Page 97 of State of Retribution

Finally some benefit to being the first couple.

LOL.Right?

When the twins returned from the bathroom, Sam was ready with backpacks and the lunchboxes Nick had packed for them the night before.

She hugged them, kissed them and wished them a good day.“Grandma Brenda and Shelby will be here when you get home, and I’ll try to be home for dinner.”

“Best day ever!”Aubrey said as they took off to meet their detail at the other end of the hallway.

Sam waved to the agents.“Incoming.”

She loved the way their agents hugged them every morning and made them feel special.She’d be forever grateful to all the people who surrounded the twins with love in their new life.It took a village to raise kids, and they were extraordinarily blessed by theirs.

Chapter Nineteen

Sam was refilling her coffee when Shelby Faircloth Hill popped her head into the kitchen.“Morning.”

“Hey, Tink.How’s it going?”

Shelby wore a pink sweater over leggings.She was back to work very part time as the White House social secretary after giving birth to her daughter, Maisie.“Hanging in there.Just dropped the kids off with the nanny.That whole process was a lot easier when we were living here.”

“I’ll bet.How’s the new place?”

Shelby shrugged.“It’s lovely but doesn’t feel like home yet.”

“That can take a minute, but you’ll get there.”

“I really miss the townhouse where Avery, Noah and I became a family.”

“I know you do, and no one should be forced to move the way you were.”Shelby and Noah had been taken hostage in their home by Willy and Amber Peckham, criminals from Avery’s past.The Hill family was now living behind iron gates with a top-of-the-line security system protecting them.

“That’s true, and I do feel safe in the new place.It’s just not home yet, but it will be.”

“Have a party soon.Having your people there will make it feel more like home.”

“That’s a good idea.We’ll do that soon.”

“Don’t forget to invite us.”

Shelby laughed.“As if.”

“We miss you around here.”

“We miss being here.I’m trying to get Avery to be my butler, but he’s not having it.”

Laughing, Sam said, “I can’t imagine why not.”

“Neither can I.I’m not giving up on it just yet.”She tipped her head.“Heard about what happened yesterday.How’re you doing?”

“I’m okay as long as Jimmy is.”

“Were you hurt at all?”

“Some bruises, aches and pains here and there, but nothing I can’t handle.Could’ve been much worse all around.”

“What the heck is going on this week?”

“I don’t know, but it’s got me temporarily grounded.”

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