Her father, Vice President Randal Myers, rose from behind the desk and approached her. He was average height, lean, with silver hair and bright-blue eyes. The last time she’d seen him, he’d sported a silver goatee. Today he had a clean-shaven face. Some focus group must not have liked the facial hair.

His voice naturally boomed when he spoke. “Sweet pea. I can’t tell you how good it is to see you.” He held his arms out, and she readily stepped into them.

“It’s good to see you too.” She stepped back and looked up at him. “Mr. Vice President.” She grinned and superfluously straightened his tie. “Last time I saw you, you were only a senator. My, how you’ve grown.”

He smiled a little uncomfortably. “Obviously it was in the plan, but not this way. I’m sorry you missed out.”

She thought of her mother and how she loved entertaining and throwing parties. “I’m sure Mom threw a party to be reckoned with in the annals of history.”

“Unrivaled. You know her well.” He gestured toward a leather sofa. “Need to have a conversation with you.”

She stopped and stood firm. “Daddy, I am completely exhausted. The journey here was very stressful, and I’ve been awake since six yesterday morning. The way you say ‘conversation’ makes me think I should probably sleep first.” She looked at the sofa. “And I’m afraid if I sit on that, I’m gonna fall asleep right here.”

He smiled. “At least then I would know you were safe.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. If he’d driven himself here, he would jingle his car keys. But he probably hadn’t driven himself anywhere since taking the oath. “Would you like to have breakfast with me up here tomorrow?”

“I’d love that.” She looked at her watch. “I’d say dinner, but I don’t know if I’ll be awake by dinnertime.”

With a shake of his head, he said, “I have to do a dinner with our ambassador tonight and a state dinner with Katangela’s president tomorrow. I’m afraid my new title comes with some responsibilities that don’t give me complete freedom of travel.”

She looked up at him. “I’m really proud of you, Daddy.”

“Thank you, sweet pea, but like I told your mom, save it for when I win the office in an election.” He patted her on the shoulders. “There’s a car downstairs to take you to the hotel.” He pulled a card and a lanyard out of his pocket. “Here’s all the numbers to reach me and your credentials to move around my area of the building here. Get some good rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

She started out of the room but paused and turned with her hand on the doorknob. “Is eight good?”