Page 93

“You look pretty good too.” She gave him a shy smile.
It was then that he realized what she held in her hands.
“You forgot your socks.” She held them out to him. “I was just about to bring them to you.”
He didn’t know why that small gesture meant so much to him, but it did. And before he knew what he was doing, he had pulled her into his arms and crushed her to him. “Thank you.”
She laughed. “Uh, you’re welcome.”
He slowly inhaled the scent of her shampoo so she wouldn’t catch on to what he was doing. He was so completely gone for her. And he couldn’t bring himself to release his hold.
And then it occurred to him that she wasn’t moving either and she wasn’t pushing him away. Could this mean what he hoped it meant?
He loosened his grip a fraction and slid one hand along the back of her silky dress to her shoulder-length hair. He turned his head until his lips rested against her temple. He wanted nothing more than to kiss his way to her lips, but they needed to have a conversation first.
“Gus,” she whispered as she leaned back and looked up at him.
He wished he could read that look in her eyes. But then she stepped back, laying a hand on his chest, looking at him with friendly admiration, and the disappointment hit him straight in the heart.
“You really do look so handsome.” She nodded toward the door. “You should get back to your brother. The wedding’s going to start soon.”
“Yeah, I should. Thanks for the socks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As he walked to the barn, he made his decision. He had to tell her. Tonight. And if she didn’t feel the same, then at least he would know.
THIRTY-ONE
Considering the fame of the Schultz family, Merritt was surprised that Sebastian and Genevieve were able to keep their guest list to less than a hundred people. She liked small, intimate weddings, and this was the most beautiful one she had ever attended. But it wasn’t only the setting or decorations or music. It was the celebration of the love Sebastian and Genevieve had for each other. Their love was inspiring and true, and Merritt longed to experience a love like that.
Gus’s sock-induced hug earlier had made her wonder if maybe she wasn’t alone in her feelings. But she couldn’t dwell on that right now. After this weekend, she would see if something was still off with him and broach the subject then.
Merritt stood to the back of the room, watching her husband usher the guests down the aisle to their seats. He was a beautiful man, and she thanked God for allowing them to cross paths. If only she knew whether their paths would keep moving in the same direction or if they would part ways.
He walked toward her and held his hand out. “May I show you to your seat, miss?”
“That’s Mrs.”
“Well, your husband is a very lucky man.” The corners of his mouth turned up in a sweet smile.
She slid her arm through his, letting him guide her along the aisle. He stopped at the row where the Schultz family would be seated and leaned in to kiss her cheek before she took her seat next to the chairs reserved for parents and grandparents.
“See you after,” he said.
“Do you need a tissue in case you cry?”
He snorted. “Yeah, I won’t be crying.”
“We’ll see.” Genevieve had shared a little of her vows with Merritt and Skylar while she was working on them, and Merritt was fairly certain there wouldn’t be many dry eyes in the place.
The ceremony soon began, and Genevieve looked angelic, floating down the aisle in her lace wedding dress and long lace-trimmed veil. Sebastian couldn’t keep his eyes off of her as she approached, and it tugged at Merritt’s heart.
When it was time for the vows, Merritt pulled a tissue from her purse in anticipation of Genevieve’s vows, but then Sebastian began to speak.
“I never really thought much of love at first sight until that morning you walked into the gift shop. You were the prettiest woman I had ever seen, but you also caught my attention by insulting the cherry truffles …”
Genevieve made a face to show her dislike of that flavor, and laughter filled the room.