Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,15
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