He put the phone in her purse and reached for her hands, bringing them to his lips. “I want ten days, Samantha. Ten days when I don’t have to share you with your job. Is that too much to ask?”

“No,” Sam said softly.

He wrapped his arms around her.

Sam snuggled into him, breathing him in. Right in that moment, she decided to put aside her quest to find her father’s shooter for the next ten days. She vowed to enjoy every minute of the time alone with him that she’d craved for months.

As if he sensed her capitulation, Nick tightened his hold on her.

A throat clearing behind them interrupted the moment.

Sam pulled back from Nick and turned to find her sister Tracy waiting for them.

“Ready to eat?” she asked.

Looking down at Sam, Nick said, “We’re ready.” He put his hand on Sam’s back and followed her into dinner.

Chapter 10

Nick’s dad Leo stood and shushed the boisterous group made up of Sam’s sisters and their families, her dad and Celia, Leo’s young wife Stacy, Nick’s adopted parents Graham and Laine O’Connor, Dr. Harry and his girlfriend Maggie, Nick’s lawyer friend Andy and his wife, and a separate table full of kids. Even Sam’s sulky niece Brooke seemed to be having fun.

“I want to thank you all for being here tonight,” Leo said. His shy smile tugged at Sam, who knew how he and Nick had struggled over the years to maintain a cordial relationship. “I also want to thank Nicky and Sam for including the boys in the wedding party. In case you hadn’t noticed, they’re a little excited.”

Sam glanced at Nick and saw amusement and affection in his expression as he waited to hear what his father had to say. They’d both had complicated relationships with their mothers, so she was grateful their fathers could be with them this weekend.

“Nicky, I was never much of a father to you, but I couldn’t be more proud of the man you grew up to be. A United States senator of all things.”

Nick’s friends led a rousting round of applause that clearly embarrassed him.

“And in Sam,” Leo continued, “you’ve found the perfect mate and partner. I have no doubt you’ll be very happy together.” He raised his glass. “To Sam and Nick.”

While the others were busy toasting, Nick took the opportunity to steal a kiss from Sam.

“Skip,” Leo said, gesturing to Sam’s dad. “Your turn.”

“Thank you, Leo—and Stacy—for hosting us tonight.” Skip shifted his gaze to Sam. “After I was shot, I had some dark days when I found out I’d be in this chair the rest of my life. For a while there, I wondered if it would be easier on everyone—hell, easier on me—to just give up.”