All Night Long

more, if he does run into trouble, he’s got someone he can call on for backup now.”
    “I’m guessing that would be Irene,” Jason said.
    “You guess right.” Hackett did not take his eyes off Katy. He knew that his whole future was hangin n the balance. “Will you have dinner with me tonight? Someplace very private. Just the two of us.”
    She put her arms around his neck. Her smile lit up the room. “I would like that very much. I’ve eve ot a great idea where we can go.”
    “I am open to suggestion.”
    “My place,” she said.
    “Like I said, this is a perfect day.”
    He pulled her close and kissed her.
    “Boy, howdy, this sure explains a few things,” Jason said. “Obviously, what we had here was a major breakdown in communications between the executive suite and the PR department. Glad we got that straightened out. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get another slice of pizza.”
    Hackett ignored him. So did Katy.

Epilogue
    “You know,” Irene said, “I think your father actually looks younger this year than he did last year o is birthday.”
    She looked across the crowded room to where John and Vicki stood with Gordon, talking to som uests. Luke followed her gaze, amused.
    “Probably because he’s no longer worrying about me,” he said. “I hear stress can really age you.”
    “I thought he looked pleased when he came to our wedding, but tonight he seems even happier.”
    Luke grinned. “That’s because he’s looking forward to his first grandchild. Expect he’s already making plans to bring the kid into the business.”
    Instinctively she touched her very pregnant shape, mildly astonished that she wasn’t glowing as brightl s one of her own flashlights. “I think John and Gordon will have more than one grandchild to work on soon. Katy told me that she and Hackett intend to start a family right away.”
    “Boy, howdy,” Jason said, coming up beside her. “At this rate, there are going to be little rug rats al ver the place.”
    “Your turn next, little brother,” Luke said.
    “All in due time,” Jason said, munching on a canape. “Life is like making good wine.
    You don’t want to rush it, or you’ll miss all the nuances.”
    “Wow,” Luke said. “Listen to Mr. Philosopher.”
    Jason grinned. “I thought that was pretty good, myself. Speaking of academic stuff, when does you ook get released?”
    “Next month,” Irene said before Luke could respond. She was barely able to restrain her excitement.

    “The publishers say that advance orders have been very good. They think that
Strategic Thinking
    Lessons from Philosophy and Wa
r will not only find an audience among people who read military and business books, but may even cross over into the general market.”
    Hackett and Katy appeared out of the crowd.
    “Nice going,” Hackett said. “Looks like you’ve found another career for yourself.”
    “It lacks some of the zest of the innkeeping business,” Luke said, “but I think it suits me better. Th est part about the job is that I get to work at home.”
    “Which is good,” Irene added, “because he is going to make an excellent father.”
    Jason nodded with an air of great seriousness. “Sure glad you got past your little E ssue, Big Brother.”
    “You know,” Luke said, looking both dangerous and thoughtful, “with all the new offspring on the wa n this family, you can probably be replaced one of these days.”
    Irene and Katy dissolved into laughter. Luke, Hackett and Jason exchanged grins.
    On the other side of the room John, Gordon and Vicki turned their heads to look.
    Irene could see the satisfaction and pride radiating from the two men. Vicki gave her a warm, knowing smile and winked before she turned back to her guests.
    Joy, bright and full of promise, flooded through Irene. Luke tugged her closer, his arm around her waist.
    “What are you thinking?” he asked.
    “I’m thinking that this is how it feels to have a family. That with a love like ours and a family like thi ne, we can handle whatever comes along in the future.”
    He smiled, looking satisfied and certain. “Talk about your astonishing coincidences.
    “I was just thinkin he very same thing.”