Chapter 3
MARCUS
This couldn’t be happening. Not again.
Marcus paced until he was sure his boots would wear a hole in the wood floor. He’d stopped several times to head for the front door of his home, only to return to the hallway and resume his pacing.
Maybe he should have driven to Wynter’s old house instead of his own. That would have made more sense. Only, he didn’t know if Wynter went home or if she was hiding somewhere else. And Marcus wasn’t about to show his hand to her grandmother.
Nora was great. She wouldn’t have turned him away. But there was a chance she didn’t know her granddaughter was in town.
Right?
Wynter had been painfully absent over the last six years.
And Nora had always been a little quiet when it came to whether she got visits.
Marcus never got the feeling that Nora hated him.
It was quite the opposite, in fact. She liked talking about Wynter and all her accomplishments, but never about her coming to visit.
A hole had been carved in Marcus’s chest at Christmastime six years ago. And the hope that he’d allowed himself to hang onto when Wynter had allowed him to pull her close at her grandfather’s funeral had been almost painful.
But then she’d left again. And that had been the end of it.
Marcus had always been the happy one. The guy people could count on to have his life together.
He was good at doing whatever his brother wanted him to do.
Even after they’d hired people to work at the ranch.
Marcus had never really felt like an afterthought, but he’d never felt like he was the first choice either.
Anything he’d wanted, he had to take. It was fine.
He was confident enough in himself not to worry about losing anything.
Until Wynter had gone and upended his whole view on life.
Wynter had been the first to abandon him. She’d been the first to make him second guess himself. Their friendship had been perfect.
The kiss.
Marcus gripped the hair at his scalp with both hands as he stopped dead in his tracks. He’d never told a soul about that kiss because he knew what everyone would say.
You never kiss your best friend.
It ruins everything.
You scared her off.
Doesn’t matter if it didn’t mean anything; you still messed up.
He had. So much.
And the worst part was that the kiss had woken something up inside him. He’d realized that Wynter wasn’t just the cute girl who moved to Copper Creek the same year he had. She wasn’t just the nerdy kid who loved to talk about bugs and could identify them in seconds of seeing them.
Wynter was so much more.
And he hadn’t even gotten a chance to tell her that before she up and made changes to her future.
She opted to stay on campus during her off semesters.
She rarely came home, and when she did, he’d only heard about it after the fact.
She stopped responding to his texts and emails. And she stopped answering his calls.
He’d lost his best friend, and all because he thought their friendship was strong enough to withstand a silly kiss.
Another groan escaped his lips as the front door opened and Isabelle entered with Jason on her heels, both with rosy cheeks and carrying red shopping bags.
She looked happier than she’d been in ages.
More well-rested, too. Something had gone down in her life, and she’d been struggling to keep it under wraps, but he’d known better.
Marcus nodded sharply at Jason. The man was a good guy and someone Isabelle had needed in her life. Marcus was happy for them. Truly.
But right now, he wanted nothing more than to kick them out of the house so he could wallow in the knowledge that a quick drive away was the girl of his dreams, and he didn’t know whether he should go over to her house or pretend that they hadn’t bumped into each other at all.
“You look…” Isabelle drawled. “A little strung out.”
Marcus glowered at her.
“Is this about Wynter?” she asked as she started taking off her coat.
He stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “You knew she was here?”
His sister laughed. “Not until a few minutes ago. I thought I saw her in town, so we stopped by her place to say hi.”
Marcus’s stomach dropped. “You what?”
“Relax, I didn’t actually see her. And even if I did, your secret is safe with me.”
He frowned. “What secret?”
His sister rolled her eyes and ignored the question. “Anyway, talked to Nora. Turns out that Wynter is in town for a bit because Nora fell.”
This was getting worse by the second. “Is she okay?”
Isabelle nodded, taking off her boots and putting them on the mat near the door. “She’s fine. Landed on her wrist and got a hairline fracture. She’s in a brace while it heals, but she’s going to need some help in order not to exacerbate the problem. Jason and I offered to bring by some meals.”
He nodded. “That’s good. She’d like that.”
“I know,” Isabelle said and snickered. “That’s why we offered.”
It was a little strange that Isabelle would go out of her way to stop in and see Wynter. They hadn’t been friends as far as he’d been aware, but Wynter had spent plenty of time at the ranch during high school. Maybe there was a connection there.
Marcus brushed off his curiosity and focused on what Jason was saying. “The problem is my hours won’t allow for me to deliver the food. I was wondering—”
“I can take it,” Marcus offered without thinking. “Nora likes me. She won’t mind if I stop in with dinner for the next couple of days.”
Isabelle clapped her hands together. “Wonderful. We’ll make some meals tomorrow that she can freeze. And when we have the fresh stuff ready to go, we’ll let you know.”
His eyes shifted to where she had her hands together and the light glinted off a new piece of jewelry. Marcus’s focus darted once more to Isabelle. “You’re getting married?”
Isabelle grinned, holding out her left hand. “Yep! We were going to tell everyone over Sunday dinner, so shh until I can make the announcement.”
“Congrats, Izzie. You too, Jason.”
Isabelle’s fiancé slipped a possessive arm around Isabelle’s waist so he could pull her close and press a kiss to the crown of her head. “Thanks, man.”
“You treat her right,” Marcus added, an edge to his voice. “She deserves the best.” His eyes locked with his sister and her expression softened.
“You deserve the best too, Marcus.”
He nodded, his thoughts shifting to the one girl he’d always compared women with.
Wynter was his best. But he didn’t think that was a possibility.
“See you tomorrow.” With that, he kicked off his boots and headed for his room.
He’d need a good night’s sleep if he planned on confronting Wynter tomorrow.
Because there was no chance that he’d show up at the Delaney household without getting to the bottom of what had happened between them.
Marcus couldn’t decide if he was more angry or nervous when he pulled up to the familiar ranch-style home. He found it strange that the usual Christmas decorations weren’t up. No wreath on the door. No twinkling lights on the bushes. And no red bow on the mailbox.
Wynter was inside. She was within reach. Only a few steps and he’d be able to look her in the eye and ask her to answer for everything she’d done and everything she hadn’t said.
His heart hammered, and it wasn’t because of the latent feelings he’d once felt for her. Marcus refused to accept that he’d held a torch for her over the last half-decade. He simply wanted closure.
Both of his hands gripped the top of the steering wheel as if it could ground him to this moment. He needed to be clear-headed. He couldn’t go in there and fling accusations at his ex-best friend. No, that wouldn’t go over very well. Especially since Nora would be witness to it.
What was he doing?
Marcus blew out a breath and rested his forehead against his hands on the steering wheel. Lord, thank you for bringing Wynter to Copper Creek so I can talk to her. But I don’t know what to say. I don’t know why she shut me out of her life. Please help us resolve this. Amen.
His heart was still pounding, but he knew God heard him. He didn’t have anyone else he could talk to about his feelings for Wynter.
Was he a fool for trying to mend their friendship? Maybe he’d actually gone crazy in her absence. Maybe Wynter had the right idea when she’d huffed it out of the town square to head home.
Well, it was too late to turn back now. He’d promised Izzie and Jason that he’d bring the food for Nora.
Marcus nodded to himself as he reached for the large brown paper bag.
He trudged up the snow-littered path that had been mowed down by various boots and shoes.
Frowning, he paused to take it in. Nora lived alone up here.
She was an independent woman if he ever met one, and she would likely never accept help that was offered to her. But an icy sidewalk was dangerous.
He’d make sure to get out here and clear it within the next day or so.
Lights were on in the house. Darkness had fallen, and there was little chance anyone looking out the windows would be able to see him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see inside, either. Drapes had been pulled closed and all he could make out were shadows of the people inside.
Shifting the bag to one arm, he lifted a hand and knocked.
The world seemed to stop spinning the second the door opened and revealed the woman he’d been unable to forget over all these years—not that he’d let anyone know.
Wynter blinked. Had she been unaware he was coming?
He chided himself. Of course she was unaware. What other excuse was there for her being present?
Her gaze scanned his features, and for a moment he was taken back in time to that afternoon when he’d picked her up for their Christmas Festival tradition.
There was a sparkle in her eyes, however brief.
But then it was replaced by a guardedness he’d grown to recognize well when she’d come home for the funeral. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Wynter, is that any way to thank the young man?” Nora called out from somewhere in the house.
Wynter stiffened and her focus shifted to the paper bag with curiosity.
“My sister and her fiancé made Nora some meals since…” His voice trailed off as he thrust the bag at her.
She fumbled with it for a moment and he took a step back, but Nora’s voice caught him off guard.
“Marcus, hon, why don’t you come inside? It’s frigid out there.”
Wynter closed her eyes as if the invitation pained her. Marcus frowned, and his original instinct to escape and leave her in peace when he’d caught sight of her disappeared.
“Why?” he ground out huskily, low enough that Nora wouldn’t be able to hear him.
“Why what?” she asked with exasperation.
“You know what. Why did you just up and leave? Why did you push me out of your life? Why didn’t you…” His voice cracked. “Come back?”
Wynter flushed and looked down. “It doesn’t matter.” Her answer was so low he wasn’t sure he heard her right.
“It doesn’t matter?” he scoffed. “It doesn’t matter. That’s what you’re going with? That’s rich. I can’t believe you would actually—”
Nora called from the other room, “Marcus, honey. It’s fine. Please come in. I have a favor to ask you.”
Marcus didn’t want to go inside. He wanted to leave, to abandon the hope he’d had when he’d caught sight of her at the lighting ceremony last night.
He wanted her to hurt just like he did. But he could never abandon Nora.
She was like a surrogate grandmother. So, he brushed past Wynter when she stepped aside to let him in.
Wynter hovered by the door, the bag of food clutched to her chest like a shield, but Marcus ignored her and headed straight for Nora.
He flashed her a smile. “I heard you’ve been up to no good.”
Nora’s eyes flickered with something and darted to Wynter.
He gestured toward her wrist. “How did you manage that?”
Understanding flooded Nora’s eyes, and she smiled grimly as she lifted her wrist. “Oh, this? You know. Got a little clumsy.”
“She fell off a stepstool when she was trying to dust her porcelain collection,” Wynter offered at his back.
Marcus kept his eyes trained on Nora. Looking at Wynter would only bring him more pain.
It doesn’t matter.
Three words to destroy the friendship he’d valued above everything in his life.
“Well, Isabelle was insistent that you deserved the best while you’re healing. I’ll stop by with some fresh meals here and there so you can take it easy.”
“You’re too sweet,” Nora said. “But as I said, I was hoping I could enlist your help with a few things.”
“Anything you need,” Marcus assured her. “Do you need me to run you to town? Those roads are getting pretty bad. They say there’s more snow to come and the ice hasn’t melted yet.”
Nora waved a hand dismissively. “No, I meant I need someone who can fix a few things around here. With Jack gone, there are repairs that haven’t been seen to. Do you think you could manage?”
Marcus glanced around the old house. It was kept clean and well-maintained, but it was on the older side. He wouldn’t be surprised to discover an occasional leaky faucet or cracked windowpane. “Sure. Whatever you need, Nora.”
“Such a sweetheart. Thank you.” She reached out and took his hand before patting it with the other. “Wynter will be here for a few months, and I don’t want her to have to worry about a thing.”
Marcus felt his muscles tighten at the new information. Wynter wasn’t just sticking around for the weekend. She’d be here for months.
Months of him tiptoeing around her and the relationship they’d allowed to crumble. He swallowed hard but maintained his smile. “Lucky her. No one’s company beats yours.”
Nora laughed, but it sounded almost tired. “I’m the lucky one.” She settled into her chair once more.
“Grams,” Wynter said. “Don’t bother Marcus with this. You know I can call a handyman to—”
Marcus sent her a disgruntled look. “My schedule is wide open. And even if it wasn’t, I’d do anything for Nora. I’ll even help get your Christmas decorations set up.” He offered the elderly woman another bright smile. “You’ve always been like a grandma to me. Whatever you need. I’ll handle it.”
Wynter pursed her lips together but didn’t offer another argument. He said his farewell to Nora, then nodded to Wynter and left.
He hadn’t gotten the answers he’d hoped for. In fact, he hadn’t gotten anything at all. But at least he’d tried. He’d help Nora with what she needed and then be out of Wynter’s hair for good.