Sam reached out to Scotty. “Come sit with me.”

As the two men walked away, Scotty plopped down next to her and focused on the election returns. “I wish they’d call it already.”

Sam laughed. “You’re a chip off the old block.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’re just like Nick. He said the same thing two minutes ago.”

“Being just like Nick isn’t a bad thing.”

“It’s a very good thing.”

“This is all really cool, isn’t it?”

“It’s very cool, but I have to admit I’ll be glad when the campaign is officially over and we can go back to a somewhat normal life.”

“Our life is never normal.”

Endlessly amused by him, she said, “Already got that figured out, huh?”

“Yep. Didn’t take long to figure out I’d never be bored with you guys for parents.”

“Gee, thanks. I think...”

His smile was full of charm and mischief, but then it faded, and she could tell he had something on his mind. “Could I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“I heard you guys talking about Grandpa Skip having to go to the hospital next week. Is he okay?”

Sam winced. “Sorry you heard about it like that. It’s possible the bullet that paralyzed him has shifted a bit. So they’re going to do some tests to take a better look. Because he’s sort of fragile, they want to admit him to do it. Nothing to worry about.” She could see that he was trying to process the information.

“Is it possible that he might be able to walk again someday?”

“Oh, honey, I don’t think we’ll ever get that lucky.”

“That sure would be awesome.”

“Yes, it would. I wish you could’ve known him before he was hurt. He was impossibly big and strong and so full of life.”

“He still is.”

Moved to tears by three simple words, Sam held out her arms to him. “That’s nice of you to say.” She gave him a tight hug and let him go.

“It’s nice to have a grandpa again.”

“He thinks you’re pretty great too.”

“He does? Really?”

“Of course he does. What’s not to love about you, Scotty Cappuano?”

Scotty’s grin lit up his face. “There’s nothing not to love about me.”

“You said it, mister.”

* * *

Nick followed Graham into one of the suite’s two bedrooms. They left the door open so they could hear if there was any news.

“I just wanted a minute to say I’m proud of the campaign you ran, and I’m looking forward to the next seven years—and don’t tell me I’m jinxing you. We both know you’re going to walk away with it.”

“Thank you for all your help. I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.”

“You could’ve done without the Lexicore hiccup,” Graham said with a scowl.