stop talking.”
“I’ll second that,” Cade said.
One of the EMTs brought a gurney into the bedroom. Soon after, John was wheeled out.
“John,” Destiny cried when she saw him. “I’m so sorry.”
John gave her a thumbs up.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Destiny asked.
“Yes,” John said.
Destiny nodded. “I’ll get dressed and follow the ambulance.” She gave Star a smile before leaving them.
In a matter of minutes, the ambulance was gone. Ernie and Destiny pulled out after it.
On shaky legs, Star followed Cade down the steps.
“Will you be all right here?” he asked.
Star glanced back at the mobile home. She had no desire to go back inside. “I’ll be fine.”
“Why don’t you stay at my place? We have the room.” He opened the door of his truck.
“No, I’m okay.”
He frowned. “You’re not fine, Star. Go to my place. Ron is up. Tell him I said to put you in the copper room. I’ll let your mother know where you are.”
Star eyed the mobile home. She really did not want to go back inside. Not tonight. The thought of being near other people: Trudy, Ron, and even the kids, sounded comforting.
“Okay, I’ll go.”
He smiled. “Good. I’ll see you there later.”
Star didn’t wait for him to drive away. Instead, she went inside and packed a small bag. She needed people. Cade’s people.
* * *
Star focused on the bright morning light streaming through the window of Cade’s guest room. A manly room, with a copper colored bedspread done in a fish print. One wall held a large metal fish, the other a painting of the Kenai River.
She checked her watch. It was after eight. Breakfast was probably already over and done with. She needed to get up and get down there, but the events of last night reeled through Star’s head, her mother meeting her at the door, the paramedics, Cade. Star burrowed deeper under the covers.
She closed her eyes against the morning glare, against the harsh reality of her life. How would she ever face Cade or any of the O’Briens this morning? It had been bad enough answering Ron’s questions last night. Her mother’s sexual prowess had almost killed one of their guests.
Death couldn’t be good for business.
The bedroom door creaked. “Star?” Finn’s head poked into the room.
“Hey, Finn.” She smiled at the little boy, who had a serious case of bed–head.
“Dad says to come down. Breakfast is ready.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right down.”
He disappeared from view.
With the opening of the bedroom door came the scent of pancakes and bacon. Star ignored her embarrassment and got out of bed. She took the robe provided for guests from a hook on the back of the door and slipped it on, belting it around her waist.
On bare feet, she walked down the stairs to the kitchen.
Finn, Emma, and Brad sat at the table eating. Cade stood at the counter, flipping pancakes.
“Morning,” he said when he saw her. For a second he searched her face, and when she smiled at him, he smiled back.
“Good morning,” she said. “How’s John?”
“Resting comfortably,” Cade said. “He’s stable. They’re calling it a cardiac episode, not an actual heart attack. That’s good news. He’ll be having some additional tests today. I know this might come as a shock, but your mother is a pretty good nurse. She’s been a real advocate for John.”
“Is Ernie still there, too?” Star asked.
“Yes. He wanted to stay.”
“Of course.”
“Grab a plate,” Cade said, “then come here.”
Star snagged an empty plate from the table and walked to Cade. This was normal, breakfast with your family. So why did it feel so foreign?
He loaded her plate with three pancakes, two pieces of bacon, and a fried egg.
“Wait,” she said. “My life doesn’t revolve around meals in Seattle. I can’t eat all of this.”
He winked at her. “Sure you can. Meals are a time when families come together. Get used to it, Star.”
Star gave up and took her plate to the table, taking the seat opposite Brad. She did feel like part of the family here, but how much would she miss these people when she left?
“Here.” Finn passed her the syrup.
Cade set his own plate on the table and sat.
For a few minutes they all ate in silence—like they were a real family. What would that be like? She looked around the table. The kids. Cade. Whoa, wait a minute. She wasn’t anybody’s mother, and she didn’t want to be. Being Cade’s potential lover, okay, but not a mother. No way. She wasn’t about to get stuck in