Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“What happened?”

“A flash flood hit and she drowned.” He spoke without emotion, but pain flashed in his eyes.

“We pretty much raised ourselves after that. Grandma wasn’t much help, since she was getting on in years and died soon after she lost her daughter. Dad spent most of his time doing repairs for a little money in and around town. He never could replace the tools and equipment he lost that day. And mentally, he was never the same.”

“How so?” Gabrielle asked, although she could hazard a guess.

“He blamed himself for Mom’s death. He said if he had pushed her away instead of marrying her, the curse wouldn’t have kicked in. She’d still be alive.”

“But—”

He shook his head. “We all said what you’re probably thinking. We told him it was a storm, an act of God. Nobody could control it.”

Gabrielle nodded, glad he’d agreed. “Which is logical and true!”

“Except that over time, each one of us ignored the curse and lived to disprove its existence. You already know my brothers’ stories of love and loss. I’m sure you’ve heard mine. Why wouldn’t we believe it was predestined?”

She exhaled hard, realizing as she’d listened to Thomas recount his family’s past, how the history had built upon itself, working against rational belief.

Yet she tried to counter his argument, anyway. “Because as much pain as you’ve all had in your life, you must realize other people suffer, too. Bad things happen. You can’t always explain it away.”

“Uncle Thomas!” Holly called out to him. “I’m ready!” She pointed to the bucket and the hose she’d run from the spigot and dragged to the pail of water.

Fred lifted his head from his resting position on the ground beside Gabrielle.

“Fred, come!” Holly called.

The dog took one look at the bucket and the running water and rose to his short feet.

“Come!” Holly called again.

The dog turned and headed the opposite way.

Gabrielle chuckled. “That dog is smarter than he looks.”

Thomas grinned. “Go grab Fred’s leash. I’ll be right there,” he called to his niece before turning back to Gabrielle. “Don’t you think I want to agree with you? I have a son who deserves the best in life, but it just isn’t in the cards. Look at Derek.”

Gabrielle’s head began to hurt at the other man’s obstinance. It was a family trait. “I have looked at Derek and so far all I see is a man who broke up with me before anything bad could happen. A man with a failed marriage and business, both of which can be traced back to human error,” she said, frustrated.

Thomas surprised her by reaching out and placing his hand over hers. “I can understand why you feel the need to disprove a curse that affects your own life. But take it from me and my brothers. It can’t be done.” He patted her hand compassionately, which only made her more determined to get Derek over the negative mind-set held by his male relatives.

“At my age—”

“How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”

He grinned. “I’m fifty-six. Hank’s fifty-seven and Edward is the baby at fifty-five,” he said, his frown returning at the mention of his brother and rival. “Why?”

“Because you all look young. You are young. Too young to have sworn off love,” Gabrielle said, knowing she was discussing something intensely personal with a man who was basically a stranger.

But this man wasn’t a stranger to Derek. Thomas Corwin and his brothers’ choices all affected how Derek viewed

life, and love.

He shrugged. “I can’t speak for the others, but I enjoy my life.”

“And you’re prepared to spend another thirty or so years alone? With just your brother for company because things didn’t work out for you the first time?”

Once again, he patted her hand. “Young lady, I may have sworn off love but I’m not devoid of companionship, if you get my drift.”