Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

cookie, or muffin. Even universally loathed vegetables like

brussels sprouts and broccoli succumbed to Kate?s wiles and became

big hits as croissant fillers.

Still in her early thirties, Kate was creative and intelligent. When

she?d partnered up with Jerry she revamped the back of the News

Store and turned it into a haven for the island?s artists and writers,

somehow managing to do it without turning up the snob factor.

Kate was careful to make sure that anyone who loved baked goods

and real coffee?from suits to poets, working-class townies to corporate

raiders?would feel comfortable sitting down at her counter

and reading a newspaper. She had a way of making everyone feel

welcome. Helen adored her.

When Helen got to work the next day, Kate was trying to stock a

&n

bsp; delivery of flour and sugar. It was pathetic.

?Lennie! Thank god you?re early. Do you think you could help

me . . . ?? Kate gestured toward the forty-pound sacks.

?I got it. No, don?t tug the corner like that, you?ll hurt your back,?

Helen warned, rushing to stop Kate?s ineffectual pulling. ?Why

didn?t Louis do this for you? Wasn?t he working this morning??

Helen asked, referring to one of the other workers on the schedule.

?The delivery came after Louis left. I tried to stall until you got

here, but a customer nearly tripped and I had to at least pretend I

was going to move the blasted thing,? Kate said.

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?I?ll take care of the flour if you fix me a snack,? Helen said cajolingly

as she stooped to pick up the sack.

?Deal,? Kate replied gratefully, and bustled off with a smile.

Helen waited until Kate?s back was turned, lifted the sack of flour

easily on her shoulder, and sauntered toward the workstation,