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He was obviously holding something back.
“Gus?”
The crunching of car tires on the driveway drew their attention away.
“That’s my grandma,” he said.
“What were you going to say?” She needed to know.
Gus took her hand. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Merritt reluctantly went with him, pushing aside her disappointment for now.
An elderly woman with bright smiling eyes climbed out and looked in their direction. “Is that my sweet Augustus?”
“Hi, Grandma,” Gus replied as he walked into her open arms. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
She let go and gave him a once-over. “You look tired. Are you taking care of yourself?”
“Yes, Gram. I’m fine.”
“Hello, dear,” the woman said as she looked at Merritt.
“Hello.”
Gus took his grandma by the arm and held his hand out toward Merritt. “This is my wife, Merritt. Mer, this is Grandma Mabel.”
Merritt was taken aback at the strength in Grandma Mabel’s hug, given her petite frame. “It’s so wonderful to meet you.”
“My daughter has told me wonderful things about you.”
“She’s pretty wonderful herself.”
“It sounds like our Augustus here has finally found the right girl.”
The guilt over faking a smile and pretending happiness for this woman was strong. Gus hadn’t told Merritt much about his maternal grandmother, except that she was the only grandparent they had left on either side of the family and that she was a highly respected woman of great faith and integrity.
Merritt used to think of herself that way too. But now, she wasn’t so sure.
Was the success of her business really worth all the lying and deception? Here she was among the most wonderful people, who had welcomed her in as their daughter and sister and friend, and she was lying to all of them. And she hated herself for it.
“Hey.” Gus gently touched her arm. “I’m gonna help with her things and then I need to take a nap or I won’t make it through the rehearsal tonight.”
She was disheartened about their earlier conversation, but she understood.
Gus took a step toward her, wrapping his hand around behind her neck, bringing her head closer to press his lips against her forehead.
She looked up at him with a closed-mouth smile. “Get some rest.” Her eyes followed him as he walked toward the house with one of Grandma’s bags.
He paused to glance back over his shoulder at her before he disappeared inside.
If only she knew what was going on inside that head of his.
After lunch, Genevieve surprised all the girls by taking them snowshoeing on their property. They all geared up with winter clothes and boots, snowshoes, and poles and headed out. The sky was bright and blue on the only clear afternoon they’d had so far. And while it was beautiful, Merritt was preoccupied, wondering if Gus was still asleep and what he had meant earlier before they were interrupted.
Merritt was bringing up the rear of the group, and Rhonda wasn’t too far ahead, so she sped up to reach her.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” Merritt asked her.