Maybe that was why he couldn’t bring himself to go over to her place today. The other night had torn open old scars that he’d thought were long since healed. Wynter was pushing him away.
Again.
It hurt.
Oh, did it hurt!
So why was there a part of him that was so intent on going over there again? Why couldn’t he be okay with the distance she was creating?
Marcus didn’t want to delve into the reasons for his behavior and his desires. Something told him it would only make that gaping wound fester that much more.
Storm clouds were moving in. It looked like they’d be expecting more snow before the week was out. Marcus peered out across the property toward the barn as a couple cowboys emerged with their horses. They were all bundled up, but it was clear they were heading out to do some repair work. From this distance it looked as though they had rolls of wire and saddlebags weighed down by what were likely tools. In this weather they focused more on upkeep than anything else.
The men swung up into the saddles as they spoke to each other. There was once a time when Marcus would be heading out with them. He’d be leading the charge unless Daniel was present. It was good, honest work. And when he needed something to keep his mind busy, it was exactly what he needed.
Maybe he should go for a ride. There was a new gelding that needed some training. Daniel might like some help with that. The second that thought crossed his mind, Marcus tossed it aside. He already knew he wouldn’t be able to stay away from Wynter for long.
It was this instinct he had about her. She was pushing him away because she was scared. And he wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. While she thought she needed space, he knew better. Right now, he needed to get her to admit that they could begoodtogether.
The sound of the back door opening and clicking shut pulled him out of his thoughts of Wynter. Heavy boots clunked against the wooden porch until a figure stood at his side. Marcus didn’t have to turn to know it was Mateo who had emerged. Ever since he’d expanded what the ranch offered and hired men to work for him, he’d learned to delegate. He was still a hard worker, but he prioritized his growing family.
Mateo was living the dream.
Marcus might have been jealous if he didn’t know what it had taken for Mateo to get to this point. His oldest brother had been through the thick of it and come out on top.
When Mateo didn’t speak right away, Marcus finally gave him his attention. “You need something?”
Mateo shoved his hands into his coat pockets, warm air puffing out of his lips in white clouds. “I thought I needed to ask you that.”
Marcus shook his head. “I’m good.”
“Are you?”
The cold seized up his lungs when he sucked in a deep breath. Then he blew it out with a cough. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means…” Mateo drawled. “You haven’t spent more than a couple hours here since Thanksgiving. The second you exit this house, you’re in your truck and driving away in a cloud of smoke. Something change? Does Nora not need you anymore?” It was what Mateo wasn’t asking that hung in the air between them. Had something happened between him and Wynter?
“Everything’s fine,” Marcus muttered.
Mateo nodded slowly. “Okay. Well, if that changes, you know you can come to me, right?”
Marcus couldn’t move, and it was all he could do to wheeze out the words, “Yeah, I know.” His throat was tight. Mateo, despite their age differences, seemed to understand what was going on. He understood Marcus, and for now, that was enough.
It was hard to confide in his brother. Mateo was the oldest, and Marcus was the youngest. Their age differences meant that Marcus looked to his older brother more like a father figure. If he was going to confide in anyone, it would have to be a friend.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that. He’d go over to Nora’s place and test the waters. Maybe after Wynter had some time tosleep on it, she’d feel better about what was clearly developing between them.
“She wentto town to visit with her friends, but you can come in and wait for a bit. Dinner will be ready shortly.”
Marcus frowned, his eyes dipping to Nora’s wrist. “Are you sure you should be?—”
Nora scoffed and sliced a hand through the air to dismiss him. “I’m not an invalid. I know I’ve asked you to help out around here with some of the maintenance work, but honestly, I’m fine to cook.”
Marcus glanced once more at her wrist. It had been a few weeks. Maybe she was feeling better and could handle more. Or maybe she hadn’t been all that hurt to start with. Brushing aside his concerns, he followed Nora into the house. Tonight, like other nights, he was here to share dinner with the Delaney family.
When he had a chance to pull Wynter aside to talk to her about their last argument, he would. Just the thought of doing so had his whole body shaking with nerves. He didn’t know if he was going to handle it well if she turned him down again, which was entirely possible.
All he could hope for was that she’d listen and agree to think on it. There were some good reasons he’d come up with for staying, and the biggest was currently in the kitchen working on dinner. There was no telling how long Nora would be around, and Wynter wouldn’t want to miss out on any of it.
