He went to her and hugged her fiercely. “No, babe. No worries. I just need some time with you.”

She clung to him. “I’m off until tomorrow night at eleven. I’m all yours.”

“Good,” he said, his voice husky with emotion and relief as he held her close to him. How had this even happened? How had he managed to give them both reason to doubt the only thing in his life that truly mattered?

The doorbell rang downstairs.

He released her reluctantly. “Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I love you,” he said, kissing her hand, “and I’m really glad you’re here.”

“So am I.”

Chapter 10

Rattled by the odd conversation with Nick, Sam did her best to put on her party face as they greeted the O’Connors and Julian Sinclair, who arrived at the same time. She was still getting used to the warmth the O’Connors directed her way simply because she was with Nick.

He slipped a possessive arm around her and introduced her to Julian, who held her hand between both of his. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Sam. I’ve read all about you in the paper.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh joy.”

“What did today’s article say? ‘Not since Jack and Jackie has Washington been so riveted by a political couple’?”

“Thanks, Julian.” Nick shook hands with him. “She really needed to hear that again.”

Julian laughed. “You’re looking good, Senator. Power becomes you.”

Sam was amused by Nick’s befuddled reaction to the compliment. Julian was shorter than he appeared on television, his forehead barely reaching Nick’s shoulder. He had smooth skin, silver hair and a warm smile. Erudite was the word that came to mind as she watched him interact with the others. Classy, elegant and right at home with Nick and the O’Connors—so at home, in fact, that Sam felt like an outsider looking in at a family reunion.

In the kitchen, Graham opened a bottle of merlot. “It’s so great to have you in town for a while, Julian.”

“I was so sorry I couldn’t be here for John’s service,” Julian said. “I was in Sacramento for a wedding the day before the funeral. If I hadn’t been the best man, I’d have been on the first plane.”

“We got your lovely note.” Laine patted his arm. “And the flowers, too. You were there in spirit.”

“What’s the latest with Thomas’s case?” Julian asked as he accepted a glass of wine from Graham and followed the others into the living room.

Sam opened a bottle of pinot grigio and poured herself a glass before she joined them.

“They’re exploring an insanity plea,” Graham said.

“Not a bad idea,” Julian said.