Page 6 of What Started In Deception

She beamed. “Welcome to Oliver Heights.”

“Thanks.”

Marney cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I kept you both waiting. Who can I help first?”

Ty took a step back. “I don’t mind waiting. Go ahead.”

Lydia adamantly shook her head. “You were here before me.”

He liked her answer again. There didn’t appear to be a pretentious bone in her body when there could be. The Monroes were prominent and powerful—a political dynasty. “Go ahead. I’ve got the flowers under control, but I’ll probably agonize over the card. I don’t want it to be too cheesy, but it should say something.”

Lydia laughed again. “Okay, then.”

Marney walked to the fridge behind the counter, pulling out a pretty arrangement full of bold shades of purple and white.

Lydia grinned. “This is great, Marney. I love it.”

“Good. I brought them out from the back after lunch. I knew you’d be in for this right about now.”

Lydia grabbed her wallet from her purse. “I appreciate it.”

Marney punched Lydia’s order into the computer. “So, school’s out tomorrow.”

Lydia nodded. “It is. I’m ready for a break, but this has been a really great group of kids.”

Marney chuckled. “You say that every year.”

Lydia grinned as she tapped her credit card to the screen. “I mean it every year. I’ve been so lucky to have amazing students.”

Marney handed off the receipt. “When do you head up north to spend time with your family?”

“At the end of the month.”

“We’ll miss you around here.”

Lydia touched Marney’s hand. “I’ll miss you, too, but I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone. Everly and I are going to be pool buddies, and I’ll finally get to snuggle my sweet little Maverick. He’s getting so big. He’ll be almost five months by the time I get up there. Practically a teenager.”

Marney laughed as Ty grinned while he stared at his phone, pretending to type a text while he listened to every word that Lydia said.

He’d scrutinized the dossier that his team had compiled on her, reading the articles they’d collected on the senator’s niece, and as first impressions went, he agreed with her press. From what he could tell, she was as warm, funny, and sweet as others had claimed her to be.

“I think you’ll get a chance to hold him before he heads off to college,” Marney joked.

“I don’t know. I might be cutting it close. They grow so fast.” Lydia grabbed her arrangement. “I should get going. Everly and I have our virtual date in thirty minutes.”

“What book are you reading today?”

“She’s really into The Berenstain Bears right now, so we’re making our way through the list.”

“That’s amazing that you do that with her—virtual story time.”

Lydia shrugged. “She’s my best girl. You do what you can for your best girl.”

“I’ll see you next week.”

“I’ll see you then.” Lydia turned, looking at Ty. “It was really nice to meet you.”

He shoved his phone into his back pocket as he held her pretty gaze. “It was nice to meet you, too. Thanks again for your help with the flowers.”