Hometown Star

chapter Four

The following morning, Star rose early, eager to get a jump on her day. As usual, when she thought about work, a fire lit inside her. She loved her job, loved going to work every day, even when her work did take her to her hometown.

Due at ten to meet with her Seward, Alaska man, Evan Jenson, Star jogged four miles by 8:30, hit the shower by 8:35, and was just adding silver hoop earrings to her outfit, a pearl gray tie–front short–sleeved jacket with matching slacks, when she heard a car outside.

Barefoot, she padded to the door, surprised to see Cade’s truck rolling to a stop. Why wasn’t he out fishing? A sixth sense told her something was wrong. They hadn’t exactly parted on good terms yesterday. He still rubbed her the wrong way. She hated the way he looked at her, as if she were good enough to take to bed, but not good enough to meet his parents.

Star stepped out onto the porch. “Hey,” she called when he exited the truck. “What’s up?”

Cade walked toward her, well, swaggered was more like it. His lazy stare slid down her body to her bare feet before rising again to her eyes, his perusal upping her agitation. She resisted the urge to ask him if he liked what he saw.

“We had a call at our place this morning,” he said in a way that put her on red alert.

“What kind of call?” Star asked. “Is it Brandi?”

He nodded, confirming her worst fear. “She’s at Providence. Bud said something about possible toxemia. He wants you to come.”

“Oh, no.” Star went back inside and quickly located the gray sling back heels that matched her suit. Once the shoes were on her feet, she snagged her matching purse from the bed and met Cade in the kitchen.

His eyebrows shot up when he saw her. “You’re dressed pretty fancy for a day of packing.”

“I have to work today,” she said. “Evan’s expecting me. I have to call him. Does your cell phone work here?”

“Nope, not until we’re about two miles out of town,” Cade said. “Are you talking about Evan Jenson?”

“Do you know him?” They stepped outside and Star pulled the door closed.

“There’s only one Evan in town. What do you want with him?”

“He’s my Alaska man for the Seward show.” Star opened the passenger door on her rental car and tossed her purse inside. “Update This! is remodeling his kitchen and bedroom and trying to fix him up with a date.”

“What?” Cade asked, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Look,” Star said, losing patience. “I need to go.” She started around the car to the driver’s side, but Cade caught her arm.

“Let me drive you, Star.”

His touch was gentle, his tone gentler still, but that didn’t stop Star from pulling her arm free. “No, thanks.”

“You’re upset. I’ll drive you to Providence. It’s the least I can do.”

He took the keys from her and Star was instantly reminded of the time he’d taken her lunch from her on the school bus and proceeded to play keep away with Ron. He’d made her cry. Well, not this time.

“I’ll drive myself,” she said stiffly. “I’m fine.” Star reached for her keys, but he slid them into the front pocket of his jeans. As if she’d ever go after them there. “Look, I need my car. I told you, I have to work today. Give me the keys.”

“Nope.” He went to the driver’s side. “Let’s go. I’ll drive your car. Trudy can pick me up.”

“You’re being a bully. I don’t need your help,” Star said, more annoyed with him than she’d ever been. “I can take care of my sister, O’Brien. I’ve been doing it for years.”

“But who takes care of you, Star?”

The kindness in his tone threw her, made her wonder what his game was. “I take care of myself.” They faced each other, the open car door sandwiched between them. “Please give me the keys.”

His eyes searched her face but instead of seeing meanness or hate like the old days, she saw compassion and tenderness. Those emotions made her feel too much. Star refused to acknowledge the vulnerability rising inside her. She hated that Cade knew so much about her dysfunctional family, hated the long forgotten pain stirring inside her. He made her feel ten years old, beaten down by a life she couldn’t control.

“Get in the car,” he said. “Let me take care of you.”

“Why?” she asked, at her wit’s end.

“Because I want to. I owe you.” Cade glanced away from her, then back. “You know I do.”

They’d reached a stalemate of sorts. Star knew Cade wouldn’t back down, he never did. The need to see Brandi outweighed her desire to argue with him. Star got in the car. A minute later they were on the road to town.

Silently, she contemplated calling the police as soon as her phone had service but to report what? Cade giving her a ride to see her sister? Even to her that sounded ridiculous. More than anything she wanted to give him the silent treatment but too many questions bounced around in her head.

“What else did Bud say?” she asked.

“Just that she started feeling sick last night. Swelling. First thing this morning, he took her to the doctor.”

“I hope the baby’s okay.” Star pressed her hands together. Didn’t babies die from toxemia? Brandi wanted this baby so much. She couldn’t bear to think of her sister suffering the loss of a child. “I can’t stand not having phone service.”

“She’ll be okay.”

Star glanced at Cade. He looked away from the road briefly, making eye contact with her. Again, she saw the foreign kindness, yet she couldn’t let go, couldn’t accept anything good from him yet.

“Why aren’t you fishing?” Star asked. “You have all those guests.”

“Ron took the boat out this morning. The boat only needs one skipper. We trade off.”

When they reached the medical center, Cade cut the engine and passed Star her keys.

“Let me know if I can do anything else to help,” he said.

Star took the keys from him. “Thank you.”

Star went straight to the information desk and was given directions to where Brandi was. She entered the room to find her sister pale, her forehead creased with worry, her hands resting protectively over her large belly, as if sheer will would keep the baby safe inside her. Star’s worry meter spiked. Brandi’s eyes, wide with fear, fixed on Star.

“Hey,” Star said softly.

“Star,” Brandi cried, relief sagging her shoulders. “Oh, Star.”

Brandi’s husband, Bud, rose from his chair next to the bed. “Star. Thanks for coming.”

Star had always liked Bud. He was an honest, what–you–see–is–what–you–get kind of guy. His sandy blond hair was mussed, as if he’d been wearing a hat but had discarded it. He was dressed in his work uniform, navy pants and work shirt, his name embroidered on the right pocket below the words Sherman Electric.

Star grasped Bud’s hand on her way by. “How are things going here?”

“Better,” Bud replied, but she heard the worry in his tone, and to her he looked older than his twenty–two years.

Large tears filled Brandi’s eyes, spilling over onto her pale cheeks. “I’m scared, Star. They want to move me to Anchorage, to the hospital there. They want to do a C–section.”

“Women have C–sections every day.” Star sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed Brandi’s curls from her forehead. “Everything will be fine. Women get toxemia all the time.”

“I know.” Brandi rubbed her belly. “I thought the swelling was from being on my feet all day at the diner. I didn’t realize it was more serious. If anything happens to my baby...”

“Nothing’s going to happen,” Star assured her, covering her own fears.

“At least he’s moving,” Brandi said. “I know he’s okay.”

Star smiled. “That’s great.” She touched Brandi’s belly. Brandi’s hand closed over Star’s and she moved it. A tiny kick met Star’s palm. “Was that him?” she asked with wonder.

“Yes.”

The baby kicked Star again. “Oh, my.”

Brandi smiled. “You see why I love him so much already?”

“I do.” But Star didn’t. She didn’t understand at all why someone would want to feel that responsible for another human life. She remembered how scared she’d been when the girls had been sick or injured, how helpless she’d felt to make them well. She’d even stolen a bottle of cough syrup once when Brandi had been ill. She’d been so desperate to make her sister better.

A knock sounded on the door. Before anyone entered, Bud opened the door and then disappeared into the hall.

“Cade’s here,” Star said at Brandi’s concerned look. “That was probably him. He insisted on driving me.”

“Really?” Brandi asked.

“He strong–armed me.”

“He’s taking care of you,” Brandi said in a knowing tone. “Just like you’re taking care of me. I always thought he had a crush on you. He just had a funny way of showing it. He’s a good guy, Star. Give him a chance.”

“Don’t get melodramatic, Brandi,” Star said dryly. “Don’t confuse a need for control with kindness. And I don’t care how good a guy he is, don’t even think of trying to force a love connection between the two of us. There’s no way I’m dating anyone from this town. Plus, I have a no–kid policy, remember? I can’t even imagine letting kids loose in my condo. All those sticky fingers. Yuck.”

“A no–kid policy is a dumb rule,” Brandi said. “No one would make a better mother than you.”

Star stuck out her tongue.

Brandi squeezed Star’s fingers. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Have you called Mom?” Star asked.

“No.” Brandi frowned. “What’s the point?”

“I’ll call her,” Star said. “She’ll want to know.”

“You can call, but you know she won’t come.” Brandi’s hand tightened around Star’s. “I need you, Star. Not her.”

Star agreed. Their mother would be worthless here. She didn’t know how to give comfort. That had been Star’s job. “I’m going to call her anyway. Tawney and Ruby Sue, too.”

Brandi nodded, and Star didn’t miss the relief on her face. “Thanks.”

Star rose. “Thank goodness my phone works here. You can’t imagine the withdrawal I’m going through at Patsy’s.” Star headed for the door. “I’ll be right outside. I’ll send Buddy back in.”

“Thanks, Star. I feel so much better just having you here. I’m so glad you’re in town. I need you so much.”

“I’m here as long as you need me,” Star said, the words escaping before she could stop them.

“Really?” Brandi smiled, and it were as if a dark cloud had lifted. Star hadn’t realized how much it meant to Brandi to have her here, how scared she really was.

“Really,” Star said. “Don’t you worry, Bran. I’m going to take care of everything.”

“I know you will, Star,” Brandi said, the words confident. “You’re the best.”

* * *

Cade let himself into the house and tossed his keys on the table in the foyer. What a day. After running Star to the Providence that morning, he’d come home to find a problem with the engine on the Mary Rose. He’d spent the rest of the day working on the boat’s engine.

A soft beam of light came from the kitchen where he assumed their guests, three men from Seattle, were gathered, guests who would receive a refund for the canceled fishing trip today. Right now Cade wanted nothing more than a hot meal and a shower to wash the engine grease from his skin, but those things could wait until he checked in with Ron and their guests.

Cade started for the kitchen but took a detour when he heard the sound of canned laugher coming from the television in the family room.

Brad lay sprawled across the brown leather sofa, a can of soda on the coffee table in front of him.

“Hey,” Cade said from the doorway.

Brad pulled his attention from the television to glance at Cade. The kid was barely speaking to him, still angry at Cade for grounding him.

“It looks like Star could use some help at Patsy’s place,” Cade said. “Her sister’s in the hospital. Are you interested in lending a hand if she needs it?”

Brad focused back on the TV. “Not really.”

Cade shook his head in disgust. How did he get through to Brad? He longed for the days when Brad had looked up to him and had hung on his every word. Marissa’s death had changed everything between them. He understood Brad’s anger, and had spent thousands of dollars on counseling hoping to mend his broken family, but he had a feeling that time and a maturity only age could bring would be what ended the rift between him and Brad.

Changing the subject, Cade asked, “Did I miss anything around here?”

Brad smirked. “Just Uncle Ron kissing the guests’ butts.”

Cade frowned. “Get to bed at a decent time tonight.”

Brad used the remote to turn the volume up.

Cade opened his mouth to tell him to turn the sound down but decided against it. Brad was spoiling for a fight, but he was too tired to spar. Instead, Cade made his way to the kitchen.

“Hey, brother,” Ron said. “Engine good?”

Cade forgot to answer. Star sat at the bar with the guests, Ron, and Trudy.

“Star dropped by to give us an update on Brandi,” Trudy said.

“How is she?” Cade said to Star.

“Not good,” Star said, her brows drawing together. “She’s having a C–section tomorrow morning. Thank you for your help today. I know I was a mess this morning.”

“No problem,” Cade said. Man, he couldn’t look away from her. And neither could their guests. All three men hung on Star’s every word.

“So the engine’s good?” Ron asked again.

“Tip top.” Cade glanced down at his grease stained hands. “In fact, I should go up and wash this grease off.”

“Your dinner’s in the oven,” Trudy said, heading for the stove. “I’m going to turn the oven off. The food’s ready when you are.”

“Great,” Cade said. “Thanks.”

“I should be leaving.” Star slid off the barstool. “Thanks again for the tea and cookies, Trudy.”

“You’re welcome,” Trudy said. “Stop by any time. And be sure and let us know if we can help with Brandi or with Patsy’s place.”

“I will.” Star smiled at Trudy.

“I’ll walk you out.” Cade stepped forward, not willing to let her go just yet.

“Good night,” Star said to the group.

A chorus of good nights followed as they left the kitchen.

Cade walked behind Star, his eyes on the sway of her hips. What was it about her that drove him crazy with the need to get her attention?

At the door, she turned. “Good night.”

“I’ll walk you home,” he said.

“No need.” She gave him a small smile. “You’re tired and I know the way by heart.”

He considered arguing with her but discarded the idea. He’d already strong–armed her once today when he’d insisted on driving her to the hospital. Why he’d done that, he still didn’t understand. He’d been undone by her upset, just as he’d been undone by her tears all those years ago when he’d been such a jerk to her.

“Check in with us tomorrow,” Cade said.

“I will.” Her lips parted.

Cade knew he stared at her mouth; he couldn’t help it. She had the most beautiful mouth he’d ever seen. She frowned. He glanced away.

And then she was gone. He watched as she crossed the yard.

“You okay?” Ron asked, joining him at the door.

“Fine.”

“Man.” Ron ran his fingers through his hair. “I feel for Brandi and Bud. I wouldn’t want to go through a C–section. The whole birth thing is scary enough the natural way.”

Cade clapped his brother on the shoulder. “You won’t have to.”

“You and Star seem to be getting along better,” Ron said. “I was worried at first. You were always such a jerk to her. I never understood why. Star and her sisters were the hottest girls, besides Trudy, in this town.”

“What didn’t you understand?” Cade asked. “You know why I didn’t like her family.”

“Dad had needs,” Ron said. “Patsy filled them. If not Patsy, then he would have found someone else. End of story. You owe Star an apology.”

Cade tensed. “I’ve already apologized.”

Ron’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that so? What did she say?”

“Nothing. Now butt out.”

“Well, okay,” Ron said, not sounding convinced.

“I’m going up to shower and check on the twins and then head to bed myself. Five a.m. is going to come early.”

Ron grinned. “Your turn for the early run.”

Upstairs, Cade stopped by Finn’s room, listening to his son’s breathing, deep and even. Cade smoothed his hair. Love for Finn filled his chest. Next he checked on Emma. The little girl slept on her side, her mouth drawn into a pucker, as if she waited for a prince to kiss her. Man, he hoped she’d find her prince one day. Someone to love and cherish her.

What the heck was wrong with him? He was going soft. Maybe he was just tired. Or maybe it was seeing Star again. She made him think about his life, about the choices he’d made.

She made him think about Marissa. Some mother he’d picked for his kids. She’d been an accident waiting to happen. And she’d almost taken his kids with her. He waited for the anger to hit him square in the chest like it always did when he thought of her, but tonight the punch wasn’t as hard. She’d been gone two years now. Time had softened the rough edges of their marriage.

Cade tucked the covers more securely around Emma. With a heavy heart, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Once in bed, he couldn’t sleep. He was staring at the numbers on his alarm clock, three twenty–five a.m. when the phone rang.

Cade snatched up the phone. “Hello.”

“Cade O’Brien?” a male voice asked.

“Speaking.”

“This is Officer Reynolds, Seward Police.”

Cade’s heart lurched. “Is something wrong?”

“We’ve got your son in custody. He was caught up at the old water tower. He and some other boys were drinking.”

“I’ll be right there.” Cade sat up. “Thank you for calling.”

“I’ll let Brad know you’re on your way,” the officer said.

“You do that,” Cade said, his gut twisting into a hard knot. “You do that.”