Hometown Hero (Hometown Alaska Men Book 2)

by Joleen James

  Tawney shrugged. She wasn't about to tell her sister she was on the run from a mobster, that she hadn't wanted to leave a paper trail. A man like Fox could get his hands on airline information. He could find out anything. She'd been careful to use cash only. She'd cut up her credit cards. Once she'd reached Seward, she'd tossed her cell phone in the bay. She'd only kept the phone with her to use in case of an emergency—which thankfully she hadn't had. Tawney wasn't about to involve Star in any of this. The less Star knew about Fox Lassiter the better.

  "It's not like I don't know my way around Alaska," Tawney said. "I've made the drive before."

  "With someone," Star said. "Not alone."

  "It was on my bucket list," Tawney lied. "Like some kind of vision quest."

  "And you lost your phone?" Star asked.

  "Yes. Somewhere between Canada and here," Tawney lied.

  Star shot her a skeptical look. "And you already got a job at The Junebug? That was quick."

  "I need rent money."

  "I told you, stay here. Rent free." Star studied her, her sharp green eyes missing nothing.

  Tawney glanced away, afraid Star would see too much. "Thanks, but no. I'm not a good mix with your guests. One of them hit on me at the bar today."

  "Oh yikes," Star said with sympathy. "But guests come and go here. This latest bunch will leave in the morning."

  "It's better if I go ahead with the rental on the cottage. I like that it's near the bay. I can breathe there. After living in Vegas I can't get enough of the air here, even when it's heavy with the smell of fish." She smiled. "It's not bad and there's a garage for my car—a big plus in this weather."

  Star's eyebrows rose. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes, besides you're busy with the wedding," Tawney said. "I want you to tell me everything."

  The coffee pot beeped, and Star rose to fill the waiting mugs. She passed Tawney a coffee. "What are you really doing here, Tawney? Are you in trouble?"

  She'd been expecting the question. Star was no fool. "Of course not. I wanted a change, that's all."

  "Oh no, you sound like Mom," Star said. "What's really wrong?" Star resumed her seat at the counter.

  "Nothing," Tawney said, the word totally unconvincing.

  Star's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you."

  "Star," Tawney said before sliding off her stool. She paced over to the sink. "Can't I visit my sisters without being grilled like a criminal? Cut me a break. You did send me an invite, remember? The timing just seemed right."

  "No," Star said, the word matter-of-fact. "I can tell that something is wrong."

  "Nothing's wrong, I promise." She faced Star. "I'm just tired of being alone. Now that Ruby's working in Reno, I'm alone in Vegas. Mom's in Canada. You and Brandi are here. I miss you guys."

  Star studied her so long Tawney almost gave in and told her everything.

  "Okay," Star said.

  "Okay." Tawney blew out a breath, knowing the worst was over. Star wouldn’t harp on her for the truth. It wasn't her style. "Thanks, Star."

  "I'm glad you're here." Star smiled. "I've really missed you."

  "Me, too." Some of the fear left her body. Tawney so badly wanted the security Star offered. The time had come to focus on the good things in her life—her sisters. "I went by to see Brandi, but she wasn't home."

  Star nodded. "Brandi, Bud, and baby Will have gone to visit Bud's sister in Fairbanks. They'll be back this weekend for the party." Star sipped her coffee.

  "Party?"

  "The O'Briens' annual 'it's January and we're sick of snow' party," Star told her with a smirk. "We've invited the entire town."

  "Sounds like fun," Tawney said, but she didn't really think so. She'd rather remain anonymous, hidden away in her tiny cottage by the bay.

  Star laughed. "Wow, don't sound so excited."

  "Sorry." Tawney set her coffee down. "I'm just tired. My feet are killing me."

  "Are you sure you're okay?" Star asked again.

  "Yes. How are Cade and the kids?"

  "Fantastic." Star smiled. Her entire face relaxed, softened. "Cade is a dream. And the kids are great. I really love them. I didn't realize I had this kind of love in me. It's unconditional, huge."

  Tawney nodded. "You deserve happiness, Star."

  Star squeezed Tawney's hand. "So do you, kiddo."

  The sudden sound of many voices came from the foyer. A door banged shut.

  "Cade and the kids are back from the store." Star stood. "Come on, they'll be so excited to see you."

  Tawney got to her feet, trepidation filling her. She knew Cade from when they had been kids, but she'd hated him, just like Star had. In November, when she'd come for Thanksgiving, she'd seen Cade and his kids briefly. A few pleasant words had been exchanged between them, but it was hard to switch gears and think of Cade as a good guy.

  Eight-year-old twins Finn and Emma hit the kitchen first, heading straight for Star.

  "Look what I got, Star," Emma said, holding up a pair of hot pink rubber boots.

  "Me, too." Finn thrust a pair of navy boots at Star.

  Neither twin noticed Tawney at first, then Emma said, "Tawney!"

  Both kids ran to her.

  "Hi." Tawney pulled them both into an awkward hug. Finn and Emma were so giving. They barely knew her, yet they greeted her like they'd known her their entire lives. She didn't understand them, but she hugged them anyway.

  Cade came into the kitchen. "Hey—" The rest of his words died when he saw her. He smiled. "Tawney."

  "Surprise," she said, waving.

  "It is." Cade hugged her. "A good surprise, I hope."

  "You sound like Star." Tawney hugged him back, noting he smelled good, like fresh air. "Can't a girl visit her sister without an ulterior motive? You and Star are getting married. I wouldn't miss it."

  "You are doing more than visit," Star said. "Tawney has moved back to Seward."

  "Moved back?" Cade's eyebrows shot up.

  Cade's sixteen-year-old son, Brad, entered the kitchen next. "Whoa," he said when he spied her. "You changed your hair."

  Tawney laughed. "Hello to you too, Brad." Tawney touched her dark hair. "Got tired of being blonde. Went back to my natural color." Fox was looking for a blonde, not a brunette.

  All the O'Briens started talking at once, firing questions at her until Star finally shooed them away. When the sisters were alone again, Star said, "It's crazy here."

  Tawney smiled. "Good crazy. Not like Vegas."

  "No, not like Vegas," Star agreed. "Come on, you can help me get dinner started. Unfortunately, Ron, Trudy, and Daniel won't be here tonight. They are eating in town with Trudy's parents. They'll be sad to miss this dinner. Especially Trudy. She loves company."

  Tawney wasn't hot to see Cade's brother, Ron. His wife, Trudy, however, was a different story. They'd been friends in school, and she liked Trudy very much.

  "I don't want any fuss, Star," Tawney said.

  "Don't be silly," Star said. "It's not every day my sister comes home! If I want to make a fuss over you, I will."

  Tawney let Star's words warm her. It felt good to be loved for who she was, not for her boobs or her body. She couldn't remember the last time anyone had gotten to know the real her. And that was probably a good thing. No one in her circle of friends in Vegas knew about her ties to Alaska. No one even knew her real name. She'd always worked under an alias—Tawney Gold.

  She prayed that Fox Lassiter would never find out the truth about her, her name, where she came from. She'd die if anything happened to her sisters or their families.

  Maybe she'd been wrong to come here, but for now, tonight, she'd stay put and enjoy her family. She could always head to Canada where her mother currently lived and start over there.

  Yes, maybe she'd do just that.

  But for tonight, she just wanted to feel loved.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Tawney pasted on a smile. It was one evening. She could do this. Being the center of attention usual
ly made her feel good, but here, in this town, she wanted to avoid scrutiny, not be the guest of honor at an impromptu dinner party.

  The B & B's paying guests milled about the living room for the cocktail hour. Tawney had hidden out in the kitchen with Star as long as she could, hoping to avoid the man who had tried to buy her a drink at the bar earlier today. Now, Star insisted they join the paying guests.

  "Tawney, meet Bob and Chuck," Star said, introducing the guests. "They are from Oregon."

  "Hello," Tawney said.

  Bob, the guest who'd hit on her at The Junebug said, "This must be my lucky day to run into you here." He smiled at Tawney, but his eyes were on her breasts. "How do you all know each other?"

  "Tawney is my sister," Star said. "She recently returned to Seward. In fact, tonight's dinner is a celebration of her return."

  Bob hefted his beer. "I'll drink to that. Cheers."

  Chuck said, "I'll second that." He took a swig of beer.

  "If you'll excuse me for a minute?" Tawney didn't wait for a reply. She sidestepped the men and locked herself in the powder room. She'd never get through this dinner with Bob staring at her breasts. Ick. Thank goodness for the cold weather that allowed her to wear this thick blue sweater. She was about as covered up as she could be. Tawney splashed some cold water on her face. She finger combed her hair. Good enough. How long could she stall before Star came looking for her?

  Tawney paced the tiny powder room for a few more minutes. When she could put it off no longer she rejoined the group.

  "There she is," Star said when she saw Tawney. "Come on over here. You remember Rick Tabor? Cade saw him in town earlier and invited him over for dinner."

  Tawney heard the silent apology in Star's words. Star knew Rick, aka the Destroyer, was the last person Tawney wanted to have dinner with. Her humiliation was complete.

  "So we meet again," Rick said, but he didn't smile.

  "You knew Tawney was in town?" Cade asked Rick.

  "We met at The Junebug today," Rick said. "My aunt tells me we are fellow employees."

  "You work at The Junebug?" Tawney asked. Really? Why hadn't June mentioned that fact?

  "I bartend and work as the bouncer." Rick said. "Today was my day off."

  He stared at her and for the first time she let herself stare back. Tall, well-built, with close cut light brown hair, and eyes that looked more green than hazel, Rick looked even better than he had in high school. He had a strong jaw and straight white teeth. His height gave him an imposing feel, which no doubt helped him when he stepped out from behind the bar and went to work as The Junebug's bouncer. Rick would be hard to beat in a fight. His top physical condition and sheer size would make him a winner.

  "You're not a cop?" Tawney asked.

  His mouth tightened. "Not anymore."

  What did that mean? His closed expression led her to believe he wouldn't tell her even if she asked.

  "Aunt June tells me you rented the cottage next to mine," Rick said.

  "Next to yours?" she repeated.

  "Our places are separated by the garages."

  "She didn't tell me," Tawney said. June had tricked her. June hadn't told her a damned thing about Rick. If the woman harbored some secret wish to get them back together she had another thing coming. Rick Tabor was the last man Tawney wanted to get involved with.

  "I'm not at the cottage all the time, just when I work," Rick said. "I stay out at my grandparents' cabin as much as I can."

  "I remember the cabin," Tawney said. Rick had taken her there once. Cozy described the place. The setting beautiful, tall trees, private, no neighbors. His grandparents had been living there then. Nice people. They'd raised Rick after his parents had been killed in a traffic accident.

  Bob sidled up to the group. "Cade mentioned you're from Vegas and that you're a Vegas showgirl."

  "Was a showgirl," Tawney said. "Not anymore."

  Rick's eyebrows shot up.

  Loving Rick's shocked reaction, Tawney flashed Bob a smile. "I danced in a burlesque show."

  "Burlesque," Bob said, then gave a low whistle. "I went to a burlesque show in Vegas once. The dancers were topless."

  "You don't say," Tawney said, her tone dry as day old bread. Rick was frowning now. Well, too bad. If he wanted to think the worst of her, who was she to enlighten him?

  "Yowzer!" Bob's eyes dropped to her breasts. "I'll bet you're good at what you do."

  Tawney resisted the urge to shake her breasts at him.

  Cade coughed.

  Star stepped between them, taking Tawney's arm. "Come on, help me bring the food out to the table."

  Tawney tossed Bob one more smile before following Star into the kitchen. What did she care? Bob would be gone tomorrow. Her bad behavior was worth the priceless expression on Rick's 'holier than thou' face.

  "Geeze, Tawney," Star said when they were in the kitchen. "What was that all about?"

  "You know what," Tawney said. "I can't believe I'm having dinner with the Destroyer. And I work with him. And he's my neighbor. What the heck, Star? Why is he here? What's going on with him?"

  "He was a cop," Star said. "Until about four or five months ago. Something happened. I'm not sure what. He doesn't like to talk about it. I do know he was shot and beaten up pretty badly. He came back here to recover."

  "He was shot?" Tawney repeated. "Wow. I wonder what his story is. Probably broke someone's heart. Mom almost shot him once."

  "Don't remind me," Star said with a grimace. "She's coming to the wedding."

  Tawney smiled. "It will be good to see her, even if she is an over-the-top wacko."

  Star chuckled.

  "Seriously," Tawney said. "What is Rick's deal?"

  "Cut him a break." Star shook her head. "Rick isn't eighteen anymore."

  "Neither am I," Tawney said, taking a bowl of green salad from Star.

  Star smiled. "Bob sure likes you."

  "Yuck. I'm so sick of guys ogling my breasts."

  Star laughed. "You dance topless. Your breasts paid the bills until recently. You should be used to it."

  "I have been wearing full costumes for the past two years. I got promoted. I clawed my way out of the topless chorus to the lead. I'm so sick of being defined by my breasts. See what I mean about needing a change?"

  "I guess I understand that," Star said. "I'm sorry I teased you."

  "No, I'm sorry," Tawney said. "I should have risen above Bob's comments. Seeing Rick has set me on edge. I wanted to goad him. I know it's childish."

  "Any idea what you want to do now?" Star asked. "And I know your answer isn't waitressing at The Junebug."

  Tawney followed Star to the dining room, placing the salad on the table. Tawney glanced over at Rick who was accepting a beer from Cade. He was watching her. "Phone solicitor?"

  Star laughed. "No, really. Get serious. Your life is a blank canvas. You can do anything you want to do."

  Anything? What did she want to do? She had no idea. None. All she'd ever wanted to do was dance.

  "Think about it." Star turned to the men. "Dinner's ready, everyone."

  They spent the next minutes settling in around the large dining room table. Everyone talked at once as they dished up hearty pot roast, mashed potatoes, and whiskey glazed carrots.

  Tawney couldn’t remember the last time she'd eaten so many calories. She felt wicked, like she was committing a sin. She forked up some mashed potatoes. Comfort food. Her eyes slid closed as she chewed.

  When she opened her eyes, she found both Rick and Bob watching her. Great.

  The potatoes lodged in her throat. Rick looked away first. Bob stared at her breasts.

  "This is delicious, Star," Rick said. "Thanks for the invite. I'd be at the cabin having a frozen dinner tonight if Cade hadn't run into me and taken pity on me."

  "You're welcome any time, Rick," Star said.

  Tawney took another bite of pot roast. She knew she should be done, push the food away, but she couldn't. She ate everything on
her plate.

  "More?" Star asked her, eyebrows raised in amusement.

  "I’m stuffed." Tawney patted her flat stomach. "Star, I can't remember the last time I tasted anything so good."

  "Goes double for me," Rick said.

  "Great meal," Chuck said.

  Bob wiped his mouth on his napkin, then looked at Tawney and licked his lips.

  Tawney wanted to escape from all of them.

  "May we be excused?" Finn asked, his fork hitting his plate with a clatter.

  "Sure," Cade said.

  Finn and Emma headed off toward the family room.

  "Any plans for tonight, Brad?" Tawney asked the teenager in an effort to take the focus off of her.

  "Sort of. I told some of the guys I'd meet them at Randy's house."

  "Curfew is at nine," Cade said. "You have school tomorrow."

  "Yeah, yeah," Brad said. "I guess I'll get going." He pushed back in his chair.

  When the kids were gone, Cade rose and began to clear. Star started to get up to help, but he said, "Stay and visit with your sister."

  Tawney thought the gesture nice. So not like the Cade O'Brien she remembered. That boy had played keep-away with Star's lunch, intimidated her, made Star wet her pants. Somehow Star had managed to forgive Cade, and she'd fallen in love with him. Star was definitely more forgiving than Tawney was.

  "Sounds like you had a glamorous life in Vegas, Tawney," Rick said.

  "Not really. I go to work like everyone else. Vegas is a seedy place."

  "Still, dancing in a show sounds glamourous." He sipped his ice water.

  "I suppose." She glanced at Star. "Tell me about Will. How big is he?"

  "Enormous," Star said with enthusiasm. "He's so cute. He smiles all the time."

  "Seems like just yesterday Will was born," Tawney said. "I can't wait to see him."

  "He's a love," Star said. "Makes me want one of my own."

  "Really, Star?" Tawney said. "You'd make the best mother."

  "That's what Brandi always tells me," Star said. "I never believed it, but being around Finn, Emma, and Brad changed my mind. I want a baby."

  "Does Cade?" Tawney asked.

  "Yes." Star smiled. "Yes, he does."