This was getting worse by the second. “Is she okay?”
Isabelle nodded, taking off her boots and putting them on the mat near the door. “She’s fine. Landed on her wrist and got a hairline fracture. She’s in a brace while it heals, but she’s going to need some help in order not to exacerbate the problem. Jason and I offered to bring by some meals.”
He nodded. “That’s good. She’d like that.”
“I know,” Isabelle said and snickered. “That’s why we offered.”
It was a little strange that Isabelle would go out of her way to stop in and see Wynter. They hadn’t been friends as far as he’d been aware, but Wynter had spent plenty of time at the ranch during high school. Maybe there was a connection there.
Marcus brushed off his curiosity and focused on what Jason was saying. “The problem is my hours won’t allow for me to deliver the food. I was wondering?—”
“I can take it,” Marcus offered without thinking. “Nora likes me. She won’t mind if I stop in with dinner for the next couple of days.”
Isabelle clapped her hands together. “Wonderful. We’ll make some meals tomorrow that she can freeze. And when we have the fresh stuff ready to go, we’ll let you know.”
His eyes shifted to where she had her hands together and the light glinted off a new piece of jewelry. Marcus’s focus darted once more to Isabelle. “You’re getting married?”
Isabelle grinned, holding out her left hand. “Yep! We were going to tell everyone over Sunday dinner, so shh until I can make the announcement.”
“Congrats, Izzie. You too, Jason.”
Isabelle’s fiancé slipped a possessive arm around Isabelle’s waist so he could pull her close and press a kiss to the crown of her head. “Thanks, man.”
“You treat her right,” Marcus added, an edge to his voice. “She deserves the best.” His eyes locked with his sister and her expression softened.
“You deserve the best too, Marcus.”
He nodded, his thoughts shifting to the one girl he’d always compared women with. Wynter was his best. But he didn’t think that was a possibility. “See you tomorrow.” With that, he kicked off his boots and headed for his room. He’d need a good night’s sleep if he planned on confronting Wynter tomorrow. Because there was no chance that he’d show up at the Delaney household without getting to the bottom of what had happened between them.
Marcus couldn’t decideif he was more angry or nervous when he pulled up to the familiar ranch-style home. He found it strange that the usual Christmas decorations weren’t up. No wreath on the door. No twinkling lights on the bushes. And no red bow on the mailbox.
Wynter was inside. She was within reach. Only a few steps and he’d be able to look her in the eye and ask her to answer for everything she’d done and everything she hadn’t said.
His heart hammered, and it wasn’t because of the latent feelings he’d once felt for her. Marcus refused to accept that he’d held a torch for her over the last half-decade. He simply wanted closure.
Both of his hands gripped the top of the steering wheel as if it could ground him to this moment. He needed to be clear-headed. He couldn’t go in there and fling accusations at his ex-best friend. No, that wouldn’t go over very well. Especially since Nora would be witness to it.
What was he doing?
Marcus blew out a breath and rested his forehead against his hands on the steering wheel.Lord, thank you for bringing Wynter to Copper Creek so I can talk to her.But I don’t know what to say.I don’t know why she shut me out of her life.Please help us resolve this. Amen.
His heart was still pounding, but he knew God heard him. He didn’t have anyone else he could talk to about his feelings for Wynter.
Was he a fool for trying to mend their friendship? Maybe he’d actually gone crazy in her absence. Maybe Wynter had the right idea when she’d huffed it out of the town square to head home.
Well, it was too late to turn back now. He’d promised Izzie and Jason that he’d bring the food for Nora. Marcus nodded to himself as he reached for the large brown paper bag. He trudged up the snow-littered path that had been mowed down by various boots and shoes. Frowning, he paused to take it in. Nora lived alone up here. She was an independent woman if he ever met one, and she would likely never accept help that was offered to her. But an icy sidewalk was dangerous.
He’d make sure to get out here and clear it within the next day or so.
Lights were on in the house. Darkness had fallen, and there was little chance anyone looking out the windows would be able to see him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see inside, either. Drapes had been pulled closed and all he could make out were shadows of the people inside.
Shifting the bag to one arm, he lifted a hand and knocked.
The world seemed to stop spinning the second the door opened and revealed the woman he’d been unable to forget over all these years—not that he’d let anyone know.
Wynter blinked. Had she been unaware he was coming?
He chided himself. Of course she was unaware. What other excuse was there for her being present?
