Page 48 of State of Alert

“Try to fully enjoy it, okay? You so rarely get to have fun anymore.”

“I will. I promise.” He kissed her again and went to don his suit coat. “If I get Scotty up and the twins dressed, will you do breakfast?”

“Yep, I’ve got it.”

“Excellent. Then it’s off to the daily security briefing, also known as the thing of nightmares.”

“Have a blast.”

“No blasts. We’re hoping for no blasts anywhere.”

“Ah, got it.”

“Be careful with my cop. I love her more than anything.”

“Be careful with my POTUS. I love him more than anything.”

He blew her another kiss and was gone. She was glad he had the event with his brothers to look forward to. He loved connecting with young people and would truly enjoy that special time with his much-younger brothers.

CHAPTER TEN

Sam rushed through a shower and got dressed in jeans and a top that could use ironing, but who had time for such things? She headed to the kitchen to whip up some French toast sticks for the twins and an egg sandwich for Scotty.

He was pouring coffee when she walked in.

She stopped short. “What is happening?”

“A man needs a kick of caffeine to survive the eighth grade. That’s what is happening.”

“A man does, huh?”

“That’s right. My friends have been getting Starbucks for two years already. I promise it won’t stunt my growth or whatever else you might think.”

She held up her hands. “I’ve got no objection, but I’d recommend only one cup and none after noon if you want to sleep at night.”

“Done. Excellent negotiation.”

“It doesn’t count as a negotiation if you’re already doing the thing you know I’m going to object to before negotiations begin.”

He gave her a shrewd look. “That’s fair.”

“Next time, we negotiatefirst, you got me?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“French toast sticks for everyone,” Alden yelled as he and Aubrey came running into the kitchen, wearing their adorable burgundy-and-gray plaid school uniforms.

Sam held out her arms to hug them. “How are my sweeties today?”

“Good!” Aubrey said with a fist pump that just missed connecting with Sam’s jaw.

She gave a tug to the little girl’s ponytail. “Nick did a good job with your hair.”

“And it didn’t hurt at all!”

Sam served their breakfast along with the syrup and confectioner’s sugar they loved, as well as the orange slices she insisted they have so they’d get something healthy. She’d learned to tuck a hand towel over their school clothes to protect them from syrup and sugar.

Scotty sipped his coffee and scrolled through his phone as she made eggs and toast for his breakfast sandwich.

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