Page 38 of State of Alert

She winced. “Did they make me sound like Rambo or something?”

“Rambo is super dope, and so are you.”

“I hear there’s video of it.”

“I want to see that.”

“I need to approve it before anyone sees it.”

His brown eyes glittered with delight. “When that gets out, you’re gonna be even more famous.”

“Oh joy. Just what I want.” She handed Skippy back to him. “Get control of your woman.”

“People say that to Dad, too.”

“Hey!”

His laughter was the purest, most joyful sound in the whole world. More than anything, she loved that he was so comfortable with them that he’d ruthlessly tease her and never think a thing of it, which was exactly how she wanted it.

She bent to kiss his cheek and was pleased when he didn’t recoil like a typical fourteen-year-old would. There was nothing typical about her son. “I love you, even when you’re being mean to me.”

“Love you, too.”

“Let me see the pics Celia sent.”

He pulled out his phone and called up the photos for her. “The ladies say they are taking California by storm.”

“Looks that way,” Sam said as she scrolled through photos of the sisters from Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills. She handedthe phone back to him. “You got any info on what took Dad to the Situation Room?”

“Something about Iraq.”

“Ugh, not them again.”

“If it’s not them, it’s the North Koreans, Iranians or Russians.”

“Don’t forget our old pals in China.”

He laughed. “Glad it’s not my job to deal with them.”

“I’m glad it’s not mine either. Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t. Hey, Mom?”

Would it ever become routine to answer to that name? She sure hoped not. She wanted it to always be the greatest thrill of her life. “What’s up?”

“Are you okay? You looked kinda sad when you first came in.”

“It’s been one hell of a day, but I’m okay. Thanks for asking.”

“Get some sleep. My mom says that helps everything.”

“Your mom is very wise.”

“And humble.”

She walked away, laughing. He was such a gift and had been from the minute he first came into their lives. Nick had spent thirty minutes with him as a Senate candidate and had immediately wanted more time with him. She kept waiting for Scotty to become a surly teenager, but she had reason to believe he wouldn’t rebel the way so many teens did. Unlike many other kids who were raised in traditional families, he was thankful to have parents and a family. He would never take that blessing for granted—and neither would they.

In her and Nick’s room, she turned on the shower and winced when the hot water washed over raw elbows and knees. Thankfully, they were only scraped and bruised, not cut. After the shower, she dabbed ointment on the scrapes and covered them with bandages. She changed into pajamas and then dried her hair.

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