Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

Before heading to breakfast, he checked his voice mail, but there were no calls from the P.I. in Texas. It was two hours earlier there, so he left another message at the man’s office.

After the effort Amber was putting into helping Edward, he owed her. He needed to take care of King Bobby. Before King Bobby took care of Amber.

AMBER COOKED BREAKFAST for the men in the Corwin house, basic pancakes from boxed batter mix and orange juice. All the while, she thought about Mike’s reaction to her suggestion about taking Edward to a doctor. He’d been agreeable and yet reticent.

Clearly she’d touched a nerve. Amber wondered if Mike was annoyed that his “temporary wife” was butting into family matters, or if there was something more at stake. What, she didn’t know.

But she intended to find out.

Once she’d placed the pancakes on a platter in the center of the table, she called for Mike and Edward to come and eat. Before either of them made their way into the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

Amber heard Mike’s footsteps, then his voice in greeting. “Gabrielle! What are you doing here so early?” he asked.

“I heard there’s been a lot of excitement in this house. I wanted to see for myself,” Gabrielle said. “You’re looking good, Mike. I’d have to say marriage agrees with you.”

Amber winced and headed out of the kitchen to head any matchmaking attempts off at the pass.

“You’ll have to try another tactic if you want to know anything,” Mike said, laughing as he kissed her cheek. “I’m not talking.”

“Well, you should be. You’re a lucky guy to find a woman like Amber.”

“Thanks.” Amber stepped forward, alerting them to her presence. “But I think Mike can make up his own mind about me.” She smiled at the other woman, whom she’d come to like a lot in such a short time.

Gabrielle raised her hands in the air. “Okay, I’ll back off. No more meddling. So tell me, where is she?” Gabrielle glanced around, obviously looking for someone.

“Where is who?” Mike asked.

“Clara Deveaux. The Wiccan woman who has Edward so worked up.”

“News travels fast,” Amber said, surprised.

Mike groaned. “That’s because I told Derek.”

“Which is the equivalent of telling me.” Gabrielle grinned. “So…?”

“It’s not like she lives here,” Mike muttered.

Over his shoulder, Amber met Gabrielle’s gaze, without words that Mike didn’t appreciate Clara Deveaux’s presence in Edward’s life.

“She left yesterday. But she said she’d be back,” Amber added, daring a glance at Mike.

He merely nodded. “If you’re here for the show, I’m afraid you’re too early. But based on yesterday’s performance, I’d say chances are good for a repeat.”

“Edward took one look at her and lost it. And Clara showed no signs of backing down.” She glanced toward the table. “Listen, why don’t you come and have breakfast

with us,” Amber suggested, changing the subject.

Gabrielle took the hint and dropped the subject. Instead, they shared breakfast and conversation—without Edward, who had somehow managed to sneak into the kitchen, take his pancakes and leave the way he came, probably through the back-porch door.

Mike finished eating first and anxiously shifted in his seat. “Would you ladies mind if I headed outside to talk to my father?” he asked at last.

“Go ahead,” Gabrielle said.

Amber shook her head and waved him away.

He left through the back door and it banged shut behind him.

“He seems uptight,” Gabrielle said, staring after him. “Is it that Clara woman?”