Lucky Charm

CHAPTER SEVEN

DEREK HAD NEVER BEEN able to win an argument with a determined Gabrielle. And the woman now straddling his lap was equally strong in her resolution to come out on top. Pun intended. Although, he wasn’t laughing. He was completely, thoroughly aroused.

Her lips were hot and seductive as she made her point. A point he couldn’t remember, thanks to the pulsing in his groin and the desire flooding his body. He couldn’t focus on anything except the delicious woman seducing him on the beach, so he did what any sane man would do.

He kissed her back. Slid his hands up the bare skin on her back and kneaded her soft flesh, all the while deepening the kiss. He slid his tongue around her mouth, losing himself in sensation. Need surrounded him.

A haze of pure enjoyment rushed over him when suddenly, she cupped her hands around his face and slowly ended the kiss.

He breathed out hard.

“I missed this,” she said softly, her gaze meeting his. “I missed you.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” More than he’d wanted to admit.

Even now, the tremors in his body continued, along with the sound of desire filling his ears. Of course, it could be the ocean behind him, but he chose to believe Gabrielle’s effect on him was that potent.

“What are we going to do about it?” She wiggled her hips against him, and though her dress covered all his sins, her eyes darkened, telling him she felt him grow hard between her thighs.

She certainly wasn’t going to accept “nothing” as an answer.

“We need closure,” she said.

“I agree.” He couldn’t just let her walk out of his life. Not yet. He needed more.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You do, huh?” Her lips curved upward in a pleased and somewhat smug smile.

For once they were on the same page.

“Excuse me,” a stranger said.

Startled, both he and Gabrielle jerked their gaze upward.

A woman stood over them. “This isn’t a private beach. And it’s not the place for public displays of affection,” she said, toe tapping in disapproval. “I suggest you get a room.” She sniffed and strode off, her nose in the air.

“I’m mortified,” Gabrielle said, her voice rising in horror.

Derek couldn’t help but laugh. “Relax. She’s a stick-in-the-mud. We’re off in our own corner, not bothering anyone.”

Gabrielle bit down on her lower lip. “Well, still. There are kids around. You wouldn’t want Holly coming across a couple doing what we just did on a public beach.” She delicately climbed off him, careful, he noticed, not to look at the lingering evidence of his arousal bulging in his jeans.

“Good point.” He pulled her toward him again and placed a brief kiss on the tip of her nose. “It’s just that you can make me forget everything but you.”

She grinned and rose to her feet.

He followed, straightening his clothes and thinking about Gabrielle’s effect on him. Decision made, he had no choice. He was finished denying the attraction. Nothing in the curse prohibited a short-term affair.

Closure, as Gabrielle had said.

Together they packed up the blanket and basket, when suddenly he turned and faced her again. He wrapped his arm around her waist, but instead of letting himself get caught up in another embrace, he turned her around and playfully swatted her behind.

“No more PDA,” he said, laughing. “Let’s get our things and get moving.” He grabbed the basket while she picked up the blanket and they started up the beach.

He couldn’t help but think about the implications of their talk as he walked to his SUV. Tonight had changed the dynamics between himself and Gabrielle. He’d agreed to find closure between them. And considering he knew how Gabrielle’s mind worked, he had no doubt private displays of affection were going to play a large part of that closure.

DEREK WOKE UP EARLY the next morning and was on the phone with his cousin Mike by nine. Derek was deliberately vague with his story, omitting the fact that Sharon was being blackmailed. He didn’t want to put Mike in a position where he had to act, nor did Derek want to betray Gabrielle and Sharon’s confidence. Mike was happy to dig up information, but he warned Derek to be careful.

A short while later, Mike called back and Derek had some solid facts. Sharon’s ex, Tony DeCarlo, was out of jail and living in a small suburb outside of Boston. As far as Mike could tell, Mr. DeCarlo was a model citizen-or he just hadn’t been caught.

Although Derek would have liked to pay the man a visit by himself, he wasn’t about to risk going solo and facing Gabrielle’s wrath. He could handle her anger, but if she stopped trusting him, she’d go off on her own next time.

Gabrielle seemed to appreciate his efforts-she was chatty and upbeat the entire trip. He didn’t want to take her expensive convertible, which was an attention-getter, and so he drove his SUV, pulling up to the address Mike had given him, a small rented garden apartment in a surprisingly nice area. Gabrielle immediately jumped out of the truck.

“Hey, wait up.” He caught up to her on the walkway. “Let me do the talking, okay?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not okay. I have a few questions for him and I’m going to ask them.” She strode ahead of Derek and headed for the first-floor apartment, ringing the bell before he joined her.

“Who is it?” a male voice called out from behind the door.

“A friend of a friend,” Gabrielle said.

Derek folded his arms across his chest, resigned to letting her handle things and acting as backup if she needed it. Obviously she wasn’t going to give him a choice.

The door opened halfway. “What friend?”

Gabrielle recognized the man from old photos Sharon had sent her while in college-before her new boyfriend had turned into a nightmare. “Hi, Tony?”

“Who wants to know?”

“Me. I’m a friend of someone you used to date. I believe you remember Sharon Merchant?” Gabrielle asked in a sweet voice.

Tony’s wary expression turned dark. “I don’t have anything to say to Sharon or to you.” He started to shut the door but Derek slipped his sneakered foot inside.

“That’s no way to treat a lady, buddy. At least hear her out.”

Gabrielle shot Derek a grateful look. “How’ve you been, Tony?”

“Busy. I work and I come home. There’s no time for chitchat.”

“So why aren’t you at work now?” According to Derek’s cousin, Tony had been stocking shelves at the local supermarket. He had positive employment reviews and no complaints against him.

“It’s my day off. What’s it to you?”

She shrugged. “Just curious. This is a nice apartment. Mind if I ask how you afford it? I mean, stocking shelves doesn’t pay that well.”

“My sister lives with me and shares the rent. Again, what’s it to you?”

“Some of those pictures you took of my friend resurfaced.”

His face turned pale. “I had nothing to do with it!”

“So you say,” Derek said, stepping forward. “But she received a package that has your MO. It’s hard to believe someone else is behind it.”

“Believe what you want, but it wasn’t me. You think I’d risk going back to jail?” he asked incredulously. “No way, man.”

Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. “Did you keep extra copies of the pictures?”

He shook his head. “The cops took them all.” He stepped outside, joining them as if he had nothing to hide. “Look, I was young and stupid. I saw a quick way to make money by taking advantage of naive women. And I paid for it. That part of my life was over a long time ago.”

Gabrielle glanced at Derek, silently asking what he thought.

“If you don’t believe me, that’s your problem. But you’re not going to pin this on me.” He tipped his head to one side. “Are we finished now?”

“For now,” Derek said.

Gabrielle nodded. “Just don’t leave town,” she said, turning her back on the other man and walking away.

Derek jogged after her. “Just don’t leave town? What kind of bad TV cop language was that?”

“So sue me. It was all I could think of on short notice.” She strode to the vehicle, her hair swaying as she moved. “God, that was useless.”

Derek shook his head. “Maybe not. He’ll be nervous now. If he’s behind it, he might make a mistake.”

“Do you think he’s the one blackmailing Sharon?”

Derek leaned against his car. “I have no idea. I guess we’ll know more after we hit the Wave tonight.”

“Speaking of the Wave, will you dance with me tonight?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“I’m surprised you’d want to. The last time we danced together-”

“We had fun at the prom, didn’t we?”

He’d bet Gabrielle deliberately cut him off before he could discuss their last night together-and the horrible way things had ended the next day.

“We did.” He still remembered picking her up at her parents’ house. She came down the stairs wearing a gorgeous off-white ruffled dress that bared one shoulder and draped her curves perfectly.

He hadn’t gone to the prom that night knowing he was going to break up with her right afterward. As a result, they’d enjoyed a very special evening. The next day, a letter he’d sent to his birth mother had been returned to him, unread and marked Return to Sender. Obviously, she hadn’t wanted to hear from him.

That was when he’d decided he had to insulate himself and the people he loved from the pain associated with the curse. Breaking up with Gabrielle had seemed like the only way to protect both of them from imminent future anguish.

“Well, I want to dance tonight, so be ready,” she said, obviously not thinking about what had happened after the prom.

“You got it,” he said. If she could put it behind her, then so should he. “What are you doing this afternoon? I’m taking Holly swimming. Want to come?”

“I’d love to. Unfortunately, I promised Sharon I’d come by and keep her calm this afternoon. She’ll be climbing the walls waiting for tonight. Although I can’t imagine this guy showing up now that we’ve confronted him.” Gabrielle glanced back toward the apartment building.

Derek shrugged. “He’s not just going to drop his plan. Let’s take it one step at a time, okay?”

“Okay.”

“So how about you invite Sharon? There’s nothing like some sun, sand and preteen chatter to get her mind off her problems.”

“Good idea!”

Later that afternoon, he was forced to rethink the wisdom of his invitation when he caught sight of Gabrielle in a sleek one-piece bathing suit, looking sexier than any woman had a right to. With his daughter around, he had to keep his hands to himself, and he realized he’d signed up for an afternoon of pure torture. And he had only himself to blame.

GABRIELLE HAD PROPOSED THEY arrive early at the Wave so her friend could have a drink or two to relax. Sharon was a basket case, and Gabrielle didn’t blame her. She’d told Sharon that they had found and questioned Tony DeCarlo earlier this afternoon. Like Gabrielle, Sharon was disappointed they hadn’t found out anything and was skeptical about Tony’s supposed change for the better. Because if he was telling the truth, somebody else was blackmailing Sharon. And that was an even more frightening concept.

While they waited for Derek to arrive, Gabrielle intended to question the club’s owner, George Saybrook. Known as Curious George-as a bartender, he’d asked questions instead of dispensing advice-George knew everything about everyone in Perkins and Stewart. Gabrielle had never met George, but his reputation preceded him.

According to Sharon, that hadn’t changed. Neither had the fact that people from both towns gave Curious George’s bar their business. Then a few years ago, old George had a heart attack and his son, Seth, had taken over. Based on what Sharon had told her this afternoon, Seth had gone to college, majored in marketing, returned home and immediately renovated the old bar into a nightclub that attracted a younger, hip crowd. But old George still worked the bar, and before Derek showed up, Gabrielle wanted to talk to George about the past. Curses, in particular.

With Sharon by her side, Gabrielle sidled up to the bar and luckily they snagged two seats.

George, whom Gabrielle had never met, immediately noticed two new patrons and walked over. Despite his cartoon nickname, Curious George was a fine-looking man. Tall and distinguished-looking, at seventy-five George had a full head of white hair and a bright smile. Whether or not the teeth were his own, that was his secret to keep.

“Sharon, how are you and that politician fiancé of yours?” he asked.

“We’re doing great, George. Are you still spreading the word to vote for Richard?” Sharon asked.

He nodded. “You betcha. Can’t wait to oust the old biddy,” he said, laughing. “So who’s your friend?” He eyed Gabrielle with his legendary curious stare.

“Gabrielle Donovan, meet George Saybrook, George, my closest friend, Gabrielle,” Sharon said.

Gabrielle shook his weathered hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine. So what can I get you ladies?”

“A cosmopolitan, please,” Sharon said.

“A sour-apple martini for me,” Gabrielle said.

He picked up two glasses. “That’s what I like about serving women. You challenge my mixing skills more than a beer-drinking guy does.”

Gabrielle laughed.

Instead of working on their drinks, George lingered to talk. “I recognize your name,” he said to Gabrielle. “You’re the author. I heard you gave quite a speech at the library the other night,” he added. “It’s the talk of the town.”

“Which town? Perkins or Stewart?” Gabrielle asked.

“Both. My bar doesn’t discriminate.” He laughed and turned to mix their drinks.

“I think he means my nightclub,” George’s son, Seth, said, joining his father by the soda fountain. “Hi, ladies.” He nodded at them both.

While Sharon repeated the introductions, Gabrielle compared father and son. They shared height and breadth in their shoulders, but Seth’s hair was an inky-black, giving Gabrielle an idea of how handsome George must have been in his youth.

“A pleasure to meet you,” Seth said to Gabrielle. “Welcome to my establishment.”

“Make sure you don’t listen to anything my boy says. He forgets who owns this joint, the bar and the land beneath,” George spoke proudly.

But since he looked at his son with pride in his eyes, Gabrielle knew there was nothing but good humor behind the words.

“And he forgets it’s the club paying the bills and not the old bar,” Seth joked as he put his arm around his father’s shoulders. “Pop, why don’t you take the night off? Go out and enjoy yourself for once.”

Gabrielle had just turned eighteen when she’d left for college. She’d never come to the bar, but everyone knew that George’s wife had passed away when Seth was just a little boy. George hadn’t remarried and he’d raised his son by himself, moving from their house to a large apartment above the bar where he could keep an eye on his child and his business at the same time.

“This is my enjoyment.” He placed the glasses in front of the women. “One cosmopolitan for Sharon and a sour-apple martini for the author.”

“Thank you,” Gabrielle murmured. She’d have bet George was too preoccupied talking to remember what they’d ordered, not to mention who’d ordered what. She’d have lost.

“I’m not going anywhere tonight,” George said to Seth. “Where else can I spend time with beautiful young women like these two? Even if one of them is awfully quiet.” George settled his gaze on Sharon.

Lost in thought, Sharon didn’t reply. She probably hadn’t even heard the conversation going on around her. Not that Gabrielle blamed her for being distracted.

“She has a lot on her mind, don’t you, Sharon?” Gabrielle nudged her friend.

Sharon jumped, obviously startled. “Oh, right. My wedding. I have this ongoing list in my head and I just can’t seem to concentrate on anything these days.” She gave a smile, one Gabrielle recognized as forced. “At least I have until after the election.”

“Here. Take your drink. I’m sure it’ll help you relax,” Gabrielle said.

Sharon accepted the glass and shot her friend a grateful nod. “Thank you. I’m going to call Richard,” she said, pivoting away from Gabrielle as she pulled out her cell phone.

“No problem.” Gabrielle squeezed her friend’s shoulder before turning back to George and Seth. “Would you mind if I ask you some questions about things going on around town, George?”

Something at the other end of the bar caught Seth’s interest and his gaze wandered. “Whatever it is, Dad will be happy to indulge your interest,” he said to Gabrielle, sounding distracted. “I hope you won’t be insulted if I go make sure the other customers are happy. I’m sure I’ve heard whatever story he ends up telling you at least a hundred times.” He winked at Gabrielle. “He’s all yours.”

“That I am, beautiful. What can I do for you?” George asked.

She lifted her glass for a sip of her martini. The sour taste filled her mouth. “I don’t know if you heard the subject of my next book-”

“Of course I did. The Corwin Curse!” George said, a little too loudly.

Gabrielle winced, glad Derek wasn’t there to hear. She drew a deep breath. “Since you know everyone, I thought I’d ask you about the families involved.”

George nodded. “You’ve come to the right place.”

“I was thinking about starting with the recent past.” The rest she could look up at the library or even on the Internet if any records of the curse had been kept. “Tell me what you know of the current Mary Perkins.”

Gabrielle already had personal knowledge of the Corwins, and what she didn’t know, she hoped Derek would share. Otherwise, she’d have to question his father and his uncles. And though she’d always heard Thomas was a reasonable man, everyone knew Edward was an unstable recluse living on the outskirts of town. And since Hank had been polishing a gun, at least according to Holly, Gabrielle didn’t think he’d be quick to answer her questions.

“So, you want to know about Mayor Mary Perkins…” George leaned closer to Gabrielle. “That woman’s one nasty piece of work. Not that she’d give you that impression if you met her. No, ma’am. In public, she’s so sweet, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but in private?” He whistled through his teeth.

“What’s going on?” Sharon whipped her head around to see where the noise had come from.

Gabrielle laughed. “Go back to spacing out. I’ll be finished in a few minutes.”

Sharon glanced at the door. “How will I even recognize the guy if he walks in?” she asked.

Gabrielle patted her hand. They’d discussed this all afternoon and neither woman had come up with any solid answer. They’d just have to see how the evening went.

Gabrielle turned back to George. “Actually, I met Mary the other night. She attended the lecture at the library.”

“And? What was your impression?”

“She was extremely polite. She even brought a book for me to sign. She didn’t seem upset by the fact that I was discussing something so personal to her family.”

“That’s Mary, all right. Saying one thing, plotting another,” George said. “Watch your back.”

“Dad, I’m not sure you should be telling tales.” Seth had come back to check on them.

“They’re only tales if they aren’t true. I’m giving her facts and you know it.” George waved a hand, dismissing his son’s concerns before turning back to Gabrielle.

“If Seth doesn’t want you talking about her-”

“What I want and what Dad does have never been the same thing,” Seth said.

George laughed. “Go back to mixing drinks,” he said to his son. “Now, where were we? Oh, yes. There’s one word to describe Mary’s attitude,” he said in a low voice. “Entitlement.” He shook his head. “Never seen anything like it.”

Gabrielle took a sip of her drink and listened. George was a gold mine of information.

“Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. Every year Mary comes into my bar and requests the use of the back room for her weekly staff meeting. She says she likes to keep morale high among her workers by feeding them. That’s a crock, though.” He shook his head. “More like she wants to keep an eye on ’em after hours and eavesdrop while they talk. Anyway, she always comes in like she owns the place. Then, sweet as sugar, she says that since I want to show town loyalty, she’s sure I won’t mind giving her use of the room. Giving.” He slammed his hand against the wooden bar. “Like I wasn’t earning a living for myself and my son.”

Gabrielle leaned forward on her elbows, closer to the other man. “So how do you handle her?”

“I tell her the fee for the room and the other costs. She reminds me that karma won’t look kindly on me and I wave her on her way. But I own this land and always have. She can’t do anything to me or my family, so I’m not scared of her. Wish I could say the same for some others.” He glanced at Seth, who spoke to the patron a few bar stools down from Gabrielle, then leaned closer. “But Seth gave in and damned if she doesn’t come here weekly. For free.” He scowled.

Interesting, Gabrielle thought. “Did Seth ever say why?” she asked softly.

George nodded. “He says it pays to do favors for people in high places. I don’t agree. He’s just caving like everybody else. For people who rent instead of own their homes? There’s a strong likelihood Mary’s family owns the real estate, so they cave in to whatever she asks. Miller’s Pharmacy? It was forced to close their doors just last year. A big-brand joint opened up not one month later.”

Gabrielle ran her finger over the rim of her drink, thinking about the situation, wondering if George was giving Mary’s power too much credit. “Unfortunately, a lot of mom-and-pop businesses aren’t making it anymore.”

George shook his head, dismissing the notion. “That may be true in some areas, but it’s different around here. A big chain came sniffing around and the Millers told them to take a hike. It’s not about money. Miller’s was a family-run business and had been for generations. They didn’t want to sell. Next thing you know, the landlord invokes some clause in their lease to increase their rent.” He snapped his fingers in the air. “In no time the Millers are gone. Mom and Pop Miller are out, Big Name is in.”

“And Mary Perkins owns the land?” Gabrielle guessed.

“A corporation owns the land. I bet a search of the records would show the Perkins family owns the corporation, but nobody looked. Nothing illegal was done. Immoral? You betcha. But Mary pulled some fancy PR by giving Mrs. Miller a clerical job in the mayor’s office and CVS hired Mr. Miller as their manager.”

“You’re telling tales,” Seth chimed in.

Gabrielle hadn’t realized Seth had still been listening. “Some things are fact. Others are just hunches. There’s nothing wrong with him answering my questions,” she said, defending George. She glanced at the older man and lowered her voice. “But we can drop it since it makes Seth uncomfortable.”

George winked at her. “Well, as much as I enjoy talking to you, he signs the checks.” George gestured to his son with his elbow. “I’d better get busy with other customers,” he said aloud. Then he added more quietly, “But if you want any more ‘hunches,’ you know where to find me.”

Gabrielle smiled. “Thank you so much, George. You’ve been a huge help.”

He inclined his head. “Good luck with your book.”

“Thank you,” she said. But her mind was already focused on what came next tonight.

She placed a hand on Sharon’s shoulder. Next up, they’d deal with the blackmailer.

Then if all went well, the night was about to belong to Gabrielle and Derek.