Marcus glanced up at Mr. Delaney and hesitated. But when the man shifted from the doorway and granted him access, he breathed out a sigh of relief. One day they’d connect on something. It just might not be today.
Wynter squealed, making Marcus jump. He glanced toward her to find her cradling the plexiglass cube in her hands. Her eyes darted up to find his. “It’s a Colorado Hairstreak!”
Was it? He didn’t know the name. All he knew was that it was the only butterfly he could find that matched her eyes.
“What did he get you, dear?” Wynter’s grandmother called from where she sat in a rocker near the fireplace.
Wynter rushed across the room and tilted the cube so everyone could see.
Mr. Delaney quickly looked in Marcus’s direction, and Marcus could have sworn the man’s features softened slightly. Or maybe the reaction was hopeful thinking.
At some point, Wynter relieved herself of the cube and rushed across the room to pull him in for a tight hug. It was brief, like most of their hugs, but Marcus didn’t miss the looks Wynter’s grandparents gave them.
Wynter pulled away before the hug got to be too long. Then she grabbed his hand. “Come on. The festival is going to be over soon. We have to get our annual hot chocolate and caramel apples!” She tossed a smile at the two people who practically raised her. “I’ll be back for supper.”
And then they were off.
The town was busy just like every other year. Actually, it seemed to get even busier with each passing year. Either it was the influx of people moving to the area, or it was the neighboring towns hearing about all the changes taking place in CopperCreek. The town wasn’t as small as it had been even five years ago.
At least that was what the born-and-raised locals said whenever Marcus overheard them talking about the changes happening around town.
“How are you liking Cornell?” Marcus asked between bites of his apple.
Wynter’s eyes rolled back in her head. “It’s so amazing. I love it. My roommates are cool. I guess I lucked out because we all like the quiet. We prefer staying in on the weekends and reading.”
“And you’re still going to be a bug person?”
She wrinkled her nose and laughed at him. “You mean an entomologist?”
Marcus pressed a finger to the tip of her nose with a smirk. “What did I say about using big words?” He loved the way she laughed. It didn’t matter if it was at his expense or not. The sound was unique, a carefree song of happiness that could only belong to this girl. “How about we go with bug expert. Is that better?”
“Sure. Let’s go with that.”
They were passing by a group of kids who’d attended school with them, and one of the guys snorted derisively.
Marcus rounded on them and glowered. “You have something to say, Decker?”
The group stopped and the ringleader—one of Wynter’s old tormenters—stepped front and center. He folded his arms, and his hard gaze appraised them both. “I think it’s funny that Wynter is interested in studying her own kind.”
“Marcus.” Wynter sighed. “It’s not worth it.”
She must have felt him stiffen beside her. Or maybe she was used to the way he couldn’t stand it when people put her down.Wynter might not have ever admitted it, but she’d always lacked confidence in her appearance.
Marcus stepped up to Jake Decker, their chests bumping. “And I think it’s funny that someone who was held back senior year can’t come up with better insults. You did have an extra year to add to your repertoire, you know.”
“Are you calling me dumb?”
“Marcus,” Wynter tried again, grabbing his upper arm.
“Maybe I was wrong. Someone lacking in smarts wouldn’t have caught on nearly as quick as you just did.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.
They stared each other down, but it was Wynter who broke them apart when she yanked at him hard. “Let’s go. There’s a light show at the park this year. It’s set to music.”
Marcus gave Jake one final warning look. “Next time you open your mouth and something vile comes out, don’t be surprised if it gets shoved right back down your throat.”
“Marcus.” When they were a couple yards away, Wynter snapped at him. “You don’t have to protect me anymore. I don’t care about them. I’ve grown up. I’ve moved on.”
“I don’t like it when they put you down,” Marcus said. “You’re so much better than them.”
