Grave Delight (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 3) by Lily Harper Hart Read Free Book Online

yourself. You and Nick weren’t married, though, and he was going to break up with you before Maddie even returned to town.
    “Blaming Maddie for something that was going to happen whether she came back or not isn’t fair,” Christy continued. “It’s also a little … deranged. You just need to get over it.”
    Cassidy finally spoke. “Get over it? How am I supposed to get over this woman coming into town and stealing what was mine?”
    “He was never yours,” Christy replied, nonplussed. “He was always Maddie’s. Everyone in this town knows it. Nick knows it. Marla knows it. If she’s telling you something else … well … then she’s doing it for her own personal reasons.”
    “That’s completely untrue,” Marla said, incensed. “Maddie knows what she did. I have no idea how she can live with herself.”
    “How do you live with yourself?” Christy shot back. “Do you want to know what I think is going on?”
    “Not particularly.”
    “I think you’re still holding a grudge because you had the hots for Nick in high school and he ignored you,” Christy said, not missing a beat. “You panted after him. You tried to rub yourself against him. He never had eyes for anyone but Maddie, though. That made you bitter.”
    “You take that back,” Marla said. “That’s not … that’s … Maddie is the one in the wrong here.”
    “Maddie isn’t in the wrong,” Christy said. “I’m not even sure Cassidy is in the wrong. Sure, she acted a little … immaturely … when this all shook out. We all do things we’re ashamed of, though. You’re the one in the wrong, Marla. You always have been where Maddie is concerned. It’s pathetic.”
    Maddie risked a look in Cassidy’s direction. “I’m sorry you were hurt,” she said, her voice small. “I’m not sorry for being with Nick, though. We’re happy. I don’t want to make you feel bad, but I’m not going to apologize for being happy.”
    Christy was impressed. It wasn’t the verbal smackdown she wanted Maddie to put on Marla, but it also wasn’t the cowering she’d become accustomed to when Maddie was confronted with unrest.
    “I suppose Nick is happy, too,” Cassidy said, making a face. “He finally has what he always wanted. Of course, he’s happy. What am I even saying?”
    “I think I should be going,” Maddie said, reaching for the back of the smock. “My hair is fine.”
    “Are you sure?” Christy asked. “I’ll wrestle Marla out of here if you give me five minutes.”
    “I’m sure,” Maddie said. “I don’t want to deal with this. I’m just … done … dealing with this. Nothing good is going to come out of another fight.” Maddie hopped out of the chair and moved toward the door. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    “I want all the details,” Christy said, forcing a smile.
    “I’ll do my best,” Maddie said, giving Cassidy and Marla a wide berth as she circled around them. “I really am sorry for everything I did to you, Cassidy. When you asked me about my feelings where Nick was concerned I shouldn’t have lied. If it’s any consolation, I didn’t mean for you to get caught up in all of our … drama.”
    “It’s not any consolation,” Cassidy said, her lower lip trembling. “I’m still the one who lost the man she loved.”
    “I’m sorry,” Maddie repeated. “I hope that you find some peace … and I hope you find it soon.”
    “And I hope you find the karma that’s coming to you,” Marla snapped.
    Maddie ignored her as she exited the parlor. Once she was gone, Christy fixed Marla with a dark look. “When are you going to grow up?”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Marla sniffed. “I need you to set my hair, though. We’re going out to the bar tonight and I need to look good.”
    “You’d better start driving now then,” Christy said. “You’re going to have to find another beauty parlor, and I think the closest one is over in Suttons Bay. Have fun with your