tightened. She straightened, set the purse on her lap, then opened the truck door. Before she exited, she turned to Brad. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here,” Brad said, giving Star a head nod.
“Thanks for the lift, O’Brien.”
“Anytime.”
Star smiled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She still hated him, and he didn’t blame her.
But that didn’t stop Cade from watching her walk in those ridiculously high heels to the mobile home. How did she do it? Those shoes had to be four or five inches high. She was a city girl all right. Beautiful and expensive.
“Dad?”
“What?”
“Can we go now?”
Giving himself a mental shake, Cade put the truck into reverse and backed down the driveway.
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