Page 103 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“That she was disappointed, but said she understood how I felt. Thank God Uncle Joe was there to assure her there was no chance I’d change my mind.”

“Still, it’s kinda cool to be asked, right?” Ang asked.

“I guess. I mean, it’s not lost on me that it’d be awesome to have the job Dad once had, but I love what I do. I can’t imagine being stuck in an office all day pushing paper and dealing with City Hall and the union.” She shuddered. “I’d go mad.”

“And your talents would be wasted,” Tracy said.

“That too. I’m really only good at one thing, and I need to stay in my lane.”

“You’re good at lots of things,” Angela said.

“Name something else,” Sam said, giving her a withering look that wasn’t as withering as it would’ve been if her face hadn’t been killing her.

“You’re a great mom.”

“No, I’m an adequate mom. Look at what my kids are doing today while I’m off working and meeting with the former first lady.”

“Your kids had a very big day yesterday,” Tracy reminded her. “They’re probably exhausted from all the fun they had.”

“Thanks to Shelby,” Sam said.

“Thanks to you, Nick and Shelby,” Angela said. “You need to lighten up. They’re all doing great, and that’s because they know how loved they are.”

“I hope they know that. So, hey, Freddie had a big idea I wanted to run by you guys.”

“What’s that?” Tracy asked.

“He thinks we ought to ask Celia to move to the White House with us so she can be there for the kids when we can’t be.”

“I love that idea,” Ang said. “She’s been so down since Dad died. That would give her a wonderful new adventure and a change of scenery. She told me the other day how hard it is to be at the house without him there with her.”

Sam was sad to hear that. “You think she’d want to do it?”

“I think she’d love it,” Tracy said. “You should ask her.”

“I haven’t really talked to Nick about it yet.”

“He’ll love it,” Ang said. “Of course he will. It’s a great idea.”

“I’m glad you guys think so.”

When the Secret Service was driving, it took less than five minutes to drive from Ninth Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. As they pulled through the gates, Sam began to feel like she was hyperventilating, even though she’d been there many times before. Everything was different now. This was their house, on loan from the people, for the next three years. The enormity of it all seemed to swoop down on her in the seconds before the car door opened.

“Breathe, Sam,” Tracy said softly. “Just breathe.”

She was so glad her sisters were with her as they made their way inside, where Lilia was waiting to greet them.

“I heard you got hurt,” Lilia said, eyeing Sam’s face and bandaged hands. “Are you all right?”

“I will be. No big deal.”

“Mrs. Nelson asked me to bring you to the residence for tea and a tour. Right this way.” She led them down red-carpeted hallways, past portraits of former presidents and gorgeous antiques. “Tomorrow, the volunteers will begin decorating for Christmas. Next year, you’ll get to choose the theme.”

“That doesn’t sound at all overwhelming,” Sam said.

“We’ll help you,” Angela said. “We’ll help you with everything.”

Sam smiled at her sister. “Thank you. I need all the help I can get.”