by Marie Force
Shelby took a seat on the sofa and curled her legs under her. “Your speech was spectacular. I loved it.”
“Thanks. It was this close to being a spectacular disaster. Freaking dyslexia.”
“Not only did you give hope to women with infertility, you also showed people with dyslexia that they can overcome any obstacle and be successful.”
“And I showed people who puke under pressure they can overcome that too.”
Shelby dissolved into giggles. “Thank goodness that didn’t happen.”
“Can you even imagine? Hi, I’m the second lady. Barf.”
They lost it laughing.
“I already had enough barfing for one week,” Sam said. “And for what it’s worth, you should know your guy holds up well in a crisis.”
Shelby curved a hand over her rounded abdomen. “It’s worth a lot, especially in my current condition. He said you were scary sick.”
“He was a trouper.” Sam glanced at her friend. “I hope you don’t think...”
Shelby held up a hand to stop her from going there. “It’s all good. Avery and I talked the other night, and he reminded me again that he’s engaged to the woman he loves. That’s all I needed to hear.”
“Awww, isn’t he sweet?”
Shelby waggled her brows. “He really is.”
“Barf.”
“Like you’re one to talk about being schmoopy when you’re all moon-eyed over your man.”
“I am not moon-eyed. Whatever that even means.”
Shelby batted her eyelashes and went into a series of swoons that seemed more like convulsions to Sam.
“If I ever act like that, I invite you to stab me with my own rusty steak knife.”
Shelby lost it laughing again.
“How’s he doing anyway?” Sam asked.
“Who?”
“Avery. This case with Hamilton and Jacoby was hard on him.”
“It really was,” Shelby said with a sigh. “In addition to the nightmare it’s been for the Bureau, he’s so disillusioned by what they did. It’s sickening. Those poor people and Josh... Or I mean Taylor. To find out his entire life was a lie...”
“The Rollingses are such good people. They’ll get him through it, and he’ll feel like a part of their family in no time.”
“Still... They’ll never get back the thirty years that were taken from them.”
“That’s true.”
Shelby made a big production out of getting up from the sofa. “I’d better get my portly self home.”
“There is nothing portly about you. In fact, you’re the most adorable pregnant woman in the history of pregnant women.”
Shelby blinked repeatedly.
“If you cry, I’ll take it back.”
“Okay. I won’t cry, then. I’ll just say thank you for the kind words, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be here. Thanks for everything. You’re the glue that holds this entire operation together.”
The statement resulted in more blinking.
“Go!”
“I’m going.”
Shaking her head, Sam laughed at Shelby’s out-of-control emotions. None of her pregnancies had lasted long enough for the crazy hormones to kick in the way they had for Shelby. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d be like that too. Maybe one of these days she’d get the chance to find out.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
ANGELA AND TRACY arrived a few minutes later, exchanging greetings with the agent working the door.
“How do you deal with having all these hot guys underfoot all the time?” Angela whispered. “That guy at the door is ridiculous.”
“Easy, married cougar.”
“Being married doesn’t mean I’m dead. My eyes work just fine, and that guy is smoking hot. What’s his name?”
“I think it’s Zach.”
Angela fanned her face. “Zach. I like that.”
“I’m telling Spencer,” Tracy said.
“Oh please. Whatever. Like you weren’t wiping up the drool too.”
“He can probably hear you guys talking about him,” Sam said.
“Good,” Angela said with a sly smile.
“Not to change the subject, but you have to help me figure out what the heck I’m going to get Nick for an anniversary gift.”
“First anniversary is paper,” Tracy said.
“Huh?”
“There’s a theme for every year,” Angela said.
“Who decides this shit?” Sam asked, flabbergasted. “Does someone sit around and make these decisions for everyone?”
Laughing, Angela said, “It’s long-standing tradition. And hello? Weren’t you married before?”
“I certainly never stressed out about what to give him for an anniversary gift. We just went out to dinner or something.”
“And now you care enough to at least ask what you should get for him,” Tracy said. “That is just one of the many ways your second marriage is a huge improvement over the first.”
“There’s no comparison,” Sam said. “I want to get it right like he always does. So what do I give him?”
“It doesn’t technically count as paper, but a Brazilian would make him happy,” Angela said, snickering.
“How do you know?” Tracy asked, slightly horrified.
“I’ll never tell.”
Tracy pounced. “Have you had one?”
“Maybe.”
“This I need to hear,” Sam said. “Do tell.”
Lowering her voice so there was no chance Zach could overhear, Angela said, “After Ella was born, I was feeling kinda...I don’t know, frumpy, I guess. I have horrible stretch marks, and my belly looks like a war zone. I was afraid Spence wouldn’t want me anymore.”
“Which you know is insane,” Sam said. “That man worships the ground you walk on.”
“Still... After one of my friends put the idea of getting waxed in my head, I couldn’t get it out, so I decided to try it.”
“And...” Tracy raised her brows in inquiry.
“He freaking loved it. Went nuts over it. Spent hours down there. Needless to say, after that, I wasn’t worried that I’d lost my appeal anymore.”
Sam fanned her face. “Wow. That sounds hot. Did the waxing hurt?”
“Like a motherfucker. But it was so worth it. If you’re interested, I’ve got a girl who’s great.”
“In light of who I’m married to,” Sam said, “I can’t just go to a salon and ask to have my hoo-ha waxed.”
Tracy and Angela dissolved into laughter. “I can have her come to you. She’d be thrilled.”
“Not sure how I feel about knowing there’s a random woman out there who’d be thrilled to wax my unmentionables.”
“Trust me, when you’re all out and proud, you want someone working down there who knows what she’s doing. You want me to set it up?” Angela leaned in, lowering her voice. “He was down there for hours...”
“How do you have time for hours of that?” Tracy asked. “You’ve got two little kids.”
“Who are in bed by seven o’clock every night,” Angela said, winking at Tracy.
The thought of surprising Nick with something so unexpected for their getaway was too appealing to resist. “I’ll do it,” she said before she could change her mind.
“You will not be sorry.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
“Now I want it too,” Tracy said.
“I’ll ask about a two-for-one,” Ang replied.
“I’m not doing this with her,” Sam said.
“What’ve you got against my hoo-ha?” Tracy asked indignantly.
They were pissing their pants laughing when the door op
ened to admit Nick and his detail. He stopped short at the sight of the three of them, sprawled on sofas, laughing their asses off. “Do I even want to know?”
“Oh yeah,” Angela said with a dirty smirk. “You want to know.”
“Shut up, Angela!” Sam said, tossing a pillow at her sister. “It’s a surprise!”
As he did every night the minute he walked in the door, Nick unknotted his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons on his dress shirt. “I’m on fire with curiosity.”
“You’ll be on fire all right,” Tracy said, reducing her sisters to hysterics once again.
Sam got up to kiss him. “Stop torturing my poor husband.”
“Yes, stop torturing me, and tell me the big secret.”
“Not happening,” she said, patting his handsome face. “It’s for us to know and you to find out.”
“When? When will I find out?”
“On the trip.”
His sexy hazel eyes went hot with desire that almost made Sam forget they weren’t alone. “I suppose I can wait a few more days. What time is your mom coming?”
Sam’s stomach dropped, and the hilarity was forgotten. “Any minute now.”
“Let me run up and change.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back down.”
Sam returned to her seat on the sofa. “Why am I so nervous about seeing her?”
“Because it’s been a long time since you willingly invited her into your life, and you’re afraid it’ll be awkward,” Tracy said.
“Yes, that’s it exactly.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Angela said. “She’s thrilled to be invited into your home, and she can’t wait to meet Scotty and get to know Nick. And she’s very excited to be with you too. It’ll be fine, Sam.” Angela snapped her fingers. “I have the perfect idea of what you should do for an anniversary gift.”
As they talked about Angela’s idea for Nick’s gift, Sam tried to stay focused on that rather than the visit with her mother. Despite her sisters’ assurances, her mother’s arrival a few minutes later had the butterflies in her belly doing backflips.
Brenda Ross had cut her hair since the last time Sam saw her, and the new style made her look even more youthful than usual. Though her dark hair was now shot through with gray and there were new lines around her brown eyes, Brenda looked great for her age. She wore a huge smile as she hugged Sam.
“Thank you so much for seeing me.”
“Um, sure. No problem. Come on in. Can I get you something to drink? Some wine or something stronger?”
“I’d love a glass of wine.”
“Coming right up.” Sam went into the kitchen to get it for her and took a moment to calm her nerves before returning to the living room with the bottle and glasses for her sisters too.
Wearing jeans and a sweater, Nick was coming down the stairs as she returned and his warm, private smile went a long way toward putting her at ease. Everything was easier to face when he was there to share the load.
“Brenda,” he said, kissing her mother’s cheek. “It’s great to see you again.”
“You too, Nick. Or should I call you Mr. Vice President?”
“Not if you want him to answer,” Sam said, drawing a laugh from the others.
“What she said,” Nick said with a smile. “I’m just Nick.”
“It’s a huge honor to be the mother-in-law of the vice president. I’m very proud of you both. Your speech was amazing, Sam.”
“Oh. You saw that, huh?”
“I think most of the country has seen it by now.”
“Awesome,” Sam said with a lack of enthusiasm that made the others laugh.
Nick squeezed her shoulder. “Sam is still getting used to being famous. We both are. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be sometimes.”
Scotty came running down the stairs. “Is she here yet?” He stopped short when he saw Brenda sitting with his parents and his aunts. “Oh, sorry. I’m Scotty.”
Amused, Brenda stood to shake his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
“I’ve heard so much about you from your aunts. They’re your biggest fans.”
“They only say that because I keep their kids under control.”
“That’s true,” Angela said. “That’s the only reason we keep you around.”
“Very funny,” Scotty said.
“No, it’s true,” Tracy said, grinning at her nephew.
“Um, what should I call you?” Scotty asked Brenda.
“How about Brenda? Does that work?”
“Works for me.”
Scotty’s natural ease with new people went a long way toward calming Sam’s nerves. It was hard to stay wound up when he made it look so easy.
They chatted with Nick and Scotty for half an hour or so and then Nick suggested he and Scotty go watch the Caps game upstairs. Sam appreciated the way he smoothly gave her time alone with her mother and sisters, but not until he was certain she was comfortable.
Brenda got up to hug them. “I hope to see you again soon,” she said to Scotty.
“Me too.”
After they’d gone upstairs, Brenda said, “I’m so glad to meet your amazing son, Sam, and for the chance to get to know Nick a little. His public persona, which is quite impressive, doesn’t do him justice.”
As far as compliments went, Sam had to admit they were pretty good. “Thanks. I like them.”
“I can see why. And your home is lovely.”
“That’s all Nick. He’s the one with the style.”
“I figured it had to be, because you never cared about such things when you were younger.”
“I still don’t.”
“You should see what we go through when she has to be turned out for something formal,” Tracy said, rolling her eyes. “First we have to pry the handcuffs out of her hand and then—”
“That’s enough out of you.”
Laughing at their banter, Brenda said, “I’m so happy that you girls are close to each other. When you were fighting like tomcats growing up, people would tell me you’d get over it and be best friends someday. I had my doubts.”
“We definitely got over it,” Sam said. “I’d be lost without them.”
“As would we without you,” Tracy said.
“Although we would spend less time at the emergency room without you,” Angela said to more laughter.
“What can I say? Shit happens.”
“Shit happens to you far too often,” Tracy said.
“While we’re on the subject of shit happening,” Brenda said, “I wanted you to know...I’ve been diagnosed with stage one breast cancer.” Before Sam could react or begin to process the news, Brenda continued. “It was caught early and the prognosis is very good, but my doctor said it’s important for my daughters to understand that me having it puts you at greater risk for developing it at some point.”
“I’m...I’m sorry to hear that,” Sam said.
“I’m having a lumpectomy in two weeks, and if that goes well, I shouldn’t need more treatment. I’m very cautiously optimistic.”
“That’s good news,” Sam said. “But I’m sorry you have to go through all that.”
“I’ve made up my mind to remain positive and to be thankful for the early diagnosis and that it’s treatable.”
“We’ve talked her into having the surgery up here so we can take care of her afterward,” Tracy said. “She’ll be staying with me.”
“I’ve actually been thinking about moving back to D.C. permanently,” Brenda said, taking all three of her daughters by surprise. “My grandchildren are growing up too fast, and being so far from my family gets kind of lonely sometimes.” The man she’d left Skip for was long gone, and Sam
had no idea if there was someone else in her mother’s life. Apparently not if she was lonely.
The news that her mother was moving home would’ve knocked her for a loop only a few months ago, but now... It was fine with her.
“I promise not to cramp your style too badly,” Brenda said. “It’ll be nice to have you all close by.” To Sam, she said, “I’m sure you must be thinking that I have a lot of nerve coming here after all these years to tell you bad news and that I’m coming home.”
“That’s not what I’m thinking.”
While they waited for her to say something more, Sam tried to get her thoughts together. “I’ve regretted that so much time has gone by and that we’ve been out of touch for so long. I... I’ve come to realize there was a lot more to the story of what happened between you and Dad than I knew back then. And...it’s probably time to put the past where it belongs. I want you to know Scotty and Nick, and me too, I guess.”
“I’d love that, Sam,” Brenda said softly as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I’m sorry for the way I left and for what happened with Jerry. I never should’ve let that happen while your father and I were still married. That was wrong, and I’m sorry I hurt you—and your dad. You all deserved better from me.”
Sam had waited nearly twenty years to hear her mother express regret over what’d happened the day after Sam’s high school graduation. And after carrying deep-seated resentment for all those years, she was surprised at how a few sincerely spoken words could effectively dispose of the anger. “Apology accepted.”
“I also want you to know that I’ve been to see your dad and Celia, and we had a nice talk. It was good to see him, and to have a chance to talk to her. He seems to be doing well, all things considered.”
“He’s better than he was,” Sam said. “We’ve learned to be grateful for small victories.”
The four of them chatted for another hour before Brenda got up to leave. “It was so nice to see you, Sam. Thank you for having me.”
Sam hugged her mother, holding on for longer than she’d intended. When she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes and her mother’s. “It was good to see you. Keep me in the loop on the surgery and everything.”
“I’ll do that.” She hugged and kissed Angela and Tracy and thanked Zach, who held the door for her.
