Catch a Falling Star Read Free Page A

ear. At least he still had both his eyes. And his limbs had healed up, pieced back together with plates and screws and skin grafts, followed by physical therapy that even now brought memories of pain. He'd twisted his knee and was now in the midst of more physical therapy treatments.
    “I’m sorry.” Justine shifted in her seat. “How long ago did that happen?”
    “A little less than two years ago. Right now, I’m just glad to be anywhere.”
    At last, the city limits sign: Starlight, Texas . Pop. 10,435 . Billy didn’t want to talk about his injuries anymore, not when they so keenly screamed at him tonight. Or the scars. His right leg throbbed from pushing the accelerator.
    He slowed the truck as they headed under the streetlights of town. Like many Texas towns, a Super Wal-Mart lay at its edge, flanked by a strip mall.
    “Need anything at the store? I can stop if you need me to.”
    “No. Just take me to 1405 Skyline Drive. It’s in Cedar Grove Estates.”
    “You got it.” He wouldn’t ask her any more questions. He knew exactly where Skyline was. Not a newer neighborhood, but a good one, sort of on the upscale side for Starlight. The houses were elegant and had lots of character. Too close together for his taste, though.
    Billy zigzagged them down some side streets and then between the limestone walls emblazoned with Cedar Grove Estates. Skyline was two streets in, as best he recalled from his brief stint delivering pizza years ago.
    Finally he stopped the truck in front of a two-story brick home with a gabled roof. An arched glass window over the mahogany front door revealed a chandelier that gleamed in the foyer. A well-built place, but sort of over-the-t op for his taste.
    “Front door service, Ms. Campbell.” He set the parking brake and hopped outside in the light rain. Yanking open the rear door of the extended cab, he pulled out Justine’s bags.
    She said nothing as they headed up the front walk. Shadows under her eyes spoke of her long trip. The luggage wheels clicked on the wet pavement, accompanied by the thump of her cane tip. Billy had tossed his cane aside as soon as he could. If he were a betting man, he’d wager that using the cane stung her pride, she who used to walk the red carpet without anyone’s help, her only accessories rented diamonds and handbags that probably cost more than his truck.
    “Thanks,” she said as they stopped at her door. “I appreciate you taking the time to come to the airport for me.”
    “You’re welcome.” He nodded and turned on his boot heel to leave.
    “My mother still lives in Starlight,” she said as he was halfway back to his truck. He turned to face her. The front porch light shone on her hair, making it glow. “She works at Wal-Mart and does hair part-time at a salon. I didn’t tell her I was coming. I don’t know what she’ll say when she finds out I’m here. Guess I’ll know before too long. My dad died in a car accident when I was eighteen, right after I got my first movie role.” She looked young and vulnerable, standing on her doorstep.
    “Thanks for answering my question.”
    “What about your family? Do you have family here still?” Justine asked.
    “My parents had to move to Colorado. Dad has heart trouble and other health issues. . . .” The memory of almost losing Dad made Billy pause. “The doctor said the climate and altitude were better for him. But my brother and sister are here. Jake’s the oldest. He’s an assistant coach for the Starlight Yellowjackets football team. Madelynn’s fifteen, the youngest of course. She’s a big fan of yours too.”
    A half smile appeared on her face. “You and your brother are brave, watching over your teenage sister.”
    “She begged Mom and Dad to let her stay here and finish school. Starlight is all she’s ever known. And she promised to behave. We’re trying it this school year, seeing how it goes.”
    “I’d love to meet her.”
    “I’m sure that’ll happen,