Snowfall

by Suzanne Cass

  While he and Stella were being interviewed yesterday, Levi had led Deputy Wilder to where Wyatt had buried the diamonds. The sheriff was most keen to recover them. Wyatt had given Levi a detailed description of where to find them, as well as the rough coordinates he’d worked out after studying some digital maps. They were nestled in the roots of a large pine tree, covered with leaves and other forest detritus, not on Tony’s body, as he’d told Samuel and his men. He and Stella had buried them to keep them safe. As their insurance, if they needed it, against Dmytro and his thugs. But he’d never, ever considered keeping them, not even for a split second. He didn’t need that kind of grief. And even though the money would’ve been nice, he and Stella would be fine without it. More than fine.

  Stella and him. The idea was still sinking in. She’d hardly left his side for the past three days. And he liked it. He glanced over and watched her face in profile as she chatted to Penny, who was sitting next to her. She was so gorgeous; it made his chest hurt whenever he looked at her.

  “So, is it true? Have you guys actually set a date?” Stella called to Cat, putting Wyatt’s thoughts on hold. There was a hush, as everyone waited for Cat to reply.

  “Yes, we have.” Cat glanced sideways at Levi, and her ears turned pink. It was unlike Cat to be unsettled by everyone’s attention. “We booked in a celebrant the other day, so it’s official. It’s going to be the twentieth of June.”

  “The first day of summer,” Stella sang out. Wyatt remembered telling her at the New Year’s Eve party—which seemed like a million years ago—he thought it would be that day.

  There was much laughter and ribbing around the room as Stella, Emily, and Penny all demanded they help Cat find a dress. They talked, and they ate chicken and pignoli cookies until no one could fit another thing in. Wyatt drew in the happiness and camaraderie. He was always going to be the introspective one who liked to listen and watch, taking in everything going on around him. That would never change. What had changed, however, was how he felt about his place in the world. He no longer felt disenfranchised. He now knew there was a place where he belonged. It was partly due to Levi and Cat’s love and acceptance of him into their home and their lives. But most of this new feeling was because of Stella, and the way she made him want things again.

  “Hey, bro.” Levi broke into his reverie. His brother stroked his beard and looked at Wyatt askew. “I’ve got another interesting tidbit of news,” he said quietly.

  Wyatt’s stomach tightened. What was his brother going to tell him now?

  “Jude mentioned that Clayton had been in to see them in the sheriff’s office, after he heard what’d happened.”

  Wyatt sat up a little straighter. He’d heard a lot about Clayton and his antics as the suspected arsonist. But their paths had crossed for a short time when he’d served with Clayton in Missoula prison while the other man had been waiting to be sentenced for his attempted abduction charges. While they’d never become friends, he’d heard the rumors shooting through the prison grapevine about what Clayton may or may not have been into. But then Wyatt was released, and he’d lost touch with Clayton. He knew he’d been let out recently. Wyatt knew a twinge of guilt. He understood what the man must be going through, fresh out of prison wasn’t a great place to be in. Perhaps he should visit the guy, offer advice and a friendly smile.

  “What did he want with the sheriff’s office?”

  “This is strictly confidential,” Levi lowered his voice and leaned in closer. “It seems he might have some dirt on Dmytro. Something he found out while he was in jail and he’s willing to give it to the cops, if it’ll help build the case against Dmytro.”

  “Wow.” Wyatt was momentarily lost for words. Could it be true? Dmytro had dealings with lots of people, had his finger in many pies. But why would Clayton want to help? Most of the town still hadn’t forgiven him, even though he’d been acquitted of all charges on the arson attacks against the ranch. And Cat definitely hadn’t forgiven him after he tried to abduct her. In some ways, Wyatt could sympathize with Clayton. He’d been accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Why would he want to help, when everyone seemed to have turned against him?

  “I wonder what he has on Dmytro?”

  Levi lifted his shoulder in a shrug. “Jude wouldn’t tell me, but he said Clayton—”

  Levi stopped mid-sentence as he noticed Penny staring at them. She’d ceased listening to the other conversation about the wedding and was now concentrating on Levi and Wyatt.

  Levi glared at her and she sat back in her chair, a slight frown lining her brow.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping. But I always thought Clayton was a little misunderstood.” The last part was said a tad defensively, and with a quick glance in Cat’s direction, to make sure she wasn’t listening.

  Wyatt didn’t know Penny well, his only interaction with her had been if he needed something at the front reception, or through Stella, as they were best friends and shared a room on the ranch. Penny was pretty. She had a pouty look to her mouth that some men might find attractive, with full, pink lips. Long, blonde hair and a killer body she liked to show off in skin-tight jeans, made her even more attractive. Tonight, she was wearing her glasses, as usual, and her hair was tied up in a long braid, giving her an almost teacher-like quality. Wyatt racked his brain to remember if she was going out with anyone. He didn’t think so. Although, why a beautiful woman like her wasn’t seeing anyone, was beyond him.

  “Sorry,” she apologized again, looking contrite. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.”

  “Not a problem,” Levi said breezily. A look passed between the two brothers, Levi letting him know they’d continue the conversation later. Then, as if something Cat had said suddenly registered, Levi asked loudly, “What did you say?”

  “I’m going to ride right up to the celebrant on my motorcycle.”

  Levi put his head in his hands in mock dismay, and everyone laughed. Wyatt wouldn’t put it past Cat to do exactly as she threatened.

  Everyone had a comment about Cat rocking up on her motorcycle. Wyatt sat back and watched Stella, her hands waving excitedly in the air as she made a point. Looking at Stella, he couldn’t hold back the surge of love that washed through him. Nor the surge of desire. He wanted to take her home; tell her all the things she needed to hear.

  Wyatt got carefully off the couch and stood. “We’re off. Stella is going to drive me home,” he announced, handing his plate to a surprised Levi. He offered Stella a hand, and she stood with a giggle, handing her plate to an equally surprised Penny.

  He didn’t care that everyone smiled smugly at him, as if they knew exactly what he and Stella were up to. Because they’d be correct. He was going to take Stella to his bed and make love to her. It might not be the most fantastic lovemaking because of his injury, but he’d make up for that. As soon as the stitches were out and his cracked ribs healed, boy he was going to make up for it.

  As they stood in the doorway, Stella ready to help him on with his coat, he stopped to stare at her. A few strands of hair had fallen out of her messy bun and he gently tucked them behind her ear. He could hardly believe this woman wanted to be with him. Since the very first moment he’d set eyes on her, he’d wanted her. But it’d been a dream, a fantasy. He’d never thought he’d ever be good enough for someone like her. But he was living proof that dreams sometimes did come true.

  “See you tomorrow.” Stella waved at everyone still seated in the small living room.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Cat replied with a sassy grin. Stella’s ears turned pink, but she returned Cat’s grin with a cheeky grin of her own.

  She helped him on with his coat, then they were out the door, the sound of everyone wishing them a good night ringing in their ears. Stella snuggled under his arm and they walked in silence down the gravel roadway to his truck in the parking lot.

  The night was still, with not a breath of wind and not a cloud in the sky. The cold air
nipped at his nose and his cheeks. More snow was forecast for later in the week, but it was as if the heavens had cleared just for them tonight. A carpet of stars hovered overhead.

  Stella stopped and tipped her head back to stare at the night sky, a wisp of steam escaping her mouth as she sighed.

  “It’s so beautiful, Wyatt. I’m so glad I came to Montana, so I could see this.” She released him and twirled around. “And I’m so glad I met you. You opened my eyes to how wondrous this all is. Before we ran away into the hills, I never truly understood. Thank you.”

  Was she really thanking him for dragging her into the mountains and making her pitch a camp in the snow and ice?

  “I want to go back out there again, soon,” she said.

  He laughed loud and long. “If that’s what you want, darlin’, then that’s what we’ll do.”

  Three nights ago, lying next to him in his hospital bed, she’d declared she was in love with him. At the time, he’d tried to deny it; to deny her, even though he felt the veracity of her words. But she was a force of nature, and he’d finally decided that if she wouldn’t leave him, then he was going to have to embrace her, wholeheartedly, welcome her into his life and into his heart.

  It was his turn, now.

  “Stella.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured, head back, still watching the stars.

  He touched her chin with his thumb and stepped in close, pulling her into his embrace with his good arm. Sensing he had something important to say, she withdrew her gaze from the stars, locking it on him, instead.

  “I spent my whole life never really feeling like I fitted in. I agree, I probably had a chip on my shoulder, thought I had something to prove. And when I ended up in jail, it merely demonstrated to me what I already knew; that I’d never amount to anything. I was so hurt and resented everyone and everything. Then you came along.” He paused, breathing in deeply, feeling his chest expand as the weight of the words lifted away from him. “I wasn’t sure I would ever say this again. I’m in love with you, Stella.”

  “I know,” she said with a grin. “Isn’t it fantastic?” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him, long and deep. “Come on,” she said, tugging him by the hand. “I need to get you naked.”

  His future now looked bright. Much brighter than it had even a week ago. He couldn’t wait to start making memories with her.

  EPILOGUE

  EVEN WEARING BLACK, Stella looked stunning. Wyatt admired the way she sat, straight-backed and decorous in one of Levi’s armchairs. She was wearing a simple black, knit dress in honor of the day, but it clung to her curves in all the right places, revealing her sinuous hips and highlighting her pert, but magnificent breasts. And hadn’t he had enormous fun exploring all those dips and hollows, soft spots and firm skin over the past two weeks. They’d spent every spare second they could garner learning about each other’s bodies. Stella was a dream come true.

  Wyatt forced all those provocative thoughts away. It wasn’t the right time. Later, he could think about what he’d like to do to Stella once they were alone.

  Today had been one of the most difficult days of Wyatt’s life.

  Today was Bryce’s funeral.

  Levi and Cat had driven Stella and Wyatt to the Maplewood Cemetery, where the service and then internment of Bryce’s ashes were to take place. Wyatt remembered little about the drive there, or about getting out of the car and walking to the allotted grassy area in the middle of the small cemetery. It was a blurry fog. The one thing he did remember was Stella’s hand in his, leading him through the throng of locals gathered to pay their last respects, helping him take a seat in the back row of plastic chairs set up for the gathering.

  Stella had been the one constant bright spark in the past few weeks, even as the guilt and shame sometimes threatened to overwhelm him. Whenever he delved too deep into the pit of self-recrimination, she was always there to pull him out of his funk.

  He loved her so goddamn much, it hurt.

  He’d held his breath before the sentiment swamped him completely and looked around for something to distract himself. At least it wasn’t snowing for the funeral, but gunmetal gray clouds covered the sky, blocking out the view of the mountains; the temperature hovering near zero.

  The rest of the Stargazer Ranch staff had come. Arrayed in the chairs on either side of him and Stella. Dean and Naomi had given him a solemn nod, as did Joseph, sitting beside them. Penny was next to Stella, offering her support in the form of a hand on her arm or a quick fix of a few wayward strands of hair that drifted down out of her bun. Dale and Steph, Gordon, Violet, Roxanne, and Janine were all there, too. Cat had told him they would all be here, to support Stella. But also, to offer him their solidarity. Looking at all the Stargazer squad arranged alongside him, a curious sensation settled in his chest. A sense of calm, as if all his burdens had suddenly become lighter. They accepted him for who he was, warts and all. It was a good feeling. Something like hope.

  Sheriff Buchanan and his two deputies, Jude Wilder and Susan Nomad, caught his eye, standing at the back of the crowd, watching everyone with serious vigilance. There remained an edginess around the town, an aura of unease. And who could blame the locals, it wasn’t every day four gangsters invaded the town and took two residents hostage, and hunted down two more, plus some stolen diamonds in the depths of the mountain range. Not to mention the FBI agents swarming all around the streets… Well, it’d take a long time for this kind of gossip to die down, if ever.

  Wyatt flicked a look from beneath lowered eyebrows in Cat’s direction. Her only consolation to the solemnity of the day was to swap her checked flannel shirt for a black turtleneck. Otherwise, she still wore her signature outfit of blue jeans, boots and her black biker jacket. Her blonde, spiked hair stood out as a beacon amongst the other mourner’s dark hats and coats. The cast on her hand would remain for at least another four weeks. Which made Cat irritable and hard to live with, because she hated any sort of incapacitation; hated to feel powerless. Hated to have to ask Levi to open a jar of pickles for her. It also made her mechanic job on the ranch a little tricky, but ever-resourceful, Cat regaled them with stories of how she rigged up a vice system to help hold an engine part immobile while she worked on tightening a screw.

  Both she and Levi continuously reminded him they didn’t blame him for any of this, but it was hard not to feel a twist in his guts every time he saw Cat struggling to pull on her boots, or to cut up her dinner.

  Levi sat on the other side of Cat, his bearded face grim and unsmiling. While he showed no outward signs of the ordeal they’d endured at the hands of Dmytro’s thugs, Wyatt knew Levi still had bad dreams about the day Cat had been held hostage. Wyatt felt a surge of love for his kid brother. They’d had their differences growing up and Wyatt admitted he hadn’t spent a lot of time in the house once their mother left, so he couldn’t exactly say they were close. But they’d more than made up for that over the past six months, and now their brotherly bond ran deep.

  Stella liked to say that everything happened for a reason, but Wyatt was still on the fence about that. At first, he’d been unable to see how Tony dragging him into this whole stolen diamond fiasco could be good for anyone. But then Stella reminded him, they wouldn’t have spent a night snowbound in a truck without Tony’s diamonds. And they certainly wouldn’t have spent three horrific days in the mountains evading a hitman. It might’ve been ghastly, but it also brought them closer. After a lot of pondering, Wyatt conceded that perhaps Tony had brought him Stella together, after all.

  Even so, he wasn’t mourning Tony’s death. Perhaps he should feel something, the guy had once been his friend. But he was still angry with Tony, especially for the way he’d given Dmytro’s men Stella’s name; he couldn’t forgive him for dragging her into it.

  Wyatt’s sling had come off a week ago, but it still hurt to bend or twist; even laughing caused pain. At least he could drive his truck, now. Which meant he spent every available night out at Stargazer Ranch, waiting f
or Stella to finish her shift. Then he’d drive her back to his house, and they’d occupy each night cocooned in his bed, making love, until he drove her back again early the next morning. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but it worked, for now. Soon, they’d need to sort something else out. Because the one thing he knew; he was never letting Stella go. She was his light and his reason for living.

  CJ’s had remained closed for the past weeks, no one sure if it were ever going to re-open. Wyatt needed to look for a new job, but he’d let his ribs heal for a few more weeks before he did that.

  The service had been short, but surprisingly upbeat. The priest amused the crowd with exploits from Bryce’s early days as a biker. Wyatt was shocked to hear Bryce had been married—his boss never mentioned anything about a spouse—but that his wife had died of cancer, which was what’d prompted Bryce to move to Stevensville and open CJ’s. The initials stood for Crystal Jade, his wife’s name, and she’d always dreamed of moving to Montana. Then the sound of heavy metal band Motorhead had rung out around the graveyard; Bryce’s favorite song. A couple of Bryce’s old mates from the biker gang stood up and began head-banging, making everyone laugh. Wyatt felt his shoulders relax. He’d been dreading this day, but even though people were sad at Bryce’s passing, they were also glad to be able to celebrate his long, and mostly happy life.