Page 21 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“I wish we didn’t have to.”

“Me, too.”

The butlers kept them well stocked in everything they could want or need. Sam went to the elegant bar cart in the corner of the room and fixed a white wine for herself and bourbon for Nick. She brought their drinks to the sofa and sat next to him, curling her feet under her as they tuned into CNN’s coverage of the horror in Des Moines.

Anderson Cooper was interviewing grief-stricken parents who’d lost all three of their children along with the husband’s mother, who’d taken them to the event. Pictures of the adorable kids and their grandmother were shown on the screen as their parents talked about each of them through gut-wrenching sobs.

“How do they go on after this?” Nick asked softly.

“I have no idea. It’s unbearable.”

Sam’s cell phone rang with a call from Dispatch, which made her groan as she put down her still-full glass of wine. “Holland.”

“Lieutenant, Patrol is reporting that a body has been found in an abandoned vehicle on Second Avenue Southeast. Are you able to respond?”

The word no was on the tip of her tongue. She’d checked out of work to be available for Nick, but for now, he’d done what he could to address the tragedy, and duty was calling her back to work. “I’m on my way,” she said. “Please contact Detective Carlucci as well.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Carlucci’s partner, Detective Dominguez, was still on medical leave after a recent domestic altercation with her now-ex-boyfriend that had resulted in a ruptured spleen.

Sam ended the call and turned to Nick. “I’m sorry I have to go into work.”

“It’s okay. I appreciate you being here earlier.”

“I wish I could do more.”

“Can you come to Iowa with me sometime in the next few days?”

“I’ll make that happen.” Somehow. She drew him into a kiss. “Try to get some rest tonight. It’s going to be a long week.”

“I’ll try,” he said.

“Do you think we ought to cancel the holiday festivities?”

“Not yet.” Their plan was to have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at the White House with all their closest friends and family in attendance. “After we tend to the needs of the people of Des Moines and the country, we can have a private holiday that’ll belong only to us.”

“Are you sure that’s possible?”

“Nope, but I’m sure we’re going to try.”

His smile lit up his lovely hazel eyes. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me, too. We need it.” Ten days off to spend together with their kids was the closest thing to heaven either of them could imagine, even if he’d still have to work part of every day. Three days after Christmas, they were due to head to Camp David for the first time and were looking forward to that as well.

He gave her a tight hug before he released her. “Take care of my beautiful wife out there. She’s my whole world.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

“What? Me worry?” He gave her one last quick kiss. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

In the hallway, Sam approached Nate, one of their favorite Secret Service agents. “I need to go into work.”

“If you can give me five minutes, I’ll get a detail together for you.”

“Thank you.” It went against everything Sam believed in to cool her heels for even five minutes when someone had been murdered in her city, but she’d promised Nick she’d allow for a detail on the job.

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