“Your job is one gigantic cock blocker.”

  “You said gigantic cock.”

  Sam laughed as he headed for the shower, but she wondered if they’d ever have uninterrupted sex again.

  * * *

  “The outer edge of your hand needs to be angled this way,” Lieutenant Commander Juan Rodriguez said, demonstrating.

  Nick followed suit.

  “That’s good, but your elbow needs to come forward a bit, and the top of your arm should be more horizontal. May I, sir?”

  “Of course.”

  Juan adjusted Nick’s arm according to his instructions. “And don’t forget, you always salute with your right hand, unless that arm is in a cast or sling.”

  “Got it.”

  “How’s he looking?” Dr. Harry Flynn asked as he came into the Oval Office.

  “I think he’s got it,” Juan said, saluting Nick, who returned the salute.

  “Normally, the Navy doesn’t salute indoors except for special occasions, but this is just for practice. The Army and Air Force salute indoors, outdoors, on base, off base.”

  “That’s good to know,” Nick said.

  “As the commander in chief, they’re always saluting you, not the other way around,” Juan added.

  “In my mind, I’m saluting you guys for the job you do to keep us safe.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll see you on Marine One.”

  Juan and the other military attachés who rotated through the assignment accompanied Nick everywhere he went as the keepers of the “football” that contained the nuclear codes.

  “The fun never ends around here, does it?” Harry asked when they were alone.

  “You have no idea.”

  “Heard about the North Koreans messing with Christmas. Everything okay there?”

  “For now. That’s always a precarious situation, as you know. Ready for some R&R at Camp David?”

  “We can’t wait,” he said of himself and his new fiancée, Lilia, who was also Sam’s first lady chief of staff.

  “How’s engaged life treating you?”

  “Never been better. I’m so, so glad I waited for her.”

  “She’s great, and I’m glad you waited, too. She’s perfect for you.”

  “In every possible way. I’ll admit I used to think you and Sam were so… What’s the word I’m looking for?”

  “Ridiculous?”

  Harry laughed. “I wouldn’t say that, exactly, but close. And now… Now, I get it. When it’s right, you don’t care who knows you’re madly in love.”

  “Speaking of that, we’ve heard Saturday Night Live is going to debut the actors playing us this weekend, and the focus will be on our too-hot-to-handle romance.”

  “Stop,” Harry said, sputtering with laughter.

  “I believe the term used to describe the skit was ‘dry hump.’”

  Harry lost it laughing. “That’s going to be the highlight of my holiday season.”

  “I thought getting engaged would be.”

  “Nope. That will be.”

  “What’s so funny?” Terry O’Connor asked when he joined them.

  “Saturday Night Live and the dry hump,” Harry said, losing it all over again.

  “Have you told Sam?” Terry asked Nick as he clearly tried not to join Harry in the hysteria.

  “She knows it’s coming, but the words ‘dry hump’ haven’t been brought to her attention. If they had, I certainly would’ve heard about it.”

  “As your chief of staff, I recommend you mention it to her sooner rather than later,” Terry said.

  “It’s on my list for when we get to Camp David, along with some uninterrupted time with her and the kids.”

  “We’ll do what we can to make sure that happens,” Terry said, “but we’ve got a lot to do this week, beginning with the first draft of your State of the Union address. George is coming up the day after tomorrow to spend the day with us.”

  “I want to write that myself,” Nick said.

  Terry’s raised brows conveyed his opinion of that plan. “The whole thing?”

  “Yes.”

  “I still think you should sit with George and discuss your ideas.”

  “I’ll give him a few hours, but not a whole day. I promised Sam a real break, and that’s what we’re going to do. And I hope you’re working on getting us to Bora Bora for our anniversary in March.”

  “Being the director of the White House Medical Unit sure has its perks,” Harry said, grinning, “such as traveling with the president everywhere he goes, including Bora Bora.”

  “We’re working on the logistics for that,” Terry said. “The Secret Service has sent an advance team—”

  “Wait, what? An advance team to Bora Bora?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. President. As you know, that’s a routine part of their planning for international trips.”

  “But this one is unofficial.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Terry said. “They still go through the steps and will ship The Beast out there on a C-17 or C-5 ahead of your arrival.”

  The Secret Service allowed Nick to ride only in the car it provided.

  “That seems like a lot of work and expense for an anniversary trip,” Nick said, already anticipating what the press would make of it.

  “The same effort went into it when you were VP,” Terry reminded him.

  “I didn’t like it any better then, but I was under much less scrutiny than I am now.”

  “Do you wish to change your plans, sir?” Terry asked.

  Thinking of the many sacrifices Sam had made since he’d unexpectedly been launched into the Oval Office on Thanksgiving, he shook his head. “Sam is looking forward to it, and so am I.” They were going while Eli was on spring break, so he’d be home to help with Alden and Aubrey. Everything was planned, down to the Secret Service doing advance work, apparently.

  He would take his lumps with the press to give his wife a memorable anniversary. In the two years they’d been married, their lives had changed dramatically due to his unprecedented rise through the political ranks to the top job. That same dizzying rise had led to claims of illegitimacy from political rivals, since he’d never been elected as vice president.

  Rather, he’d been tapped to complete the term of ailing Vice President Gooding. Thankfully, there was precedent for his situation, dating back to when Gerald Ford replaced indicted Vice President Spiro Agnew and then ascended to the presidency when President Nixon resigned.

  Nick’s communications team repeatedly referred to Ford when questions of illegitimacy surfaced almost daily in the press room.

  “Back to the State of the Union,” Nick said. “We need to use this opportunity to reintroduce me to the American people and to state my intentions to work on behalf of everyone, not just the people who agree with me. I have some thoughts about how I’d like to do it that you might not like.”

  “We look forward to your input, Mr. President,” Terry said. “I’ll let Will know to expect that you’ll be writing most of it yourself.”

  “Please do.” Nick had been thinking a lot about what he wanted to say to the country in his first State of the Union and had declined to have it postponed when the Speaker of the House had inquired as to whether he’d like more time before the nationally televised address. He was ready to stand before a joint session of Congress and the American people and stake his claim to the job he’d told them he didn’t want shortly before it became his.

  He had some work to do to prepare for that event, now just over a month away on the first of February, and he was ready to get down to it.

  But not until he had some much-needed vacation time with his family—and he had to find a minute to tell Sam about SNL and the dry hump. He couldn’t wait for that conversation.

  Chapter Four

  As Sam stood in the doorway of the South Portico, preparing to cross the South Lawn to Marine One on that cold but sunny late December morning, she tried not to think about flying in a helicopter. She’d done it once before and had lived to tell, but despite what Nick said, it would never become routine to her.

  Their social secretary and close friend, Shelby Faircloth Hill, would accompany them on this first trip since she’d coordinated their arrival with the team at Camp David.

  “You’re going to love it,” Shelby said to Sam. “I was there last week to make sure everything is ready for you guys, and it’s just wonderful. I also took care of picking up all the groceries you asked for.”

  “Thank you for handling that.” Sam said. “It’ll be nice to get out of the gilded cage for a few days. I’m determined to do some cooking for this family for once.”

  “I’m sure they’ll enjoy that. You all seem to be adjusting beautifully.”

  “We’re doing all right, but it’s… a lot. Nick hasn’t been out of here since we went to Des Moines. That’s the hard part for him. But we’re certainly not complaining as we walk out to our own personal helicopter.”

  “Don’t worry,” Shelby said, laughing. “I get it. I’m looking forward to a night off from motherhood, you know the job I couldn’t wait to have?”

  Sam laughed. “I feel you.”

  “Avery and Noah are driving up tomorrow for the week, and by the time they arrive, I expect to be fully twitching from withdrawals from my darling Noah.”

  “Enjoy the break, Shelby. You’ve more than earned it.”

  “Thanks for inviting us to join you guys. Avery is delirious with excitement to see Camp David, but don’t let on that I told you that. You know how hard he works to be cool about everything.”

  “I do, and your secret is safe with me. P.S., of course we invited you guys. You’re family.”

  “Mr. President,” Brant said. “We’re ready for you.”

  Nick reached for Sam’s hand. “Shelby, walk with us.”

  Without his invitation, Shelby would’ve hung back. Sam was glad he’d asked her. She’d become like a sister to Sam and Nick, and they loved her.

  Wearing the new long red wool coat her designer, Marcus, had sent over, Sam followed Nick’s lead and waved to the press assigned to record their every movement, knowing their walk across the lawn would make the news. Reporters called out to Nick, asking for comments on the bomb, North Korea, former Secretary of State Ruskin’s latest swipe against him and whether he had anything to say about an editorial in the New York Times about an unelected president having his finger on the nuclear button.

  He ignored them while smiling and waving like he hadn’t a care in the world, laughing at Skippy galloping along with Scotty, excited for an adventure.

  Sam, Celia and the kids went ahead of Nick up the stairs, but Sam fell back to watch him salute the young marine who greeted him at the bottom of the stairs. Sam gave Nick’s salute an A-plus.

  “Mrs. Cappuano, I’m Colonel Stone Walker, your new chief pilot, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you on board Marine One.” He was tall, with dark hair and eyes, and wore an impressive uniform covered in pins and ribbons.

  Sam shook his outstretched hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Colonel. This is my stepmother, Celia Holland.”

  “Lovely to meet you, ma’am,” the colonel said as he shook hands with Celia.

  “You as well,” she said. “This is all so exciting.”

  “We’re glad to have you on board.”

  Watching Celia’s delight at the perks that came with life in the White House was fun for Sam. She was thrilled her stepmother had agreed to be part of their grand adventure.

  Nick entered the aircraft, and the colonel introduced himself to Nick, who shook his hand. “What’s your handle, Colonel?”

  The man seemed slightly embarrassed. “It’s, um, Taco, sir, due to my unreasonable love of them.”

  Nick smiled. “I love me a good taco myself. I think we’ll be great friends.”

  “I’d enjoy that, sir. We have perfect conditions for our flight to Camp David.”

  “That’s what the first lady wants to hear. She’s not a big fan of flying.”

  “I promise you’ll be perfectly safe, ma’am.”

  “That’s good to know. Thank you.”

  “Please make yourselves comfortable, and we’ll have you there in no time. When we arrive, you’ll be greeted by Captain Martin, CO of Camp David, and the staff, all of whom will come out to the pad to welcome you, since it’s your first visit.”

  “Got it,” Nick said. “We’re looking forward to meeting them.”

  The kids were excited about the gifts the crew had left for them, including Marine One toys and T-shirts to commemorate their first ride.

  Nick checked to make sure everyone was buckled in, then sat next to Sam and put on his seat belt. A low rumble of conversation came from a compartment in the back, where White House staff and pool reporters rode. Lilia and Harry were back there, along with Terry and several other West Wing staffers and Secret Service agents.

  It was nice to have friends along for the ride.

  “Scotty, hang on to Skippy,” Nick said. “She’s apt to be startled by the engines.”

  “I’ve got her.”

  Scotty and the twins were fascinated by every aspect of Marine One, from the plush leather seats to the beverage and snack service to the way the chopper lifted off the South Lawn with effortless grace.

  “This is so cool,” Scotty said. They had to speak a little louder than usual to be heard over the engines. “We’re the only ones in the whole world who get this kind of service.”

  “Don’t let it go to your head, champ,” Nick said. “It’s temporary.”

  “That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it while it lasts.”

  “Did you bring that report you wrote about Camp David for social studies like I asked you to?” Nick asked.

  “I did, but I have no clue why I have to bring schoolwork on vacation.”

  “Because I want you to tell us about the camp before we get there.”

  “You already know about it.”

  Sam gestured for Scotty to proceed. “The rest of us don’t know squat about it.”

  “You’ve got the floor, son,” Nick said.

  “If you insist, Mr. President,” Scotty said with a grin, knowing how Nick hated to be called that by close friends and family.

  “I do insist, and I’m the boss of the whole country.”

  “Talk about not letting it go to your head.” Scotty rolled his eyes and cleared his throat dramatically as he held up the typed pages of his report. “I’ll give you the highlights. Located in Catoctin Mountain Park, Camp David is eighteen hundred feet above Thurmont, Maryland, and it’s actually a Navy base called Naval Support Facility Thurmont.”

  “Wait, there’s a mountain in Maryland called Catoctin?” Sam asked. “How have I lived here all my life and never heard of it?”

  “You also didn’t know that the Naval Observatory is the keeper of the Master Clock.”

  “I still want to know whose idea it was to send him to school,” Sam said as Shelby cackled with laughter.

  “As I always say, it certainly wasn’t my idea,” Scotty replied. “Anyway, the first president to have a retreat located outside of Washington was Hoover, who founded Rapidan Camp in 1929 in an area that became the Shenandoah National Park after the Hoovers deeded it to the National Park Service. FDR didn’t like that place, and besides, he spent most of his off time at his home in Hyde Park, New York, or on his presidential yacht, the USS Potomac. During World War II, it was decided that it was too dangerous to use the yacht because of the possibility of being attacked by bombers or U-boats, so they went looking for another location and ended up at the place that’s now Camp David. Roosevelt called it Shangri-La. President Eisenhower thought that name was too fancy, so he renamed it Camp David, after his grandson, who later married one of the Nixon daughters.

  “Roosevelt hosted Winston Churchill at the camp, and Presidents Carter and Clinton hosted the Middle East peace summits in 1978 and 2000, and many other world leaders have come to Camp David. There’s all sorts of cool stuff there, like a gym, a bowling alley, a heated pool, a game room and a movie theater, but if you’re thinking it’s going to be fancy like the White House, it’s not. The word ‘rustic’ is most often used to describe the accommodations. The president’s cabin is called Aspen, and that’s where we’ll stay, and your office is located at Laurel, Dad, but I’m sure they’ll show you where that is as they drive you around on Golf Cart One.”

  Sam recalled making a deal with Scotty to go to the gym together on vacation. She hoped he’d forgotten about that.

  “Wait,” Nick said. “That’s really a thing? Golf Cart One?”

  “Yep,” Scotty said.

  “Do I get to drive?” Nick asked.

  “Yep,” Scotty said again.

  “Yes,” Nick said with a fist pump. “I miss driving.”

  “I want to drive, too,” Scotty said. “It’s never too soon for you to start teaching me how. And since we can’t use an actual car, this will have to do.”

  “We’ll see what we can do,” Nick said, smiling.

  Sam looked out the window for familiar landmarks and recognized the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which was strangely devoid of traffic, thanks to the holiday week.

  “When can we go to the game room?” Alden asked.

  “As soon as we get there,” Nick promised him. “We just have to get settled first and figure out the lay of the land.”

  “What does that mean?” Alden asked. “Lay of the land?”

  “The location of everything. I’m sure they’ll give us a tour.”

  Forty-five minutes after liftoff, Sam felt the chopper start to descend into an area that appeared at first to be all trees. In the mountains, there was snow on the ground, which she hadn’t expected. “There’s snow,” Sam said, gesturing for the twins to look out their window.

  “I sent boots and snow clothes up for the kids,” Shelby said.

  Sam glanced at her friend. “God bless you for all you do for us.”

  “That’s my job—and it’s my pleasure.”

  “Did you guys have a nice Christmas?”