Marcus shrugged. “I mean… if you ask her, we’re notserious. But she’s always been a little antsy about serious relationships. I think she’s scared that they won’t last. But what better way to show her that we can?”
Jason shared another look with his brother before turning to Marcus. “You can’t be serious. Do you hear yourself? Wynter’s not ready for serious. It won’t be smart to spring this on her.”
“Not until you have a deeper conversation with her,” Mathew agreed. “This needs to be a decision made together.”
Marcus could feel his frustration mounting. “You don’t know her like I do. If she feels secure, then she’ll be all for it. She needs to know that it won’t come crumbling down around her. You’ll see. If I ask her to marry me, she won’t have any more excuses.”
When the brothers still seemed intent on arguing with him, Marcus shoved away from the table where he sat. Several of the people in the restaurant cut curious looks his way but returned to their conversations. “You’ll see,” he repeated, more to himself than to anyone else. “This is the way to show her. She’ll want to stay when she understands how committed I am.” With those words ground out, he tossed several bills on the table. “Thanks for lunch, guys. I’ll make sure you get the invitation.”
“Marcus!” Jason called out, but Marcus was already headed for the door.
He didn’t turn or even acknowledge his friend. This was the right move. It might have seemed quick and unexpected to anyone else, but Marcus had been in love with Wynter for years, and something told him she felt the same. They just needed toget past the fear of the unknown. And he’d make that happen if it was the last thing he did.
22
WYNTER
It had been a week since that strained dinner. Wynter hadn’t been brave enough to ask Marcus what he’d been doing by her room. He could have been coming out of the bathroom for all she knew, but something told her not to be surprised if he’d been snooping.
After he’d left, she’d scanned her space, but nothing was out of place. Then she’d caught sight of the letter she’d left on her dresser, and her stomach had bottomed out.
Wynter had stressed for three full days straight after that, expecting Marcus to corner her and ask her about it. But when he hadn’t brought it up, she started to relax.
That didn’t stop her from feeling the guilt associated with not sharing that particular piece of information with him. She probably should have told him the second she’d been asked to stay. The longer she stared at the letter, the harder it was becoming to make excuses as to why she couldn’t relocate back to Copper Creek.
This was her home. She’d only been here four weeks, and she already couldn’t stand the idea of leaving again. It wasn’t only the town, either. It was her friends. It was Grams. It was Marcus.
Her feelings for him had grown exponentially out of hand. And maybe that wasn’t an entirely bad thing. Wynter was starting to have second thoughts about returning to California. It was a small voice in the back of her head telling her that she didn’t have to run. She was stronger now. She could brave this new experience.
And if Marcus was there at her side, then that was all she could ever want.
Unfortunately, the doubts quickly ate up those bright and happy thoughts. It was difficult to stay the course, especially when everything in her past screamed for self-preservation.
Today she’d gone into the office to handle some paperwork she couldn’t do over the computer. It had been nice to be in that environment again. Remote work was nice when she needed to keep an eye on Grams, but there was nothing like going into the office.
A thought flickered to life as she stepped out of the building of Colorado Crop Science. If she stayed, this would be where her office was located.
She paused and looked around her. It was dark, but the parking lot was bathed in lights from the streetlamps. The sun didn’t have to be up for her to visualize what surrounded her. The building was located just outside of the small town. It was a large building but tasteful so as not to detract from the beauty of the Colorado fields that surrounded it. She’d loved driving into work this morning. The mountains were covered in snow. The fields glistened with it, too. A few pastures within viewing distance had horses or cattle wandering through. It was nothing like the city.
California had beauty in its own right, but Copper Creek was heavenly. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to live out here where the world seemed so much larger. Where she could breathe in the crisp air and revel in knowing she was but a single star in a great big universe. There was a peacefulness about Copper Creek that couldn’t be replicated, and it was even better around Christmastime.
Wynter shivered, the cold finally seeping into her bones. She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky with a small smile touching her lips. Maybe it was time to get out of her head and talk to Marcus. She wouldn’t be able to promise him anything. He’d know better than to ask. But they could talk. She could tell him about the job offer and why she was nervous about staying—though she had a feeling he already knew based on the sorts of conversations they’d had as kids. She might not have told him everything in excruciating detail, but he knew she had a hard time planning for the future when nothing was ever certain. It would be something she’d have to work on.
Then she felt it. A speck of cold landed on her cheek. Then another and another. She opened her eyes and blinked rapidly as more snowflakes drifted lazily around her. It felt like a sign. She could do this. She could have an adult conversation with Marcus and find out exactly where he stood. What did he want? Where did he see them in the future?
It wouldn’t take away the guilt she had in shutting him out, but she would work on that, too. If anyone could understand her, it was Marcus. She could trust him. She had to.
Wynter hurried to her car. It was only one of maybe six in the parking lot. When she got behind the wheel, she pulled out her phone and stilled when she saw a message from Marcus.
Marcus:Have a surprise for you. See you at your place when you’re off work. Drive safe.
A flutterof nerves exploded in her chest. He didn’t seem upset. He would have been if he had found the letter, right? Sure, it had been a few days, but he would have said something. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard, unsure if she should respond or how she should respond.
Ultimately, she chose to leave the message as read and head home. If he was waiting for her, then she’d have her chance to talk to him. A nice, quiet evening where they could hash out everything they needed to say.
Those nerves went into overdrive as she continued to consider what his surprise could be. Marcus was the best at giving gifts. He’d always had a knack for picking the perfect one. She couldn’t wait to find out what it could be.
Wynter pulledher car to a stop and stared in confusion at all the cars that were surrounding the house. She recognized a few of them. Rose and Morgan were there. Strange. There was also a truck she recalled seeing when Jason and Isabelle had come by. But there were so many others.
