Quentin spoke up. “Now what w
as I about to say?”
Sage elbowed him. “You know, what happens to Elsa after the SEC.”
“That’s right. Once the SEC is done with you, the IRS wants their turn at you. It appears that you’ve been hiding assets.”
“How could I have forgotten that one?” Sage turned to Elsa. “Looks like you’re in a mess of trouble. I just hope you didn’t mess up my house too much. That’s right. The house is coming back to me now that a copy of the original will has been located.”
As the officer placed the cuffs on Elsa’s wrists, the reality of the situation sunk in. Elsa glared at her stepdaughter. “Your father always loved you best. He never paid attention to what I needed. It was always Sage this and Sage that. He was never worried about me. I had to take what I deserved.”
The officer started to read her rights to her. Elsa took one last look around her precious office. And then her gaze landed on Sage and Quentin as they shared a tender look.
“You will never win,” Elsa said as she was led toward the door.
“We already did.” Sage leaned over and kissed Quentin.
EPILOGUE
Six months later...
IT WAS FINALLY HAPPENING.
Trey was at last going to have the family that he’d always wanted—and wondered if he deserved.
Sage had taught him to forgive himself—and his father. He glanced off to the side to find his father sitting in the back row of their small wedding. If it wasn’t for Sage, he didn’t think he would have ever been able to open his heart up to his father. He never would have known the truth—his father hadn’t left voluntarily. His mother had pushed him away because she wasn’t able to share him with his work. She was an overly insecure person. But his mother had never shared that information with Trey. She’d only said his father had chosen his work over them.
With his father permanently retired, the future of QTR was now Trey’s responsibility—and Sage’s. Not only were they merging their hearts and lives, but they also were merging their companies. They were going to be a dynamic duo, at work and at home.
Trey returned his attention to his almost-wife as Sage repeated her wedding vows. He stared into her eyes, seeing his future. He couldn’t imagine choosing his work over her. Nor could he imagine her issuing an ultimatum. Sage enjoyed her work as much as he did. But they both enjoyed their time together. Sometimes it was a balancing act. Some days work won out. But other times, they’d slip away for some alone time—which they would do shortly for their month-long honeymoon.
“You may kiss your bride,” the minister said.
Arf! Arf!
They both looked down at Happy, who sat between them wearing his little black bow tie. His tail rapidly swished back and forth. Was it Trey’s imagination or was the dog smiling at them?
Trey gave himself a mental shake. He lifted his gaze until it met his wife’s. They both leaned in close and he pressed his lips to hers. Her kiss excited him just as much now as it had the very first time that they’d kissed. There was definitely something magical about Sage. And he was so lucky to have her next to him for life.
They turned to the couple dozen people that they’d invited to the small, intimate affair. Standing and clapping were all the people that held a special place in their hearts.
Sage leaned closer to Trey. “Is that your father in the back row?”
“It is. I told him if he didn’t have anything planned that he could stop by.”
“Really?” Sage sent him an astonished look.
“What? I thought you’d be happy.”
“I’m happy he’s here, but the way you invited him, it was like asking him over to watch a football game. I would have sent him an invitation if you’d have mentioned that you changed your mind. Now what’s he going to think? And sitting in the back row of all places.”
Trey turned to his bride and cupped her face. “He’s going to think I’m the luckiest man in the world. And he has just gained the most beautiful and kindhearted daughter-in-law. Now give me a kiss.”
She lifted up on her tiptoes and he met her halfway. But the kiss was much too short as Sage pulled away. He sent her a puzzled look.
“You’ll get more later,” she said. “We have guests.”
“Promise?”