Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

Did she love Derek?

Without a doubt.

Was that the same as them having a future? Not just yet. But she wasn’t going to let him walk away without fighting this time.

“Gabrielle, did you hear me? I asked if you’ve ever been married.” Holly nudged her with her elbow.

“Nope, never been married.” Grass connected the one large piece of property and Holly enjoyed skipping as they walked.

“Why not?”

Gabrielle glanced up at the warm sun in the cloudless sky. “Because no one I loved ever asked me,” she said honestly.

“Would you say yes if my dad asked?”

“You are a nosy one.” Gabrielle shook her head and laughed.

“That’s what my mom says, too.”

“I’d like to meet her one day.” Gabrielle was surprised to realize she wasn’t just saying it to be nice to Holly. She did want to meet Derek’s ex-wife.

Not only to get a better view into Derek’s past but to meet Holly’s mother. “I bet she’s a great lady. After all, she’s got a kid like you.”

Holly laughed. As they reached the house, the girl caught sight of Fred and ran toward him, leaving questions about Gabrielle loving Derek far behind. Thank God for the kid’s short attention span, Gabrielle thought.

“Gabrielle, come meet Fred!” Holly waved her over.

Gabrielle knelt down and greeted the old basset hound with a pat on the head. “You are as smelly as promised, old man.” But his sad face and long ears were so sweet, Gabrielle couldn’t help falling in love immediately. “How old is he?”

Holly shrugged. “Grandpa says he doesn’t remember.”

“He’s about ten,” a deep male voice said.

Gabrielle glanced up.

“Thomas Corwin,” he said, extending a hand.

She rose to greet him, wiping the dust off her walking shorts. “Gabrielle Donovan.” She shook his hand.

Unlike his brother Hank, Thomas had freshly trimmed hair, also dark like his brother’s, and a buttoned-down collared shirt with khakis.

“We met when you were younger,” Thomas said.

“At Derek’s. I used to have dinner at his house when we were in high school.” Before the brothers had moved in together.

He smiled. “I remember.”

“Uncle Thomas, can we give Fred a bath?” Holly asked.

He nodded. “I think that’s a great idea. I’d love to see the look on your grandfather’s face when he comes home and finds Fred smelling like a rose.”

Holly grinned. “I’ll go get the shampoo!” She took off at a run, leaving Gabrielle dizzy.

“She’s a bundle of energy, that kid. And she switches topics faster than the speed of light.”

“She’s a special little girl,” Thomas said, nodding. “Thank God sh

e is a girl. In this family that’s a blessing, as you well know.” His voice turned somber at the subject matter.