Grave Homecoming (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 1) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

they got to the restaurant, Todd insisted on racing around to open her door. “Did I tell you how amazing you look tonight?”
    Maddie was still self-conscious about the dress. “I feel naked.”
    “That’s why you look amazing.” Todd snaked an arm around Maddie’s waist and guided her through the front door. After charming the hostess, and slipping her a fifty because he hadn’t made a reservation, the duo found themselves at a table by the window with drinks in their hands.
    “This is a great place,” Maddie said, licking her lips. “It must be new.”
    “It used to be an old boathouse,” Todd said. “They renovated it about five years ago. The food is amazing. I highly recommend the lobster.”
    Maddie smiled. “Do you bring all of your dates here?”
    “Are you asking if I date around a lot?”
    “Maybe.”
    “I’m not a monk, if that’s what you’re asking,” Todd said. “I don’t think I date more than anyone else my age, though. I probably don’t even date as much as you.”
    Maddie knew that wasn’t true. “I don’t really date.”
    “Oh, you’re teasing me,” Todd said, smiling. “No one who looks like you can go through life without dating.”
    Maddie sipped from her soda. “You’d be surprised.”
    “Is that why you’re so nervous?” Todd asked, leaning back in his chair and scorching Maddie with a predatory look.
    “I’m not nervous.” She was beyond nervous.
    “You might relax a little if you had something a little more … adult … to drink,” Todd suggested. “How about a glass of wine?”
    “Wine goes right to my head.”
    “Is that a bad thing?” Todd pressed. “I’m the one driving.”
    “I’m fine with my Diet Coke.”
    “Well, maybe with dinner,” Todd said, glancing around the restaurant for a moment before returning his attention to Maddie. “So, tell me about yourself.”
    “What do you want to know?”
    “Why did you leave nursing?”
    Ah, there it was. “I just realized it wasn’t for me.”
    “Shouldn’t you have realized that when you were in college?”
    “Probably,” Maddie said. “I thought it was what I really wanted to do, but it turns out I couldn’t take all of the … .”
    “Blood and guts?”
    Maddie snorted. “That didn’t really bother me,” she said. “It was more that I couldn’t take the sadness. It was great when we saved someone and they had a happy outcome. When someone died, though, that’s what I couldn’t take.”
    “You always were sensitive,” Todd said. “I remember you adopting stray animals every chance you got.”
    “I’ve always liked animals.”
    “And your mom just let you bring them home?”
    “She liked animals, too.”
    “Did you come home because your mom died?” Todd asked.
    “Partially,” Maddie said. “Someone needs to take care of Granny.”
    “Yeah, she’s a real spitfire,” Todd said, chuckling. “I especially like how she’s always going after Harriet Proctor. Those two are like oil and vinegar.”
    “They’ve hated each other since they were kids,” Maddie said. “That’s what Granny says, anyway. She claims Harriet tried to steal my grandfather from her.”
    “That’s a frightening picture,” Todd said. “You said you partially came home because of your mother’s death. Why else?”
    “I just wanted to come home,” Maddie said. “I don’t think city life was for me. Someone needs to run the shop. I’ve always loved that shop, so it seemed like a natural fit.”
    “Well, the city’s loss is my incredible gain,” Todd said, reaching across the table and wrapping his hand around Maddie’s wrist. “Let’s decide what we want to order. Did I mention how good the lobster is?”
     
    NICK was in a horrible mood. He’d had every intention of leaving work, crawling into bed, and forgetting all about his day. That wasn’t in the cards.
    He’d found Cassidy sitting on his front porch, a bright smile and a nice dress illuminating her pretty features, when he