Page 51 of Hooked on a Feeling

Rose brushed her hand away and gave Starr a large, warm hug. “Oh, honey, it’s so nice to meet you. My first son is finally in love, and you’re a doll. I can see how he fell so quickly.” Rose released her, and the warm, welcoming, motherly hug was a reminder of something that Starr didn’t get from her own mother. The loss was ferocious. She hadn’t known what she had been missing until Rose had hugged her.

“You okay?” Rose asked. “Don’t tell me you’re not a hugger.”

“No. Nothing like that. In fact, I liked that very much. My own mother is not a hugger.”

“You aren’t close with your parents?” Rose frowned, like it was impossible.

“No. They lead a different lifestyle than I do.”

Rose narrowed her eyes. “Meaning?”

“Meaning…” Starr shifted focus. Rose was so kind, and Starr wanted to get to know her better. Especially now while she had her all to herself. Starr could only imagine what Sunday dinner was going to sound like with ten people. “If you have the time, I would like for you to come inside and have that glass of iced tea. Now is the perfect time to get to know one another before dinner this evening.”

The lines around Rose’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, and Starr decided that was the most genuine smile she’d seen from a motherly figure in a long time. She liked it, and it felt good to know that it was directed at her. “I would love to.”

Once she got their drinks, they sat inside at the dining room table overlooking the harbor. “Thank you. I’m glad I came over,” Rose said.

“Me too. You were asking about my parents, and the answer is they are free spirits.”

Rose cocked her head. “Free spirits?”

“They live in the moment. They still party like they are teenagers. No responsibilities, and the ones they do have, they don’t take very seriously.”

“I see.” Rose set her glass of tea down. “Tell me about the marina. You own it now? How did you end up here?”

Starr shrugged. “I don’t own the marina. At least, not yet. If I could get it to turn a profit in the next few days and prove that it’s on an uphill run, I would inherit it.”

“I’m somewhat surprised your parents aren’t the ones inheriting it.”

Starr wiped the condensation off her glass. “It’s a long, complicated story. Goes back to my parents being big spenders and irresponsible with money. My grandfather set up a will where he put the entire property into a trust. My parents got all profits from it. The trust expires on Thursday, and there is a stipulation in the will that says anyone who is running the property and shows a profit gets to inherit it. But it obviously has to be before the trust expires. If the marina comes out of the trust, they will inherit it, and their plan is to sell it.”

“Are you okay moving here and making a life?” Rose reached out and touched her hand. “I know you love my son, but woman to woman, the best thing you can do for yourself is make a decision that is best for you. What will help you in the future and what will give you the life you love.”

Tears pricked at Starr’s eyes. Why am I crying? She blinked them back before they could stream down her cheeks. “Thank you. But the truth is I’m not leaving anything in Colorado behind by moving down here permanently. My yoga studio. But I wouldn’t leave it behind. I can just bring it down here with me. Granted, I’ll miss my clients. Emerald Port would be a great place for a yoga studio. Being here these past few weeks has reminded me of how much I miss this place. It deserves to shine. I want to put those memories and smiles on other people’s faces—the same I’ve always had from this place having touched me in a special way.”

“It sounds like you know exactly where you need to be then.”

Starr nodded. “I do. I didn’t know for a long time, but once the idea was presented to me, it was hard to ignore. This decision feels right in my heart.” Starr’s cheeks heated. “As does having a relationship with your son.”

Rose glanced at her watch. “I’m glad we had this little chat. I better get home and make sure I have all the fixings for dinner.”

“Of course.” Starr and Rose stood at the same time. “Thank you for coming here today.”

“If you ever need another woman to talk to—call me.” She picked up a pen and jotted her number down on her napkin. “I’m always around.”

“Except for when you go to Africa.”

Rose clasped a hand to her chest. “I sure hope so. That will be the trip of a lifetime.”

“It would be so beautiful. They say that once you go to Africa, it will always be in your heart.”

The two of them walked together down the hall to the front door. “That is a lovely saying. If I can get my husband on board, I know we will have a wonderful time. I’m sorry—and quite ashamed—he didn’t treat you well.”

Starr waved her off. “Don’t apologize for his actions. Hopefully he’ll come around and realize that not all Youngs are like my grandfather and great-grandfather. However they were.” Starr shook her head in exasperation. “No one seems to really know the history of what happened between our families but your husband.”

Rose looked like she was going to say something and then seemed to think better of it. She smiled and waved. “I’ll see you tonight. Don’t forget the dessert.”

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