Snowfall

by Suzanne Cass

  As the service ended, Wyatt and the other three stood up and waited at the back of the crowd, watching as some went forward to talk to Bryce’s family members. The rest of the Stargazer team milled around them, almost like a protective guard of honor. Surprisingly, most of the locals made an effort to drift in Wyatt’s direction. Everyone liked Bryce, they all said. It was a shame to lose him. But they all gave him a brief nod, or a quick touch on the arm, as if to let him know they weren’t blaming him. Not everyone did this, but enough to make Wyatt give a pensive smile.

  A woman in her mid-fifties had come up and introduced herself to Wyatt just as everyone was leaving, telling him she was Bryce’s sister. Before he had a chance to open his mouth and tell her how sorry he was, the priest had whisked her away to help him sort out some final arrangements.

  Now, they were back at Levi and Cat’s house, debriefing and unwinding after the tension of the funeral. Cat made them coffee and served up some peanut butter cookies Stella had made earlier. Wyatt removed his tie and had slipped a hoodie on over his head, but Stella was still wearing that provocative black dress.

  There was a knock at the door. Wyatt was closest, so he jumped up to answer it.

  It was the woman from the funeral, Bryce’s sister standing on the doorstep. Without preamble, she asked if she could come in and talk to him. Wyatt squared his shoulders, bracing himself for her words of censure; God knew he deserved them. He could hardly look at her for the guilt that was eating through his stomach. Knowing she was going to blame him for her brother’s death.

  Wyatt directed her to the couch, and the sister settled herself in. He dared not take a seat himself and ignored the curious glances the other three were throwing at him. Stella stood and came over to take his hand in hers, broadcasting her subtle support.

  “My name is Brianna,” the lady said. Her intonation hinted that perhaps she’d spent a lot of time in New York. She was stylishly dressed in dark, tailored pants and a thick woolen coat that came to her knees, to ward off Montana’s freezing conditions. Her perfectly coiffed hair was pulled back beneath an elegant black beret. “I’m Bryce’s sister, as I already mentioned at the funeral. I’m also his closest living relative.” At this she gave a wan smile. “We weren’t that close, and I haven’t seen a lot of my bother over the years.” This much Wyatt knew to be true, as he’d never seen her visit Bryce and his boss had never talked about her. “But one thing I do know. He loved his burger joint. So, I have an offer for you. If you think you’re up for it.”

  Wyatt’s head sprang up. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting at all.

  * * *

  Stella watched Wyatt close the front door behind Brianna, waving one last time as Bryce’s sister walked back down the front path toward a waiting sedan. Wyatt joined them in the living room, and all four of them stood in stunned speechlessness.

  “Wow, Wyatt. That’s an amazing offer.” Levi was the first to break the silence. “I think you should take it up, you’d be stupid not to.”

  Wyatt sat down next to Stella on the sofa, a dazed look on his face. “I need to think about it first,” he replied. But Stella knew his brother was right, he would be foolish to say no. How could she convince him he was good enough to do this?

  “I know what you’re thinking,” she said, scooting in next to him on the sofa so their knees were touching. “And you’re wrong. You can do this. You should do this.”

  He stared at her and she stared back into his beautiful obsidian eyes, willing him to acknowledge her. Even though they’d only known each other for a short time, they had a sometimes-astonishing connection, almost as if she could drive straight to the heart of his misgivings, and he to hers. It was intense and a little scary, but in a good way. She knew he was scared he’d fuck this up, like he thought he’d done to the rest of his life. But along with Levi and Cat, she’d gently been spurring him on, helping him to believe he was worthy of a good life.

  Bryce’s sister’s words still echoed in her mind. She’d offered Wyatt the head cook position at CJ’s. She wanted to keep it going, to keep Bryce’s legacy alive. Besides, the café had been making a tidy little profit, so Brianna was making a solid business decision. She’d heard good things about Wyatt, both from Bryce and from the locals in town. Over the past few days, she’d spent most of her time organizing the funeral, but had also asked questions, and mulled over the answers, finally coming up with a solution to her predicament.

  “It’s a big responsibility,” Wyatt mumbled, standing and pacing around the room.

  “Yes, it is,” Cat agreed, entering the conversation. Stella glanced up at where she and Levi were standing close together behind the sofa. Wyatt shot Cat a look, as if he thought she might be mocking him. But there was a sense of purpose in Cat’s gaze as she said, “And you’ll never know whether you can handle it unless you take the job.”

  Stella cheered her on silently in her head. They might be hard words for Wyatt to hear, but Cat was doing the right thing. Wyatt needed to be challenged.

  Wyatt stopped pacing to stare at her. Cat stared back, eyes flashing crystal blue as if laying down an ultimatum.

  “It’s time, Wyatt,” his brother said. “Time to take that leap forward. We all have faith in you.” Levi slipped his arm around his fianceé. “You can have what we have, if you’ve got the courage to take it.”

  Stella held her breath at Levi’s words. It was almost as if he were daring Wyatt. Would it work?

  It was her turn to up the ante. Stella stood and took a step toward him, close but not quite touching. “Will you do it?” she asked.

  The whole room seemed to pause, waiting for Wyatt’s answer.

  “Yes. I’ll do it.”

  As if released from a bowstring, Stella flung herself into his arms, careful not to hug him too tight because of his ribs. “That’s fantastic,” she gushed, kissing his cheeks, his forehead and finally claiming his mouth. “You’ll be great.” Her hands went around his neck and she reveled in the feel of his broad shoulders beneath her splayed fingers.

  He could hardly get any words out, she was kissing him so soundly. Levi and Cat came and slapped him on the back, Cat even leaning in and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

  “Maybe you can have a go at some of your amazing recipes.”

  “Maybe,” he laughed, trying to ward off her kisses long enough to grin at Cat and Levi. A cheerful grin, one full of promise for the future.

  Everyone began talking at once, all expressing their pleasure and satisfaction at how the day had turned out.

  This was such great news. And speaking of great news, perhaps it was time to share her other announcement with Wyatt.

  “I’ve got something good to tell you, as well,” Stella said into the happy room.

  The conversation died and three pairs of eyes turned to her, expectantly.

  “I wasn’t going to say anything until… Well, until after we got over the funeral. But Dean, my lovely, wonderful boss, mentioned that as part of the restoration on the ranch, he’s commissioned three new cabins to be built up near Emily and Tom’s cabin.” She stopped to let her words take effect, but none of them seemed to get it. “Dean said I could have one.” She clapped her hands with glee, unable to control her explosive feelings of joy. “We could have one,’ she amended. “If we want it.” The lightness in her chest ebbed away as a slight frown appeared on Wyatt’s forehead. Didn’t he want to move in with her? Oh God, had she misjudged him? Was this all happening too quickly? Had it been too soon after his offer by Bryce’s sister?

  “That’s nice of him,” Wyatt said a little too nonchalantly.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Cat demanded. “If it were me, I’d be jumping at the offer.”

  “I’m sorry,” Stella stuttered, backing away from Wyatt, “It’s too quick, isn’t it? I didn’t mean—”

  “No. Stella, don’t. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you,” he blurted, finally understanding his blunder. “That’s not
what’s worrying me,” he added, taking her by the waist and dragging her in toward his chest. “I just don’t want anybody to think I need a…handout. Just because I spent time in prison…”

  And there it was, that chip on his shoulder about not needing help. He hated people to think less of him. He was so stubborn and so determined to do things his own way. But these traits were also some of the many things that drew her to him. His intentness, his stubborn will not to give in against any odds. It also made him a hero in her eyes. Stella realized it would take time and love to rid him of the bitterness entrenched in his soul at being treated so badly by the justice system. He had made huge leaps forward, and most of the time the old resentment had faded. But every now and then he needed to be reminded, he wasn’t in this alone anymore.

  She lifted an eyebrow. “It’s not charity, Wyatt.”

  She stared at him, daring him to argue, locking her gaze with his.

  Cat and Levi sidled quietly out of the room.

  “Dean is doing this because he’s a good man. And because he wants me to stay, and he also wants me to be happy. Maybe you could say it was an incentive for me to sign on for another year at the ranch. The builders will start next week, and they should be ready within a few months.” Stella couldn’t believe it. A place where she and Wyatt could live together.”

  “Hang on.” Wyatt held up a hand. “You’re staying for another year?”

  She nodded. “At least.” And who knew what would happen after that. She hoped she might stay indefinitely.

  Stella hadn’t mentioned that part to her mother, yet. Juliette was still getting over the shock of her daughter being involved in a diamond heist, even though Stella had played down her role as much as she could. She’d have to find the exact right opportunity to tell her mother. But there probably was no such time. Juliette would hate her decision, no matter what. She probably owed it to her mom to tell her face to face. She’d book a flight back to Lyon soon. Maybe she’d take Wyatt with her, that’d set the cat amongst the pigeons.

  Stella had also talked to Aunty Celeste a few times over the past weeks. After her aunt had recovered from the shock of everything Stella had been through—Stella told her all the grim details, unlike her mother—her aunt mentioned she had a juicy bit of something to tell her regarding Armand. It seemed that Armand had moved on already. He’d started dating a woman he’d met while working out at the gym. Aunt Celeste wouldn’t confirm it—she said she didn’t stoop to that kind of gossip, and she wouldn’t dream of hurting Stella with false rumors anyway—but Stella got the profound feeling that Armand had been seeing this woman for longer than the three weeks they’d been broken up. But she was in no position to throw stones. Look how quickly she’d fallen for Wyatt. Stella didn’t begrudge Armand his happiness, she just wished he’d been more upfront about it, and not made her feel lower than dirt because she was the one who’d broken their engagement. But it’d been the right decision, in the end. Because look at what she’d found with Wyatt now.

  “That’s great.” Wyatt’s hesitant smile became one of elation. “You’re staying,” he repeated.

  “I’m asking you to move in with me, Wyatt Wilson.” She planted a kiss on his lips. They were warm and full of devotion. “We could spend every night together from now on. What do you say?”

  He was her man. There was no other for her. She knew life with Wyatt wouldn’t always be easy, but out here in the Big Sky Country there were so many possibilities. Her love for him could be as big as that sky above, if he let it. They had a chance at a future together and she wanted to grab it with both hands. But did he?

  “Mm, when you put it that way,” he growled playfully into her neck, pulling her up so he could kiss her. Her feet left the ground as he swung her gently around the room. “How can I refuse an offer like that?”

  “Really?” She’d been hoping he’d agree, but there was still a nagging doubt he would see it as charity.

  “Really,” he said. “I love you, Stella. There’s nowhere I’d rather be. I’m sorry I didn’t say yes straight away. I’m a bonehead and I apologize. If you’ll have me, I’d love to share a house with you.”

  “Thank you.” Sudden tears sprang to her eyes. It was another leap of faith by the man she loved, and she was so proud of him. Their love was going to get them through. This was just the start of a great love affair, and she couldn’t wait to spend the journey with Wyatt at her side.

  Want to know more about Stargazer Ranch?

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  If you liked Snowfall, then you might like the other books in the Stargazer Ranch Mystery Series.

  Combustion - Prequel Novella

  Wildfire - Book 1

  Firelight - Book 2

  Snowbound: A Christmas Novella Book 3

  Cloudburst - Book 5

  Also by Suzanne Cass

  NEW

  Stormcloud Station Series

  (A Stargazer Spinoff Series)

  Small Town Romantic Suspense

  Clear Skies

  Starlit Skies

  Stargazer Ranch Romance Series

  Small Town Romantic Suspense

  Combustion: Prequel Novella

  Wildfire

  Firelight

  Snowbound: A Christmas Novella

  Snowfall

  Cloudburst

  Island Bound Series

  Mystery Romance (on an Island)

  Books can be read as stand-alone

  Bound by Truth

  Bound by Silence

  Bound by the Stars

  Colors of the Earth Series

  Small Town Romantic Suspense

  Books can be read as stand-alone

  Shadows in the Dust

  Shadows in Deep Blue

  Shadows of Red Earth

  Romantic Suspense

  Single Title

  Island Redemption

  Glass Clouds

  Chasing Bullets

  Love in the Mountains Novella Series

  Small Town Short Romance

  Novellas can be read as stand-alone

  Rain on a Tin Roof

  Lost and Found

  Rescue his Heart

  Please Leave a Review

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  About the Author

  Suzanne Cass is an Australian author who writes rural romance and romantic suspense abounding with passion and danger.

  Her debut novel, Island Redemption, won the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Award in 2016. Suzanne was also a finalist in the 2019 Romance Writers of Australia RUBY award.

  She had always had a fascination with the tough resilience of people who live in our amazing red-dirt outback country. When not writing about the characters that inhabit her head, Suzanne can be found roaming the Perth beaches with her border collie, or encouraging from the sidelines as her two sons play sport.

  Visit her website www.suzannecass.com or subscribe to her newsletter via: www.suzannecass.com/contact

  Acknowledgements

  The stories keep on rolling through the Big Sky Country. Stargazer Ranch has become so much a part of me, I wish it were real some days.

  Snowfall is the fifth novel in this series. I enjoyed writing Stella so much, as she is everything I would like to be. An accomplished pastry cook (Oh to be able to make those sweet treats set up behind the glass in just about every boulangerie in Paris) and unafraid to try anything. She certainly had the courage to conquer those mountains, even though she was a city girl at heart. And Wyatt holds a special place in my heart, he kep
t going, even after all the injustices he faced. I was so glad he found love with Stella. I spent a lot of my youth camping and hiking in the Australian mountains, but I still needed some guidance on the best way to survive the bitterly cold Bitterroot Mountains. My research took me deep into areas of survival I probably will never use, but were incredibly interesting, anyway.

  Of course, this book wouldn’t have been what it is today, without the help and guidance of my author tribe. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  There is a team of people who I also couldn’t do without, beta readers (big thanks to Rebecca, Jennifer, Dave and Ceara for their amazing feedback) and my ARC team, who are essential to an Indie Author like me, for their wonderful reviews. Big thanks to my editor, Tanya Saari

  To my husband, Gary and to my two beautiful boys (who are turning into gorgeous men) Thank you for your unconditional love.

  I am so very grateful to all the readers who have bought and enjoyed my books and who will continue to do so. Writing for you is what keeps me happy and contented. I hope you enjoy reading about the people who live on Stargazer Ranch as much as I’m enjoying writing about them.