Page 94 of Who Needs a Billionaire

“You didn’t know who I was,” he continued, “which was different and refreshing, and the more I got to know you, the more I found myself falling in love with you. You aren’t just beautiful on the outside, Genevieve, you have a beautiful heart and soul. You love people and the horses you care for at the rescue. You give of yourself every day to those around you, including me, and I wouldn’t be the man I am today if I hadn’t met you. You inspire me to be more, to do more, and I can’t wait to see all we will do together to better this world.” He reached up and touched her cheek. “I love you, and I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”

Merritt wiped a tear and caught sight of Gus quickly wiping at his eye, which had her stifling a laugh. Won’t cry, indeed. He looked at her and gave her a little shoulder shrug, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“I never knew what love was, Sebastian. Not until I met you,” Genevieve began. “Not until you gave up everything and moved out here to the mountains with me. You make me feel safe and secure. You make me laugh and smile. You hold me when I cry and support me in my passions. You fill places in my heart and my life that I didn’t even know were empty.” She pressed her lips together, clearly holding back tears. “I wish you had known my dad because you are exactly the man he prayed I would meet, and he would have loved you so much.” Sebastian wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “I love you, Sebastian Kurtis Schultz.” She winked at him. “And I promise to love, honor, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”

After the rings and a sweet first kiss were exchanged, the new Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Schultz made their way out of the room to share a few quiet moments together before the bridal party walked back the aisle.

Merritt was anxious to be near Gus as she exited with his parents and Grandma Mabel.

There were many hugs and kisses and congratulations when they joined the newlyweds. The moment Gus saw Merritt, he came straight for her, wrapping an arm around behind her to bring her close to his side. She didn’t have to fake a smile for his family anymore, because now that she knew how she felt about him, being at his side made her happier than she could’ve imagined. Even if he wasn’t yet privy to her true feelings.

After some bridal party and family photos in the barn, everyone joined the guests in the reception area. Merritt looked around from her seat with Gus near the bride and groom’s table. The completed decor was beyond beautiful. With the flower arrangements in place and candles lit, the place looked worthy of a bridal magazine, and she was fairly sure pictures of the event would end up on the pages of magazines with the groom being a Schultz and all.

When the delicious meal was finished, Gus was handed a microphone. “Wish me luck,” he whispered into Merritt’s ear before he stood.

She smiled up at him as he began to speak.

“I’ve always looked up to my big brother. He was excellent at everything he did, and I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. But I never made things easy for him. He was constantly taking care of me, cleaning up after my messes, being the best brother anyone could ask for. And I wish I could say that I’ve been as good a brother to him, but what I can say, what my wife reminded me of recently”—he turned his eyes on Merritt for a moment then back to his brother—“is that I appreciate you, Sebastian. I appreciate all that you’ve done for me over the years. I appreciate the way you’ve believed in me and prayed for me and always wanted the best for me. You never gave up on me, and you will never know how much that means to me.”

Merritt glanced over to see Sebastian’s eyes glistening with tears, and he wasn’t the only one.

“I am so happy for you and Genevieve. You have found the kind of love we all hope to find. The kind that lasts a lifetime.” He held his glass in the air. “And I still want to be just like you when I grow up.” He looked out at the guests. “To Sebastian and Genevieve.”

The clinking of glasses filled the room as Sebastian stood and embraced his brother. They held onto each other tightly, and Merritt noticed Sebastian speak into Gus’s ear, but she couldn’t hear what was said.

After the rest of the speeches, Sebastian stood and walked to the side of the stage, returning with a guitar. He came to stand beside Genevieve, who gave him a curious look.

“So, I wrote a little something for my wife.”

Her hands went to her face as he proceeded to play a lovely song he had written for her.

Gus leaned close to Merritt and whispered, “Totally want to be like him when I grow up.”

She smiled over at him and turned to ask, “What did he say to you earlier?”

“I’ll tell you later.” He smiled at her and looked back at his brother with a new admiration in his eyes.

It warmed her heart that he had taken what she’d said the other night seriously. Yes, it had been in the middle of a quarrel, but it had obviously stayed with him.

When Sebastian's song ended, Genevieve swiped the tears away and stood to kiss her husband. He then took her hand and walked her to the center of the dance floor as the music played for their first dance as husband and wife. He held her close, their foreheads together, as they swayed. Their connection was mesmerizing to watch.

Since Genevieve’s father was no longer with them, they put their own twist on the traditional father-daughter dance, having Genevieve dance with her mother while Sebastian danced with his mother.

The bridal party joined them next. Merritt sat at the table alone while Gus danced with Rhonda. She knew she had nothing to worry about where Rhonda was concerned, but watching him hold another woman in his arms, those arms where she wanted to be, wasn’t her idea of a good time.

When the dance was over, Gus sauntered toward her.

She pretended it didn’t affect her, but her stomach was doing somersaults.

“Dance with me, wifey.”

She rolled her eyes, secretly loving it when he teased her with that nickname, and took his hand, following him onto the dance floor. As soon as his arms were around her, holding her close, everything was right again.

“The wedding has been so beautiful,” Merritt said.

He nodded. “It really has.”

“And I saw those tears you tried to hide during the ceremony. You should’ve taken the tissues I offered.”

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