Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,16
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.”
Chapter Five
“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 Update This! 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