Chapter 13
MARCUS
“How did it go?”
Marcus sent a disgruntled look toward Jason as he came around the counter and placed an Italian sub in front of him. “What do you think? She’s still got her walls up.”
“It’s not going to happen overnight. Just ask my brother.” Jason nodded to the other guy at the table. They looked similar enough that Marcus had assumed as much. This was the first time he’d been introduced to the doctor.
Mathew Klein was as tall as Jason, reaching about six feet.
But he wasn’t as built. Where Jason had to maintain a certain physique when he helped out at the ranch, it was clear that Mathew only needed to remain as fit as an ER doctor needed to be.
They both had dirty-blond hair and blue-gray eyes.
There was something about the duo that practically drew others in.
Marcus couldn’t put his finger on it. All he knew was that the more time he spent with Jason, the more he wanted to trust the guy implicitly.
Mathew nodded, taking a sip of his water. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a guy or a girl. People tend to shield themselves from hurt. If Wynter has put up walls, then it’s because she believes that something is going to happen. Something she may or may not survive.”
Marcus shook his head. “There’s no reason for her to believe that. If anything, it should be me who tries to put a protective wall around my heart. I’m the one who got left high and dry. I’m the one who was hurt.”
Both of the men looked at him with unreadable expressions.
“What?” Marcus demanded. “What aren’t you telling me? Has she said something to Izzie?” He directed this question to Jason, who shook his head.
“Nope. But maybe you’re not able to see the bigger picture because you’re too close. Let me ask you something. Is it possible that the first time she pushed you away was because she was scared? And that fear hasn’t been healed?”
Marcus searched his memories for any indication that Jason was right.
He came up empty.
“I don’t get it. Why would she push me away? I’ve literally been nothing but good for her. I’ve never done anything to hurt her. Not even unintentionally.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.” Mathew leaned back in his chair and studied Marcus for a moment. “Maybe she doesn’t know what to do with you.”
Marcus scoffed. “She doesn’t know what to do with me?
Seriously? That’s the best you’re going to come up with.
” He shook his head. “Next you’re going to tell me too much of a good thing actually exists.
I mean, sure, when we were younger, we were friends and neither one of us had ever crossed that line.
But after…” He dragged a rough hand through his hair.
“After that kiss under the mistletoe when she was a freshman in college, things changed. At least for me.”
“So you kissed her, and she left.” Jason nodded. “That makes sense.”
“No, it doesn’t!”
Mathew chuckled, and then Jason joined in. “If I had to guess, I’d say that she’s not ready for a commitment like you’re willing to offer.”
Marcus’s next words died in his throat. He gaped at the man, unable to compute what he’d said.
“He’s right,” Jason agreed. “She’s getting into her late twenties, and she hasn’t settled down with anyone.
She doesn’t have a serious relationship.
She’s practically married to her job. I’m not saying that getting married at an early age is the norm, but for someone who looks like her?
Who has her life put together and a good career?
It’s a logical next step. And it doesn’t look like she’s got any interest in that whatsoever.
Maybe you’re asking the wrong questions here. ”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Marcus demanded.
“It means, instead of asking why she’s pushing you away, maybe you need to ask why she hasn’t settled down with anyone yet.” Jason glanced over to his brother, who merely nodded.
Maybe they had a point.
Hadn’t Wynter expressed that she wasn’t interested in settling down when they were younger? Or at least that she didn’t think relationships were capable of lasting? A long-lost thought niggled in the back of his mind, but he couldn’t grasp onto it long enough for it to make sense.
“What about you?”
Marcus startled at the question and glanced at Mathew. He was studying him hard as if doing so would ensure that Marcus would answer his question. “What about me?”
“Why haven’t you settled down?”
Nodding to Mathew’s left hand, he gave the doctor a pointed look. “You’re not married, and you’re older than your brother.”
Jason ducked his head and chuckled. Mathew’s expression grew tight. He didn’t seem to like this line of questioning. But he didn’t hide from it either. “For your information, I was married. And it didn’t work out.”
Guilt immediately swarmed Marcus. He wanted to shrink back at Mathew’s pained tone.
Had the split been one-sided? Or maybe it was a matter of failure.
Something told Marcus that Mathew wasn’t the type of person who handled failure of any kind well.
It would make sense considering the career he’d chosen.
Despite the low hum of voices in the café, Marcus felt the silence of their conversation press in on him. Outside, snow was starting to fall. What could have been a peaceful setting for the beginning of December felt more ominous than anything else.
“Well?” Mathew broke the quiet, his voice holding an edge. “Fair’s fair. I answered you. Now it’s your turn.”
Marcus lifted his gaze to the men seated across from him.
“I think some part of me knew that Wynter was it. From the moment I kissed her. Maybe even from the moment I met her. She’s always been more to me than just a friend, but I was too blind to see it.
” Roughing a hand over his face, he continued, “And now I feel like I’m losing her. Again.”
He groaned and leaned his head back, his fingers laced behind his neck to brace it as he stared at the ceiling.
“How is that even possible?” he asked no one in particular. “How can I lose something I’ve never even had?”
The fact that the men didn’t answer him only made this situation worse. None of them had faith that it would work out. Their suggestion to be patient wasn’t going to be good enough. He knew it in his bones. He had to do something. Anything to convince her.
His next words were a whisper. “Seeing her again brought it all back. I can’t give up.”
“No one is telling you that you should,” Jason said quietly. “Isabelle thinks that the two of you are perfect together. When we left after decorating cookies, she said as much. She’s insisting that everything will work out.”
Marcus brought his head around to meet Jason’s eyes and huffed out a laugh. “Were we at the same cookie decorating activity? That woman barely said anything to me while you were there. She kept up a conversation with Isabelle—”
“But how many times did we catch her stealing looks at you?”
Marcus snapped his mouth shut. He’d been distracted and hadn’t noticed anything like that.
Mathew’s chuckle was the only thing to break him out of his stupor. “See? You’ve got a shot. You just need to find a way to reach her. What does she love most? You mentioned she loves her job. What else matters?”
Marcus thought for a moment. “Nora. That’s it. She doesn’t have anyone else.”
Jason and Mathew looked at him and shook their heads while rolling their eyes.
“What?” he demanded.
Mathew turned to his brother and smirked. “You’re right. He’s not exactly the smartest guy.”
“Hey!” Marcus snapped.
The two brothers ignored him as Jason spoke. “I get the feeling everyone cares for Nora. So, use that. It will be natural since you care for her too. Show Wynter that you’re worth the risk because you fit into her life seamlessly.”
“Checkmate!”
Marcus groaned good-naturedly. “That’s three times in a row.”
Nora winked at him. “Oh, don’t sound so put out. You and I both know you’re letting this old woman win. You had several opportunities.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Marcus said. “You’re an incredible chess player.”
She rolled her eyes, then glanced up and grinned. “Are you going somewhere?”
Marcus turned and found Wynter staring at him with a look he couldn’t read. When she realized he’d caught her staring, she smiled. It was one of the most genuine smiles she’d willingly given him since he’d started helping out at the house, and he flashed her a smile of his own.
“Wynter?”
She startled and turned to her grandmother.
She’d been in the middle of zipping up her coat.
Clearly, she planned on going somewhere.
Marcus fought the urge to get to his feet and close the distance between them.
He needed to convince her that they could be good together, but he needed her to be open to the idea first.
Wynter cleared her throat. “I wanted to head to town for a Christmas tree. We used to get the fresh ones every year, and I thought it was a good time to put one up. It’ll stay alive until Christmas and—”
Marcus practically jumped to his feet. “I’ll come with you.”
She blinked at him several times. Then slowly, she nodded and smiled. “Sure. That would be nice.”
Marcus gave Nora an apologetic smile. “I’m counting on a rematch. I’ll beat you eventually.”
Nora laughed. “I’m sure you will.”
He slid into his coat and walked Wynter to his truck. They were on the road for a few minutes when he couldn’t hold back. And he wasn’t sure if he was going to regret it.
“Why haven’t you settled down?”
Wynter turned wide eyes toward him. Her lips parted and the rate of her breathing escalated. “I beg your pardon?”
He chuckled and gripped the back of his neck for a moment. “It’s a simple enough question. You’re a beautiful woman. You’re intelligent. And you have a lot to offer. So why haven’t you found someone and settled down? I’m sure Nora would love to see you find love.”
Her cheeks flushed a deep color that almost matched the maroon peacoat she wore. He only caught a glimpse of her reaction before she turned to the window. “I’m busy.”
Marcus snorted. “People who want to find love and start a family will make time for it. So, I’m going to ask you again. Like I said. Simple.”
She blew out a breath and shook her head. “Marcus…”
“You don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to.” He could tell she was deflecting. This was her way. When she didn’t want to discuss something, she made excuses. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. She’d hide from him.
Marcus sighed as he waited for her to speak. When it was clear she’d taken him up on his offer not to answer one of the easiest questions he could have asked, he cut her one final look. “For the record, Wynter. I think you’re worth it.”
She didn’t move. He hadn’t thought it was possible for someone to go so still.
“I don’t know what hangups you have about finding love, but I can assure you that whoever you choose to give your heart to would be the luckiest man in the world. And he’d know without a doubt that you’re worth it. Worth the work. And worth keeping forever.”