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Sebastian drove in silence, and Gus decided not to push. Maybe they’d have time to talk when they got to the house.
Merritt kept watching Gus and making subtle head tilts and eyebrow raises in Sebastian’s direction. Surprisingly, he understood what she was trying to say. Whatever the problem might be, he needed to make things right with his brother.
He gave her an answering nod as Sebastian turned into a driveway and pulled up next to a keypad. He entered his code, and the heavy wooden gate before them swung open to reveal a long tree-lined drive, splitting through an immense pasture. They traveled along between the fences until the road curved and wound around and over a hill or two, opening into a clearing to reveal a gorgeous log home at the base of a snow-covered mountain.
Genevieve had to be in heaven here with the large stable and acres upon acres of land for horses. It was breathtaking, and if Gus hadn’t been annoyed with his brother, he would’ve complimented the place.
“This is beautiful, Sebastian,” Merritt said.
Gus loved the sound of awe in her voice and the enraptured look on her face.
“Thank you.” Sebastian shifted into park and got out, circling the vehicle to open Merritt’s door.
Gus rolled his eyes. Always the gentleman. The good brother. The golden child.
Genevieve rushed out of the house then and nearly tackled Merritt with a hug. “It’s so wonderful to meet you. I’m so happy to have another sister.” Her eyes flitted to Sebastian’s, and he gave her a huge smile. Anyone could see how in love they were from the way they looked at each other.
Genevieve turned to Gus next. “Gus, it’s good to see you again.”
He gave her a hug. “Good to see you too.”
“How are you?” she asked. “We were all worried about you.”
“There was no need. I’m fine.” He reached for Merritt and pulled her into his side. “Especially now that I found this girl.” He pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
Merritt looked up at him with a smile that appeared genuine. Probably because he hadn’t gone straight for a kiss on the mouth. He hated that their kiss the other night had made her uncomfortable. It was the last thing he wanted. And he could understand how she felt because it had definitely left him feeling disconcerted. The kiss itself had felt comfortable—maybe too comfortable—and he had found himself insanely attracted to her. But he didn’t want things to turn awkward between them and ruin their friendship, so he needed to be much more careful.
Skylar came from the house then and joined them, grabbing hold of Merritt’s hands and pulling her from Gus’s arms. “You can’t keep her all to yourself, Gus.” She and Genevieve ushered Merritt into the house, leaving the brothers alone.
They grabbed the bags in silence and brought them into the house. Sebastian led him down a hallway and into one of the guest rooms. “You’ll be in here.” He rolled their suitcases next to the dresser, and Gus stopped and tossed one of Merritt’s bags onto the bed.
“I hope you’ll be comfortable.” Sebastian made his way to the door.
“Bash, come on.”
Sebastian turned to look at him.
“Why are you shutting me out?”
“What did you expect? I tell you I’m engaged and instead of staying to celebrate with us, you take off. As usual.”
“I didn’t leave because you got engaged. It was all about Dad dissing me. You know that.”
“He wasn’t dissing you. He was making the decision he thought was best for the company for now.”
“Whatever.”
“Try to see it from his perspective. You were being sued, which doesn’t look good for the company, Gus.”
“I know that.”
“Do you think it was easy for Dad to make that decision?”
Gus shrugged. “Didn’t seem too hard for him.”
“So, your answer was to run to California again instead of facing the problem.”
“I wasn’t going to grovel.”