Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

Helen touching her long blonde hair with scissors. Then they realized

that they had wandered too close to what they called the ?pervert

zone? of the ferry, and had to hastily backtrack.

They both hated that part of the ferry, but Helen was particularly

sensitive about it; it reminded her of this creepy guy that had followed

her around one summer, until the day he just disappeared

off the ferry. Instead of feeling relieved when she realized he wasn?t

coming back, Helen felt like she had done something wrong. She

had never brought it up to Claire, but there had been a bright flash

and a horrible smell of burnt hair. Then the guy was just gone. It

still made her queasy to think about it, but Helen played along, like

it was all a big joke. She forced a laugh and let Claire drag her

along to another part of the ferry.

Jerry joined them as they pulled into the dock and disembarked.

Claire waved good-bye and promised to try to visit Helen at work

the next day, though since it was the last day of summer, the outlook

was doubtful.

Helen worked a few days a week for her father, who co-owned the

island?s general store. Apart from a morning paper and fresh cup of

coffee, the News Store also sold saltwater taffy, penny candy,

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caramels and toffee in real crystal jars, and ropes of licorice whips

sold by the yard. There were always fresh-cut flowers and handmade

greeting cards, gag gifts and magic tricks, seasonal knickknacks

for the tourists, and refrigerator essentials like milk and

eggs for the locals.

About six years ago the News Store had expanded its horizons

and added Kate?s Cakes onto the back, and since then business had

exploded. Kate Rogers was, quite simply, a genius with baked

goods. She could take anything and make it into a pie, cake, popover,