Epilogue

Lindy clutched Chris's hand as they walked down the steps from the courtroom. The last few months had been brutal.

The company's shares taken a hit with the fallout of Jonathon's attempt on her life. Once the news had broken that the two projects they'd been a part of had proven to be a scam, it had sent stockholders into panic selling.

Fortunately, she'd taken her new position by the horns after the incident and had steered the company in the right direction.

Now she didn't care about the billionairess headlines in the gossip columns because that was who she was and finally she owned it.

"You good?" He gave her hand a squeeze.

"Yes, glad that's all over. I'm happy Ian didn't get too much of a sentence. From what he relayed in Court, it sounds like he didn't have the best life with Jonathon as his stepfather." Her new assistant was as efficient as Ian had been. She had to admit she did miss the young man, but he'd betrayed her, and that couldn't be overlooked.

"How about we get a drink?" His eyes sparkled, and Lindy had a fair idea of where he was going to take her, if she agreed.

"I think we definitely need to get a drink."

The walk to the pub where they'd first met didn't take long. "Why don't you find us a table, and I'll get the drinks?" Chris suggested.

"I can do that."

She found a booth and watched as he chatted to the bartender, the same guy who'd served them the night they'd met.

Now that the trial was over, he'd be heading back to Colorado to arrange for the packing up and selling of his house so he could move to Australia. He was getting his visa sorted out so he could live with her permanently. Once he had it all arranged he would be taking up a more hands-on role with Steve's company .

Lindy would miss him while he was away, but when he returned, he'd be with her for good, and that made the separation a little easier to live with.

"Here you go." Chris placed her wine on the table and slid in beside her, resting his arm across her shoulders.

"Thanks." She lifted it and threw him a glance. "To chance encounters at bars."

"To forever."

They tapped their glasses and she took a sip, closing her eyes to savor the flavor of the Sauvignon Blanc.

"I've got something else to say."

Her eyes snapped open, and she gripped her wineglass.

Chris was holding out his hand. On his palm sat a diamond ring. The stone sparkling from the light shining down on it.

"Is that?" Lindy couldn't say the rest of the words.

"Yep." He smiled and brushed his fingers over her shoulder. "When I walked in here on that Thursday night, I never expected to find my forever. I was going through the motions of living. Going from job to job. Then I saw you, and everything fell into place. Will you marry me, Lindy Jones? "

Tears filled her eyes. "Absolutely."

Chris slid the diamond solitaire ring on her finger, then gripped her hand in his. "I love you," he whispered the words against her lips.

"I love you, too. So much. I can't believe this is real."

"It's very real."

As their lips connected, peace settled over her, and Lindy felt her father looking down on her smiling, happy that she'd found her happily ever after.

S teve Power rolled down his window and the late afternoon spring air filled the car. After being in an airconditioned building, it was nice to feel the light breeze waft over his skin.

The day had been busy but fulfilling. Business was booming and he was looking at collaborating more with some counterparts in Los Angeles. After doing a favor for Angelo Donatello at Alliez Security, his boss, Ox, had contacted Steve to see if they were interested in working with them on missions they did with the FBI. Power Security's proximity to Asia was a drawcard, not to mention the fact he and his team already did covert operations for the Australian Government and other individuals. Steve was more than happy to consider Ox's proposal.

As he turned down a familiar street his focus drifted to the owner of the café he frequented. Tabitha Newton was sexy, sassy and way too good for Steve and all the baggage he carried with him. Not to mention, all the things he'd done so far in his life, would taint her beautiful soul. But that didn't stop him from admiring her from afar. From stopping in every morning for a coffee and a muffin, along with some light flirtation. And in weak moments, thoughts of what could be filled his mind until he shut them down with a reality check.

Out of habit he slowed down as he approached Café Tabby, hoping to catch a glimpse of its delightful owner. Steve slammed on his brakes, his car lurching to a halt at what he saw.

"What the fuck," he muttered as he slapped his hazard lights on and got out of the car, running over to the prone figure on the ground. "Tabitha!"