Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,56
through the trees, the mobile home in view.
“When will you mow it down?” Star asked, a pang of nostalgia stopping her in her tracks.
“Soon. I’d like to get the rubble cleared and the foundation poured as soon as possible.”
The mobile home, as run down as it was, was still her home. She’d miss it, and that surprised her. The place meant home, maybe not so much now, but it sure had when she’d been a child. The place was the closest things she had to a childhood home.
“After tomorrow, it’s all yours, O’Brien.”
Cade put his arm around her, rubbing her shoulders. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She smiled at him. “Fine. Come on. I hope you’re going to show me a good time on my last night in town. I need some serious cheering up.”
“You’re not afraid we’ll break another condom?” he asked.
“I don’t think fate would be that cruel twice.”
She broke away, running up the steps and into the trailer, Cade on her heels. He caught her around the waist, and together they fell onto the couch.
His mouth found hers. Their clothes melted away. They came together fiercely, frantically, as if they couldn’t get enough of each other, and maybe they couldn’t.
When it was over, and Star was still struggling back to reality, Cade said, “It’s a miracle, but the condom held.”
“Yeah,” Star said, smiling.
Cade kissed her. “I’m going to miss you, Star.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
“Any chance at all you could find work here?”
The hopeful note in his voice tore at her. “Zero. I’ve worked my way up the food chain at Update This! I’m in line for a big promotion. My life is in the city.”
Cade ran his index finger along the curve of her cheek. “I’d never ask you to change your life for me. I did it with Marissa, and it was a mistake. She was never happy here. Maybe we’re just too different.”
“Maybe we are.” Star scooted away from him, a hard ache in her belly. She started to rise, but Cade caught her arm, pulling her back down.
“Don’t think tonight, Star,” Cade said softly. “I can see the wheels turning. Forget I said anything. Just be with me. I need you. You make me whole. You make me want to be a better man, a better father.”
His words cut right through the barbed wire wrapped around her heart. Did she really make him feel those things? Love flooded her heart. For tonight, she’d allow herself to love him back. No thinking. Just for tonight.
He led her down the hall to the bedroom. With great care, Cade laid her on the bed. Taking his time, he made love to her. All of her, every single inch. When he was through, Star had trouble remembering her name, much less why she thought her life was elsewhere.
If Cade were childless, would she find a way to make things work between them?
The question haunted her, continued to haunt her well into the next morning while she wrapped up the rest of Patsy’s paintings. She stopped by the post office to ship them to Seattle where she’d go through them at her leisure. She didn’t have the heart to tackle the job now. Once she completed that task, she made her goodbyes with Brandi, Bud, and baby Will. Cade and the kids were waiting for her when she finished.
They followed her to the airport, waiting while she dropped off her rental car, then walked with her as far as they could.
“This is it,” she said when she had to part from them.
Emma threw her arms around Star, squeezing tight. “Don’t go.”
Star’s heart constricted painfully in her chest. “I have to. Don’t forget to daydream.”
“I won’t,” Emma said.
She bent and kissed the little girl, then looked to Finn.
Finn’s lip stuck out.
“Let me know if you catch a bird.” Star kissed his forehead, then ruffled his hair, and he let her, almost leaning into her caress. “Be good, kiddo.”
Emma thrust a package at her. “We made you something, so you won’t feel sad when you don’t see us anymore.”
“Thank you.” Star hugged the brightly wrapped gift to her chest, knowing she’d cherish it no matter what it was. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
She turned to Brad. “Behave, Brad. No more sneaking out.”
“Yeah, right.” He gave her a cocky grin.
“Okay, kids.” Cade pointed to a bank of nearby chairs. “Wait over there. I have some things to say to Star in private.”
Brad ushered the kids away.
“I miss you already,” Cade said tightly.
“I