Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,60
Frank thundered. He took Star’s arm, pulling her under the umbrella with him. “Why didn’t you tell me it’s so wet here it’s like a cow peeing on a flat rock?” Before she could reply, he said, “O’Brien isn’t the easiest guy to work with. I need you, Star. March right in there and smooth things over with him. He’s dragging his feet, waiting for you. I don’t know what he’s got to be upset about. We’ve compensated him for his loss of income. He’s sittin’ pretty, damn it.”
“Calm down, Frank,” Star said, frowning. “I tried to warn you.” She glanced around. “Besides, I don’t see Cade’s truck. Is he even here?”
“He’s here. His kid took the truck.”
Star smiled. “Brad? The grounding must be over.”
“I don’t give a rat’s patutie about the kid,” Frank said. “Time is money, Star. Go and use your wiles on O’Brien. The guy looks like he hasn’t been laid in years.”
“Gee, Frank,” Star said dryly, “I didn’t know you were my boss and my pimp.”
“Oh, crap. I guess that wasn’t exactly a PC comment.” Frank gave her a twisted smile. “Sorry. Will you please go in and talk to O’Brien?”
“Sure.”
“Carrie,” Frank shouted, as if the designer were across a football field instead of three feet away. “Let’s see what you’ve got. It better be good or this guy will walk and we’ll be hung out like wet, and I do mean wet, laundry on a hot summer day.”
Frank left her in the rain. Star started for the house. Before she reached the door it opened and Emma and Finn ran out.
“Star!” Emma cried.
“Star,” Finn echoed.
The kids mobbed her, throwing their arms around her, jumping up and down.
“Hey, you two,” Star said, her hands cupping their heads. And it wasn’t enough. She needed more of them. Star squatted, taking them into her arms, inhaling their kid scent: baby shampoo and fresh air. “I’ve missed you guys.”
“We missed you, too, Star,” Emma said.
“It’s not as fun without you,” Finn told her. “Trudy’s busy all the time. And the baby cries and cries.”
Emma nodded. “He does, Star. He’s real loud.”
Star smiled, then laughed, a strange lightness invading her spirit. “I guess he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. Come on, let’s get inside. I’m soaked, and so are you.”
She stood, and they ran into the house. “Is your dad here?” she asked when they were in the foyer.
Emma nodded. “He’s in the kitchen talking to some men.”
Star shrugged out of her wet coat and hung it on the coat rack. Quickly, she ran a hand over her hair, but feared she looked a little like a drowned rat—and she wanted to thank Frank for the image. Even she was starting to think in idioms.
“Come on.” Emma tugged on Star’s hand.
Finn ran ahead. “Dad. Star’s back.”
Star let Emma pull her down the hall and into the kitchen.
Cade stood with Ed and Buck, two of the carpenters. He must have heard Finn because he turned away from the men. Her eyes met his, and for Star, everything else stopped.
“Star’s here,” Emma said in a singsong voice. “See, Daddy?”
“I see,” Cade said, his eyes on her.
Her heart began to beat again. Joy filled her chest. Was this what love felt like? She wanted to touch him, to kiss him, and even that wouldn’t be enough. Heaven help her, she’d missed him. She hadn’t realized how much until this moment. Her emotions felt raw, exposed, and she wasn’t sure how to conceal them from Cade.
“Will you excuse us?” Cade said to Ed and Buck without taking his eyes off Star.
“Sure,” Ed said, exchanging a knowing look with Buck.
Buck followed Ed from the room.
“Star,” Ed said as he passed.
Buck gave her a nod.
“Finn, Emma, will you leave us alone for a minute?” Cade asked.
“Aww, do we have to?” Finn grumbled.
“I want to be with, Star,” Emma said, stomping her little foot.
“Wait in the other room,” Cade said in an authoritative tone. “Just for a minute. I promise.”
“Come on, Finn,” Emma said, but Finn didn’t budge. She tugged on his shirt. “Daddy said.”
That made Finn move and he trailed after his sister.
Star could hear the tick of the clock on the wall. Her heart thundered in her chest.
“Hey,” she said softly, feeling sixteen again, shy and self–conscious.
“You don’t pick up my calls.” He walked toward her, sexy, rugged, and pure man.
“How are Trudy and the baby?” she asked, avoiding his question.
“Great. They’re upstairs.” He reached for her. A thin line of sexual attraction separated