Page 1 of What Started In Deception

Chapter One

Shoalmans Bay, Massachusetts

April

Lydia stared out the window, catching occasional glimpses of the bold blue Atlantic as she rested her head on Gram-Gram’s shoulder in the back seat of the Escalade. Her head throbbed, and her stomach roiled as each mile brought them closer to the small regional airport.

Today was the big day—her family’s turn to help Grandpa Beau on the campaign trail, destination Portland, Maine.

“How are you feeling?” Gram-Gram asked close to her ear as she stroked her hand down Lydia’s dark-brown hair.

Lydia forced a smile as she lifted her head high enough to nod. “Good. Much better.”

“It’s just a small case of the nerves,” Gram-Gram said as she winked and smiled. “They’ll vanish as soon as we step onto the stage. Grandpa Beau will be doing all of the talking. We’re just there to smile and wave—to show our support.”

Lydia nodded again, wanting nothing more. This was the first time that Mom and Dad were letting her and Burke do their part. They’d been there to celebrate both of Grandpa’s U.S. Senate wins, but they’d been little kids. Now, Grandpa Beau was running for president. As a Monroe, she had a duty to stand by her family. Now that she was a freshman in high school, her parents were giving her the choice, and she was definitely all in. It was just unfortunate that she currently felt like crap.

“It shouldn’t be much longer,” Gram-Gram said as the Escalade slowed and turned, heading toward the smaller private planes and the sleek black and gray helicopter that would take them to Maine.

Lydia sat up, tensing her achy body against the need to shiver as she ignored the fact that she was freezing. She took another small sip of her ginger ale, desperately hoping that it would make her feel better, but she slowly set the can back between her thighs and closed her eyes when her stomach shuddered as she swallowed.

“Hey.” Burke nudged her with his elbow on her opposite side. “Why do you look like that?”

“I’m fine.” But her eyes flew open as she cupped her hands over her mouth and heaved, vomiting all over herself and Gram-Gram.

“Shit! Lydia!” Burke hollered as he unfastened his seat belt and pushed himself farther against his side of the SUV as Gram-Gram gasped.

“Oh my goodness.”

Tears coursed down Lydia’s cheeks as she retched again, adding to the mess all over her brand-new skirt and Gram-Gram’s pretty blue dress.

“Mom, she’s puking all over everything!”

“I see that,” Mom said from the first row of seats as the Escalade came to an abrupt stop not far from the helicopter.

Burke got out in a hurry, vomiting himself, after Dad and Grandpa Beau opened their doors and made hasty exits from the front and middle seats.

Burke heaved again. “God, that’s gross. It stinks.”

“She obviously didn’t mean to,” Dad said, standing next to Burke, dressed similarly in pleated slacks, a crisp white button-down, and a tie as he gave Burke’s back a couple of solid rubs. “Are you okay?”

Burke nodded as he sucked in several breaths while he remained bent over, resting his hands just above his knees. “I’m just grossed out.”

Lydia got out, bursting into tears as vomit splattered from her clothes to the pavement. “I’m so sorry.”

Dad moved to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay, Lidybug. A little vomit never ruined anyone’s life.” He looked at Burke. “Except for maybe your brother’s.”

She knew that Dad was trying to make her smile, but she couldn’t. She felt awful. When was the last time she’d felt this sick? And puking all over Gram-Gram…

Mom hurried over to stand in front of her, frowning as she pressed her hand to Lydia’s forehead. “Honey, you’re burning up. Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling so poorly?”

Lydia sniffled as she shrugged, finally giving in to her shivers. “I haven’t felt good since I woke up. I was hoping it would pass. I want to help Grandpa Beau. I want to be there to support him.”

“We’ll get you on the campaign trail,” Grandpa Beau said, keeping his distance as he tossed her a wink, looking handsome in his navy-blue suit.

She nodded, struggling with a fresh wave of tears. “But we go back to Virginia in just a couple of days.”

“We’ll talk your mom and dad into letting you join Gram-Gram and me on the bus this summer. You can stand by my side and shake a whole bunch of hands. You’ll love it. The crowds will love it.”