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Gus moved into Ruth’s bear hug. “Likewise.” He smiled at her when he pulled away. “And please, call me Gus.”
“All right, Gus.” She smiled. “Come on in.”
As they entered the house, Gus took hold of Merritt’s hand. He could feel the tension coming off of her and gave her hand a supportive squeeze.
“They’re here!” Ruth called out.
A grumble came from somewhere within the house and a hulk of a man came into view. Gus wasn’t short, but this thick and brawny man with a bald head and scruffy beard towered over him.
“This the husband?” the man asked.
“This is Gus, Dad,” Merritt replied.
Gus stepped forward and held his hand out. “Hello, sir. Gus Schultz.”
The man shook his hand. “Ned Christianson.”
Ruth stepped past them. “Come on in, you two. I made treats.”
They all moved into the small living room at the back of the house. Ruth hadn’t been kidding. There were several plates laid out on the coffee table filled with cookies, brownies, and eclairs.
“Wow, Ruth, these look amazing.” Gus pointed to the cookies. “May I?”
“Of course.” She picked up the plate and held it out to him, looking pleased as punch that he wanted to sample her creations. “They’re nothing compared to the treats your family makes.”
Gus took a cookie and sunk his teeth into the soft, flavorful treat, the chocolate chips melting on his tongue. He shook his head. “Best chocolate chip cookies I’ve had in a long time.”
Ruth’s cheeks turned rosy as she smiled shyly.
“So, you’re rich,” Ned said.
Merritt choked on the cookie she had just taken a bite of.
Gus laid a hand on her back and gave her a few gentle pats, but she shook her head and waved him away. The apologetic look on her face said everything.
“My family has done very well financially, yes,” Gus said.
Ned sniggered. “So, Merritt here will be taken care of?”
“Of course.”
“Then she doesn’t need to worry about trying to start her little company.”
“Her company?” He glanced over at Merritt then back at Ned. “She’s already—”
“Gus takes good care of me, Dad,” Merritt interrupted.
“Good,” he said with a nod.
Gus looked over at his wife. What was that all about? Why didn’t she want to talk to them about her business?
“How’s work going, Dad?” Merritt asked, clearly changing the subject.
“Since when do you care about my job?” He stared at her blankly.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I care about what you and Mom do.”
“It didn’t feel like it when you left home at eighteen and moved across the country from us.”