Marcus & Wynter (Palmers of Copper Creek #6)

Chapter 1

SIX YEARS EARLIER: CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

MARCUS PALMER

Perfection.

Marcus stared down at the little glass display with wonder.

This Christmas present was six months in the making, and he knew Wynter would love it.

They’d only recently graduated from high school, and this was the first Christmas she’d be back from studying at Cornell University.

New York was too far away. Marcus had hoped Wynter would have stayed closer to home and studied in Colorado Springs, but they didn’t have the right program.

Wynter was a wiz with bugs. She had been ever since she’d been a kid. And when they met two years ago, she’d shared her strange fascination with him.

Marcus handed over his credit card to the young woman behind the counter.

It had been a gift from God that he’d found someone who knew how to pin bugs to pieces of cardboard and display them correctly.

Not that he hadn’t given it his best shot, but YouTube videos made it look far easier than it really was.

He’d had it done this summer. Today, he was picking up the custom-built case that would ensure nothing would happen to the delicate bug inside.

He stared down at the purple butterfly he’d managed to catch a few weeks after Wynter had left for college. There was a slight nick in the right wing, but other than that, it was exactly what he’d hoped for.

Wynter was going to love it.

Marcus got his card back and hurried out of the store. Wynter was already in town, and he’d barely made it to the shop before they closed.

The summer Wynter had moved to Copper Creek had been the same year that Marcus had convinced his own parents to let him move to the town with his siblings. He’d still had two years left in high school, so it had taken a great deal of convincing, but Mateo had been up for the challenge.

That year Marcus and Wynter had attended the Christmas Festival together and promised that every Christmas Festival that came after would be the same.

It might have been a ridiculous pact, but so far they were three for three, and Marcus had no intention of breaking it.

For the next four hours, they would wander the town and sample what the Copper Creek Annual Christmas Festival had to offer.

In his truck, he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, his nerves getting the better of him. Christmas music played on the radio, but it was nothing more than a faint buzzing sound as his excitement over seeing his best friend continued to grow.

He loved his family. But Wynter was his person.

God had brought her into his life at the perfect time.

She’d been there for him when he’d rolled his ankle and couldn’t play in the last football game of the season junior year.

She’d brought him her grandmother’s famous chicken noodle soup when he’d caught the flu during homecoming senior year.

And when he’d been a complete mess after getting his wisdom teeth removed, she’d kept him company and prevented his siblings from taking embarrassing recordings of him coming out of anesthesia.

Yes, she was not the typical high school girl.

He’d heard the words awkward, weird, and other terms describing her when he’d walked through the halls at school.

But he’d put everyone who attempted to bully her in their place.

No one knew Wynter like he did. And he’d been determined to protect her from everyone who couldn’t appreciate her for who she was.

When he arrived at Wynter’s grandmother’s home, which was where Wynter lived when in Copper Creek, he practically burst from his truck.

With gift bag in hand, he hurried toward the front door.

The small ranch house was built on a hill.

There was a workshop and a barn, but Wynter’s grandfather only had one horse.

He enjoyed working with his hands and making things.

The house sat on about five acres of land, and Wynter’s grandparents did well at maintaining it.

One day, Marcus wanted something like this place.

While he loved living with his siblings, he still wanted to move on and carve his own path.

Maybe it was the fact that he was the youngest one in the Palmer family.

Maybe it was because he felt like they didn’t need him as much.

Either way, Marcus looked forward to a time when he’d find the right girl, settle down, and start a family.

He rapped his knuckles on the door and held the gift bag behind his back. Heavy footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor of the house, creaking with the weight of who could only be Wynter’s grandfather.

Marcus steeled himself to come face-to-face with the only man who had ever intimidated him. Most people in town were scared of Zeke Callahan. But he was nothing compared to the formidable man who opened the door.

Mr. Delaney’s white bushy brows lowered as he scrutinized Marcus with eyes that were capable of reading a man’s soul.

His face was filled with lines of experience.

There was something in his expression that always made Marcus feel as though Mr. Delaney thought he wasn’t trustworthy.

Or maybe he wasn’t good enough to spend time with Wynter.

Two years of friendship hadn’t been enough to prove to the man that Marcus would always be there for Wynter.

Straightening his back and lifting his chin, Marcus smiled at the man. “Hello, sir. Is Wynter here?”

Mr. Delaney’s eyes narrowed. Endless seconds ticked by. Marcus shifted. He would have understood the man’s penchant for judging him if Marcus were here to go on a date with his only granddaughter. But that wasn’t what this was. They were only friends.

Best friends.

“Gramps.” Wynter sighed with exasperation, pushing past her grandfather.

“Let Marcus in. It’s cold.” Her deep blue eyes flashed with amusement when they landed on him.

In the right light, they almost looked violet.

But then Marcus would get a closer look and the blue would return.

Maybe it was the reflection in her wide-framed glasses.

Her hair was dark, like his own, but long and wavy.

When she wore it down, it reached her waist. Today, she had it braided.

“I’m okay,” he assured her. “Just wanted to give you this before we leave. I don’t think it would be a good idea to leave it in the truck.” He hoisted the gift bag.

Those eyes flashed bright and she grinned even wider. “Marcus! We agreed on no gifts this year. You’re saving up to move out.”

He shrugged. “It wasn’t much.”

She eyed him skeptically and reached into the bag.

“Won’t you come inside, Marcus? It’s too cold out there,” Mrs. Delaney called from inside the house.

Marcus glanced up at Mr. Delaney and hesitated. But when the man shifted from the doorway and granted him access, he breathed out a sigh of relief. One day they’d connect on something. It just might not be today.

Wynter squealed, making Marcus jump. He glanced toward her to find her cradling the plexiglass cube in her hands. Her eyes darted up to find his. “It’s a Colorado Hairstreak!”

Was it? He didn’t know the name. All he knew was that it was the only butterfly he could find that matched her eyes.

“What did he get you, dear?” Wynter’s grandmother called from where she sat in a rocker near the fireplace.

Wynter rushed across the room and tilted the cube so everyone could see.

Mr. Delaney quickly looked in Marcus’s direction, and Marcus could have sworn the man’s features softened slightly. Or maybe the reaction was hopeful thinking.

At some point, Wynter relieved herself of the cube and rushed across the room to pull him in for a tight hug. It was brief, like most of their hugs, but Marcus didn’t miss the looks Wynter’s grandparents gave them.

Wynter pulled away before the hug got to be too long. Then she grabbed his hand. “Come on. The festival is going to be over soon. We have to get our annual hot chocolate and caramel apples!” She tossed a smile at the two people who practically raised her. “I’ll be back for supper.”

And then they were off.

The town was busy just like every other year.

Actually, it seemed to get even busier with each passing year.

Either it was the influx of people moving to the area, or it was the neighboring towns hearing about all the changes taking place in Copper Creek.

The town wasn’t as small as it had been even five years ago.

At least that was what the born-and-raised locals said whenever Marcus overheard them talking about the changes happening around town.

“How are you liking Cornell?” Marcus asked between bites of his apple.

Wynter’s eyes rolled back in her head. “It’s so amazing. I love it. My roommates are cool. I guess I lucked out because we all like the quiet. We prefer staying in on the weekends and reading.”

“And you’re still going to be a bug person?”

She wrinkled her nose and laughed at him. “You mean an entomologist?”

Marcus pressed a finger to the tip of her nose with a smirk.

“What did I say about using big words?” He loved the way she laughed.

It didn’t matter if it was at his expense or not.

The sound was unique, a carefree song of happiness that could only belong to this girl.

“How about we go with bug expert. Is that better?”

“Sure. Let’s go with that.”

They were passing by a group of kids who’d attended school with them, and one of the guys snorted derisively.

Marcus rounded on them and glowered. “You have something to say, Decker?”

The group stopped and the ringleader—one of Wynter’s old tormenters—stepped front and center. He folded his arms, and his hard gaze appraised them both. “I think it’s funny that Wynter is interested in studying her own kind.”

“Marcus.” Wynter sighed. “It’s not worth it.”

She must have felt him stiffen beside her. Or maybe she was used to the way he couldn’t stand it when people put her down. Wynter might not have ever admitted it, but she’d always lacked confidence in her appearance.

Marcus stepped up to Jake Decker, their chests bumping. “And I think it’s funny that someone who was held back senior year can’t come up with better insults. You did have an extra year to add to your repertoire, you know.”

“Are you calling me dumb?”

“Marcus,” Wynter tried again, grabbing his upper arm.

“Maybe I was wrong. Someone lacking in smarts wouldn’t have caught on nearly as quick as you just did.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.

They stared each other down, but it was Wynter who broke them apart when she yanked at him hard. “Let’s go. There’s a light show at the park this year. It’s set to music.”

Marcus gave Jake one final warning look. “Next time you open your mouth and something vile comes out, don’t be surprised if it gets shoved right back down your throat.”

“Marcus.” When they were a couple yards away, Wynter snapped at him. “You don’t have to protect me anymore. I don’t care about them. I’ve grown up. I’ve moved on.”

“I don’t like it when they put you down,” Marcus said. “You’re so much better than them.”

“I know,” she said simply. “They’re no better than the bugs I’m studying.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Come on. We’re going to have to head home soon and I want to see that Christmas light show first.” She looped her arm through his and leaned into him as she nibbled at her apple again.

“Yeah, we might have to hurry before the bugs descend.”

“What?” she asked with a laugh.

“Decker and his crew. The lights are going to attract them, right? Best if we get there before it’s swarmed.”

She snickered and gave him a shove. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Missed you too.”

“That was so much fun. Thanks for taking me.” Wynter squeaked when her toe caught on the steps leading to the house, and Marcus reached out to steady her.

“I couldn’t exactly break our pact.”

She beamed at him. “That goes for both of us.”

They lumbered up the stairs and made it to the door. She glanced toward the house and frowned. “I’d invite you in, but Gramps is in a mood.”

Marcus grimaced good-naturedly. “I could tell. You think he’ll ever like me?”

Wynter placed both hands on his shoulders. “Absolutely. What’s not to love?”

The door opened and they both jumped. But it wasn’t Wynter’s grandfather at the door. It was Nora. Wynter’s grandmother grinned, and the smile lines around her eyes deepened. “You’re back! Marcus, would you like to join us?”

“Oh, I’m good. My folks are driving into town tonight, so I should probably head home.”

“How are your parents?”

“They’re good.” Marcus glanced past her, half expecting to see Wynter’s grandfather watching. But he didn’t appear. Then Nora’s eyes lifted overhead, and he found himself tilting his head to find a fresh sprig of mistletoe hanging above them.

Wynter must have noticed as well, and she gasped. “Grams!”

“It’s tradition, and the two of you got caught.”

Marcus chuckled as he glanced at his best friend. Nora had made a couple comments regarding their friendship being more, but they’d managed to deflect them. Apparently, she wasn’t done hoping.

Wynter looked mortified.

“It’s fine,” Marcus whispered.

“What? No, it isn’t,” she practically squawked, turning to head inside.

Marcus rolled his eyes with a laugh. “Humor her,” he said under his breath, reaching for her arm.

He tugged her closer and placed a hand lightly on her right cheek.

If he had been paying attention better, he might have realized that she gasped at the contact.

That should have been enough to give him pause.

Unfortunately, Marcus wouldn’t learn his lesson until later.

Her eyes widened and she nodded, ever so slightly. He leaned forward and brushed a chaste kiss to her lips.

Never in a million years would he have expected what happened next.

Up until this point, he didn’t believe in fireworks.

Love? Yes. True love? Most likely. But earth-shattering, life-changing sparks?

Never.

He wanted to pull her in closer, to kiss her deeper, and there was no logical explanation for it. They were friends, for heaven’s sake!

The kiss had been mere seconds, and yet it had been more than enough to make him crave more.

He pulled back with surprise, expecting to see Wynter’s eyes mirroring his own, full of surprise and want.

But she tore away from him with a strangled laugh, blinking. “See Grams? For all your silly matchmaking, you weren’t right about this one. Marcus is just a friend.” She glanced at him then, her expression unreadable. “Right, Marcus?”

He cleared his throat and yet his voice still cracked. “Right.”

She nodded sharply and gave him a weak smile. “Night.”

“Night.”