with.”
“And yet I’m the harlot,” Marla hissed. “How is that fair? You did the same thing.”
“It’s not even remotely the same thing. I’m not going to fight about this with you, though. If you don’t tell Nick, I will.”
“Oh, you’re such a tattletale. Go ahead and tell your precious boyfriend. I’m not going to talk to him. I’ll tell him you’re lying.”
“And what good will that do?”
“It will teach you to mind your own business.”
Maddie stared at Marla for a long beat and then merely shook her head. “I’m telling him. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but if I were you I’d prepare for a mountain of attention when this goes public. Although ... maybe that’s what you want.”
“I hate you,” Marla hissed, her eyes going serpent-like. “If you don’t stay out of my business, I’ll make you pay.”
“I’m telling. This is important.” Maddie was firm. “If you don’t like it, well, that’s too bad.”
Eight
Maddie was so busy at the festival that she forgot to call Nick and tell him what she’d discovered. Her run-in with Marla wasn’t any nastier than most of their previous conversations, so it slipped to the back of her mind as she focused on reading fortunes. By the time she finished for the night, her cash box was full and she was exhausted.
That’s when she realized she wasn’t alone.
“Hey, love.” Nick kissed her cheek in greeting as he sauntered into her tent. “You look as if you’re about to fall down on your feet.”
It took Maddie a moment to absorb what he was saying. “You’re supposed to say that I’m beautiful no matter what.”
“You are.”
“It didn’t sound like that’s what you were saying.”
Nick merely shrugged. “That’s what I meant. Are you done for the night?”
“I am.” Maddie shoved the cash box into his hands. “Look inside.”
“The box?”
Maddie nodded.
Nick did as instructed, his eyebrows hopping when he saw the stack of bills. “Wow. How much is this?”
“Two thousand.”
“Dollars?”
“No, cents.”
“Hey, Little Miss Snark. I was simply asking.” Despite himself, Nick was impressed. “When did you start doing fortunes?”
“Around five.”
“And it’s almost nine.” He did the math in his head. “You made all this in four hours.”
“I did.” Maddie was practically giddy. “I think this is going to work, Nicky. There are so many festivals in this area that I’ll probably be able to work sporadic hours and still contribute.”
“That’s great.” Nick licked his lips, uncertain how far he wanted to push things. “I think you’re awesome. You know that, right?”
“But?”
“But nothing. You’re my favorite person in the world and that will never change.”
“But?” Maddie prodded again.
“But you don’t have to go crazy with money,” Nick answered honestly. “I make a good living. I got a tidy sum from my grandfather when he died. We have a lot put away. You own your mother’s house outright. We’re not in financial trouble.”
“I know that. I still want to contribute.”
“Okay. I want you to contribute. I’m going to be honest, though. I’m not keen on the idea of you going back to nursing.”
The
statement wasn’t exactly a surprise. Still, Maddie wanted to hear his reasoning. “Why not?”
“Because you’ll have terrible hours as the new nurse on the block and I like spending time with you,” Nick answered without hesitation. “Because you didn’t really like being a nurse. It didn’t make you happy. I want you happy.”
“I want to be happy, too. I don’t want to be a nurse. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do when you’re an adult, though.”
“You don’t have to.” Nick opted to dig his heels in. “Think about it, Mad. If you can make even half this a day during a three-day festival, and you only have to do one festival a month or so, that’s more than enough.”
“I haven’t decided how often I want to do festivals,” Maddie admitted. “I want to think about it ... after the wedding. Right now, marrying you is the most important thing in the world. We have time to figure out the other stuff after.”
“I’m fine with that.” He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her pink lips. “I’m looking forward to the wedding, too. And, well, I’m really looking forward to the honeymoon. We can talk about the rest of it later. We have plenty of time.”
“Okay.” Maddie smiled brightly. She was fine with the suggestion. “Let’s go home and take a bath, huh? I’m tired and I have to do it all over again tomorrow.”
“A bath it is.” Nick directed her toward the tent flap. “How did things go tonight otherwise?”
“It was great ... and fun. Er, well, other than my fight with Marla. That wasn’t fun.”
Nick slowed his pace. “You got in a fight with Marla?”
“Yeah. I ran into her right before the festival opened. By the way, she’s the one who has been sleeping with Trevor. I was going to tell you earlier, but I got distracted.”
“What?” Nick had no idea what to make of the announcement. “Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“Did she admit it?”
“Um ... actually, she didn’t. I saw in her head, though. They’re definitely doing the mattress mambo.”
Despite the serious nature of the conversation, Nick couldn’t stop himself from grinning. “Oh, Mad. You are the cutest.”
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