Hometown Star by Joleen James Page B

managing to toss her long, blonde hair. “I wasn’t asking for myself. I’m thinking of you, Star. Is he married?”
    “No, but if you’re thinking of trying to make a match between me and Cade, forget it. That will never happen. We have too much history, all of it bad. Plus, he’s got three kids.”
    “Oh.” Destiny frowned. “Three kids? That makes him a little less appealing. But he’s handsome, you have to admit it. I’ve never understood why you didn’t get along with him.”
    Star glanced at her mother. “He was mean to me. He hated Patsy. He told me that recently. And he told me other things.”
    “What things?” her mother asked, turning to look at Star, her overly waxed eyebrows raised.
    “He told me that his father let Patsy live in the mobile home rent free. He basically implied she got free rent in exchange for sex.”
    “They had an arrangement. So what?” Destiny asked with a hair flip. “Star, don’t look so shocked. It was hardly a secret. Dan and Patsy were adults. He was her boss and her lover.”
    “I never knew.”
    “Honey, does it really matter?” her mother asked in a soft voice. “Patsy was a saint with a heart of gold. So what if Dan O’Brien paid her rent? Maybe it was a job perk. That sounds so archaic. Dan had money to burn and he wanted to take care of her. He loved her. He knew it would be upsetting to the boys if he married her. Patsy was good with the arrangement. They were exclusive. It was a win–win for everyone.”
    “I get that. I just feel stupid for not figuring it out,” Star said. “And you’re right. Cade never would have accepted Patsy in the role of his stepmother. He hated her.”
    Destiny examined her glossy fingernails. “Then he’s a fool. I couldn’t have raised you girls without her help. Patsy kept food on the table for you kids when I couldn’t. I’ll never feel anything but gratitude and love toward her, and you should, too.”
    “I do love her, Mom,” Star said. “It’s Cade’s twisted view of Patsy that bothers me.”
    “Surely Cade’s grown out of that nasty little boy stage by now? He seemed perfectly nice at the airport. We all need a man, Star. Someone to take care of us. Someone to love. Put him on your radar, honey.”
    “Are you joking?” Star asked. “I just told you he spent most of his life hating me.”
    “You don’t want to end up alone, Star,” Destiny said, the words thick with desperation.
    “Why not?”
    “Because it’s terrifying,” Destiny said, as if Star were an idiot.
    “Not for me.”
    “That’s because you’re young. Wait until you’re older and facing the end of your life alone.”
    “That’s your opinion, Mom. I’m stronger than that. If you and Patsy have taught me anything, you’ve taught me that I want to take care of myself. I’m never going to be kept by any man.”
    Destiny shook her head. “You’re pretty self–righteous for a girl who’s never been in love. Love is the ultimate drug, the best high in the world. That’s why I’ve had five husbands. I didn’t marry them so they could take care of me. I married them for love.”
    “I don’t see it that way,” Star said. “I’ve watched you go through so much heartache, Mom.”
    “And so much bliss.” Destiny gave a short laugh. “I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to love.”
    Star would never see eye to eye with her mother when it came to men.
    They passed the rest of the drive with small talk. At the hospital, Star watched the reunion between Brandi and her mom, then Star gave baby Will a kiss and made her exit.
    Being trapped in the car with Destiny had just about done her in. Star needed a break; even better, she knew just how she wanted to spend it.
    * * *
    Star’s fingers tightened around the binoculars.
    She fixed her sight on the eagle. In awe, she moved to the left, another eagle coming into view. So far she’d counted fifteen. How many times had she stood in this exact spot when she’d been a teenager? Eagle