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“I don’t know what a real marriage is supposed to feel like, but we like hanging out, we have a mutual respect for each other, we care about and support each other. Sounds like marriage to me.” He paused. “Well … almost.”
“I think you’re missing the biggest component of a true marriage.”
“Sex?” He could almost see her eyes roll at that.
“Love.”
The room was still with the L-word hanging in the air. Several long minutes passed until he was sure she had drifted off.
“Gus.”
“Yeah.”
“No matter what happens, I’m glad I met you.”
He smiled. “So am I.”
She rolled away from him, leaving him to think about her words. No matter what happens. He wished he could read her mind, so he would understand what brought that on. Maybe she was already thinking about what would happen ten months from now when they parted ways. And the thought of that made his heart ache.
TWENTY-FOUR
Was it possible to function on three hours of sleep? Because that was about all Merritt had gotten last night. And even then, she’d drifted in and out in a fitful state as she lay beside Gus, thinking about the months ahead, the events they would attend together, the time they would spend with his wonderful family. They really were salt of the earth. She’d thought so on their trip to Michigan, and she was more certain of it now that she’d been so fully welcomed in. She loved Harriet and Skylar and Genevieve, and to be a real member of their family would make her so happy. But there was this underlying twinge of sadness within her, knowing that she and Gus were lying about their marriage, and though their time together as a “family” was only beginning, it was already starting to eat at her. And it would only grow more difficult as time went on because she could easily see herself loving all of them.
Even Gus.
“It’s right up ahead,” Genevieve told Skylar, who was driving all the ladies to her final bridal gown fitting. Her mom, Ida, and sister, Rhonda, had arrived from Michigan that morning, and they were also joined by her bridesmaid, Marianne, who she worked with at the horse rescue.
From the outside, the little bridal boutique was not where she expected the bride of a Schultz to shop, but when they entered the building, Merritt was instantly charmed. The original brick walls and white tin ceiling combined with modern chandeliers and white brocade wallpaper made the space bright and lovely. And the gowns on display were by well-known designers, making this small town shop comparable to any high-end bridal boutique out there.
A sweet petite woman emerged from another room and greeted them warmly, leading them into a private space in the back.
Genevieve’s dress was hanging on a hook beside a wall of mirrors, and she clapped her hands with excitement as she stepped toward it. The woman led her to a changing room, and her mom and sister went with her while the rest of them took a seat and waited.
Skylar pulled a camera from within a black bag she’d been carrying and attached a lens.
“Gus showed me some of your pictures in his office,” Merritt told her. “You have a great eye.”
“Oh, thanks. It’s something I’ve always loved to do.”
“Did you ever shoot professionally?”
“I’ve assisted on some shoots for Schultz products from time to time, but I just do it for me.”
“You have a gift, that’s for sure.”
“That’s so nice of you to say.”
Merritt gave her a little closed-mouth smile just as Genevieve stepped out of the changing room.
The room was still for a moment. Then the click of Skylar’s camera filled the silence, Harriet sniffled, and the oohs and aahs began.
Genevieve looked like an angel in her long-sleeved lacy gown, perfect for a winter wedding. Her mother opened a garment bag they had brought along and pulled out her veil, placing it gently atop her head. Even Merritt got teary-eyed at the sight.
“Do you like it?” Genevieve asked the ladies.
They all agreed she looked resplendent.
After the shop owner pulled and tucked and pinned for the final adjustments, the ladies headed to a quaint restaurant for brunch. The conversation began about Genevieve and Sebastian’s wedding events and plans for the week but somehow veered in the direction of Gus and Merritt.