Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,3

Star lifted her chin. “I got your eviction notice.” The pain in her stomach increased. She pressed a hand to her midsection.

“Our attorney advised us to send the letter,” Cade said. “It’s nothing personal. We’re planning on expanding the Bed & Breakfast, building a second home where Patsy’s place is.”

He stared at her mouth, and that bugged Star. It wasn’t the first time he’d done it.

“Patsy’s lease was terminated with her death,” Cade continued. “Our attorney wanted us to be clear with your family before we demolished the trailer. I’m sure there are mementos inside your family wants.”

“How considerate,” Star said, her tone even and smooth. “Brandi’s coming by tomorrow to help me pack. Believe me, the faster I’m out of here, the better. I’m not staying in Seward one second longer than necessary.”

His brow creased—with relief? Star couldn’t be sure, but Cade definitely gave off a vibe that said he’d be glad to see her go. Well, she’d be glad to go! Seward, Alaska was everything she’d spent her twenties running away from. I mean, what was there to do here? Nothing but breed babies and choke on the stink of fish. No, thanks.

“If there’s anything I can do to help you speed things up,” Cade offered, “I’m happy to help. Patsy was a loyal, dedicated employee of the B & B and O’Brien Charters. I’m sorry about her passing.”

“Are you?” Star couldn’t resist asking. There was no love lost between the O’Brien boys and her aunt. Never mind that Patsy had worked like a slave for the O’Briens after Cade’s mother had died.

“Of course I’m sorry,” Cade said again. “For you and your sisters.”

Star stared at him, those cold blue eyes of his on her. What did he see when he looked at her? A poor white trash girl, wearing dirty clothes, her hair uncombed? Inside Star shrank, but just as quickly she remembered who she was now. She was the bigger person. She was in control.

“Thank you for your condolences,” she said. “Actually, I’m in need of a phone. My BlackBerry doesn’t get reception here.”

“Sure.” Cade snagged his T–shirt.

Star got a good look at his rock hard abs, the abs of a man used to doing physical work. He pulled the shirt over his head, covering all that bare skin.

“Follow me,” Cade said.

He strode to the house at a breakneck pace, Star struggling to keep up with him in her high heels. When they reached the front door, Cade held it wide. She passed by him into the house at the same time Finn plowed right into her.

“Whoa,” Cade said, catching hold of the boy’s shirt. “Slow down.”

“It’s you.” Finn backed away from Star while staring up at her.

“Hello, Finn,” Star said, smiling. “Twice in one day. Do you always move at warp speed?”

Finn shrugged.

“You’ve met before?” Cade asked. “Wait, Star’s the one who cleaned you up, isn’t she?”

Finn’s eyes widened.

“I warned you to stay away from Patsy’s place,” Cade said, the words stern.

Finn’s lower lip stuck out, wobbled.

Star had heard enough. She’d been on the receiving end of Cade’s temper too many times to count. She stepped between Cade and Finn. “He’s a little boy. He got hurt. I helped him. End of story. There’s no need to get angry.”

“He shouldn’t have been there,” Cade said. “It’s dangerous. The place is a decayed wasteland.”

They were nose to nose. Star could smell him, pine and sweat, and fresh air. Testosterone to the max. Unnerved, she stepped back.

Instantly, Cade’s face softened and he swore under his breath. “The phone’s over there.” He pointed to a table pushed up against the wall, then turned to Finn. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Finn scampered away out the front door.

Star marched over to the phone. Cade hadn’t changed at all. He’d used intimidation on his son, the same kind of intimidation he’d used on her when she’d been a kid. Nothing made her angrier than a bully.

Star removed a paper from her pocket and punched in the number for the power company. She was listening to the automated menu when Ron O’Brien joined Cade. She heard Cade explain to his younger brother that she had no power. After that she lost track of their conversation as she had one of her own with the power company. When she ended her call, both brothers were gone and she was alone.

Star knew she should make her escape, but she couldn’t resist looking around the foyer. As a young girl, raised in low–rent apartments and