Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,26
there.” Destiny gave him another man–eating smile.
Thankfully the luggage began spouting out and landing on the conveyor belt with a thud.
“Come on, Mom.” Star took her mother’s arm. “The bags are coming.”
“We’ll see you later, Cade,” Destiny said with a wink.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Cade said, his eyes on Star.
Star led her mother to the luggage carousel.
“What’s your suitcase look like?” Star asked.
“It matches my carry–on. It’s hot pink.”
As if on cue, a hot pink suitcase popped out through the opening. Star hefted the bag from the carousel. “Come on, Mom, let’s go.”
“You’re always in a hurry, Star. Chill out.”
Star walked from baggage claim. She didn’t even look to see if her mother followed or not. They’d only been together for minutes and Star was annoyed already.
Once they were in the car and on the road, Star said, “Brandi’s really excited to see you, Mom.”
“I can’t wait to see her.” Destiny looked out the window. “I swear I’ve never understood the appeal here. All this green. All the rain. All the snow.”
“Come on, Mom,” Star said. “Admit it’s beautiful country. Seward is gorgeous. Where else can you get a three hundred and sixty degree view of the mountains? And the bay. I mean, I’m not Alaska’s number one fan, but even I can’t deny the beauty.”
“If I remember correctly, the town reeks of fish,” her mother said, her nose wrinkling.
“True,” Star agreed. “I guess it’s a tradeoff.”
“I’ll take the desert any time.” Destiny gave her a tight smile. “So how long are you staying on?”
“I’m pretty much done with Patsy’s place,” Star told her. “I’m supposed to be back in Seattle a week from Monday. I’ve been working from here, but I’m nearly finished. Brandi wants me to stick around, but I’d like to leave sooner.”
“You’re such a Cosmo girl.” Her mother smiled. “I envy you, Star.”
“Really?” Star asked, surprised.
“Of course. You’ve always known what you wanted. You’re a go–getter.”
“I guess.”
“What’s Cade’s story?”
Star bristled. “Don’t you think he’s a little young for you?”
Her mother laughed while at the same time managing to toss her long, blonde hair. “I wasn’t asking for myself. I’m thinking of you, Star. Is he married?”
“No, but if you’re thinking of trying to make a match between me and Cade, forget it. That will never happen. We have too much history, all of it bad. Plus, he’s got three kids.”
“Oh.” Destiny frowned. “Three kids? That makes him a little less appealing. But he’s handsome, you have to admit it. I’ve never understood why you didn’t get along with him.”
Star glanced at her mother. “He was mean to me. He hated Patsy. He told me that recently. And he told me other things.”
“What things?” her mother asked, turning to look at Star, her overly waxed eyebrows raised.
“He told me that his father let Patsy live in the mobile home rent free. He basically implied she got free rent in exchange for sex.”
“They had an arrangement. So what?” Destiny asked with a hair flip. “Star, don’t look so shocked. It was hardly a secret. Dan and Patsy were adults. He was her boss and her lover.”
“I never knew.”
“Honey, does it really matter?” her mother asked in a soft voice. “Patsy was a saint with a heart of gold. So what if Dan O’Brien paid her rent? Maybe it was a job perk. That sounds so archaic. Dan had money to burn and he wanted to take care of her. He loved her. He knew it would be upsetting to the boys if he married her. Patsy was good with the arrangement. They were exclusive. It was a win–win for everyone.”
“I get that. I just feel stupid for not figuring it out,” Star said. “And you’re right. Cade never would have accepted Patsy in the role of his stepmother. He hated her.”
Destiny examined her glossy fingernails. “Then he’s a fool. I couldn’t have raised you girls without her help. Patsy kept food on the table for you kids when I couldn’t. I’ll never feel anything but gratitude and love toward her, and you should, too.”
“I do love her, Mom,” Star said. “It’s Cade’s twisted view of Patsy that bothers me.”
“Surely Cade’s grown out of that nasty little boy stage by now? He seemed perfectly nice at the airport. We all need a man, Star. Someone to take care of us. Someone to love. Put him on your radar, honey.”
“Are you joking?” Star asked. “I just told you he spent most of his life hating me.”
“You don’t want to