Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“You’re telling tales,” Seth chimed in.

Gabrielle hadn’t realized Seth had still been listening. “Some things are fact. Others are just hunches. There’s nothing wrong with him answering my questions,” she said, defending George. She glanced at the older man and lowered her voice. “But we can drop it since it makes Seth uncomfortable.”

George winked at her. “Well, as much as I enjoy talking to you, he signs the checks.” George gestured to his son with his elbow. “I’d better get busy with other customers,” he said aloud. Then he added more quietly, “But if you want any more ‘hunches,’ you know where to find me.”

Gabrielle smiled. “Thank you so much, George. You’ve been a huge help.”

He inclined his head. “Good luck with your book.”

“Thank you,” she said. But her mind was already focused on what came next tonight.

She placed a hand on Sharon’s shoulder. Next up, they’d deal with the blackmailer.

Then if all went well, the night was about to belong to Gabrielle and Derek.

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE BLUE NEON LIGHTS surrounding the dance floor matched the aqua-blue of the Wave’s logo and decor. From the beat of the music to the welcome sign over the bar, everything at the Wave was customer friendly. Everything except their reason for being there, Sharon thought.

She’d sat beside Gabrielle and half listened as she’d questioned George and then some of the cocktail staff about Mary Perkins and their feelings on old curses. Sharon couldn’t help her friend. She couldn’t think about anything but those photographs and a time in her life she thought she’d put behind her forever. That, and what would happen if those pictures became public.

Because they’d arrived so early, she and Gabrielle had been able to snag an empty table with a good view of the front door and the bar.

For the umpteenth time, Sharon glanced at her watch.

Gabrielle treated her to an understanding smile. “Within half an hour, we’ll know something,” Gabrielle assured her.

“Right.” She nodded and began drumming her fingers against the tabletop.

“You know, it isn’t too late to call the police in on this,” Gabrielle whispered.

“No!” Telling the police wasn’t any different than making the photos public. Sharon knew that from previous experience.

“Then at least tell Richard.”

“I can’t.” Sharon glanced down.

Every time Richard mentioned how good she was for him or for his campaign, her heart did a little flip. She didn’t want to disappoint him and she definitely didn’t want to ruin his political chances.

“What’s going on? Is this about more than his campaign?” Gabrielle asked. “Come on. It’s me. You can tell me anything.” Gabrielle placed her hand over Sharon’s. She found the warmth comforting.

Sharon drew in a deep breath. “Richard loves me and accepts me for who I am and he knows what happened with Tony.”

“But?”

“He’s…uptight, you know?”

Gabrielle raised her eyebrows. “Sexually?”

“It’s hard to explain. He’s such a good man. He’s sweet and gentle.” Her throat filled up as she spoke about the man she was supposed to marry.

After Tony, she’d felt so stupid, so dirty. Some therapy and a solid family had brought her pretty far, but her relationship with Richard had helped heal her the rest of the way. He treated her like a china doll he wanted to love and protect forever. She was so afraid of losing him and the life they planned together.

“Those are all good things about Richard. I’ve seen you two together. He obviously adores you. He isn’t going to hold something he already knew about against you.” Gabrielle squeezed Sharon’s hand tighter.

“It’s one thing for him to know a man I trusted took advantage of me,” she whispered. “It’s another for him to see it firsthand. Especially for a man who is as conservative as Richard. I’m afraid he’ll never l

ook at me the same way again.” Sharon’s voice caught. Despite her best efforts, a tear fell and she brushed it away with the back of her hand.