Hometown Star Read Free Page B

as if he didn’t trust her. Well, he didn’t need to worry. She had no intention of sharing a meal with Cade and his family. She wasn’t good enough to eat with them when she’d been a kid, so why change things now?
    “Thanks for the invite, but I planned on packing tonight,” Star said. “I don’t have a lot of time. I’m here on business, and my time to work on the trailer is limited.”
    “I insist you eat dinner with us.” Trudy placed her hands on her hips. “It’s been so long since I’ve had another woman to talk to. Just looking at your shoes makes me drool. I’m starved for a conversation on fashion. Please stay.”
    Star thought of the groceries she’d bought in town, of the cold salad she’d probably have.
    “I’m making homemade chicken potpie,” Trudy coaxed.
    Star’s mouth watered at the thought of chicken potpie. She never ate that many calories at a time and couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten anything homemade.
    Star took a step toward the door. “No, I should go.”
    Trudy’s face fell. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?” Disappointment oozed from her words.
    “Some other time?” Star asked. “I really do want to get settled.”
    “Why don’t you run Star home, Cade?” Ron suggested, giving his brother a pointed look.
    “That’s okay,” Star said quickly. “I can walk.” She didn’t want to be alone in a vehicle with Cade, even if the drive was short. The man set her on edge. She didn’t trust him, didn’t like him.
    Cade pointed at her feet. “In those shoes?”
    “Cade’s right,” Trudy said. “Save your shoes. If you won’t stay for dinner, at least take the ride.”
    “No, I’m fine.” Star went to the door. “Thanks for the use of your phone. I really appreciate it.”
    On her way across the yard, she spied Finn playing with Emma. The two looked nothing alike. Finn had Cade’s black hair, while Emma’s hair was a beautiful shade of red. Both twins sat on the grass, petting the kitten.
    Star waved as she passed.
    The minute she hit the trail, her feet began to ache, so much, she almost wished she’d taken the ride from Cade.
    Almost.

Chapter Two
    Star pulled her hair up into a ponytail. She slid her feet into her comfy yellow flip–flops, noting the blisters on her heels. While the walk back from the O’Brien house may have saved her pride, her feet were now paying the price, but it was a small price to pay when it came to taking nothing from Cade O’Brien.
    Ready to work, Star glanced around, wondering where she should start. With Patsy’s room? The bedroom was sure to be full of memories. Maybe she’d wait until tomorrow to tackle that room with Brandi.
    Star did a quick check on the second bedroom. The room was crammed full of Patsy’s art supplies and canvases—too many to weed through when she was this tired, although she did look forward to going through her aunt’s paintings. Patsy’s paintings were the biggest reason she’d decided to close out the house herself. She couldn’t bear to see them thrown away or destroyed. Her aunt lived on those canvases. Star hoped to find one or two paintings to take home with her, and she felt certain her sisters would like mementos as well.
    Star turned her attention to the kitchen. She paused in front of the refrigerator. Stuck to the fridge with a magnet shaped like a whale, was a faded photo of Star, Ruby Sue, Tawney, and Brandi.
    Star’s heart broke for the little girls they’d been. The photo had been taken on their first day with Patsy. Star had just turned ten. A little mother already, she held a baby Brandi in her arms with Ruby Sue and Tawney sitting on either side of her. Newly abandoned by their mother, Star could see the fear in her eyes, the desperation. All four girls looked dirty, unkempt, and miserable.
    Sadness filled Star’s chest. She removed the photo, tossing it into an empty box on the counter.
    As Star worked to pack up Patsy’s life, she remembered her