Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“I only meant to protect our good name,” Hank said, his bluster gone.

With people still snickering around them, Hank seemed to realize he’d embarrassed himself, the family and Gabrielle.

“She was always a nice girl. I never meant—”

“I know.” Derek ran a hand through his hair. “Take Holly home. I’ll handle things here.” He’d done it before.

Like his cousins, Michael and Jason, Derek had spent most of his youth responding to kids making fun of his family—how they weren’t real men since they couldn’t hold on to a woman. When Derek couldn’t ignore the taunts any longer, he’d fought back. While he didn’t appreciate his father’s approach, he totally understood the reasons for it.

Derek watched his father wrap his arm around Holly’s shoulder and lead her out of the library, not pausing to talk to anyone.

He blew out a deep breath and made a beeline for Gabrielle. Her friends, Sharon and Richard Stern, had circled around her in protective fashion, preventing anyone from heckling her further.

Derek wasn’t just anyone. “Hi, Sharon.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Derek. Haven’t you and your family done enough? Wouldn’t it be smarter to just go home?”

“Give a guy a break. I just want to make sure she’s okay.” He gestured to Gabrielle by tipping his head toward her.

Sharon frowned, keeping her body between Derek and her best friend. Even in high school, she’d been Gabrielle’s protector, even though Gabrielle hadn’t needed anything of the sort. These two women had a bond the likes of which he’d never seen. Though Sharon had been friendly enough to him since his return, now that Gabrielle was back in town, Sharon left no doubt as to where her loyalty lay. She’d shown it tonight.

Still, he wasn’t about to let anyone dictate whether or not he could see Gabrielle. He and Sharon wanted the same thing—what was best for Gabrielle.

With a determined step, he strode around Sharon and came up behind Gabrielle. “Gabby?” he asked, calling for her attention.

She turned toward him.

He spoke before she could say a word. “I’m sorry for my father’s behavior.”

She waved off his apology, her expression warm despite the circumstances. “You aren’t responsible for what someone else does.”

It didn’t feel that way to him. “I tried to convince Dad to stay home.”

“His shotgun might have hurt less,” she said, laughing.

He stepped closer. “You’re really okay?”

She nodded. “Sticks and stones and all that. I’m tougher than I look. But thanks for asking.”

He nodded, knowing when to let something go. “Holly said to tell you she says hi. She was here, but I sent her home with my father.”

“I didn’t see her in the crowd.”

“She’s short.”

“I’m so sorry she heard all that.” Gabrielle sobered quickly.

Derek nodded in understanding. “She’s been through a lot, but she’s tough. She’ll deal with it. I’m more worried about whether I can handle her questions later,” he said, only half joking.

Gabrielle smiled. “I’m not an expert with kids, but she seems pretty smart to me.”

“Which is why I’ll have to do some fancy footwork in answering.” He couldn’t very well admit that Gabrielle was his first and only true love to his daughter.

She playfully tapped his face with her hand. “I’m sure you can handle it.”

He grinned, meeting her gaze. The heat smoldered, reminding him of their kiss earlier today. The one he’d promised himself he couldn’t repeat. But, man, how he wanted to.

“The room’s emptied out.” Sharon joined them, diffusing the sexual tension.