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“Your parents’ home is lovely.” A blast of cold air rushed through the door as Merritt stepped out of the vehicle and onto the cobblestone driveway.
“Thanks.” He rounded the car and took her hand, sliding his fingers between hers.
She looked up at him and let out a breath. “Here we go.”
“Here we go.” He squeezed her hand and led her to the door, which opened before they even reached it.
“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Schultz,” Gerard said as he held the door for them.
Gus heard Merritt’s breath catch at his greeting. “Hey, Gerard. Good to see ya.”
“And you, sir,” he replied.
“This is my beautiful wife, Merritt.” He looked at her. “This is our butler, Gerard.”
Merritt smiled and held her hand out to him. “It’s nice to meet you, Gerard.”
“And you as well.” Gerard gave a courteous handshake then proceeded to take their coats and scarves.
“Augustus? Is that you?” Mom came rushing through the foyer toward them. “My boy, you’re home.”
Being in his mother’s arms again made his throat tighten with emotion. He wanted to curl up in her lap like he had when he was a child and let all the worries of the world fall away.
“Hi, Mom.”
“I missed you,” she whispered.
His eyes stung with unshed tears, but he didn’t let them fall. Releasing everything he’d held inside all these months would probably do him good, but he didn’t want Merritt to see him cry.
He cleared his throat as he pulled back. Leaving a kiss on his mother’s cheek, he turned and motioned to Merritt. “Mom, this is Merritt.”
Mom moved in her direction and hugged her. “Oh, Merritt, it’s so nice to meet you.” When she let go, she reached for Merritt’s hand to look at her wedding ring. “How lovely.” She looked back at Gus. “Nice choice.”
He grinned. “No ring comes close to the beauty I married.”
Mom beamed, and Merritt gave him a sarcastic look behind Mom’s back.
He winked at her.
“This is for you.” Merritt held out a small box containing the truffles they had made.
Mom took it and opened the top.
“Gus and I made them together.”
“Well, now you’re really part of the family,” Mom said with a smile. “Come on in, you two.” She walked ahead to the kitchen, and they followed.
Gus took Merritt’s hand again. “Where are Dad and Sky?”
“They’ll be here in a little while.” She looked away for a moment. “Meeting today.”
A jealous knot formed in his stomach. “Oh. Okay.”
“Why don’t you two get settled. I have a few things to take care of before dinner.”
“All right.” Gus was disappointed, but he shook it off and headed down the hallway to his room.
Merritt dropped his hand the second they were out of Mom’s view, and he missed the warmth of her palm against his.