Chapter 21
MARCUS
There was nothing like the déjà vu that seemed to be hitting Marcus over the head each time he left Wynter’s house.
Maybe that was why he couldn’t bring himself to go over to her place today. The other night had torn open old scars that he’d thought were long since healed. Wynter was pushing him away.
Again.
It hurt.
Oh, did it hurt!
So why was there a part of him that was so intent on going over there again? Why couldn’t he be okay with the distance she was creating?
Marcus didn’t want to delve into the reasons for his behavior and his desires. Something told him it would only make that gaping wound fester that much more.
Storm clouds were moving in. It looked like they’d be expecting more snow before the week was out.
Marcus peered out across the property toward the barn as a couple cowboys emerged with their horses.
They were all bundled up, but it was clear they were heading out to do some repair work.
From this distance it looked as though they had rolls of wire and saddlebags weighed down by what were likely tools.
In this weather they focused more on upkeep than anything else.
The men swung up into the saddles as they spoke to each other. There was once a time when Marcus would be heading out with them. He’d be leading the charge unless Daniel was present. It was good, honest work. And when he needed something to keep his mind busy, it was exactly what he needed.
Maybe he should go for a ride. There was a new gelding that needed some training. Daniel might like some help with that. The second that thought crossed his mind, Marcus tossed it aside. He already knew he wouldn’t be able to stay away from Wynter for long.
It was this instinct he had about her. She was pushing him away because she was scared. And he wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. While she thought she needed space, he knew better. Right now, he needed to get her to admit that they could be good together.
The sound of the back door opening and clicking shut pulled him out of his thoughts of Wynter.
Heavy boots clunked against the wooden porch until a figure stood at his side.
Marcus didn’t have to turn to know it was Mateo who had emerged.
Ever since he’d expanded what the ranch offered and hired men to work for him, he’d learned to delegate.
He was still a hard worker, but he prioritized his growing family.
Mateo was living the dream.
Marcus might have been jealous if he didn’t know what it had taken for Mateo to get to this point. His oldest brother had been through the thick of it and come out on top.
When Mateo didn’t speak right away, Marcus finally gave him his attention. “You need something?”
Mateo shoved his hands into his coat pockets, warm air puffing out of his lips in white clouds. “I thought I needed to ask you that.”
Marcus shook his head. “I’m good.”
“Are you?”
The cold seized up his lungs when he sucked in a deep breath. Then he blew it out with a cough. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means…” Mateo drawled. “You haven’t spent more than a couple hours here since Thanksgiving.
The second you exit this house, you’re in your truck and driving away in a cloud of smoke.
Something change? Does Nora not need you anymore?
” It was what Mateo wasn’t asking that hung in the air between them.
Had something happened between him and Wynter?
“Everything’s fine,” Marcus muttered.
Mateo nodded slowly. “Okay. Well, if that changes, you know you can come to me, right?”
Marcus couldn’t move, and it was all he could do to wheeze out the words, “Yeah, I know.” His throat was tight. Mateo, despite their age differences, seemed to understand what was going on. He understood Marcus, and for now, that was enough.
It was hard to confide in his brother. Mateo was the oldest, and Marcus was the youngest. Their age differences meant that Marcus looked to his older brother more like a father figure. If he was going to confide in anyone, it would have to be a friend.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that. He’d go over to Nora’s place and test the waters. Maybe after Wynter had some time to sleep on it, she’d feel better about what was clearly developing between them.
“She went to town to visit with her friends, but you can come in and wait for a bit. Dinner will be ready shortly.”
Marcus frowned, his eyes dipping to Nora’s wrist. “Are you sure you should be—”
Nora scoffed and sliced a hand through the air to dismiss him. “I’m not an invalid. I know I’ve asked you to help out around here with some of the maintenance work, but honestly, I’m fine to cook.”
Marcus glanced once more at her wrist. It had been a few weeks.
Maybe she was feeling better and could handle more.
Or maybe she hadn’t been all that hurt to start with.
Brushing aside his concerns, he followed Nora into the house.
Tonight, like other nights, he was here to share dinner with the Delaney family.
When he had a chance to pull Wynter aside to talk to her about their last argument, he would. Just the thought of doing so had his whole body shaking with nerves. He didn’t know if he was going to handle it well if she turned him down again, which was entirely possible.
All he could hope for was that she’d listen and agree to think on it. There were some good reasons he’d come up with for staying, and the biggest was currently in the kitchen working on dinner. There was no telling how long Nora would be around, and Wynter wouldn’t want to miss out on any of it.
Then there was the job. Wynter seemed to like the temporary work she had going on, and Marcus was certain she’d be able to continue if she’d only ask about it.
Bug experts weren’t that common, right? Wynter would be an asset.
It was important to keep an eye on infestations when it came to the agricultural lifestyle.
And last but not least.
Him.
Marcus wanted Wynter to admit that she cared for him and that they could be good together if she’d only give herself the opportunity for that kind of happiness.
For reasons unbeknownst to him, Marcus found himself wandering down the hallway to Wynter’s room. He stood in the doorway, staring in at the familiar scene. He’d spent many days after school in this space, and it looked almost exactly the same.
Books about different bug species were on the shelves, along with other fiction novels. Several frames hung on the wall with various insects pinned to the board beneath the glass. The bedding had been upgraded, and there were no longer any childish posters attached to the walls.
Marcus stepped over the threshold and let his fingertips trail along the dresser, smiling when he noticed the butterfly he’d given her for Christmas all those years ago. She’d kept it.
He reached for it, tracing his fingertips along the butterfly encased within the resin. The ache in his chest twinged as he was forced to relive the memories of the night he’d given this to her. The kiss that had shattered everything he’d known about his friendship with Wynter.
A piece of paper fluttered when the heater kicked on, and his eyes flicked to it before darting back to the butterfly until he registered what he’d read.
Frowning, Marcus placed the butterfly on the dresser and picked up the letter. The company header at the top had to be the one where she worked, but it was the first couple of lines that stole the breath from his lungs and had his head pounding.
Ms. Delaney,
We have been impressed with your work at Colorado Crop Science over the last couple of weeks. While we had discussed your position at CCS being temporary, we’ve been given the green light to take you on full time indefinitely. CCS could use your skill and attention to detail…
Marcus’s vision blurred as reality came crashing into him.
Wynter had been offered an official position at her job here in Copper Creek.
She could move out here to be with Nora.
She didn’t have to return to her life in California at all if she didn’t want to.
He wasn’t sure what the salary difference could be, but he’d wager that living expenses being lower in their smaller town than the bigger cities would balance everything out.
He couldn’t decide if he was elated or disappointed. Hopeful or terrified. Wynter didn’t have to leave.
So why had she insisted she would?
The sound of the front door banging closed startled him, and he dropped the paper to the dresser before striding out of her room.
He entered the hallway just as she walked past it.
Their eyes locked and hers shifted to her open door.
A crease formed between her brows, and she moved toward him a step before Nora’s voice called out to her.
“Oh, good, you’re home. It’s time to eat.”
They continued to stare at each other. Wynter wanted to ask him what he was doing in her room; he could sense it. See it in the way her focus ping-ponged to her bedroom again. But then she shrugged out of her coat, shook her head, and walked out of view.
He wanted to go after her. He wanted to snatch that letter, wave it in her face, and demand to know why she was so insistent that she couldn’t stay when the evidence was right there. Wynter didn’t have any excuses anymore. She had a lot of explaining to do.
And yet…
Marcus wouldn’t do any such thing.
It would only end in another argument. She’d claim he was violating her privacy, and she wouldn’t be wrong.
She’d feel cornered, and when a scared animal was cornered, the claws came out.
Marcus would have to come up with a different plan.
He needed to find a way to show her that he was serious.
He needed to convince her that staying was the best option she had.
If he could help her get out of her own head, he might have a chance at keeping her.
His mind whirled with the possibilities of how he could demonstrate that she was meant to stay in Copper Creek—meant to stay with him. Then it came to him.
“I’m going to propose to her.”
Mathew’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. Then his eyes shifted to his brother—probably because he was currently choking on the water he’d just sipped from his glass. Mathew dropped his fork and patted his brother on the back several times. Neither one of the men smiled or congratulated him.
In fact, they looked nervous.
What did they have to be nervous about? It wasn’t like they were making this decision. And Jason was engaged to Isabelle. He should have been the first one to understand where Marcus was coming from.
“Well?” Marcus pressed, leaning forward. “I was thinking of hosting a Christmas party at Nora’s place now that all the repairs have been made. I think she’d like the company, and Wynter could invite her friends.”
Mathew’s brows pulled together as he leaned back in his chair and studied him. “I thought the two of you were on the rocks.”
Marcus shrugged. “I mean… if you ask her, we’re not serious. But she’s always been a little antsy about serious relationships. I think she’s scared that they won’t last. But what better way to show her that we can?”
Jason shared another look with his brother before turning to Marcus. “You can’t be serious. Do you hear yourself? Wynter’s not ready for serious. It won’t be smart to spring this on her.”
“Not until you have a deeper conversation with her,” Mathew agreed. “This needs to be a decision made together.”
Marcus could feel his frustration mounting. “You don’t know her like I do. If she feels secure, then she’ll be all for it. She needs to know that it won’t come crumbling down around her. You’ll see. If I ask her to marry me, she won’t have any more excuses.”
When the brothers still seemed intent on arguing with him, Marcus shoved away from the table where he sat.
Several of the people in the restaurant cut curious looks his way but returned to their conversations.
“You’ll see,” he repeated, more to himself than to anyone else.
“This is the way to show her. She’ll want to stay when she understands how committed I am.
” With those words ground out, he tossed several bills on the table.
“Thanks for lunch, guys. I’ll make sure you get the invitation. ”
“Marcus!” Jason called out, but Marcus was already headed for the door.
He didn’t turn or even acknowledge his friend.
This was the right move. It might have seemed quick and unexpected to anyone else, but Marcus had been in love with Wynter for years, and something told him she felt the same.
They just needed to get past the fear of the unknown.
And he’d make that happen if it was the last thing he did.