That first time she’d chosen to stay away from Copper Creek had given her a small taste of the freedom she hadn’t known existed. It wasn’t exactly what she’d thought she wanted, but it was safer.
When her grandmother got up to get ready for bed, Wynter returned to her room. Without realizing her motives, she went to her closet and pulled out a memory box. Her hands shookas she removed the lid and started going through the contents. Pictures. Drawings. Little tokens and gifts. She’d been collecting things since she was a little girl. But the vast majority of the contents revolved around her time in Copper Creek.
Wynter pulled out a picture of Marcus. It was one she’d taken of him when he’d been unable to play football. His foot was in a boot, and he was seated on his couch watching a movie. He’d glanced over at her right as she’d taken the picture, and the smile on his face was the most genuine one she could have captured.
Her fingers traced his face, and she exhaled a sad breath. She’d been a bad friend. No one had to confirm the truth for her. When she left, she’d hurt him just as much as she’d hurt herself.Lord, I wish the world was different. I wish I could be what Marcus needs me to be. I could use a little help dealing with him when he comes over to help Grams.Thank you Lord.
Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she glanced up to find her grandmother giving her a knowing look. Then Grams continued down the hallway to her room.
Wynter tossed the picture back into the box and closed the lid.
Three months.
She could survive three months, especially since Marcus clearly didn’t like her anymore. As long as they kept their distance, she’d be safe.
5
MARCUS
Marcus’s knees bounced up and down as he waited in his brother’s office. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat in front of Mateo and made any demands. Normally, he’d ask Mateo for something in passing. Normally, they weren’t that big of a deal.
This?
He wasn’t sure how Mateo would react.
Out of all his siblings, Mateo was likely the only one who knew how much Wynter’s disappearance affected him. But then, he’d been the one in charge, and Marcus’s work had suffered the most that year.
Marcus swallowed the lump in his throat. If he mentioned Wynter’s name, Mateo might tell him to steer clear. But if he mentioned Nora? They all knew how much that woman meant to him.
The door opened and Marcus jumped to his feet.
Mateo paused in the doorway, surprise flickering in his expression. “Marcus? What are you doing in here? Don’t you have some chores to do?” A smirk touched his lips as he entered the room fully and settled down at the desk. “I can tell Daniel he’s not working you hard enough?—”
“I need some time off.”
That caught Mateo’s attention. He settled into his chair and stared up at Marcus with concern. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s great—fine.” He cleared his throat and took his seat. “Did you hear about Nora Delaney?”
“No. What’s going on?”
Marcus blew out a breath. “She hurt her wrist. And her granddaughter is back in town to help her out?—”
“As in your friend Wynter?” Mateo arched a brow. “Wynter Delaney is actually back? It’s been what? Five years?”
“Six, actually,” Marcus muttered. Though he did see her briefly at the funeral.
“I see. And you’re wanting to…” Mateo drawled.
“Nora needs some things repaired around the house?—”
Mateo chuckled.
Marcus glared. “What? I can do stuff.”
His brother studied him for a moment, then steepled his fingers in front of his lips. “And your plan is to… what?”
“I don’t know,” Marcus said. “She said since Jack died, there are a few things she’d like fixed. Can’t be that hard.”
