Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,67
magical. Cade’s tenderness with her tugged on her heartstrings, making her wish things were different for them.
Star rolled over and looked her fill of him. Boy, was she going to miss him when she left, but leaving was the right thing to do. She truly believed that. She’d worked long and hard for this promotion. No person in her right mind would give up an opportunity like this. Cade stirred, rolling over, away from her. Star sat up. When Cade didn’t move, she got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She shut the door behind her, but didn’t push it all the way closed, not wanting to risk waking Cade. She sat on the toilet and checked for signs of her period, but she didn’t see anything. Not yet, but maybe later today.
“Star?”
“Just a minute. I’m using the bathroom.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Star finished up. She flushed the toilet, then washed up at the sink.
When she exited the bathroom, Cade was sitting on the edge of the bed. He rose, then went into the bathroom and shut the door.
Star got back into bed, wondering if they had time for a little morning sex before the crew arrived. She smiled. Waking up with Cade was fun. The toilet flushed. Water ran, for a long time. How long did it take for Cade to wash his hands? She glanced at the clock. They were wasting precious time.
The door opened, and Cade made his way to the bed. He sat down on the edge and said, “We need to talk.”
Serious worry lines creased his forehead. Star rolled to her back, not wanting to have another conversation about her career or a possible pregnancy right now. She felt too good, too relieved, too sated.
Cade looked at her. “I’d feel better if you took a pregnancy test. Enough time has passed, right? I’ve done the calculations. The possible pregnancy is like an elephant between us. I want to know, don’t you?”
She nodded, resigning herself to the conversation. “I have cramps. I’m sure my period is about to start.”
“But if it doesn’t start today? Come on, Star, I have a stake in this, too.” Cade’s jaw tightened. “I’d like to know for sure before you leave.”
“Okay,” she said, seeing no way around his request. “If I don’t have my period by the end of today, I’ll get a test. Will that work for you?”
He nodded.
Outside, car doors slammed. The crew was beginning to arrive. Darn. No morning sex.
“Time for work,” Star said with regret.
“Yeah,” Cade agreed, moving aside so she could get up.
* * *
Star set the pregnancy test kit on the coffee table.
Day five of the renovation was over. The crew was gone for the day. The kids, Ron, Trudy, and Daniel were staying in town again tonight.
And Cade was nowhere in sight.
Star took a seat on the couch. So far, no period, and worse, her cramps had stopped. She hated to admit it, but she was starting to freak out. No way did she want a baby, not even with Cade. She refused to let her mind wander down the path to parenthood. She simply couldn’t go there.
Where the heck was Cade? She wanted to take the test with him, wanted to include him.
The sound of an approaching vehicle pulled Star from the couch. She went to the front door and opened it.
Cade slammed the truck door and walked toward her. He waved when he saw her. As usual, her heart sped up at the sight of him. Her hand went to her stomach. Did she carry his baby? If she did, she had some hard decisions to make.
“Hi,” she said when he was close enough to hear her.
He came up the steps. “Did you get your period?”
She frowned. “It’s nice to see you, too,” she said sarcastically. She didn’t even know if she was pregnant, and she already felt like the baby was coming between them.
“Sorry,” he offered. “I’m wound up, you know?”
“I know.” She went inside. He followed. Star pointed to the coffee table, to the test kit. “Come with me while I take it.”
Cade took her hand, giving her fingers a light squeeze of encouragement. “Let’s go.”
Star retrieved the test and hand in hand they went upstairs. In the bathroom, she sat on the toilet and took the stick from the box. Cade sat down on the rim of the tub.
She couldn’t pee.
“Could you turn around or something?” she asked. “Shy bladder.”
“Fine.”
Cade stood and gave her his back.
Star peed on the stick.