Page 98

“I think we’re almost finished in here. But maybe the girls could use a hand setting the table.”
She moved into the dining area as the door to the house opened and in walked the newlyweds, returning from a night away at a private cabin in the mountains.
“We’re home!” Sebastian called out.
The house filled with whistles and clapping, and Sebastian grabbed hold of his wife before she had a chance to take her boots off, dipping her back as he planted a firm kiss on her lips. Her cheeks were pink when he lifted her up to standing, but she was beaming. Marriage looked very good on them.
Merritt glanced over at Adelia and Skylar. “Have either of you seen Gus?”
They shook their heads.
“Did you two talk last night?” Adelia asked.
“No.”
“You didn’t?”
“I couldn’t find him.” A feeling of unease settled over her.
“Hey, has anyone seen Gus this morning?” Skylar called out.
“I saw him ride up on one of the horses a little while ago,” Franky replied.
Merritt was relieved. For a minute there, she was starting to get worried about him.
Sebastian volunteered to go find him and took off outside while the ladies finished preparing brunch.
After several minutes, Harriet placed the last of the dishes on the table as everyone took their seats. “Where are those boys?”
“Do you want me to go check on them?” Skylar asked.
The door opened then, and in they walked. Their expressions were somber, and Merritt was once again concerned.
“Looks like that won’t be necessary,” Harriet replied. “So glad you could join us,” she told her sons.
“Sorry, Mom,” Sebastian said.
“Sorry, Mom,” Gus echoed.
Gus came to sit next to Merritt, but he made none of his usual moves to show affection in front of the family. He didn’t even say good morning.
While the family talked and laughed, Gus remained quiet.
Merritt softly bumped his elbow with hers. “Is everything okay?”
He nodded almost imperceptibly. “Just tired.”
But something told her that wasn’t the whole truth. And by the look on his face, she could tell something was definitely wrong.
The afternoon flight home to Los Angeles was as quiet and awkward as brunch. Gus spent the duration with his seat reclined, headphones in his ears, and eyes closed, while Merritt either stared out the window in frustration or fought the urge to grab hold of his arm and shake him.
And now, as they drove to their house in Malibu, they were barely communicating, and her mind was working overtime.
Gus’s strange behavior had completely thrown her off and had her questioning whether or not she should talk to him about her feelings or wait until he finally told her what was going on.
By the time they walked into the house, she could stand it no more.
“Okay, seriously, what is wrong?” she blurted.