Page 72 of What Started In Deception

“Do you help out at your family’s nonprofit?”

She nodded. “Gram-Gram and Aunt Cindy spend a lot of time there, but I make sure to get up there at least a few times. There are always food donations to sort through or community members who need help selecting the stuff they want to take home. I also read to the kids at the Shoalmans Bay Library while I’m there.”

“Can I help you at the food pantry?”

“Of course. Although it’s not just a food pantry. It’s a crisis center for anyone in the county who finds themselves struggling financially. We offer food and clothing, and people can get signed up for public assistance with one of our volunteers so they can get a little help while they’re getting back on their feet.”

“That’s really nice, Lyd.”

“Giving back is important to my family. It’s our responsibility and part of our legacy to support the community.”

He pulled her closer, nuzzling his face against her neck. “You’re a good person.”

“We’re a good family.”

He understood the double meaning as she said it. “Will works in Boston?”

“He does. The compound is thirty minutes outside of the city, so it’s not too bad for him to commute back and forth.”

“And Senator Monroe works in Boston when they’re on recess down here?”

She nodded. “He goes to the state office, but he also likes to get out into the communities and make sure that people know he’s available to hear their concerns since he works for them. He won’t be at the compound much while we are. He’s always home for the Fourth, but then it’s mostly scattered days here and there.”

“Okay.”

She sighed, resting her head more snuggly on his shoulder. “I feel like that’s what I would tell my boyfriend.”

He let his cheek rest against hers. “It’s a good crash course on the Massachusetts Monroes.”

She wrinkled her nose as she turned her head. “That sounds so pretentious. The Massachusetts Monroes,” she added in a snooty tone.

He grinned as she finally smiled. “There’s not a pretentious bone in your body, Lyd.”

“I certainly hope not.” She rested on him again, playing with his fingers. “I guess telling you about my family wasn’t horrible.”

“Good. I didn’t want it to be. There was no reason for it to be.”

“I don’t feel like I betrayed them too much.”

“You didn’t betray them at all.”

She moved to face him, sitting crisscross in the V of his legs. “Thank you, Ty. It was nice to feel cozy.”

He winked, more than willing to wrap her up anytime. “You’re welcome. What do you say we clean up breakfast and get home?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

Chapter Seventeen

Lydia sighed with satisfaction as Ty drove into Oliver Heights’ downtown limits, always happy when she spotted the park and pretty buildings in the distance. In ten minutes or less, she would be walking through her front door. “Home sweet home.”

Ty looked at her. “I thought you had fun.”

“I did have fun. Lots of fun. It’s just always nice to be home.”

He nodded as he moved into the right-hand lane not far from her neighborhood. “I can see that.”

“Don’t you like to be at your apartment after a long day?”