“Do you suppose that you’d be willing to stick around?”
And just like that, the lightness in the room grew one hundred times heavier. She met her grandmother’s hopeful eyes, not willing to give her anything but the truth. “I’m only here to help you while you heal. The contract is for three months. That’s it.”
Disappointment clung to her grandmother’s slight frame, and Wynter wanted to apologize for that, too. She wanted to pull Grams into her arms and tell her that she’d move back, and everything could be like she wanted. But the truth remained.
Wynter was broken. The anxiety that came with the desire for a future here, for stability, was literally debilitating. Panic attacks could be involved.
So, she said nothing.
Tossing her article on the couch at her side, she rose to her feet. “I’ll start on supper.”
7
MARCUS
Could it be that simple?
Marcus hadn’t thought it was possible, and yet Wynter had said so in her own words. She’d pushed him away, cut him out of her life, and all because she knew she was going to leave. She’d wanted to save them both the heartache of drifting apart by going cold turkey.
The way she’d gone about it was misguided. And yes, it had hurt. It had felt like a monumental betrayal.
But he could understand it.
He’d understood Wynter well over the years they’d spent together.
She’d told him in not so many words that she didn’t trust easily. She didn’t expect stability in her life, either. Before she moved to Copper Creek with her grandparents, she’d moved from town to town. Two years in one city had been the longest she’d stayed in one place.
He’d almost laughed at the realization of it all.
Wynter rarely asked for help. She was practically chronically independent. Even in high school she’d refuse to tell him when people bullied her. He’d get wind of it from someone else and handle it all on his own. Later, she’d be furious, but then she’d finally give in and thank him begrudgingly.
She didn’t like expensive gifts. She didn’t approve of him spending his money on her. So the gifts he’d give her at Christmas always had to be something simple or homemade.
Friendships don’t last forever.
Well, she was wrong, and he was going to prove it to her. They could overcome the rift she’d torn between them.
There was only one problem in his plans, and he hadn’t quite figured out how he was going to get past it.
Their kiss from six years ago had been front and center in his dreams. Every night since it had happened, he’d allowed himself to imagine an alternate reality where she’d realized they could be more than friends.
Marcus pushed that thought aside and turned up the Christmas music playing from the stereo in his truck. He wasn’t going to push her. Right now, he’d just be grateful that she wasn’t running from him—not that there was anywhere to run to.
Nora had given him an all-access pass to Wynter and regaining the friendship he’d lost all those years ago. He wasn’t about to squander the opportunity that had fallen into his lap. Well, more likely, the opportunity that God had arranged for him.Thank you, Lord.
Once he arrived at the Delaney residence, he trudged up the sidewalk. The bits of ice melt crunched beneath his boots, and he glanced up at the sky, noting that it looked as though more snow would be coming. He’d have to make sure Wynter understood she was not to take Nora anywhere until he could clear thewalkways. The last thing they needed was a broken hip to add to her fractured wrist.
He only knocked once before the door swung open, revealing a chipper Nora. She beamed at him. “Marcus! You’re early.”
He nodded, stomping off the bits of snow from the street before he entered the house. “I wanted to check with you before I head to town for those parts. Is there anything you need? The roads are slick. I don’t think it’s a good idea for either of you to drive on them if we can help it.”
Wynter’s huffed response from the kitchen made it clear she’d overheard his statement. He could already imagine her rolling her eyes at the notion that he didn’t think her capable of running errands in this weather.
Well, tough. While he was here, he’d make sure they were both cared for.
“Actually, I do need a few things. I’m running low on tea, and I have some medication that can be picked up at the pharmacy.”
“Grams.” Wynter materialized from the kitchen. “I can get that stuff for you, no need to ask Marcus.”
