Page 1 of Deception

CHAPTER 1

SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO

“Iwant you to go into the store and tell the clerk that you need help.” Olive Sterling’s dad leaned closer as the two of them stood on the sidewalk. “Tell her you’re sick and raising money to help pay your medical bills.”

Olive frowned as she contemplated her father’s words. “But I’m not sick.”

Her dad tilted his head. “You had a fever last week. Remember?”

“But I’m better now.” Her dad wasn’t making sense. The fever had passed, and she was back to feeling like herself, other than a few sniffles.

Dad’s gaze locked on hers, and some of the softness in his tone disappeared. “I just need you to do what I’m telling you.”

Dread pooled in her stomach, and Olive knew her dad wouldn’t take no for an answer.

He’d taught her to be obedient, to follow his orders without questioning. He said being compliant was important, especially in his line of work. But he didn’t explain any more than that, and she wasn’t sure why working at a car dealership made obedience so important. Yet he talked about it all the time and even did drills with her.

As Olive stared at the small-town pharmacy, her heart pounded in her ears and her lungs grew tight, like she couldn’t breathe. All she wanted was to run.

She pictured herself turning and darting down the sidewalk of the unfamiliar town. She imagined pushing herself as fast as her eight-year-old legs would allow. She was strong and a good runner.

Would her dad catch her?

She frowned because she knew the answer. Yes. He was taller and stronger.

What would he do after he caught her? Would he punish her? Make her go inside the pharmacy anyway?

Tears glimmered in Olive’s eyes as she realized the impossible situation she faced.

She couldn’t get out of this. Her dad would make sure of it.

“Hey, sweet girl.” Her dad’s voice softened as he stooped down to her eye-level. “There’s no need for you to be upset. There’s nothing wrong with asking for money when you need it.”

She stared into his blue eyes. She thought her dad, with his thick dark hair and easy smile, was the most handsome man ever.

But she didn’t like him right now.

She had to make him see her perspective. “But, Dad?—”

“I know you’re young, and you may not feel like you need money,” Dad continued. “But your mom and I need some help. I had to take off work to stay home with you the day you were out sick from school. I lost my paycheck for that day.”

“You did?” Her voice trembled.

He nodded. “I did. By doing this for me, you can help pull your weight in our family. That’s what family does. They help each other out. Everyone contributes.”

Guilt filled her with such force she thought she might hurl. Olive hadn’t realized her sickness made her dad lose money. Without money, they couldn’t pay the bills. Buy groceries and gas.

She’d overheard her mom and dad talking about bills just the other night. She’d slipped back into her bedroom before they’d seen her. But Mom had sounded really worried.

Being grown-up must be so hard. All Olive had to worry about was doing her homework and hanging out with her friends.

At once, Olive had visions of her little sisters growing hungry with no food on the table. She imagined them crying because their stomachs were empty. She thought about shivering in the winter without heat.

What if her family became homeless and it was her fault?

A cry lodged in her throat at the thought.

“You can do this, Ollie.” Dad gave her an affirming bob of his head. “I believe in you.”

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