The Stars at Night Read online

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Praise for the works of Gerri Hill

  Other Bella Books by Gerri Hill

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-one

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Chapter Forty-four

  Chapter Forty-five

  Chapter Forty-six

  Chapter Forty-seven

  Chapter Forty-eight

  Chapter Forty-nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-one

  Chapter Fifty-two

  Chapter Fifty-three

  Chapter Fifty-four

  Chapter Fifty-five

  Bella Books

  Synopsis

  Self-described city girl Lexie Walton is a million miles from nowhere and completely out of her element.

  Park ranger Kyler Clemons had loved the vibe and the beach of Mustang Island. Getting caught with her boss’s wife, however, got her transferred to the wild and remote Davis Mountains State Park—literally in the middle of nowhere. Now after four years, she’s forgotten about the beach and has embraced the mountain life, feeling like a local. She hangs out at the Cottonwood Creek Bar and Grill. She watches football with Mark Walton. She’s taken up birdwatching and stargazing as hobbies. She is perfectly content. No stress. No drama. And no desire to date.

  Then Lexie Walton waltzes into her life.

  After losing her cushy job in Austin―and unable to find another one―Lexie accepts her parents’ offer to join them and her brother in running a rustic lodge and restaurant in the remote Davis Mountains of West Texas. Hesitant to commit to such a drastic move, she agrees to a trial run―two months. Two months would get her through Christmas and the New Year. Her friends thought she was foolish to make such a move. There was no nightlife, no parties, no spin class, and no green smoothies. And no chance of dating. That was a plus, however. After her breakup with Crazy Cathy, she wanted no part of the dating game. This remote area would do nicely.

  But then she meets this cute, tree-hugging park ranger who turns her world completely upside down.

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  Praise for the works of Gerri Hill

  Gillette Park

  This book was just what I was hoping for and wickedly entertaining. The premise of this book is really well done. Parts are hard to read of course. This book is about a serial killer who targets mostly young teenagers. The book isn’t very graphic, but it still breaks your heart in places. But there is also a sweet romance that helps to give the book a sense of hope. Mix that with some strong women, the creepiness of the paranormal factors, and the book balances out really well. There is a lot of potential with these characters and I’d love to see their stories continue. If you are a Hill fan, grab this.

  -Lex Kent’s Reviews, goodreads

  Hill is a master writer, and this one is done in a way that I think will appeal to many readers. Don’t just discount this one because it has a paranormal theme to it! I think that the majority of readers who love mystery novels with a romantic side twist will love this story.

  -Bethany K., goodreads

  It was suspenseful and so well written that it was anyone’s guess what would happen next! The characters—all of them, as you’ll learn, were perfectly written.

  -Gayle T., NetGalley

  Gerri Hill has written another action-packed thriller. The writing is excellent and the characters engaging. Wow!

  -Jenna F., NetGalley

  …is a phenomenal book! I wish I could give this more than five stars. Yes, there is a paranormal element, and a love story, and conflict, and danger. And it’s all worth it. Thank you, Gerri Hill, for writing a brilliant masterpiece!

  -Carolyn M., NetGalley

  After the Summer Rain

  …is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that features two awesome women who are learning what it really means to live and love fully. They’re also learning to let go of their turbulent pasts so that it doesn’t ruin their future happiness. Gerri Hill has never failed to give me endearing characters who are struggling with heartbreaking issues and beautiful descriptions of the landscapes that surround them.

  -The Lesbian Review

  Gerri Hill is simply one of the best romance writers in the genre. This is an archetypal Hill, slightly unusual characters in a slightly unusual setting. The slow-burn romance, however, is a classic, trying not to fall in love, but unable to fight the pull.

  -Lesbian Reading Room

  After the Summer Rain is a wonderfully heartfelt romance that avoids all the angsty drama-filled tropes you often find in romances.

  -C-Spot Reviews

  Moonlight Avenue

  Moonlight Avenue by Gerri Hill is a riveting, literary tapestry of mystery, suspense, thriller and romance. It is also a story about forgiveness, moving on with your life and opening your heart to love despite how daunting it may seem at first.

  -The Lesbian Review

  …is an excellent mystery novel, sheer class. Gerri Hill’s writing is flawless, her story compelling and much more than a notch above others writing in this genre.

  -Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  The Locket

  This became a real page-turner as the tension racked up. I couldn’t put it down. Hill has a knack for combining strong characters, vulnerable and complex, with a situation that allows them to grow, while keeping us on our toes as the mystery unfolds. Definitely one of my favorite Gerri Hill thrillers, highly recommended.

  -Lesbian Reading Room

  The Neighbor

  It’s funny… Normally in the books I read I get why the characters would fall in love. Now on paper (excuse the pun), Cassidy and Laura should not work… but let me tell you, that’s the reason they do. I actually loved this book so hard. …Yes it’s a slow burn but so beautifully written and worth the wait in every way.

  -Les Rêveur

  This is classic Gerri Hill at her very best, top of the pile of so many excellent books she has written, I genuinely loved this story and these two women. The growing friendship and hidden attraction between them is skillfully written and totally engaging….This was a
joy to read.

  -Lesbian Reading Room

  I have always found Hill’s writing to be intriguing and stimulating. Whether she’s writing a mystery or a sweet romance, she allows the reader to discover something about themselves along with her characters. This story has all the fun antics you would expect for a quality, low-stress, romantic comedy. Hill is wonderful in giving us characters that are intriguing and delightful that you never want to put the book down until the end.

  -The Lesbian Review

  Other Bella Books by Gerri Hill

  After the Summer Rain

  Angel Fire

  Artist’s Dream

  At Seventeen

  Behind the Pine Curtain

  Chasing a Brighter Blue

  The Cottage

  Coyote Sky

  Dawn of Change

  Devil’s Rock

  Gillette Park

  Gulf Breeze

  Hell’s Highway

  Hunter’s Way

  In the Name of the Father

  Keepers of the Cave

  The Killing Room

  The Locket

  Love Waits

  The Midnight Moon

  Moonlight Avenue

  The Neighbor

  No Strings

  One Summer Night

  Paradox Valley

  Partners

  Pelican’s Landing

  The Rainbow Cedar

  The Roundabout

  The Secret Pond

  Sawmill Springs

  The Scorpion

  Sierra City

  Snow Falls

  Storms

  The Target

  Weeping Walls

  About the Author

  Gerri Hill has over Thirty-eight published works, including the 2020 GCLS winner After the Summer Rain, the 2017 GCLS winner Paradox Valley, 2014 GCLS winner The Midnight Moon, 2011, 2012 and 2013 winners Devil’s Rock, Hell’s Highway and Snow Falls, and the 2009 GCLS winner Partners, the last book in the popular Hunter Series, as well as the 2013 Lambda finalist At Seventeen. Gerri lives in south-central Texas, only a few hours from the Gulf Coast, a place that has inspired many of her books. With her partner, Diane, they share their life with two Australian shepherds—Rylee and Mason—and a couple of furry felines. For more, visit her website at gerrihill.com.

  Copyright © 2020 by Gerri Hill

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2020

  Editor: Medora MacDougall

  Cover Designer: Sandy Knowles

  ISBN: 978-1-64247-175-5

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Chapter One

  Kyler stood on her little back porch, leaning her shoulder against the cedar beam. The first birds to arrive at the feeder this morning were the goldfinches. Two lone pine siskens soon followed. She enjoyed watching them for the few months they hung around. By late February, the goldfinches and siskens would be heading back north, not to return again until October.

  Her gaze lifted from the feeder to the sky. It was particularly red this morning, and she wished she’d driven up Skyline Drive to catch the sunrise, something she didn’t do nearly enough. A rustling in the junipers brought her attention back to the feeders and a young doe stood staring back at her. She smiled.

  “Good morning, Daisy,” she said quietly.

  The deer twitched her nose as if making sure it was her, then walked out into the open, finding the corn she’d tossed out earlier. She also threw some out in the evenings. She shouldn’t feed them, she knew. They asked the campers in the state park not to feed the wildlife, yet here she was, disobeying the very signs she’d help put up. Daisy was the only deer who came by each morning. In the evenings, five or six would show up. She supposed if the javelinas found the corn, she’d have to stop. While they weren’t animals that she feared, a javelina with young was as fierce as a momma bear guarding her babies. She’d found that out the hard way.

  She smiled, remembering how she’d sprinted through the brush, screaming in panic as the herd of javelinas charged her. She’d literally leapt into the back of her work truck to escape them. Nope. She didn’t want to lure them to her house. Of course, the corn was always gone by morning. For all she knew, they came during the night to eat without her knowing it.

  The sun was now up, the red color fading from the sky. She knew she should go inside and get dressed for work. She was simply feeling too peaceful to move, though. When had this contentment with her life taken hold? The second year? The first? Before that? Hard to believe she hated it up here at first. The Davis Mountains—so far from the beaches of Mustang Island—were the last place she thought she’d be. Her own stupidity got her transferred to this remote state park in the first place. Funny how a colossal mistake could turn into the best move of her life.

  Yeah. Because she loved it here.

  With Daisy crunching on the corn and the birds fighting for space at the feeder, she turned and went inside her little cabin. One of the perks of being in such a remote place was the housing that the state park provided its rangers. The cabins were small and mostly clustered together, but they were surrounded by woodlands—piñons, junipers, and oaks. While at first she missed the sandy beach of her little rental cottage on the Gulf, she wouldn’t trade this for anything now. Yeah, she’d missed the beach. And her friends. She didn’t miss going out and bumping into Britney, though. Britney, with her silky blond hair and radiant smile.

  Oh, let’s don’t forget the dark-haired beauty Britney had been dating the last time they’d bumped into each other. Britney had overplayed the whole thing, making Kyler wish she could have thrown up all over their sandal-clad feet.

  But that would have been childish. She was over Britney by that time anyway.

  “Right.”

  She rolled her eyes. Well, she was certainly over her now. However, one broken heart in her lifetime was enough. She didn’t imagine she’d be so free with her heart from now on. Not that this remote area afforded her much opportunity. It didn’t matter though. She loved it here. Whether there was opportunity to date or not wasn’t a consideration.

  With one last glance at Daisy, then the birds, she went inside. Her cell rang as she moved into her bedroom and she answered with a smile.

  “Good morning, Tammy. Are you already at the office?”

  “Kyler, good morning. No, no. Someone called the emergency number. I’m still at the ranch. But you’ve got maintenance this week, right?”

  Her smile faded. “Now what?”

  “Sorry, sweetie. The men’s bathroom over by the tent area has a problem. A toilet is overflowing.”

  She groaned. “Okay. I’ll get right to it.”

  Chapter Two

  “Move? You’re going to move?”

  Lexie watched as a bright red sports car sped past, then she pulled her gaze from the parking lot that was only partially obscured by tree branches. She turned to her best friend, who was still looking at her in shock.

  “Trial run, Trish. That’s all. Trial run.” Those
were her brother’s words when he’d been cautioning her about the move. Think of it as a trial run, sis. Yes, it could simply be just a test. If she wanted it to be. Shockingly, she wasn’t sure any longer. But she wouldn’t tell Trish that. Not yet.

  “You can’t possibly consider leaving Austin. This is home. Your friends are here.”

  Lexie waved at her apartment, the place she had called home for the last three years. “I can’t afford this place anymore. I can’t afford Austin anymore.”

  “You can move in with me,” Trish offered quickly.

  Lexie shook her head. “As much as I love you, that would never work.” She held her hand up when Trish would have protested. “I haven’t had a job in eight months. I have no leads. Every job I apply for, there are a hundred others fighting for the position it seems. I’m thirty years old. Why pay me when they can hire someone fresh out of college for much less?”

  “First of all, I can’t believe you’re thirty! Secondly, I still can’t believe you got laid off. That’s so unfair.”

  “You, my friend, will be thirty too in February! It’s coming!” The smile left her face. “But yeah, we all thought it wasn’t fair.” She shrugged. “In a business acquisition like that, no one is safe. Those making the most are usually the first to get axed, especially if your job is considered redundant. Mine was.”

  “But they said they were going to rehire some of you, right?”

  “I took the severance pay. I won’t be one of them.” She tucked her hair behind her ears with a sigh. “Point is, I can’t afford to keep paying rent here, Trish. I’m draining my savings at an alarming rate.”