Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“Hah!” Hank said, obviously warming up for another tirade.

Without warning, Sharon stood up in the center of the room. “Relax, Mr. Corwin, or I’ll have Roger show you out,” she said, pointing to the uniformed officer who’d only come in case he needed to direct traffic.

“It’s a public library, missy. I can stay and have my say.”

“It’s my library and you’re insulting my guest!” Sharon perched her hands on her hips.

Before things could get any more out of hand, Derek grabbed his father’s arm. “Shut up and leave on your own before you embarrass us any further.” Derek clenched his jaw.

Hank muttered under his breath.

And Holly inched closer to Derek’s leg.

“That’s my point!” Hank said, not finished arguing. “Look how she’s humiliating us in public!”

Hank was the only one humiliating the Corwin family, but before Derek could let his father in on that fact, Chaz, the town drunk who showed up at any public gathering in case there was free liquor, rose to his feet.

“Maybe that’s because Derek dumped her before he went off to college,” Chaz said.

The dig got chuckles from the crowd. Chaz had been in Derek and Gabrielle’s graduating class. And even though he’d been drunk for most of his life, he was right about what had happened.

Derek didn’t appreciate the public reminder and clenched his hands into tight fists at his sides.

“You did?” Holly pulled at his shirt. “You dumped Gabrielle?” his daughter asked.

Derek groaned. “Way to go, Pop.”

“What’d I do?” Hank asked.

Derek shook his head. It was useless. His father wouldn’t understand that he had taken a calm, quiet talk and turned it into a mudslinging, embarrassing mess. Not until he’d calmed down and reflected on it, Derek thought.

Gabrielle cleared her throat. “Tonight’s lecture is finished. Thank you all for coming,” she said, as she collected her notes from the podium in front of her.

“Daddy?”

Derek bent closer to his daughter. “Are you okay?” he asked her.

She nodded. “Tonight was more exciting than I thought it would be!”

At least she seemed unfazed.

“Tell me about you and Gabrielle,” Holly said, wide-eyed.

“Listen, I told you that Gabrielle and I were friends in high school. I’ll explain more to you later, but right now I need to talk to her and make sure she isn’t upset.”

Holly nodded, wise for her years. “Please do. I’m sure Grandpa didn’t mean to hurt her feelings.”

Derek gave his naive daughter a hug, then rose. “Dad? Take Holly home for me.”

“How will you get home? You drove here with us,” Holly reminded him.

Derek cupped her chin in his hand. “I can get a ride with somebody here. Don’t worry, okay?”

Holly shrugged. “Okay. But tell Gabrielle I said he

llo?”

“I will. I’m sure she’ll really appreciate it.” He kissed her forehead and placed her hand in her grandfather’s. “Take her home.”