by JM Dragon
“I was not asleep,” Dee retorted.
“Really, well let me tell you, that adorable snore you have when you sleep cannot be forgotten and believe me you were snoring.” Gene chuckled. “I love the snore by the way. As to your question, Grand-mère is doing well, antsy, as I expected, though none the less intent on being here for the opening of the new Desrosiers factory next month.”
“Oh, do you think it’s wise? She went through hell and let’s face it she was frail when she was here.” Dee frowned.
“Grand-mère will not be thwarted by what she calls a trifling disturbance in her life.” Gene grinned, and Dee smiled along with her. Amalie Desrosiers appeared to be a tough old bird, very determined, and the most important thing was that she loved Gene.
“We had best make sure that we decorate the bedroom at least. She wasn’t happy about the peeling wallpaper and the faded paintwork. I have to say, Gene, giving the house a lick of paint, it isn’t one of your talents.”
Gene was silent. Three months ago, Dee would have worried about that silence. Not now. Then the car stopped.
How hadn’t she known they were in the area of the old factory where the new one aptly rose out of the ashes like the phoenix. “Oh, you came this way. Why?”
“Yes, indulge me please.” Gene opened the door and left the car. Dee followed quickly and went around the vehicle to stand beside her and they linked arms.
“The new building is looking great. State-of-the-art technology for our business according to Larry.” Dee looked at the triple-smoked glazed windows on the whole of the frontage.
Gene gave her a puzzled look.
“Larry, you know Larry— “
“Of course, I know Larry Davis. He is one of the best perfume technicians on the planet, according to me. How is what we are getting different to what we had?” Gene looked puzzled.
“Gene, you’ve been in France until last night, surely you approved the design and what went on?” Oh, crap, I hope she hasn’t trusted strangers with those decisions, we know what happened with Ager.
“I approved everything and understand most things, Grand-mère made sure of that.” She smiled. “Larry is wrong and right. Yes, I agree many things may look modern, but the heart of the business what makes it work, is the ancient practices, take the nose for instance.” She tapped her nose.
Dee laughed and nestled closer to Gene. “Hope you aren’t calling yourself ancient because if you are, I’ll definitely be your girl toy.”
Gene turned to her and eventually a smile drifted across her lips and she captured them with hers.
When they broke apart, Dee wondered which of them looked more disoriented. Then Gene gave her a whimsical smile and spoke.
“The bank is happy. Grand-mère and the insurance company helped make that happen. The Riggle man is in custody for the arson and death of Charles. Next week Quinn arrives to take over as our chief executive, though I think a certain banker is heavily on her mind.” They both grinned. “Sutters and Driscol’s are waiting to market what they say will be the next big perfume of the century. Grady still has a pulse and our employees will have jobs, and hopefully we can make more and thrive beyond the Henderson Logging company times.”
“You might not approve, but I’ve hired Milly Riggle as a junior lab assistant and told her she needs to work hard and go to night classes.
“I trust your judgement. I assume she agreed.”
“Oh yes. She left home when her father pleaded guilty to the arson and…. Max has taken her under her wing; she has a job at Maxali’s until we reopen. It’s hectic there with all the additional casual labor in the area because of the building works. She’s also getting help with a few of her life choices. Apparently, Ager did a number on her big time.” Dee sighed. “I think Milly needs people to care about her for who she is. Though I did say she will be the first recipient of the Charles Spencer business training scholarship you set up, and she needs to make Charlie proud.”
“You have a kind heart Dee. Her father was responsible for his death and from the rumor mill in town it’s because of her association with Ager. He blamed the business for allowing his daughter to become a deviant as he called it.”
“Charlie would agree with the decision I’m sure. I think with the right guidance she can be her own woman, here in Grady, or anyplace else.” There were a few moments of silence. Charlie, who had only been in their personal life a short time, had made an indelible impression on both of them and many more.
“Quinn told me some pertinent facts about Christine Ager. Apparently, a friend of hers had researched her current whereabouts. I have decided that sometimes horrible things happen to allow good things to grow and move on.”
“Do you mind if I ask what those facts are?” At this moment it was hard to decide if Gene was angry, upset, or impartial, her face was stoic. Gene was not exactly the most forthcoming with her emotions and she had been in France for the last two and a half months, so they hadn’t had the luxury of simply dating and getting to know each other better.
Gene stared at her and shrugged. “This is not her first time at running a company to the ground and then leaving unexpectedly. Tay, Quinn’s research friend, said it was her third, that she knew of.”
“For god’s sake, Gene, let’s find the bitch and take her down before she does it to another company.” Dee scowled. Her hand was taken and gently squeezed then released.
“I think you missed the point.”
“I did?” Dee frowned.
“Horrible things happen to allow good things to grow and we can move on. Besides, Tay has formed her own consultancy business to root out people like this and make them public.”
Dee grinned. “What does she call the company, Your Comeuppance?”
Gene laughed, and Dee’s heart thumped. “Not sure. That sounds like a British saying to me, it’s a great name nonetheless. She’s visiting Grady with her daughter at the next school holidays to see Quinn. I think we need to make sure we get to meet them.”
For a few moments Dee felt like an outsider. She knew that Gene would be talking to Quinn about her new role with Desrosiers, but some of this was more personal and it hurt that she wasn’t involved.
“Yes, good idea.”
“Dee I’ve been thinking. Only one thing is missing.”
“Is?” Dee whispered.
“What will make you happy, Dee?” The question was unexpected but with Gene and her mindset maybe not so much.
“Me? Well, I’m happy right now. We will have the business back, Grady will be saved, and we can continue our work.”
“We discussed this,” Gene softly replied.
Dee bit her lower lip. Had she missed a subtle hint or something? Dee faced Gene. There it was, that uncertainty in the veiled look and she knew exactly what was needed.
She bent down on one knee and took Gene’s hand.
“Will you marry me, Gene Desrosiers?” The shocked expression she saw made her want to laugh, unsure if it was a good or a bad look, either way it would always be honest. “You know I love you, I have from probably that first day we met when I was sixteen. I knew then it wouldn’t have been a good thing; we’ve gone past that. I figure recently you love me too and without me—”
Gene placed a finger over her lips. “Yes.”
“Yes?” Dee grinned.
Gene drew her up and pulled her close. “I’ve loved you probably since you were sixteen, most definitely at eighteen. I was so jealous that you had loads of friends to go driving with when you passed your test.” Their lips met, and life was perfect.
Dee rested her head against Gene’s. “I don’t have a ring.”
“I don’t need a ring from you, I think we have always been joined from the moment we met. It’s going to take something exceptional to break us apart. I can’t think of my life without you, Dee. I told my Grand-mère you were the most important person in my life.”
Dee smiled. “What did she say?”
“‘At l
ast, now starts the best time of your life.’ I figured she was wrong.”
“Oh.” Dee frowned. “Why?”
“Since the day I met you I’ve had the best times of my life, now I just want it to be even more special. I was going to give you this when we got to Desrosiers but…” She took out a key. “This is the key to Desrosiers House. I’m hoping you want to make it your home, but if you—”
“I do.” She snatched the key and held it to her heart. “Gene Desrosiers, I love you.”
They melted into a kiss.
About the Author
JM Dragon
JM Dragon is a New Zealand citizen, living in the beautiful Canterbury countryside. She loves to garden, travel, write, take care of her animals and family, and pursue her business interests—Affinity eBook Press and a Canterbury manufacturing company.
She is a keen reader of sci-fi, crime/mystery, classics, and romance, which help to feed her imagination for her own stories.
Currently published by Affinity eBook Press NZ LTD, her books include The Promise, Do Dreams Come True, Fix-it Girl, In Name Only, The Destiny Series, Circus, and the 2015 GCLS winner, The One.
You can contact JM by email at:
[email protected]
or
on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/julie.dragon
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