“Even if it means Secret Service guys trailing you around again?” Nick and Scotty had been under protection during Nick’s recent campaign after Arnie Patterson made threats against Sam’s family when she helped to arrest him for murder and other charges.

“I didn’t mind that too much. The other guys at school thought it was pretty dope. Maybe I’ll get a girl agent again.”

Sam laughed at that and mussed his hair. “Maybe we can request one.”

“So he’s going to do it? He was worried about what you’d say.”

“I think he is going to do it. He hasn’t decided for sure, but he knows I have no objection.”

“It’s pretty crazy when you think about it.”

“What is?”

“A year ago I hadn’t even met you guys yet, and now I’m living with you, you’re adopting me and my new dad might be vice president of the whole country. That’s insane!”

“It is pretty insane, but you know you’re the best thing to happen to us in our whole lives, right? Nothing else matters as much as you do.”

“That’s pretty insane too,” he said softly. He sat up suddenly and gave her another hug.

At times like this, Sam couldn’t imagine loving a child she’d given birth to any more than she loved this boy who had so thoroughly stolen her heart—and Nick’s.

“I’ve got to get to work to hopefully sew up this case so I can get busy making pies.”

“You’re going to actually make pies?” he asked with a skeptical look on his adorable face.

“For your information, I’m an excellent baker.”

“Um, okay. If you say so. I learned a few tricks with Laine last night. You’ll probably need my help.”

She tickled him and made him squeal with laughter. “I don’t need your help, mister, but I’d love to have it anyway.” She kissed his forehead. “Have a fantastic, fantabulous day.”

“You too. I hope you catch the person who killed those kids.”

“Oh, I will, pal. You can count on that. See you later.” Sam pulled on her coat and stepped out the front door into a sea of photographers, a street lined with satellite trucks and reporters screaming questions about Nick.

She turned right around, went back inside and straight upstairs to wake her husband.

“Mmm, hey, babe. Are you leaving?”

“I was leaving, but the entire DC press corps is camped out in the street, and they’re full of questions about you.”

“Shit. What the hell?”

“Does the White House have a leaker?”

He sat up and ran his hand over the scruff on his chin. “Seems like it.”

“I need to get out of here.”

“I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Normally, I’d scoff at such an offer, but there’re a lot of them.”