Hometown Star by Joleen James

with Star. For years his behavior toward Star had burned a hole in his gut. And he knew why.
    He’d fallen for her then, and he’d hated himself for wanting her in the exact same way his dad had wanted Patsy.
    * * *
    After her conversation with Cade, Star drove to town, needing a distraction. She drove straight to the Internet café and powered up her laptop, finding an email from Frank telling Star to check the local thrift stores for an old two–man saw Vivienne wanted for an art project.
    She was on her way to the local thrift store when her phone rang.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Hi, Star,” Destiny said.
    Star shifted the phone to her other ear. “What’s up?”
    “I’ve decided to come for a visit if your offer to pick up the plane ticket still stands.”
    “Really?” Surprise shot through Star, followed by a hefty dose of Why? “What made you change your mind?”
    “Can’t a grandma want to see her grandbaby?” Destiny asked in a put–out tone.
    “Sure, Mom, but you’re hardly grandma material.”
    “Don’t I know it,” Destiny said in a sarcastic tone. “How soon can you book the flight?”
    Was it her imagination or did her mother seem in an awfully big hurry to get out of Vegas?
    “I’ll make the reservation right away,” Star said. “It would be great if you could be here when Brandi gets home tomorrow.”
    “All right then,” her mother said. “I can’t wait to kiss that baby.”
    “Okay. I’ll call you back with the details.”
    The line went dead. Was Destiny sincere? Or did she have another reason for wanting to come to Alaska? Maybe Destiny would act like a mother for a change. With Destiny here, Star could conclude her business at Patsy’s place, leave Brandi to their mother’s care, and get the heck out of Alaska, putting some much needed distance between Cade and her. If she had her way, she’d never see him again. Things happened for a reason. She could leave here clean. No messy relationship with Cade to worry about.
    She was better off alone. She liked her life just the way it was. She wouldn’t change a thing.

Chapter Eight
    Destiny Cooper White Johnson O’Hara Lamont Jones blew into town like a gale force wind—the kind that toppled trees and knocked out the power.
    Star was waiting in baggage claim when she spotted her mom. Destiny’s bleached blonde hair, too tight top stretched over her surgically enhanced breasts, courtesy of husband number four, Harry Lamont, and her painted on jeans made her hard to miss. As Destiny made her way through the crowd to the luggage carousel, male heads turned, some even snapped around so fast Star was sure the men got whiplash. And Destiny noticed. She thrived on the attention, turning her megawatt smile on any man stupid enough to think he might have a chance with her.
    Star wanted to yell, “Run while you have the chance,” to the men, but instead she called, “Hi, Mom.”
    “Starlene, there you are,” Destiny said when she spotted Star. Star met her halfway, taking her mother’s hot pink carry–on bag from her before giving her a one–armed hug.
    “You look tired,” her mother said with a frown. “You should give yourself a lift. Put some highlights in your hair. Smile more.”
    Star rolled her eyes. “I look tired because I am tired. I’ve been working and making the drive here to visit Brandi every day.”
    “You’ve always been a saint,” her mother said with a tight smile. “So responsible. A real little mother when you were a girl. I never understood it. You certainly didn’t get that from me.”
    “No kidding.”
    “Hey, Star.”
    Star turned at the sound of Cade’s voice. Great. She had no desire to talk to him now, with her mother an avid onlooker. “O’Brien.” She frowned. She hadn’t seen him since their fight, and she didn’t want to see him now.
    “Star, aren’t you going to introduce me?” Destiny asked, a predatory glow in her eyes.
    “Oh, sorry. Mom, you remember Cade