Page 180 of State of Alert

“Of course.”

“That’s so cool. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, my loves. I’ll talk to you all tomorrow. Love you.”

Everyone shouted love to him before Scotty pushed the red button to end the call.

After dinner, Sam helped the twins finish math homework—with Scotty’s help.

“How can I already need help with first-grade math?” she asked him after they’d tucked the twins into bed.

“Because you didn’t pay attention the first time around.”

“You’re very sassy tonight.”

“I’m sassy every night.”

“Thanks for the help, pal.”

“It takes a village to get first-grade homework done.”

“Indeed it does.” She gave him a hug outside his room. “Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t. Are you gonna talk to your boyfriend later and make kissy faces at him? Oh wait, you can’t because you don’t have a smartphone.”

“No, but I have a smart aleck for a son.”

He grinned as he turned back at the doorway to his room. “Love ya, Mama.”

“Love you, too, brat.”

His laughter rang out and sent her into her room with a smile on her face. She glanced toward Nick’s small office and felt an ache at his absence until she remembered Angela’s words about missing Spencer and told herself to get over italready. Her husband would be home in two days, whereas Angela would never see hers again.

She hoped and prayed she would never know the kind of pain her sister was experiencing.

After she showered, she snuggled into bed and texted Vernon.How can I send a gift to the weekend festivities for Jimmy and his wife?

That’s very nice of you,he replied.I’ll text you the info.

Thank you! See you in the morning.

After he sent the link, she used Nick’s laptop to access the registry and chose a fancy baby carriage that was the most expensive item on the list. Since Jimmy spent his days keeping her alive, it was the least she could do for him.

She signed the card,With love and best wishes, from Sam and Nick.

It felt good to do something nice for the young agent who’d become a big part of her daily life in recent months.

With that done, she turned on the TV, hoping to find something to distract her until Nick called and cringed when she saw her own face on the screen. Shit. She’d forgotten that Peter’s interview was airing that night. She forced herself to watch it with one hand over her eyes, so she saw only bits and pieces. It would never be “normal” to see herself on TV. Did she really look like that? Ugh. Horrible.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Angela.Thanks for checking on me. I’m hanging in there. Eating popcorn and watching my sis and BIL on TV.

It’s horrible.

No, it isn’t!

I hate my face on TV.

Shut up. You look great. Both of you do, and everything you said is spot-on.

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