Hometown Star

chapter Twenty

Exactly ten weeks after they’d shot Cade’s home makeover for Update This! the show aired.

Star was in front of her TV, so starved to see Cade, his house, his family, she could hardly stand it. She dreamed of babies nearly every night, and she wasn’t sure if the dreams were God’s way of punishing her, or God’s way of signaling her that she wasn’t done with Cade yet.

She only knew her life here wasn’t enough for her anymore. Even her promotion couldn’t cheer her. Her time with Cade and his family had changed her, yet fear kept her in Seattle. She’d hurt Cade and pushed him away more times than she could count. Would he push her away if she asked for another chance?

Star’s eyes were drawn to the fireplace mantel, to the painting hanging on the wall above. The landscape of Seward, painted by Patsy, had become her solace, her touchstone. More than ever she wanted to return to Alaska. Maybe she was a hometown girl after all. And she could no longer deny that she was hopelessly in love with a hometown boy.

The show came on, and there he was, every gorgeous inch of him from his dark hair to his sky blue eyes. Her pulse jumped. Her hand went to her stomach, to her empty womb. She’d been mourning the loss of a baby that had never been conceived for ten weeks now.

She’d fallen in love with Cade.

And she’d blown it—big time.

Her phone rang.

Star picked up the call. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me, Brandi.”

“Hi, Bran,” Star said, the sound of her sister’s voice lightening her mood immediately. “How are you, kiddo?”

“Great. I just watched the show.”

“Me, too,” Star said. “What did you think?”

“It was wonderful. I wish you could have been here to watch it with me.”

“Me, too,” Star said, although she wasn’t entirely sure she meant the words. “How’s everyone?”

“We’re all good. Will is growing like a weed.”

“Bud?”

“Is fine. Aren’t you going to ask me about Cade?”

Star’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. “How is he?”

“In fine form. He’s hired a nanny. Do you remember Amber McClain? Talk in town is she’s after Cade. And I heard from Bud that Cade has mowed down Patsy’s.”

Star’s stomach hit her feet. He’d erased her from his life. He really was done with her.

“Star? Are you there?” Brandi asked.

“Yes.”

“I know you love him,” Brandi said gently. “Don’t bother to deny it. Get your butt up here and fight for your man.”

“It’s too late,” Star said her fingers tightening on the phone. “Trust me. He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“Maybe, but you’ll never know for sure if you don’t try,” Brandi said. “Take a risk, Star.” Will’s soft cries filled the space between them. “Look, I have to go. Will’s up. You haven’t responded to my invite for Thanksgiving. I hope you’re coming.”

“I haven’t decided.” The pretty orange and brown invite glared at her from the refrigerator.

“It’s Will’s first Thanksgiving and I want you here with us. Ruby Sue, Tawney, and Mom and John are coming. I want a big family Thanksgiving for my son. Come for Will, Star.”

Did Brandi even realize how dysfunctional an event like that would be? They’d need to swill martinis like rock stars just to get through it.

“Say yes, Star,” Brandi coaxed. Will’s fussing grew louder.

“I’ll think about it,” Star said. “Go take care of your baby.”

“Okay,” Brandi agreed and Star could imagine her rocking from side to side, trying to quiet Will. The image sent a rush of longing for her sister through Star. “Bye, Star. Hope to see you soon.”

The line went dead. Star set the phone down.

Brandi had just given her a reason to go home.

Did she want to go? Was Cade worth the risk? Yes, her heart sang. Yes.

She was going to Alaska for Thanksgiving.

* * *

“I’m sick of you moping around,” Ron said. “Do something about it. Go and get her and bring her back.”

Cade glanced up from the reel he was working on. “Mind your own business.”

“You’ve been oiling that same reel for ten minutes. Snap out of it.”

“Shut up.” Cade tossed the reel on the workbench. He’d been upset since that damned show had aired last night. Watching it had brought back his last days with Star. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, about their situation.

“I heard from Bud that she’s coming for Thanksgiving.”

“What?” Cade asked, his heart kick–starting in his chest.

“Yeah, she’s staying at Brandi’s. Make up with her. You know you want to.”

“Don’t you think I’ve thought about it?” Cade asked. “Butt out. I know what I’m doing.”

“You’re being stupid,” Ron said with a shake of his head. “She loves your kids, anyone can see that. She’s scared. Be the bigger man.” He walked away, leaving Cade alone.

Cade frowned. He didn’t know what to think anymore. And he could hardly stand to go in the kitchen. The place was one big, red reminder of her.

He’d left Star alone long enough. He loved her, and he was going to make sure she knew just how much. Then, if she turned him away, he’d let her go, but he had to give it one more chance.

* * *

Star stood in the O’Brien driveway.

The windows of the old Victorian were filled with golden light. A blanket of snow covered the house, making it look enchanted, welcoming, and warm.

What was Cade doing? Was he carving the Thanksgiving turkey? Were the kids running wild? Was baby Daniel crying, or was he nursing at Trudy’s breast?

Images flew through Star’s mind as she started forward. She’d left her own family’s Thanksgiving at Brandi’s to see Cade.

She prayed he wouldn’t throw her out when he heard what she had to say.

Star rang the doorbell, the chime making her nerves jump.

Laughter seeped out through the door as Finn’s and Emma’s footsteps drew near. The door opened.

“Star!” Emma cried.

“Emma.” Star went down on her knees. Finn joined them in the group hug. Star’s chest tightened with an emotion so powerful she wondered how she ever could have thought of shutting these kids out of her life.

“I’ve missed you guys,” she said.

“I missed you, too,” Emma said, pulling away.

“Dad!” Finn shouted. “Star’s here.”

Star pushed to her feet just as Cade appeared. When he saw her, he stopped. She tried to read the emotion in his eyes but failed.

“Kids, go and tell Trudy to set another place for dinner,” Cade said.

Finn and Emma ran off to the kitchen, shouting, “Star’s here. Star’s here.”

Cade came toward her. She ached for him, prayed he wouldn’t turn her away. Where did she begin? How did she apologize for everything she’d put him through?

When he reached her, he didn’t speak. Instead, his arms came around her, and then he was kissing her. Giddy relief washed through Star and she kissed him back, needing this, needing him, not allowing herself to think about what would follow. His kiss made her whole again.

“Gross,” Brad said with disgust from the hallway.

They broke the kiss, but Cade’s arms tightened around her.

“Star!” Trudy cried, as she rushed from the kitchen, nearly running over Brad. Ron, Finn, and Emma followed until the foyer was crowded with O’Briens, all of them talking at once.

Cade let go of her as Star was passed from O’Brien to O’Brien until she’d hugged them all.

“We were just about to have dinner,” Trudy said, her voice rising above the chatter. “I’ll set you a place.”

“I ate at Brandi’s,” Star said. “My whole family is there. But don’t let me keep you from your dinner. I can come back later.”

“No.” Cade’s fingers closed around hers. “Stay.”

“Really?” she asked, afraid to hope.

“I insist.” He turned to Ron. “Hold the turkey. Give us a minute.”

“Come on, kids,” Ron said, spreading his arms wide in an attempt to corral everyone and lead them back to the kitchen. “Let’s get the food on the table.”

One by one the O’Briens shuffled away.

“Come on,” Cade said, tugging on her hand.

Star didn’t budge. “No, wait.”

He stopped. “What is it?”

“I have to tell you something.”

“Tell me.”

Star looked into his eyes. “That day, when we took the pregnancy test, well, I know I said I was relieved when I wasn’t pregnant. The truth is, I wanted that baby. I wanted your baby. I just didn’t know it at the time. I’ve been a mess ever since.”

Cade smoothed her hair. “I wanted that baby, too, but for different reasons. I wanted a tie to you, one that couldn’t be broken. It was selfish of me, especially since I knew you didn’t want that.”

Star’s throat closed with emotion. “I want a family.” Star touched him this time, her palms against his chest, his heart beating under her right hand. “I’ve been mourning you and your kids. I love all of you. I can’t do it anymore. I know I’m risking my heart, but I want to take the risk. I need to know, do I still have a chance with you?”

“Yes!” Cade picked her up, swinging her around. He kissed her. “I’ve missed you.”

Star kissed him back, growing serious. “I love you,” she whispered against his mouth. “So very much.”

“I love you, too.” Cade smiled. “Come on.” He led her outside. “I have something to show you.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” His hand closed around hers, and together they ran through the swirling snow toward Patsy’s place. When they broke through the trees, Star saw a footing had been poured. Snow covered most of it, but there was a definite footprint of a house outlined in the snow.

“Brandi said you demolished Patsy’s place. I figured you were trying to exorcise me.”

“Hardly.” He laughed. “I leveled it to build your dream house, a house complete with a giant home office.”

“What?” She looked at him. “My dream house? I thought Trudy and Ron were going to live here.”

“Plans change. Trudy won’t leave the new kitchen.” Cade pulled her into his arms, hugging her close. “I want to give you a home, Star. A real home of your own. I want to give it to you with no strings attached. I want to build it for you because I’m crazy in love with you.”

“Even after everything I said about not wanting kids or a husband?”

“You can push me away all you want, but I’m not going anywhere. We’ll find a way to make it work. Love is about compromise. If we have to split our time between two cities, I’m okay with that. Winters are slow here. We can make it work. And summers, well, I wanted to make a place for you, where you could work from here if you wanted to. I don’t expect you to be a full–time mom to my kids. I know how important your work is. I can be there for them when you aren’t and vice versa.”

“You darling man,” Star said with wonder. “My life is here, with you. I’ve thought about this, a lot. I’m an associate producer now. I think I can talk Frank into letting me telecommute part of the time. I’ll have to go out of town on location periodically, but for the most part, I think I can make it work.”

“Whatever it takes,” Cade said. “I’m behind you one hundred percent.”

“I love you, Cade.”

“I love you, Starlene White.” He gave her hair a playful tug.

Her heart bursting with love, snow falling softly around them, Star kissed him.

And she knew, once and for all, that she was finally home.