Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

She nodded. “I’d love some.”

“In the meantime, make yourself at home and grab some breakfast.” He pulled a mug out of the cupboard.

Gabrielle looked in the refrigerator, the cabinets and pantry. Settling on a bowl of corn flakes and milk, she joined Holly at the table.

“So what are you up to today?” she asked the girl.

She shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I think this girl I met when I first got here gets home from vacation today. Maybe she’ll remember to call me.” Holly propped her chin in her hand.

She didn’t seem like the normally cheerful kid Gabrielle had come to know.

Derek joined them and Gabrielle shot him a questioning look.

“What’s wrong?” he asked his daughter.

“I just miss Mom,” she admitted. “Not that I’m not having fun with you.”

He rose and ruffled her hair before sitting down again. “I understand completely.”

After pouring her milk, Gabrielle began to eat her cereal, pausing to enjoy her coffee. Derek had already added milk and sugar to it for her, the way she liked it. She smiled. “Hey, I just had an idea,” she said to Holly.

The young girl raised her gaze. “What is it?”

“Well, I need to go grocery shopping for a few things. No offence, but I eat a little differently from the way you and your dad do,” Gabrielle said.

“What do you mean?” Holly brushed her tangled hair off her face and resettled herself more comfortably in her seat.

“I use skim milk instead of regular or soy, and have Special K instead of corn flakes for breakfast. That kind of stuff. If you and your dad want to hang out with me today, I thought maybe we could take that trip to Target first.”

Holly’s eyes regained their sparkle. “Can we, Dad? Please? I want to check out those clothes Gabrielle told me about.”

“And I thought maybe we could pick up a couple of DVDs later? I need you to tell me what’s out now and what’s good.” Gabrielle directed her comments to Holly. “If your dad has a DVD player?”

“I do,” Derek said.

“Awesome idea. Dad doesn’t have On Demand like we have at Mom’s and I’ve already missed some of my favorite shows and movies.” She put one foot on the floor and began her typical excited bouncing. “Can we do it, Dad? Huh?”

Gabrielle glanced down at her mug, trying not to meet Derek’s gaze. She didn’t know if he’d appreciate her suggestions without asking him first, but she couldn’t stand seeing Holly so sad.

“Sure thing,” Derek said. “Why don’t you go shower and get dressed?”

She pushed her chair out and grabbed her cereal bowl, placing it in the sink. “Back in a few.”

“Take your time! The stores don’t open for hours!” he called to her retreating back.

Gabrielle chuckled. “Actually Target opens at 8:00 a.m.”

He rolled his eyes and groaned. “Don’t tell her that. We’ll be finished by nine and have the entire day ahead of us to kill.”

“I’m sorry. I should have asked you before I suggested it to her. I don’t want you to have to do something—”

“Don’t be silly. It’s fine. You made her smile and I appreciate it. It’s been hard for her being away from her mother for so long.”

Gabrielle stared at the lone corn flake swirling in milk. “And you think she’s safe with me?” She wasn’t worried about her own safety. So far she’d been burglarized twice and been left harassing notes, but there had been no physical threats to her safety. Still…

“I’ll be with you at all times, so, yes, I think she’s safe with you. I worry about both of you,” he said, his voice filled with caring. “And as long as I’m around, nothing is going to happen to you.”

She smiled, and before she could answer, the phone rang.