Hometown Star (6 page)

“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.”

“How far off schedule are you?” Frank Rogers asked.

Star smiled into the phone. She paced the floor of the waiting room in Anchorage Regional Hospital. Too keyed up to sit still, Star had called her boss, hoping Frank would distract her. “One day, Frank. Ease up. I’m meeting with Evan tomorrow morning; after that, I’ll be back on track.”

Frank sighed. “I know you need to be with your sister. I understand, I really do, but we are two weeks out from the Fairbanks shoot.”

“I’ll be ready,” Star said to her boss. “Trust me, Frank. Have I ever let you down?”

“Okay, okay,” Frank agreed. “Oh, the segment on
Bigger, Bolder
,
Brighter
is on track. Vivienne’s in love with the project. Color is her thing.”

Vivienne LaRue was the top designer on
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Of the four designers working on the show, she was a ratings favorite. Her flamboyant style and French accent gave the show sophistication and class.

“Will you ask her to call me?” Star said. “I want to talk to her about the Seward house.”

“I’ll pass on the message.”

“Thanks. Go ahead and send me whatever you have via email.”

“It’s mainly the set up for the three homes on
Bigger, Bolder, Brighter
. Do what you do best, Star. Make it happen.”

“I will. Now, relax, Frank. I won’t let you down.”

“You better not. Give your sister my best.”

“Will do, Frank.”

Star ended the call and stared at the double doors leading to the birthing area. What was happening? Were Brandi and the baby okay? When she’d asked for an update earlier, the desk nurse had reassured her that everything was fine. Still, Star couldn’t help the anxiety that filled her. What if something went wrong? No, she refused to think that way. Brandi would be fine. The baby would be fine. Positive thoughts.

Her phone rang. Destiny’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Star?” Destiny asked in a voice that had a permanent husky note.

“It’s me.”

“How’s Brandi? Any news yet?”

“No,” Star told her. “I’m going crazy waiting.”

“My poor baby,” Destiny said the words dripping with sympathy. “I wish I could be there with her.”

“Why don’t you come, Mom?” Star asked, hoping against hope she’d say yes. “I have air miles. I could book you a ticket. My treat.”

“I don’t know,” Destiny hedged. “I have my job.”

Star could practically see her mother twirling her over–processed hair around her index finger, as if her conversation with her daughter bored her. Why couldn’t Destiny be a mom for once?

“Don’t you have some vacation saved up?” Star pressed, refusing to give up for Brandi’s sake. Star had learned long ago to expect nothing from their mother, but Brandi’s heart wasn’t as hardened. Destiny’s refusal to come would crush her sister.

“Some.”

“Think about it. Just say the word and I’ll book the ticket,” Star said.

“I said I’ll think about it, Star,” her mother replied, her tone slightly defensive. “Call me when you have news.”

The line went dead.

Star took a seat on a nearby chair. Her stomach churned. Darn it. She refused to let her mother get to her.

The chime of an incoming text message brought her attention to her phone.

Everything okay? Any news? Cade

Cade? She’d exchanged numbers with Cade yesterday, at his insistence, in case she needed anything, but she’d never expected him to call or text her. Should she reply? Why not?

No news yet
. Star hit the send button.

Her phone chimed again.
Do you need anything?

Aren’t you working?
Star texted back.

We limited early. I’m back at the house.

Before she could reply, the door leading to the birthing area swung open.

Star forgot all about Cade and came to her feet.

“Are you Star?” a woman in blue scrubs asked.

“Yes,” Star said. “Is Brandi all right?”

“The doctor’s with her,” the nurse said. “Brandi’s husband asked me to tell you that the baby’s been born, a healthy boy.”

Relief filled Star. “That’s great.”

“But there was a complication. Your sister experienced a lot of bleeding.”

“What?” The bottom dropped out of Star’s stomach. “Is she okay?”

The nurse nodded. “She will be. Bud has asked if you can gown–up and come in. He’d like for you to hold the baby while he sits with Brandi.”

“Me?” Star said stupidly. “I’m not good with babies.”

The nurse smiled. “It’s easy. You’ll see.” The nurse started for the birthing area.

Star’s phone chimed.

Cade:
Are you there?

Quickly Star replied,
Brandi’s had complications. They are asking me to come in. Gotta go.

Star sent the message, gathered up her sweater and laptop, then followed the nurse to the birthing area.

* * *

Is this what it felt like to be hit by a truck?

Star felt drained, emotionally and physically, and she still had to make the two–hour drive back to Seward.

At least she could leave the hospital knowing that Brandi, Bud, and baby William were fine and well cared for. Brandi had stabilized. She seemed great, happy, but tired. In fact, Star had felt like an outsider for the last hour as she’d watched Brandi, Bud, and the baby snuggle together, but Brandi had insisted that Star stay until Star’s stomach had rumbled so loudly, Brandi finally realized that her sister had been without food all day. At last, Brandi had given Star the go–ahead to go home.

Star headed for the elevator, eager to get back to Patsy’s.

She passed through the waiting area, her focus on the elevator.

“Star.”

Star halted. Cade sat in the waiting area. He unfolded himself from the chair and stood. He looked so good, so strong, and for a moment, she wanted to lean on him, wanted to let him take care of her. She didn’t even want to know where that thought had come from.

“How’s Brandi?” he asked, as she approached.

“She’s all right now, but it was scary for a while. She had some bleeding they had trouble stopping.”

“And the baby?” Cade asked.

Star smiled. “He’s perfect. His name is William. Will for short. I held him for hours. I’d forgotten what it feels like to hold a newborn. Will’s so tiny, so fragile. Holding him took me right back to when Brandi was born. I did more than my fair share of holding her, diapering her, feeding her.”

“What? At nine or ten years old,” Cade said with a shake of his head.

Star frowned. “Destiny isn’t mother material. She enjoyed getting pregnant, it was what came after that she didn’t like.”

Cade touched her arm. “That’s rough. I’m sorry, Star.”

“Don’t be,” Star said, rejecting his pity. She didn’t even want him here. Did she? She didn’t know what she wanted.

Suddenly, the day caught up with Star. She had to sit. Now.

She dropped into the nearest chair.

“Are you okay?” Cade asked, taking the seat beside her.

“It’s been quite an emotional day.” Star placed a hand on her rumbling stomach. “What are you doing here anyway? It’s not like this place is on your way home.”

“Trudy insisted. She thought you might need moral support. She would have come herself, but Ron didn’t want her to make the drive.”

“That was nice of Trudy,” Star said. “And nice of you.”

“I make the drive all the time. It’s no big deal,” Cade said easily. “Were you on your way out?”

“Yes.”

“Trudy wanted me to invite you to dinner. She said I’m not allowed to take no for an answer. I promise we’ll all be on our best behavior, especially me.”

Star laughed at the pained expression on his face. “Wow, what an offer. Did Trudy make you memorize that invitation? Never mind, I don’t care. I’d love to visit with Trudy and I don’t feel like being alone tonight. Too much has happened today. I know I won’t be able to turn my brain off. Plus, I’m starving, and I know firsthand what a good cook Trudy is.”

Cade grinned at her. “You won’t be sorry.”

Star stood. Cade rose. He held out his hand, taking her laptop case from her. His other hand closed around her elbow, his touch gentle but firm.

Heaven help her, she was going home with Cade O’Brien. By choice. She’d definitely slipped into an alternate universe, and right now, she didn’t care one bit.

“Oh, my gosh,” Trudy said after hearing the story of Brandi’s son’s birth, her hands on her own pregnant belly. “I can’t wait until it’s my turn. She’s so lucky to have her baby.”

“How long do you have?” Star took a sip of her wine. They were seated around the outdoor dinner table at the O’Briens. The guests had gone into town for dinner, leaving the O’Briens to enjoy a rare night off. At the far end of the table, Emma and Finn played King’s Corner. Brad had already finished eating and had gone inside, leaving the adults to their conversation and after dinner wine.

“Almost three weeks.” Trudy massaged her belly. “I’m so ready to be thin again.”

Star smiled. Trudy might not be svelte now but the smile on her face said it all; she had loved every minute of this pregnancy.

Across the table from Star, Cade watched her, intently. Too intently. Star glanced away, uncomfortable. Did he like her or not? She couldn’t read him. Something had shifted between them at the hospital. It was getting more and more difficult for Star to remember the boy he’d been and easier for her to like the man he was now, yet a part of her didn’t trust him or his motives.

Ron leaned over to pour more merlot into Star’s glass. “This is nice,” he said. “A little downtime is what we all need.”

“So true,” Trudy agreed with a smile. She sipped her herbal tea.

The warmth of the day still hung in the air, settling around them like a soft whisper. Large red geraniums hung from planters attached to the eave of the back porch. Monster flowers. They just didn’t grow like that anywhere but Alaska, home of the midnight sun.

Star leaned back in her chair, feeling sated and happy. “Dinner was wonderful. It’s been ages since I’ve had beef stew and cornbread.”

“Thanks,” Trudy said. “It was easy. I made it ahead in the crockpot.”

Star took another sip of her wine. “I know I should get home and get back to work on Patsy’s place, but it feels so good to sit and do nothing.”

“It’s been a stressful couple of days,” Trudy reminded her. “You’re allowed.”

Star stole another glance at Cade. His eyes held a predatory glow. Was he really that handsome, or was the wine she’d consumed making him look better than he really did? Unsettled, she focused on Trudy.

The back door opened, and Brad poked his head out. “Hey. I got Star’s show on TV. Come look.”

“I love that show.” Trudy pushed to her feet.

They all filed into the house, even the twins, but instead of following them into the family room, Cade detoured, taking the kids upstairs to get ready for bed. Star couldn’t help but feel a little relieved that Cade wasn’t going with them to watch the show. Her stomach tightened a little at the thought of Cade critiquing her work.
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was her baby and she was more than a little invested in the show.