Lucky Charm (Lucky 1)

“You’ll do nothing until we see what Richard turns up?”

She gritted her teeth and forced a smile at Derek. “Nothing except what it usually entails to write a book.”

Which she knew involved a lot more than sitting behind a keyboard and doing nothing. But what Derek didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

DEREK DROVE HOLLY TO T.G.I. Friday’s for dinner. She picked at her chicken fingers and fries, something completely out of character for his daughter, who usually dug into her meals with gusto. Especially meals he had nothing to do with preparing.

“What’s wrong?” Derek asked.

She glanced up at him with sad eyes. “I dunno.”

“Yes, you do. So out with it.”

She laid down the french fry she’d been playing with. “I don’t understand why we had to leave Gabrielle home to eat alone.”

Derek sat back in his booth, surprised. “Am I such lousy company? I thought you’d want to spend some time alone together, since you’ve been sleeping at Grandpa’s.” He’d thought Holly would be feeling left out and maybe even resentful of Gabrielle’s sudden presence in his life.

He and his daughter had just started bonding when Gabrielle had returned, and now his former flame was monopolizing his time. He couldn’t imagine that his daughter didn’t have a problem with it.

“I just think it’s rude, that’s all.” Holly stared into her plate. “And I don’t mind being at Grandpa’s. Fred is there and it’s not like I never see you. It’s fine.”

“You miss hanging out with Gabrielle, too.”

She nodded.

He signaled to the waitress and she walked over to the table. “Can I help you?”

“Would you mind wrapping this up? We’ve decided to take it to go,” he said, winking at Holly.

Her eyes lit up at the idea.

“Can you add a Caesar salad with grilled chicken to the order?” he asked.

She nodded and strode off.

“Thanks,” Holly said, smiling.

He returned the grin, but inside his stomach was churning. Holly was turning Gabrielle into part of their family.

And not only was he allowing it, he was even starting to like it.

GABRIELLE HAD BEEN ABOUT to pour a bowl of cereal and curl up on the couch to watch television when Derek and Holly arrived with dinner. She’d been pleasantly surprised, especially when she’d discovered that Holly had been the one wanting to include Gabrielle. She understood Derek’s need to spend time alone with his daughter, so she’d happily agreed to do her own thing for dinner. It meant a lot to Gabrielle to realize that Holly didn’t resent her for displacing her in Derek’s house.

They’d enjoyed a relaxed meal while watching The Devil Wears Prada, Holly’s choice and current favorite movie. Derek had an issue with the PG-13 rating, but since Marlene had sent the movie along with her daughter’s clothes, he couldn’t very well argue. Holly was bright for her age and Gabrielle thoroughly enjoyed her. In fact, she had so much fun with the father-daughter duo, she was downright nervous.

Nothing in life came with a guarantee, least of all Derek. And the thought of losing all this as quickly as she’d discovered it scared her beyond reason. Although she couldn’t control the outcome, she darn well planned to do her best to sway things in her direction, beginning by not manipulating or pressuring Derek in any way.

He’d just walked Holly over to his father’s house when his telephone rang. She hesitated a second, then decided, what the hell. She picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

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; “Um…I think I have the wrong number,” a female voice said. “Is this Derek Corwin’s residence?”

“Yes, it is. I’m sorry. He stepped out for a minute. Can I take a message?” Gabrielle glanced around the family room and found a pen and paper beside the phone.

“Is Holly there?” the woman asked.

Realization dawned. She must be talking to Derek’s ex-wife, Gabrielle thought, a wave of emotion she couldn’t name washing over her. “Actually, she’s with Derek,” Gabrielle said vaguely.