Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

Mike glanced up to see Amber standing in the entrance to the den, watching them, but staring at Mike intently.

“You didn’t tell her about the curse?” Edward’s expression turned to one of horror.

“No, and neither will you. Just like you’ll mind your own business with Derek and Gabrielle. They choose not to believe in the curse and that’s that. Understood?”

“What curse?” Amber asked again.

Mike grabbed her beneath the elbow. “Later,” he said to Amber under his breath. “Dad, we’ve got to go.”

“But we’ll check on you again tomorrow!”

“No, we won’t,” Mike said. “I work the day shift,” he reminded Edward, in case his father thought Amber had any kind of say in his life.

Because she didn’t.

And he had no time to visit his father tomorrow.

“Then can one of you call me tomorrow?” he said to them both. “I want to know more about my daughter-in-law and this quickie marriage.”

“We will!” Amber waved goodbye as she let Mike guide her to the door.

Mike scowled at her. She and his father would not be bonding anytime soon.

“Hey, I just want to know more about the curse,” Amber said, eyes twinkling.

Mike shut his eyes for a brief second and wondered what rabbit hole he’d fallen into when he’d married Amber Rose. And how he was going to climb out when she seemed intent on burrowing in.

AMBER ALLOWED MIKE the solitude of his thoughts again on the ride home.

More than he probably realized, she understood how he felt when he looked at his father and didn’t get the response he desired. Although it wasn’t Alzheimer’s Mike was dealing with, it was probably mental illness or severe eccentricity. In any case, the resulting frustration was the same that she experienced.

But she’d liked Mike’s father. And since he wasn’t her parent and the expectations weren’t there, she could simply enjoy his company. After all, he was more of a presence than she’d ever have again from her own father. Maybe that was something she could teach Mike. A small gift, a way for him to appreciate what he did have in his parent.

For now, she settled for imparting empathy and understanding. As they pulled out of the driveway, she reached over and put her hand over Mike’s.

He glanced at her in surprise. He said nothing, but he didn’t pull away, something she took as a positive sign. Not that she believed she’d overcome any real hurdles, but she was glad she could be there for him anyway.

MIKE WAS EXHAUSTED, but his night wasn’t over yet. His biggest challenge sat in his favorite recliner, making herself at home in his apartment.

If he didn’t have to work tomorrow morning, he’d pour himself a drink.

“I’ve never held a skunk before,” Amber said.

“I bet not.”

“Your father’s an interesting character.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Character’s an interesting way to put it.”

“So tell me more about the curse that seems to drive everything he says and does.”

Mike groaned. “How about you tell me how you plan to pay me back all that money first.” He wasn’t mercenary. The money itself meant less to him than the fact that she’d left him and now he couldn’t trust her.

She pursed her lips, cocked her head to one side and sighed. “Okay, but you first. What curse?”

He tried not to roll his eyes at something his father, uncles and an entire town took too damn seriously. “Legend says that an ancient witch by the name of Mary Perkins cursed the males in my family. Apparently one of my relatives ran off with a woman who was already engaged to another man, William Perkins. William’s mother, Mary, was a witch—keep in mind, this was during the Salem witch trial era—and she cursed the males in the Corwin family line as a way of getting revenge.”

Amber leaned forward in her seat, revealing the ample cleavage he’d held in his hand. Tasted in his mouth.