“Thank God for that.”
“What do the kids know?”
“Scotty texted me that he heard the news, but he said the twins don’t know, and I think we should keep it that way.”
“Agreed.They don’t need to know, especially when Aubrey is already having a tough day.”
“Eli also texted both of us to say holy shit and thank goodness you’re okay.Not sure if you’ve seen that yet.”
“I’ll reply to him and a million other people later.”
Though they could hear the sound of voices coming from the third-floor conservatory, Nick stopped her from heading in that direction and waylaid her into the family kitchen.“I need one minute for this.”He wrapped his arms around her and held on tight.“Just this.”
Sam relaxed into his warm embrace as the adrenaline she’d brought home with her seemed to leave her system in one big whoosh that left her legs feeling weak.
“Another close call,” he said.“Too many of those.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.It’s not your fault.It’s mine.”
“How so?”
“I sent our already high profile into the stratosphere, and now everyone is gunning for both of us.”
“Not everyone.Just today, I heard from multiple people who are very pleased to have us in the White House and think you’re doing a great job.I think one of them wants to date you if the opportunity presents itself.”
He scowled.“I’m off the market, and my wife has a very sharp, very rusty steak knife that she’s not afraid to use.”
“That’s right, and don’t forget it.”
“I wish we could take our kids and run away somewhere that no one could find us, where we could live happily ever after without anyone wanting to kill us or run us out of town or expect us to fix everything that’s wrong with the world.”
“Let’s go to Bora Bora tonight after the kids are in bed.We need the getaway, even if it’s imaginary.”
“Yes, please.”
“My dad used to tell us that no matter what was bringing us down at any given moment, it wouldn’t always be that way.‘This too shall pass,’ he’d say.Let’s remember that on days like today, okay?”
“I wish he was here to tell us that himself.”
“I wish that every single day.”
“So do I.I miss him like crazy.He would’ve loved all this, except for the drones with guns and the randos shooting at his daughter, of course.”
“Of course,” she said with a laugh.“Let’s go check on our kids.Scotty will be anxious to see me.”
Nick gave her one more tight squeeze.“More of this later, yes?”
“Absolutely.”
Holding hands, they went upstairs to the conservatory, where Sam’s mom, Brenda, as well as Shelby, Noah and baby Maisie were hanging out with the kids.
When he saw them coming, Scotty got up and came to hug Sam.“Thanks for not getting shot.”
She clung to him, resting her face on the top of his silky head.“I do what I can for the people.”
“Please don’t dothatto me again.”
