About Jeanette Lewis
Writing fiction has always been one of Jeanette’s favorite things and she can usually be seen going about life with the slightly distracted look that means she’s dreaming up another story. Other favorite things include family, friends, crisp Autumn days, having adventures, chocolate in almost any form, and frozen gummy bears.
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Also by Jeanette Lewis
Billionaire Bride Pact Series
The Passionate One
The Rebellious One
The Adventurous One
Destination Billionaire Series
The Lucky Billionaire
Snow Valley Series
Feels Like Love
Tin Foil Tiaras
Love Coming Late
The Better Man
Taylor Hart
Chapter 1
Chase Moon stood on the porch of the ranch house. Surveying the land his family had owned for over one hundred and fifty years, he felt deep satisfaction.
Sure, he’d been out of college for almost a year, and the bank wouldn’t give him a loan for the cabins and lodge he wanted to build to host corporate retreats. Sure, he didn’t have a relationship of any kind to speak of. And sure, his brother’s wedding was just a reminder of all that the horizon lacked: kids, settling down … But heck, he thought grinning. Adam marrying Destiny is a good thing. A very good thing.
He found it funny Adam and Destiny were getting married on February fourteenth—Valentine’s Day. Even funnier, he’d had to use his rodeo prize F-250 and a blade to clear the land of snow for the wedding. It hadn’t been easy, but he’d done it. Luckily, the wedding would be early enough in the day that it wouldn’t be too cold. Well, it would still be cold enough for coats but not cold enough to freeze snot in the air, and that was good in his book.
The trucks carrying the wedding tent, tables, and chairs had just pulled out; the band Iron Stix was setting up, and Janet Hamilton’s Flower Girl shop workers were spreading flowers on every surface possible. The Moons and the Snows were pulling out all the stops for this wedding. It was a big event for Snow Valley.
Even though Chase knew it was silly, he was nervous for Adam. They’d been thick as thieves their whole lives, and let’s face it; Chase could have easily been the one marrying Destiny … if it had been his destiny. He laughed in his mind at the play on words. Moving down the deck stairs with a spring in his step, he headed off to see if his father needed help laying the last bit of the mock dance floor that was being put down inside the tent. This was gonna be a good day.
A voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Chase, c’mere and meet somebody.”
He turned and saw Janet Snow—nix that, Janet Hamilton—wearing a radiant smile and holding a new baby in her arms. She had that soft, vulnerable look new moms had.
Chase moved toward her. “Hey, Janet. How are ya?” He reached out and gently touched the bundle in the blankets. “How is little Michael?”
Janet grinned. “He’s good.”
Before he could say anything else, the loveliest set of legs he’d ever seen came into view. It helped that those legs came with three-inch heels, a pink skirt, and a white dress shirt, but that wasn’t even the best part. Chase took in her brown eyes, dark chocolate colored hair, perfectly shaped eyebrows, and fire-red lipstick. Wow, the girl was pretty. For a second, he was speechless … which never happened to him.
Janet seemed amused by his reaction and cleared her throat, gesturing to the girl. “Autumn Lane, meet Chase Moon.”
Autumn. The side of his lip tugged up, and right off the bat, he thought of five stupid jokes to say about her name. But he wouldn’t. Yet. “Well, hello.” Putting on all of his country charm, he stepped toward her and reached for her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Lane.”
Autumn put her hand into his.
The feel of her skin and the light floral smell that wafted off of her were almost enough to get him to go on one knee and ask her to marry him this instant.
Her eyes seemed lit up by some inner fire, and a half smile filled her face. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Moon. Call me Autumn.”
Chase’s heart rate picked up speed like he was about to be let out of a bronc-riding chute, and he simply held her hand inside his. This woman sparked something buried deep inside of him. Attraction. It was a pure and simple attraction he hadn’t felt since—
Pain shot through his chest, and he dropped her hand.
Fate.
All those years ago, growing up together, it’d been subtle because they’d been in and out of each other’s everyday lives so much. As they’d gotten older, it’d been more poignant. Now, guilt always accompanied thoughts of Fate. It felt like he was somehow betraying her memory to think about the same feelings he used to have with her … for another woman. He’d thought he was over all this mind mumbo jumbo.
“Are you okay, Chase?” Janet asked.
“Oh.” Chase shook his head to clear it like an attic rug might be shaken to remove the dust and cobwebs. “I’m fine.” He nodded at Autumn. “Pleased to meet you.”
Janet gave him an up-and-down look then let out a breath. “Autumn is staying with me for a while and helping out at the flower shop.” She cocked her eyebrow. “I hope you can make her feel welcome in Snow Valley for the next few months.”
Normally, Chase would stand there and shoot the breeze for an inordinate amount of time, likely leading to both of them having to hurry through their work later because Chase had talked so much. It was the kind of talking that Adam always rolled his eyes and tapped his foot at before finally drawing a finger across his neck to shut him off. Now though, all Chase could do was nod and give her a tiny smile before turning back to the house. “Of course. Maybe I’ll see you later.”
“She’ll be at the wedding tonight.” Janet called after him.
How could he describe all of these old feelings? When he’d been at college, he hadn’t thought about Fate much.
Maybe it was being home and his brother’s wedding that was making him think random thoughts of nostalgia about the past, about what could have been.
Leaping up the deck stairs, Chase yanked open the back door and went straight for the kitchen, quickly taking out a cup and filling it with water.
Adam walked into the room. He had ear buds in and was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Chase knew his brother had been down in the basement using the weights. They’d passed on the stairs that morning. Chase had teased him about it because Adam had never been a work out with weights kind of person. Since coming home from Europe three months ago, he’d told Chase he wanted to be in shape for the wedding. He’d made good on his promise. He wasn’t as strong as Chase yet, but he was getting there.
Adam pulled back, staring at his brother’s face. Then he yanked out his ear buds. “What’s wrong?” He looked around like someone was going to reach out and grab him.
Chase took a long pull of water. “Nothing’s wrong.”
Frowning, Adam turned off his music and put a firm hand on the counter. “Then why do you have that look on your face?”
“What look?” Chase asked gruffly.
Adam pointed at him. “The look that signifies something is inherently wrong with the situation. The look you had last year after getting dumped by Jenny.”
This was not the thing to say to Chase at the moment. He scowled, feeling vulnerable about his sudden emotion and annoyed that his brother had so quickly spotted it. He pointed back. “You don’t need to walk around using words like ‘inherently.’ You’re not at a debate tournament.” His voice had gotten loud, and Chase saw his other hand shaking with the glass in it. Putting it down, he moved out of the kitchen. “And Jenny didn’t dump me. I dumped her!”
“Hey!” Adam called
after him. “Man, what’s wrong?”
“I just need some air!” Chase rushed up the stairs as fast as he could and grabbed the keys to his truck. He hadn’t planned on getting his present for Adam and Destiny quite yet, but he needed to get away from the house, and now was as good a time as any for some hard, physical work. He needed a distraction.
Chapter 2
Autumn Lane didn’t normally mind the cold. As she helped Janet put the last touches on the tables, she appreciated the big heaters that had been trucked in to heat the tents and dance floor. Peering out of the big tent flap, she took in a breath and admired the mountains behind the Moon/Snow land.
Since she’d come to Snow Valley a little over two months ago, Janet had filled her in on the romance between Adam and Destiny. Destiny’s aunt had been into the flower shop a couple of times. They’d told her all the stories about how Chase and Adam had both dated Destiny. She knew all the details, right down to the slap across the face at the hospital.
All of the women had laughed about it, and Autumn loved the closeness and realness in this town. It was the kind of community that felt like a Hallmark movie.
She watched as Chase took long strides to his truck and climbed in, and then she heard the rumbling motor come to life.
It intrigued her that she’d felt attracted to the man. A pang of sorrow filled her, and she reminded herself she wasn’t here for a relationship. Wasn’t here to think about a guy. No, she was here to get away from a guy. To forget a guy. Forget the horrible. Forget the ugly. Forget it all.
Brad had been everything to her. For a year and a half, they’d dated. He was Billings’ royalty by most counts. His father, the governor of Billings, was rich through oil and pretty much owned everything and everyone.
Brad had taken a page from his father’s book and tried to own her.
When he’d asked her to marry him last October at the homecoming game during halftime, the board had lit up with the question, and the grandstands chanted—Marry him! Marry him! She’d felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
So cliché. So beautiful. But it’d all been a lie.
After he’d backhanded her for the first time a month after their engagement, telling her she’d talked back to him, she’d known Brad was not what he’d seemed. To this day, she wondered why she hadn’t been strong enough to walk away then.
But she hadn’t. She’d gone through Thanksgiving and almost stayed until Christmas. It still hurt her pride to admit that she’d let Brad fall into the typical abuse cycle. Hurt her. Beg for forgiveness. Lay on the charm and gifts. Then repeat.
It was still strange to her, even after being away since just after Christmas. How could she have fallen for a man like that?
How could she have not seen what he was?
Why did her mother have to intervene and send her to Snow Valley? Why hadn’t she been strong enough to leave Brad before?
Even now, Brad still tried to contact her. She’d suspended all her social media accounts. Her cell number had changed. The only person in Billings who knew where she’d gone was her mother. Her father had left when she was three, so he didn’t count anyway.
It had killed her to break with the theater in Billings. It was her love. She’d been going to school to get a double major in theater and business so she could run a theater when her days of acting were over. She frowned, because she didn’t know when she’d get back to finish her last semester of school. Lately, she’d been toying with the idea of leaving Montana forever.
It might be the only way to get away from Brad.
Taking in another breath of air, she was grateful she could at least think about it without crying at this point. Her mother, wanting to get her out of dodge, had helped her find somewhere to go. Apparently, she and Janet had been friends a long time ago in Billings when Janet had gone through her own trials with an abusive husband.
At first, she’d been skeptical about coming to Snow Valley. She’d seen a sign for it on the interstate in Billings, but she’d never been here. Never had a reason. Never even thought about it. Her mother had convinced her to leave when, on Christmas Day, she had found Autumn in her apartment using her theater makeup to cover the bruise on her cheek.
Being a theater major, she could convince people of almost anything. She had tried to tell her mother everything was okay, but she had seen through the act.
A fool. She’d been a complete fool.
“Autumn, could I get your help for a second?”
Quickly wiping her eyes, she turned and plastered on her theater smile, moving toward Janet. “Of course.”
Janet gave her a skeptical up-and-down look, and Autumn knew she’d been caught.
Autumn tried to focus on baby Michael. It’d only been a month since he’d been born. Since Autumn lived in their guesthouse, she helped with him and their daughter, Lacy, a lot.
Autumn loved living in the little guesthouse, and Janet had given her a budget to decorate it. After two and a half months of working as a flower shop girl and part-time nanny, Autumn was starting to feel like she might be able to face Billings again. And Brad.
It also helped that Janet’s husband, Michael, had been giving her self-defense classes. He’d put her on a running program and a strength-training program, too. She felt better than she’d ever felt physically. She’d been having dreams about taking Brad down if he came after her again. After she'd awaken from those dreams, she'd thought about them on and off all day long and wondered if she could really defend herself if he hit her again.
“What can I do to help?” Autumn lightly put a hand on little Michael’s head and scrunched her face at him.
Janet frowned. “Are you okay?” Reaching out, she gently touched her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Autumn didn’t pull her hand away like she wanted to. She’d learned that was just Janet. She just bit back hard on the emotion. “Yes.”
Seeming to understand she didn’t want to discuss it, Janet gave a firm nod and looked at her clipboard. “All the inventory has been delivered. I need you to make sure that right at four fifteen the candles are all lit on the tables. The ceremony starts at four, but we won’t be out there for long.”
“Got it.”
While Janet checked something else off her list, Autumn caught Michael’s eye as he snuck up behind Janet. He put a finger to his lips in conspiratorial camaraderie. Autumn refocused her gaze on Janet, so she wouldn’t give him away.
“I think we’re good.” Janet let out a sigh. “Big day.” She smiled at the baby and cooed. “Huh, baby Michael? Yes, it is. A big day in Snow Valley.”
Michael pulled her into him in one big swoop, grabbing the baby too.
Janet let out a loud whoop. For a moment, she lost her balance. Then she leaned back into him, turning and kissing him deeply. Autumn was sure time slowed as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
Michael smiled. “Missed you.”
Janet pushed him away. “Don’t do that.”
He pulled her back in and kissed her again.
Autumn had to clear her throat and turn away, taking a few steps toward a table and busying herself with it.
It was so private, personal, and tender, the love the two of them shared. Their home was a reflection of that love. Not surprisingly, their home was constantly filled with fresh flowers. The high ceilings and light coming in made it feel akin to a theater play’s interpretation of heaven.
It’d been a reprieve for her. A quiet, happy reprieve from her life in Billings.
When she’d first arrived, she’d been a wreck, barely able to eat or sleep. Slowly, Janet and Lacy and Michael, and then baby Michael, had helped her see what true love was all about.
It’d been nice to be welcomed into the “scene” of Snow Valley. All of the residents seemed to fit in and be happy. Somehow, she felt like she fit in too.
Moving to another table, her heart fluttered as she thought of the expression on Chase Moon’s face. He’d looked speechless when he’d met
her. She wondered why. It was odd she hadn’t met him in town before. Cringing, she chastised herself for even wondering about that. It’d taken her off guard that he was so tall and handsome and every bit the rodeo hero she’d heard he used to be. It’d been more daunting when they’d shaken hands and …
She pushed it out of her mind. She wasn’t in Snow Valley for a relationship. She wasn’t here for anything except to get back to who she was. But now, she wasn’t even sure who that was anymore. She and Brad were supposed to be getting married this summer, and she was supposed to be finished with school and getting into theater wherever he started law school.
The usual abyss these thoughts led her to was slightly less dark, and she was able to emotionally navigate herself back to focusing on the flower arrangements on the tables. She loved the pink and white daisies Destiny had chosen and the floating candles.
The band started warming up, and a feeling of satisfaction pulsed through her. Sadly, she hadn’t felt this feeling in a long time.
Chase Moon’s face flashed into her mind, and she knew she was blushing. Stupid. She shook her head and went to the next table, taking care to arrange the daisies the same way. “I need to focus on what I’m going to do with my life. That’s all.” But for the life of her … she had no idea what that was.
Chapter 3
When Adam said 'I do', a bolt of happiness surged through Chase. He watched as they tenderly kissed, and he joined in as the freezing band of fellow wedding watchers erupted into applause.
Pastor John spoke into the microphone. “Now, let’s gather round for a picture with this couple, the sunset, and the beautiful mountains in the back. And let’s be snappy about it. An old man can’t handle this weather very long. Then we’ll go eat and dance inside the tent.”
Winter in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance) Page 55
