“That’s why you should stay. You have friends here. You have me. And Marcus…”
“I have friends in California.” Well, actually they were more like colleagues, but Grams didn’t have to know that. Wynter pressed her lips together at her grandmother’s disbelieving stare. “None of that matters. What matters is that nothing has changed. I’m still leaving when my contract is up. But I’d really like it if you’d consider selling this place and coming with me.”
For a moment Wynter thought Grams would do just that. Consider it, at the very least. But she didn’t. She rose from her seat, her body seeming to vibrate with frustrated energy. “This is the first and only house your grandfather and I purchased. This is the last place I got to spend with your grandfather, and I will not leave it.” She stormed away, not allowing Wynter to plead her case further.
Wynter threw her hands into the air with a huff of irritation. She’d only recently thought about asking Grams to move to California, but it made sense. More than that, it was easily a conversation that would pull Grams’s attention from Marcus to a different matter.
At least that part of her plan had worked. But now Grams was upset.
Something told Wynter that her grandmother’s anger was more than just about the request to move. Grams might not have mentioned Marcus when she got really upset, but she’d wanted Wynter to consider him before officially moving back. Had Marcus said something to her? He wouldn’t do that, would he?
A gnawing sensation in the pit of her stomach was only the start of her losing her appetite. She pushed the plate of pancakes away, the guilt only climbing. She’d put them in the freezer for later.
After putting in some work hours looking over some tests she’d requested about the growing number of bug infestations in local barns, she sat back at her desk and stretched her arms over her head. A quiet sound at her back startled her. She spun in her chair to find Grams standing in the doorway, a slight frown marring her brow. “Grams?—”
She held up a hand to stop her. “I want to clarify something. Before you go assuming anything, I want you to know that I’m worried about you.”
Wynter scoffed. “You’re worried about me?”
“Of course I’m worried about you.” Grams moved into the room to sit on the edge of the bed. “I’m getting older, sweetheart. I know I won’t have much longer on this earth.”
“Grams,” Wynter said, disheartened. “Don’t think like that.”
“It’s true, and you know it. One day I won’t be here anymore. I’ll be gone, like your grandfather. And I will feel so much better if you have someone to take care of you.”
“Okay, hold up a second. I’m an adult. I don’t need someone to take care of me.”
Her grandmother gave her a sharp look, successfully putting an end to Wynter’s argument. “Everyone needs someone. And that includes you. I want you to have someone who loves you like your grandfather loved me.”
Wynter didn’t want to hear any of this. To even think about losing someone else in her life was giving her heart palpitations. She gritted her teeth and rubbed at her chest. Losing people was a common occurrence in her life, and she was definitely not prepared to lose the last person who would do anything for her. Grams had been there for her no matter what. Even when otherfamily members left her, they’d had each other. Tears sprang to her eyes, and through the moisture, she saw Grams wipe at her own tears.
Well, great. Now they were both crying. Wynter sucked in a shaky breath and reached a hand out to her grandmother. “You’re not going anywhere anytime soon. And by the time that happens, who knows? I might have found my own special someone.”
“Don’t you think that might have already happened?”
Wynter gave her grandmother a sad smile. “How about I go out and get us a good lunch for later? What do you say?”
Grams nodded, and Wynter got to her feet. She didn’t want to talk about Marcus. If anyone had come close to making her feel like she could face her fears, it was him. But now was not the time to clad herself in armor and fight them. She had too much to consider. Her job. Grams. And the uncertain future.
She pushed the conversation from her mind and did as she promised. For most of the day, she held everything together.
Until Marcus showed up on her doorstep.
Grams was taking a nap, and Wynter crumbled.
All the strength left her body, and she threw herself into his arms, allowing herself to cry. She sobbed, uncaring about what he might say or do. He held her close, his hands splayed on her back as she buried her face in his neck.
They stood like that for several moments just inside the doorway. Until her tears subsided. He kept hold of her as if he knew she needed to be the one to make the first move. When she pulled back, he brushed at her tears with both thumbs. His calloused skin was rough against her cheeks, but it was also warm. He’d been exactly what she’d needed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly. “Is Nora?—”
Wynter laughed, but it came out choked and strangled. “No, she’s fine.”
Marcus continued to frown at her. He watched her. Studied her. Waited for her to give him answers. She wasn’t one to cry easily, and he knew it. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell him her deepest and darkest fears. She couldn’t tell him that she was terrified of losing everyone in her life. She’d sound ridiculous, and he’d probably tell her as much.
This man was strong and one of the happiest guys she knew. He could find the good in every situation. He’d probably tell her that he’d be there for her if only to assuage her fears. And he’d mean it. But for how long?
She looked away, avoiding his eyes. “Honestly, it’s been a long day. I’m tired. And…” She shut her eyes tight, heat flooding her cheeks. “Can I… ask you to hold me?” She knew how that sounded. Either he’d think it was silly because she didn’t have any reason to be upset, or he would read too much into this and think that she wanted him for more.
