Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,4

Patsy’s double–wide mobile home, she’d always dreamed of living in a real house.

To Star’s surprise, the O’Brien place looked the same and still smelled of freshly baked bread. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of Patsy’s homemade cinnamon rolls. She’d loved to watch Patsy bake the rolls for the B & B guests. Patsy always brought the leftover rolls home for Star and her sisters. Star had savored each bite of those cinnamon rolls, making them last as long as she possibly could. Homemade treats weren’t found in the White household. Her mother’s culinary skills stopped at Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

She’d always been fascinated with the O’Brien house, especially the architecture. The big Victorian had all the charm of its time period: the wrap around porch, the gabled roof, the well–crafted built–ins, and from what she could see so far, the O’Briens hadn’t done much updating. Star suppressed a grin. Maybe she’d offer her services. This was just the kind of house her boss loved to feature on Update This!

She glanced down at the mahogany floor, imagining how the wood would look refinished. The area rug was new, and she suspected they went through at least one rug a year here. No carpet could survive the winter snow and spring mud for more than one season.

A pretty young woman came down the hall toward her, wiping her hands on her apron, the apron covering a very large, pregnant belly.

“Hello,” she said, smiling. “Can I help you?”

“I was using the phone,” Star said. “Cade let me in. I’m Star White from next door.”

“Star White?” The woman’s mouth turned up into a wide smile. “I’m Trudy.” She extended her hand and Star took it. “Do you remember me?”

“Trudy Ramsey, right?” Star asked. Trudy had been a couple of years younger than Star, but she remembered the pretty brunette with the Snow White complexion. She’d always been welcoming when Star’s family had returned to Seward.

“It’s Trudy O’Brien now.” She looked lovingly at Ron, who’d followed her into the foyer. “I married this handsome guy. Ron, do you remember Starlene White?”

“Hey, Star,” Ron said, extending his hand. “Good to see you, although it’s not a surprise. I figured you might show up after we sent the letter. I hope we didn’t catch you too off–guard.”

“No,” Star told him. “Patsy’s place needs to be dealt with. I don’t know why I’ve put it off this long. It’s just a sad time.”

“Of course it is,” Trudy said, giving Star a sympathetic smile. “I told Ron to let the place be, but Cade is in a hurry to get the footing for the new house poured before the fall rains get here.” She patted her belly. “We need the room. Ron and I intend to move into the new house once it’s done. We’ll have two bed and breakfast sites. O’Brien Charters is booked solid. It’s an exciting time.”

“Sounds like it,” Star said, although she couldn’t imagine living the lifestyle the O’Briens did, houseguests all the time, your paycheck depending on the fish run. No, thanks.

A little girl skipped into the room. Cade followed, a white kitten in his hands. Star was still trying to process big Cade holding the tiny kitten when the little girl stopped in front of her.

“Who are you?” the girl asked, squinting up at Star.

“I’m Star.”

“Star’s a pretty name,” the little girl said.

“What’s your name?” Star asked.

“Emma.”

“Pleased to meet you, Emma.” Star shook hands with the girl.

“I found a kitten.” Emma turned to Cade. “She scratched me.” Emma showed Star the back of her hand, pointing to the bandage covering the wound. “She didn’t mean to hurt me. Daddy fixed the scratch. He’s taking my kitten outside for me.”

“I see.” Star glanced at Cade, struggling to imagine him doctoring the little girl.

“Come on, Em,” Cade said with a nod toward the door. “Let’s get the kitty outside.”

Emma held the door open for Cade. When they were gone, Star said, “Cade’s got two kids? Wow.”

“Cade’s got three kids,” Ron told her. “The twins, Finn and Emma, are eight. He also has a sixteen–year–old son, Brad.”

“Three kids,” Star said. “Imagine that.” Three kids equaled a ton of work. She remembered what a handful Brandi, Tawney, and Ruby Sue had been. Kids meant responsibility, big responsibility, the biggest. She’d take her job over kids any day.

“I met Finn earlier,” Star said. “He was in Patsy’s trailer when I got here.”

“Again?” Trudy exchanged a worried look with Ron. “I know Cade’s warned him not to play