Yes, she’d been beautiful. He might have been her friend, but he wasn’t blind. He’d noticed the way other guys looked at her, even if they were bent on teasing her. Somewhere deep inside him, he’d known she would be more to him.
Marcus palmed her cheek and traced his thumb along her soft skin. He had a feeling she could tell he cared for her. He didn’t have to tell her outright that he wanted her to stay. She knew it. And yet she’d insisted that she wasn’t interested in more.
So why was she leaning into his touch?
Why did she fall apart in front of him last night?
Why did it feel so good to be with her this way?
Soright.
He opened his mouth, prepared to ask her if she’d reconsider. But she cut him off with her next words.
“Supper’s ready.”
Marcus frowned when she took a step backward.
More distance.
Did she know what that did to him? To his heart?
He nodded, his hand dropping to his side. “I’ll be right in. Let me get a few things cleaned up here, first.”
“Okay.” She turned from him and headed out of the barn.
He watched her go. Waited until the door slid shut before he spun around, grabbed his hat and threw it to the ground. What could he do to make her understand that she was making a mistake?
Maybe he was the problem. Maybe Wynter didn’t realize what he was offering her. She craved security. He could offer that to her. And what was the best way to do that? Be consistent, which was what he’d been doing for the last couple of weeks.
It would take more time, though. He knew that. But his impatience was getting the better of him. Would it be so bad if he pulled her aside and told her he’d move to California if that was what it would take to keep her? Would it even make a difference?
He couldn’t tell. There was only one thing in this life that seemed to be the best way to show permanence in someone’s life. And while it wasn’t exactly bulletproof, a marriage proposal was about as serious as it got.
The second the thought entered his mind, he dismissed it. Wynter wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. But maybe soon.
They’d known each other for years. It wasn’t like he’d be asking a stranger to marry him. And he could play it by ear. As far as he was concerned, he had two options. Move with her. Or ask her to stay by promising to be hers forever.
Marcus scooped up his hat and placed it back on his head. He’d give it a few more weeks before he made his decision. Last night had been heavy but a step in the right direction. Wynter hadn’texactlyopened up to him, but she’d leaned on him when she’d needed someone. She hadn’t gone to her grandmother or her friends. She’d gone to him.
That had to mean something.
When he sat down at the kitchen table, he could feel Wynter’s eyes on him. Every time he looked in her direction, she turned away. He bit back his smile and made sure to participate in the conversation Nora started.
She asked him about his family. His plans for the holidays. And other small talk. It was easy enough to entertain her while also maintaining his attention to the woman across the table from him.
Until it wasn’t.
“And what about a girlfriend?”
Marcus stiffened.
“Grams!”
“What?” Nora chuckled. “Marcus is a handsome man. Wouldn’t you agree?”
He turned toward Wynter and could have laughed at the way her mouth hung open, but he was more interested in hearing what she had to say.
“That’s beside the point,” Wynter stammered.
