Page 99 of What Started In Deception

Mrs. Connoly gestured for Ty to bend down. “Now, you come a little closer.”

He did as he was asked, resting his hands just above his knees so they stood nearly eye to eye.

“You’re a handsome one,” she said as she patted his cheek.

He grinned. “Thank you.”

“You’re a gentleman, too.”

He smiled again. “I’m glad you think so.”

She nodded. “You have yourself a nice Fourth of July, and I’ll see you next time.”

“I’ll see you next time, Mrs. Connoly.”

Mrs. Connoly looked at Lydia. “Goodbye, dear. You enjoy your holiday, too.”

“I will.” She kissed Mrs. Connoly’s cheek. “You enjoy yours, too.”

“That’s the plan. Although my kitties will surely be unhappy when the fireworks start.”

“Hopefully, the treats you’re bringing home will make up for some of the noise,” Lydia said.

Mrs. Connoly chuckled. “They just might. Bye, now.”

“Bye,” she and Ty said at the same time as they stood in the doorway, watching Mrs. Connoly walk to her late-model Oldsmobile parked in one of the closer spots.

Ty winced as she got in the driver’s seat of the tank of a vehicle. “Should she still be driving?”

Lydia found herself wincing as well as she realized that Mrs. Connoly could barely see over the steering wheel. “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s better if we don’t watch.”

“Good thought,” he said, closing them back inside.

She looked at him, smiling. “So, bee stings and litter boxes. That was an eclectic conversation.”

He puffed out a breath as he shook his head. “I’m not sure how we got there. It all happened so fast.”

She laughed, absolutely adoring him. “You’re super sweet, Ty.”

He shrugged as he smiled. “She’s lonely.”

“Yes,” she said as she nodded, bringing his palm to her cheek, finding it harder and harder to resist Ty Corddry. “You’re a good guy.”

He jerked his shoulders again. “I try to be.”

She gave his hand another quick nuzzle before she let him go. “Thank you for helping today.”

He snagged her hand, lacing their fingers. “I wanted to.”

“Our shift is over, and it’s closing time.”

His eyes tracked around the massive space that was quiet now that the community members were gone and most of the volunteers had headed home. “Is there anything else we need to do?”

She shook her head. “Stephanie locks up, so we’re all set. Do you want to grab an ice cream cone?”

He nodded. “Yeah, definitely.”

“There’s a stand at the beach on the way back to the compound. The line’s probably a mile long.”