Chapter Fifteen #2
“Thank you so much for what you did down there.”
Smiling, he shook his head at her. “I did what anyone would’ve done.”
“No, babe, you went above and beyond for two kids you don’t even know when it would’ve been much easier to cede to Brant’s wishes and relocate them.”
“Easier for whom?” he asked, echoing her question from earlier.
“I love you. I love you all the time, but today I love you more than I ever have before.”
“I need to step up for kids I don’t know more often if this is how you’re going to react,” he said with a teasing grin.
“You did this for me, because it’s important to me, and don’t think I don’t know that.”
“Whatever you want, whenever you want it, my love.”
“Including two extra kids who may have targets on their backs?”
“Whatever you want.” He kissed her and gazed down at her. “I’m thinking we probably ought to stay close to home today to make sure our little friends aren’t relocated without our permission.”
“Can you do that?”
“I’ll have Terry move some things around. I can take a couple of meetings here, rather than at the White House.”
“I’ve got my team coming at eight. I can give them their assignments and then work from here. Although, I’m down to a skeleton crew of three with Gonzo out for who knows how long and me stuck here.”
“Maybe you can get the captain involved? Doesn’t he like an excuse to pound the pavement every now and then?”
“He does. I’ll ask him.”
“Maybe your dad can help, too.”
“Another good thought. You must’ve slept well last night. You’re firing on all cylinders this morning.”
He rubbed his erection against her belly. “I’m always firing on all cylinders when my beautiful wife is nearby.”
She snorted with laughter. “While I’m in here,” she said, whipping off her sweatshirt, “I ought to put on real clothes.”
“Or not,” he said, caressing her breasts.
Sam wished they had time for a quickie, but they didn’t. Not with so many other things going on this morning and Scotty needing to get up for school. “Hands off, love. We’ve got shit to do.”
He took another squeeze before he dropped his hands and leaned against the door to watch her put on jeans, a sweater and running shoes. “We need another vacation away from this madhouse.”
“That’d be awesome. Let me close this case and get the Beauclair kids settled, and we’ll get away for a night or two to the cabin. After your trip, of course.” Her heart sank at the reminder that he’d be gone for three interminable weeks.
“Shortening that trip is at the top of my to-do list today.”
“Don’t get my hopes up. Let’s go wake the boy and check on our other babies.”
“An unexpected day at home with my wife. This makes me very happy.”
“Your wife, her team, your team, Shelby, the Secret Service…”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
Sam smiled at him. “Me, too.”
“You go ahead and wake up Scotty. I need a minute…”
Sam glanced down at the hard ridge of flesh behind his zipper and licked her lips. “I sure wish we had time.”
“Go,” he said, frowning. “That’s not helping anything.”
She was still laughing when she stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her, aware of the watchful eyes of the agent on her.
He probably knew exactly why she’d come out ahead of Nick.
They often joked that the agents on their detail would have one hell of a book to write after he left office.
In Scotty’s room, Aubrey and Alden were still asleep but Scotty was awake.
“I was wondering if you guys had forgotten to get me up,” he whispered.
“No such luck. Time to get moving.”
“Maybe I should stay home today to help with Aubrey and Alden.”
“Dad and I are staying home with them.”
“No fair. How come I can’t stay home, too?”
“Because.” Sam had hated answers like that from her mother and had sworn she’d never say such things to her own children. The thought made her smile.
“What?” he asked.
“I used to hate when my mom said ‘because’ to me when I asked that kind of question.”
He smiled. “Because it’s not an answer.”
“Exactly. Now get moving, buster. Your detail is leaving in thirty minutes.”
Scotty groaned but he got up.
His groan woke Aubrey, who looked at Sam with big, haunted eyes that immediately filled with tears.
“Mommy,” she said. “I want Mommy.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Sam extended her arms to her and after a moment of hesitation, Aubrey reached for her.
Sam picked her up and snuggled her. Next to them, Alden was still asleep. “We should let him sleep for a while longer,” Sam whispered.
“Okay.”
Sam carried her downstairs where Nick was conferring with Brant. “Brant, this is Miss Aubrey. Aubrey, this is our friend Brant. He helps us out around here.”
“Nice to meet you, Aubrey,” Brant said with a warm smile that Sam appreciated.
Aubrey burrowed into Sam’s embrace.
“She’s a little shy at first but once she gets comfortable she’s a regular chatterbox,” Sam said, rubbing the little girl’s back. “How about some breakfast?”
Aubrey nodded.
Sam walked her into the kitchen and introduced her to Shelby and Noah. Aubrey’s eyes lit up at the sight of the baby. “Aubrey is ready for some breakfast, Shelby.”
“Great timing,” Shelby said. “Noah and I made pancakes. Do you like pancakes, honey?”
Aubrey nodded again.
“Perfect,” Shelby said. “Maybe you could hold Noah for me while I get you some?”
“Can I?” Aubrey asked Sam.
“It’s up to Shelby. He’s her little guy.”
“It would be such a big help to me if you held him for me,” Shelby said. “Have a seat at the table.”
Sam sent Shelby a grateful smile.
Aubrey lit up with delight when Shelby carefully transferred Noah to her arms. “He’s so cute!”
“I think so, too.” Shelby kept a close eye on Aubrey and Noah while she put a pancake on a plate for Aubrey. “I’ve got one of the women from the shop going to the store this morning for basics. She’ll be by shortly.”
“That’s great,” Sam said. “Thank you for that. I need to speak to Nick.” To Aubrey, she said, “I’ll be right out there, okay?”
“Okay,” Aubrey said, captivated by baby Noah, who was, in fact, completely adorable.
Sam went into the living room, where Nick was having another tense conversation with Brant.
“That little girl has an X on her back, Brant.” Nick pointed to the kitchen. “That innocent baby. That’s who we’re protecting here.”
“I get it, and I empathize with what the children are going through, but my job is to protect you and your son. My bosses are on fire over this situation, and they may contact you directly.”
“They’re more than welcome to.”
Sam curled her hand around Nick’s arm in a show of support.
“I’ll let them know that,” Brant said, walking away.