Epilogue

One year later.

Piny was waiting on the porch of the Victorian style home Brody and Tori had purchased on the outskirts of Napa.

“I’m home,” he called as he came through the front door.

There wasn’t any answer, but he could hear music coming from the upstairs sitting room where Tori had set up a drafting table to use when she wasn’t at her office.

“Come on, boy.” Brody held the door for the Labrador, and the dog hobbled inside, tail wagging. He leaned down and stroked Piny’s head. “You’ve got a lot of spunk. The shot slowed you down, but it didn’t ruin your spirit, did it?”

“Who do I hear talking down there?” Tori called from the top of the stairs.

“Just me. Bonding with my dog.”

“Our dog.” He couldn’t see her face, but as usual, there was a smile in Tori’s voice. “Come up here, Brody. I need to talk to you.”

He took the stairs two at a time, and Piny followed. He threw his arms around her and crushed her to his chest. Every night when he came home, he thought how close he’d come to losing her. And every night, he kissed her hello, saying a silent prayer.

They kissed, a long, lingering kiss, then Tori led him into the sitting room where she’d been working. Sketches were strewn about, some pinned to a bulletin board, others taped to the window.

“How are things at the office?” she asked.

“Great. I’m making money hand over fist.”

He’d discovered he had a knack for finance. Not only had he helped out Elliott and Alex, but Brody had invested in several businesses in the wine country. Being a venture capitalist was just as challenging as antiterrorist work had been—but a hell of a lot more rewarding.

It gave him more satisfaction than he could have imagined to see his brothers prosper. He’d tried to lend Tori money, but she’d insisted on remaining independent. He didn’t mind as long as being independent hadn’t stopped her from marrying him.

Tori led him to the bay window overlooking the countryside. It was a great view, particularly at this time of year when the leaves were turning, and the grapes had been harvested. They sat down together, holding hands.

“You wanted to tell me something?”

Tori didn’t know where to begin … exactly. So much had changed for Brody in the last year. Could he handle yet another change?

“Tori? What is it?”

She decided to ease into the news. “Rachel—”

“I heard. Mr. Dot-Com lost everything in some Internet venture. He’s broke.”

Tori nodded. “Dad says the bank is repossessing the vineyard.”

“It wasn’t much to begin with—not compared to Hawke’s Landing or Farallon Vineyards. Rachel got what she deserved.”

“Too bad she couldn’t have been prosecuted for tampering with Hawke’s Landing’s computers.”

“You heard what the DA said. There wasn’t enough evidence.” Brody cocked his head and gazed at her. “Is Rachel what you wanted to talk about?”

“No, not exactly,” she hedged. “Dad and Katherine are coming to dinner in a little while.”

“Really? Why?” Her father and his new wife usually came on Sunday nights, not midweek. Brody eyed her. “What’s up?”

“What makes you think something is going on?”

“We’ve been married almost a year. I know how that little mind of yours works.”

“I invited Dad over to tell him …” She paused to take a deep breath. “Dad’s going to be a grandfather.”

Brody stared down at Piny, who’d settled at their feet. Then he slowly rose and jammed his fists into the pockets of his slacks. He stared down at her. “You’re pregnant.”

“No, darling. We’re pregnant.” She tried for a smile. “You’re not upset are you? I mean, I know we haven’t discussed a baby. It just sorta happened.”

He pulled her to her feet and hugged her gently. “I’m not upset. Why would you think that?”

She gazed up into the blue eyes she loved so much. “A wife. A house. A nine to five business. Suddenly, your world is everything you never liked.”

“Tori, I swear. I never knew what I wanted until I met you.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “I love my life. I want a family. A big family.”

“I’m glad. I just wished we’d talked about it, but with the Barzini trial and everything going on in our lives, I kept waiting to discuss children.”

“Let me tell you something. When you were shot, Alex and Brody and I swung into action just like a SEAL team. No, like a close-knit family. We got you to the hospital, Piny to the vet’s, and turned the Barzinis over to the sheriff.

“I realized they were my brothers, not military men. Their actions were motivated by love, not the thrill of combat. They did what had to be done. I knew right then that the military had been a substitute family for me. I wanted a challenge out of life because I didn’t have a life.”

She sighed, on the verge of tears. Why had she thought he might not be happy? He’d obviously come to terms with the concept of family.

He put his hand on her tummy. “Now, I’m going to have my own family. It’s just what I want.”

“Would you like a boy or a girl?”

“Who cares? I want a healthy baby. That’s all I ask.” He backed off and looked down at her for a second. “Your father’s coming to hear the news. What about my brothers?”

“Oh, didn’t I mention them? Alex and Elliott—the uncles—are bringing the food. I’m too busy too cook.”

He grinned. “You little devil. I hope you enjoy being pregnant. We’re going to have a big family.”