Page 132 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

Sam met his gaze in the mirror and saw respect, admiration and maybe a bit of affection. “Thank you, Vernon. Thank you both for what you do.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege, ma’am.”

“You can stop calling me ma’am when it’s just us. That makes me feel eighty.”

“We’ll try to remember that, ma’am.”

“Ugh, try harder.”

When they arrived at the Ninth Street checkpoint, she was shocked to see an even larger media presence than had been there earlier. The Secret Service had them contained behind metal fencing.

“I bet the neighbors can’t wait to be rid of us,” Sam said. “I’ll be quick.”

When she got out of the car, the roar of reporters shouting questions had her wanting to put her hands over her ears to drown out the noise. Nate was working the door and opened it for her.

Inside, Sam came to a dead stop at the sight of a room full of boxes and people. Shelby was in the middle of it, with Noah strapped to her chest as she barked out orders.

“What the hell, Tink?” Sam said.

“The White House doesn’t mess around. They were here thirty minutes after Gideon called me.”

“Wow.” Standing in the midst of the packing frenzy, she had another reality check. They were moving. To the freaking White House. How was this her life?

“What’re you doing here, and what’s that smell?”

“I rescued one of my detectives from the horrors of food poisoning, so I came home to change.”

Shelby wrinkled her little nose. “Bring your clothes down and put them right in the washer.”

“Yes, Mom. Should you be carrying Noah and running around?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“I will worry. I don’t want you overdoing it.”

“Yes, Mom.”

Smiling, Sam said, “I’m going up to shower and change. Be right back.”

“Hey, Sam?”

Sam turned to her. “Yes?”

“Were you serious about the social secretary thing?”

“Hello? Of course I was serious. Who else would I ask?”

“I just…” She blinked furiously as if trying not to cry. “I can’t believe everything that’s happened since the day you guys asked me to plan your wedding. The White House social secretary is the pinnacle, Sam. The absolute pinnacle, and as long as I can still be involved with my precious Scotty and the adorable Littles, I gratefully accept your kind offer.”

“You do? Really?”

Shelby dabbed at her eyes as she nodded. “Avery and I talked about it, and we’ll hire a part-time nanny to help with the kids and maybe make use of one of those rooms in the residence you mentioned so they can be close by while I’m at the White House.”

“Whatever you need. Thanks, Tink. I couldn’t do it without you.”

“No, you really couldn’t.”

“Haha, and of course we want you to stay involved with the kids. None of us would have it any other way.”