Then there was the job. Wynter seemed to like the temporary work she had going on, and Marcus was certain she’d be able to continue if she’d only ask about it. Bug experts weren’t thatcommon, right? Wynter would be an asset. It was important to keep an eye on infestations when it came to the agricultural lifestyle.
And last but not least.
Him.
Marcus wanted Wynter to admit that she cared for him and that they could be good together if she’d only give herself the opportunity for that kind of happiness.
For reasons unbeknownst to him, Marcus found himself wandering down the hallway to Wynter’s room. He stood in the doorway, staring in at the familiar scene. He’d spent many days after school in this space, and it looked almost exactly the same.
Books about different bug species were on the shelves, along with other fiction novels. Several frames hung on the wall with various insects pinned to the board beneath the glass. The bedding had been upgraded, and there were no longer any childish posters attached to the walls.
Marcus stepped over the threshold and let his fingertips trail along the dresser, smiling when he noticed the butterfly he’d given her for Christmas all those years ago. She’d kept it.
He reached for it, tracing his fingertips along the butterfly encased within the resin. The ache in his chest twinged as he was forced to relive the memories of the night he’d given this to her. The kiss that had shattered everything he’d known about his friendship with Wynter.
A piece of paper fluttered when the heater kicked on, and his eyes flicked to it before darting back to the butterfly until he registered what he’d read.
Frowning, Marcus placed the butterfly on the dresser and picked up the letter. The company header at the top had to be the one where she worked, but it was the first couple of lines that stole the breath from his lungs and had his head pounding.
Ms. Delaney,
We have been impressed with your work at Colorado Crop Science over the last couple of weeks. While we had discussed your position at CCS being temporary, we’ve been given the green light to take you on full time indefinitely. CCS could use your skill and attention to detail…
Marcus’s visionblurred as reality came crashing into him. Wynter had been offered an official position at her job here in Copper Creek. She could move out here to be with Nora. She didn’t have to return to her life in California at all if she didn’t want to. He wasn’t sure what the salary difference could be, but he’d wager that living expenses being lower in their smaller town than the bigger cities would balance everything out.
He couldn’t decide if he was elated or disappointed. Hopeful or terrified. Wynter didn’t have to leave.
So why had she insisted she would?
The sound of the front door banging closed startled him, and he dropped the paper to the dresser before striding out of her room. He entered the hallway just as she walked past it. Their eyes locked and hers shifted to her open door. A crease formed between her brows, and she moved toward him a step before Nora’s voice called out to her.
“Oh, good, you’re home. It’s time to eat.”
They continued to stare at each other. Wynter wanted to ask him what he was doing in her room; he could sense it. See it in the way her focus ping-ponged to her bedroom again. But then she shrugged out of her coat, shook her head, and walked out of view.
He wanted to go after her. He wanted to snatch that letter, wave it in her face, and demand to know why she was so insistent that she couldn’t stay when the evidence was right there. Wynterdidn’t have any excuses anymore. She had a lot of explaining to do.
And yet…
Marcus wouldn’t do any such thing.
It would only end in another argument. She’d claim he was violating her privacy, and she wouldn’t be wrong. She’d feel cornered, and when a scared animal was cornered, the claws came out. Marcus would have to come up with a different plan. He needed to find a way to show her that he was serious. He needed to convince her that staying was the best option she had.
If he could help her get out of her own head, he might have a chance at keeping her.
His mind whirled with the possibilities of how he could demonstrate that she was meant to stay in Copper Creek—meant to stay with him. Then it came to him.
“I’m goingto propose to her.”
Mathew’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. Then his eyes shifted to his brother—probably because he was currently choking on the water he’d just sipped from his glass. Mathew dropped his fork and patted his brother on the back several times. Neither one of the men smiled or congratulated him.
In fact, they looked nervous.
What did they have to be nervous about? It wasn’t like they were making this decision. And Jason was engaged to Isabelle. He should have been the first one to understand where Marcus was coming from.
“Well?” Marcus pressed, leaning forward. “I was thinking of hosting a Christmas party at Nora’s place now that all the repairshave been made. I think she’d like the company, and Wynter could invite her friends.”
Mathew’s brows pulled together as he leaned back in his chair and studied him. “I thought the two of you were on the rocks.”
