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 towould 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.”
14
WYNTER
Who said stuff like that?
Andwhydid Marcus have to be the one to say them to her? She couldn’t swallow past the lump in her throat. Did he even know what he was doing to her? Probably. Marcus wasn’t lacking intelligence. Even though he’d been stereotyped as the jock in high school, he was probably one of the smartest people she’d known.
He was trying to talk her into giving love a chance, and for the life of her, she couldn’t say she hated it. Maybe she was a glutton for punishment. Spending time with Marcus made her want things she knew were not good for her.
Before she had a chance to respond, he changed the subject.
“You sure you want to pick up a tree from town? I’m sure we could find something better in the woods.” Marcus didn’t glance her way when he posed the question. Instead, he was facing forward, both hands holding tight to the steering wheel. He looked tense.
Well, what did he expect? He’d said some heavy stuff. And she was obsessing over it just as much as he was. Or at least she hoped so. He didn’t deserve to spring something like that on her without feeling the effects of it.
“Grams doesn’t have a big house. I think it’s a safer bet to grab one from town. Besides, I’d rather support local businesses.”
Marcus nodded. “Sounds good. You know, I don’t think we’ve ever had a real tree. When we moved here, Mateo bought one of those artificial trees. I’m pretty sure we still have it even after he got married to Nikki.” He cut her a smirk. “Maybe I’ll get one for the house. My nephew deserves the real deal, don’t you think?”
Wynter grinned right back. “Are you trying to become the favorite uncle? Is that what this is all about?”
He chuckled. “Can’t hurt.”
After that, the tension in the truck faded. They didn’t immediately pick up the trees. Wynter had planned on picking up a few books for Grams, and they needed some groceries. Marcus didn’t question it when she climbed out of the truck and headed down the street. He simply fell into step beside her, hands deep in his pockets.
“It was really sweet, what you were doing with Grams,” she offered when their conversation tapered off. She chewed on her lip and fiddled with the lint in her coat pocket. The ice melt crunched beneath their boots as they made their way toward the bookstore. “She’s been lonely since my grandfather passed. And since I can’t be here all the time…” Her cheeks heated, and she avoided looking directly at him.
Honestly, it was her fault that her grandmother was as lonely as she was. Wynter could have transferred her job down to Copper Creek if she wanted to. That much was made clear by how easy it had been for her to get a temporary job.
So why aren’t you doing anything about it?
That voice in her head had asked that question several times over the last couple of weeks. Ever since she’d lined up the work, she’d wondered if her reasons for staying away from this town were reasonable. Grams was her last remaining relative—well, the last one who mattered. She didn’t know where her father was. He’d abandoned her when she was an infant. Grams was the only one who mattered anymore.
And when she was gone? What then?
Wynter couldn’t bring herself to think that far. When Grams was gone, she really would be alone. And that was the absolute fear.
“You know as well as I do that it’s not a hardship to spend time with your grandmother,” Marcus said. “She was just as important to me during high school as she was to you.”
Tossing him an appreciative look, Wynter nodded. She knew better than to argue with him. And this was just who Marcus was. No one was more kind than this man. In a perfect world, she would have given in to his flirting. She would have considered the risk to her heart worthwhile because she wouldn’t have to worry about it all coming to an end.
When they reached the bookstore, Marcus held the door open for her. They stomped off the bits of snow they’d tracked in and together headed farther inside. She led the way toward the romance section, laughing when Marcus averted his eyes when he caught sight of a book cover of a couple in a steamy embrace. He kept his eyes trained on the ceiling, and his ears flooded with color.
Marcus cleared his throat and glanced at Wynter with what almost seemed like concern. “Please tell me she doesn’t read that kind of book.”
Wynter shook her head as she led him around the aisle. “That display was showcasing stories that… well, you got the gist of it. Now, these? They’re more up our alley.” She gestured toward adisplay of romance novels showcasing western landscapes or a cowboy with his love interest.
She cut Marcus a look, noting the way his lips twitched upward. “What?” she asked.
