Page 99

“Call me Harriet …” Her face lit up as she noticed the ring on Genevieve’s finger. “Or Mom.” She clasped Genevieve’s hand between hers. “Oh, I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
Harriet looked over at Sebastian then and moved to hug him. He held onto her tightly, and she whispered, “I’m overjoyed for you, baby boy. You’re going to be a wonderful husband and father one day.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“So, it’s happening then,” she said quietly as she pulled away.
He nodded, not quite ready to make the announcement he’d confided in his parents about, and Mom gave him a sad smile in reply. He hated making his mother sad, but he knew she was truly happy for him and supported the decision he’d made.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Dad said, pulling Genevieve into a hug. “Welcome to the family, young lady.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
“Dinner is ready,” Gerard announced then.
They moved into the dining room just as the doorbell went off, and Gerard ushered Augustus into the room.
“You made it.” Skylar looked pleased.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Sebastian watched Gus as he took his seat, looking better, healthier. He much preferred seeing his brother this way, not dazed and out of it. Gus had been back in Grand Rapids since the regatta, trying to get his life back in order. He wanted to be a part of the company, Sebastian knew he did. But there was still all the mess with Milton to deal with.
Gus gave Genevieve a little wave. “Good to see you again, Genevieve.”
“You, too … Gus.” She smiled as she said his name, and Sebastian knew it was probably strange for her to say that after thinking he was Sebastian for so long.
When their parents were chatting with Skylar, Gus leaned across the table toward Genevieve. “Sorry for all that stuff this summer,” he told her.
“No worries.” She waved it off. “It all worked out for the best.”
Gus looked from Sebastian to Genevieve and back again. “Yes, it did. Everything’s as it should have been from the start.”
Sebastian took Genevieve’s hand and held it up. “We’re engaged.”
“No way.” Gus’s eyes widened. “Bash, you proposed? That’s … that’s great. I’m happy for you, bro.” He held his fist out until Sebastian bumped his against it, then stood and came around the table to hug Genevieve.
Sebastian wasn’t sure, but it seemed Gus was less enthusiastic about their engagement than he let on. Maybe he was surprised. They hadn’t talked much lately, so maybe he felt out of the loop.
After dinner, they all moved into the living room again. Mom, Skylar, and Gus sat together on the sofa, Dad took the leather chair by the fireplace, and Sebastian and Genevieve sat together on the loveseat.
Sebastian kissed Genevieve gently on the lips, then stood and walked over to stand by the fireplace.
Everyone gave him their attention.
“By now, you all know that I’ve asked Genevieve to marry me, and she has agreed.” He couldn’t stop smiling. “Before I decided to propose, I spoke to Dad and Mom about a decision I’ve made.”
Genevieve’s eyes narrowed as she watched him curiously.
“Effective immediately, I will be stepping down as president of Schultz Chocolate.”
Skylar gasped. Genevieve’s mouth hung open. Gus looked pleased.
“I will be moving to Montana to be with Genevieve.”
“What?” Genevieve shook her head. “No, you can’t leave your job for me. That’s crazy.”
“I’ve made my decision, darling. I can’t be away from you, and when we marry, I know you’ll want to stay on at the Rescue. You were meant to work there, and I won’t ask you to walk away from it.”