Page 129 of Sterling Fight

A rush of questions occurs. “What?” and “When did this happen?” and “How did this happen?”

Genie smiles. “I had a call with Clay before I went to New York, and he gave me some things to think about. Mainly, he offered me a different route, allowing me to maintain my vision and creative design, with more support.”

I had gone through Genie’s financials as she asked, and I showed her where she could spend some money to grow her business. I also suggested an investor, meaning me. I’d done it for Sebastian and his bakery. Ford and the baseball camp. Like I’d told Genie, I was good at investing.

She wasn’t going to make the same money Greetings Ambassador promised to pay her upfront, but in the long run, she might make double with the expansion of her line. Clay was willing to help with the production details, as in finding suppliers until Genie had her own connections. Sylver Seed & Soil would be her first distributor, plus direct sales from her new, improved website.

“This is amazing,” someone says.

“So happy for you,” someone else adds.

“Does this mean you’re staying in Sterling Falls?”

“That’s the last thing to solidify in this merger of interests,” Genie says, giving me a sly smile.

“What?” I turn toward her.

We’ve already moved her things. I don’t want her to have any doubts. My home is her home.

Genie is adamant she needs to inform her mother of her new address. Whereas I’m of the mindset to simply leave Janet Hurley to languish in her own misery and bitterness, far away from my girl and her happiness. But Genie is a bigger person than I am, and she’s stronger than me in so many ways. Her relationship with her mother may never be healthy, but Genie has checks and balances in place to navigate the situation. And she has me at her back, holding her hand through every storm her mother stirs.

Just like Genie has my back with my personal albatross. Although according to small town gossip, courtesy of Vale, Heather’s little scheme with Tate backfired and she’s run into some financial troubles. Heather’s true nature revealed itself and set me free from any lingering guilt I felt at hurting her feelings. I don’t wish her ill will in any way; I just don’t think about her because all my thoughts are wrapped up in my firefly.

Genie turns toward me as well, taking both my hands in hers. Her fingers tremble and I squeeze them tighter, finding my palms suddenly sweaty. Her voice sounds serious, practiced even when she says, “Judd Sylver, a few weeks ago, you saved me from the corner of a room, a stuffy garden party, and a hideous yellow dress.”

She chuckles and the tension loosens from my shoulders.

“Through a misinterpretation, it was assumed we were engaged.” She quirks her brow. “But then we agreed to date for ten days.”

“Checking yes,” I mutter, keeping my eyes on hers, wondering where she’s going with this recap of our short time together.

“There’s one more thing I’d like you to check yes to, if you will.” Genie reaches into the pocket of her summer dress and pulls out a folded piece of paper.

With hesitant hands, I take the note from her and read it to myself. There on light blue lines with a unicorn in the background, Genie has written:

Would you like to marry me? Check yes or no.

My head pops up. A grin so wide I can hardly contain it spreads across my face. My shoulders completely lose any remaining tension. In fact, I feel lighter than I’ve ever felt before. “You know I would.”

Genie smiles, her eyes bright. “Then would it be weird if I asked you to marry me?”

“Not as weird as how fast I’d check yes.” I turn toward my family, my voice raspy when I ask, “Anyone have a pen?”

Stunned, awed, and pleased faces stare back at us.

I turn toward Genie again. Pinched between her fingers is the newly minted, polished copper penny I’d given her.

“You’re my wish, Judd. What do you think?” She laughs, reminding us both the question is the same one I’d said to her, when a certain someone misunderstood what was happening on the side of Genie’s mom’s house.

“I’d say, Genie Webster, will you be my wife?”

“Checking all the yeses.” Her smile is so wide it is almost blinding, but I swoop her into my arms, spinning us in a circle before setting her on her feet and kissing her in front of my entire family.

“Does this mean he loves her?” Dutton’s voice breaks through our kiss and when I pull back, Genie swipes at a tear in the corner of her eye.

“This means I love her,” I admit to Dutton.

“Did you get her a new ring?” His innocent voice asks, knowing I’d given Genie the other ring. The one now lost.