Lucky Charm

CHAPTER NINE

GABRIELLE HAD GONE BACK to her apartment for clothes and for the garment in her hands-baby-doll-style lingerie with lace covering her breasts and a pleated fall of silky material that ended high on her thighs. The peach color complemented her tanned skin and gave her a boost of confidence. She quickly slipped into the sexy negligee, needing all the confidence she could get.

She dusted shimmery powder on her chest in the fragrance Derek had noticed earlier before opening the door and stepping back into the room.

She’d hoped to blow him away, but when she found him lying on the bed, she was the one undone. Sure, she’d seen Derek in a bathing suit earlier today. She’d marveled at how much his body had filled out, how he’d matured and changed. But they hadn’t been alone. She hadn’t had time to drink him in, remembering the past while hungry for a future.

He leaned back against propped pillows, resting comfortably against the headboard. She’d think he was relaxed…if not for the erection tenting the black cotton briefs. Her mouth grew dry and she swallowed hard.

In her dreams, he was always the boy she’d lost. But now she was facing the man-a sexy man wearing nothing but short black boxers.

“I’ve never known you to be speechless,” he said as he held out a hand.

She’d never lied to him before and she wasn’t about to start now. “You’re suddenly real.” She walked toward him and placed her palm in his. “I’m overwhelmed.”

“Same for me.” He ran his fingers over the pulse point in her wrist.

She knew he could feel her heartbeat pounding through her veins.

“I can’t wait to be inside you,” he said, his voice husky and deep.

Her pulse skyrocketed even more and moisture pooled between her thighs.

Unexpectedly, he closed his eyes and groaned, a sound of frustration, not pleasure. “I don’t have protection,” he said through clenched teeth.

Derek couldn’t believe now that he was here with Gabrielle, finally about to make love to her, he’d have to call a halt. He’d been so busy thinking about how not to act on his desire, he wasn’t prepared.

She reached over and put her hands on his. “I’m on the pill.”

He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “I thought you hated the thought of putting hormones into your body,” he said, repeating what she’d told him when he suggested that form of birth control when they’d been teens.

She smiled. “You’d be amazed how quickly terrible monthly cramping will change a woman’s mind,” she said wryly. “So don’t worry about pregnancy. As for the rest, I’m safe.”

He understood what she meant. He wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss her love life at the moment, but then, he couldn’t think of a better time.

Before they shared anything else, he needed to know. “What has your love life been like?”

She tipped her head and laughed. “Helluva question right now.”

“Humor me.”

“Well, after you, there wasn’t anyone for a good long while. I went to the University of Miami and majored in psychology. I threw myself into school.”

“Miami has its share of athletes,” he said, knowing there had to have been guys in her life.

She shrugged. “There were men, Derek. You didn’t think I would become celibate, did you? It just took me longer than it took you.”

He winced, but he deserved the dig.

“But there wasn’t anyone serious for a long time.”

“And once there was?”

“There was an assistant to one of my professors, but he was too uptight. No sense of humor.”

He held on to her hand. “You need a man with a sense of humor,” he said gruffly.

She nodded. “After him, there was a publicist I met while on a book tour.”

He bit the inside of his cheek. “What were his flaws?”

“He was too slick.”

“Slick?”

She nodded. “I couldn’t trust him.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.

Damn, but she was enjoying this. “And then?”

“Another author. My editor introduced us at an awards ceremony.”

“Too messy, being in the same profession?” he guessed.

She shook her head. “Too needy. I want a man who’s independent and doesn’t have to know where I am 24-7. Besides, he worked at home and he was around. All. The. Time.” She groaned at the notion. “After that, there was the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. The butcher was a slob, the baker too heavy and the last guy always smelled like another woman’s perfume,” she said, laughing.

“Wench.” He realized by the end she was teasing him, although he also sensed there’d been some truth in each of them.

No man had suited her.

“How about me? What are my flaws?” he asked.

“Honestly? The fact that you don’t have any. And that brings us back to the issue at hand. Protection and how we don’t need any.” Her eyes darkened as she met his gaze. “I want you, Derek. I always have.”

His body throbbed with anticipation. He’d been hard since he’d seen her again. And he’d wanted her ever since they’d said goodbye years ago.

“The problem is we do need protection.” He swallowed hard. “Ever since Marlene got pregnant, I’ve made it a nonnegotiable rule to always wear a condom,” he said, more serious than he’d ever been.

She nodded slowly. “I respect that. And it just so happens that I believe in protection, too-with everyone in my past. Even though I was on the pill.” She licked her lips. “But I had a hunch you might feel this way, so look what I picked up?” she asked, obviously pleased with herself. She held up a box of condoms.

“You’re still thinking ahead,” he said, amused that this one character trait hadn’t changed.

And though he’d like nothing more than to feel her around him, her hot slick walls cushioning him in moist heat, he couldn’t break his rule. He needed to protect them both from the damn curse.

The time for talk was finished. He flipped her onto her stomach in the center of the bed. The hem of her lingerie slipped upward and cool air rushed over her bare buttocks.

He groaned and rubbed his hand first over one cheek, then the next. His body shook over hers and he knew he was building their arousal and anticipation. Knew he wanted her as desperately as she wanted him.

Derek leaned down and pressed a kiss against her skin.

Gabrielle’s body trembled, and before she could think beyond the erotic sensation of his lips against her flesh, he straddled her derriere and began to massage her back and shoulders. A delicious pulsing began between her thighs. And as he worked on her shoulders with his hands, he rocked insistently, erotically against her back, his erection obvious. His hard length lay in the crevice of her bare behind and she felt him there, an oddly arousing sensation.

“If I let myself go, it’ll be over in two seconds,” he said, his breath hot in her ear. He swept her hair off the back of her neck and leaned forward to press his lips against her skin. As he moved upward, so did his penis. Rigid and unyielding, he pressed himself against her bare cheeks.

Her thighs clenched of their own volition and her body quaked in reaction.

She attempted to roll over, but Derek placed a hand against her back, stopping her. “Not so fast. I’m not finished with you yet,” he said in a gruff voice.

He kissed her neck, nibbling with his lips and tongue, traveling from the sensitive flesh on her shoulders down the length of her back. His touch burned and she writhed beneath him, pressing against the mattress, seeking relief from the building crescendo of need.

There was no relief to be found. With each pivot of her hips, his erection thrust harder against her, heightening her excitement and her desire until she ground herself harder and faster against the mattress, pushing and pressing her lower body until just the right spot hit the bed, sending her closer to the release she desperately needed.

All the while, his movements mimicked hers. His hips rocked faster, harder, his erection exciting her beyond belief. Between her mound grinding against the mattress and his erection thrusting at her back, she could barely catch her breath. She gasped for air, unwilling to choose between breathing and coming apart right here, right now.

Finally, tiny flickers of light danced in front of her eyes. The fulfillment she’d been seeking hit and a fast and furious orgasm followed. And continued until she collapsed against the sheets.

Her body still trembled, her breath still came in shallow gulps, long after the sweet release had ended. When she was able to focus again, she took stock of her surroundings, how her body felt. And she immediately realized something was missing.

He was missing.

She needed him inside her.

But with his delicious weight on her back, he was still calling the shots. She cleared her throat.

With a chuckle, Derek eased off her and she flipped over onto her back. His heavy-lidded gaze met hers.

She let out a contented purr, letting him know she’d enjoyed it. “But it wasn’t enough.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” he said through gritted teeth.

She grinned and decided turnabout was fair play. Through the thin cotton briefs, she cupped his erection in the palm of her hand, sliding up and down his length, pausing only to circle her finger over the damp head.

He leaned back and let out a low groan.

Pain? Pleasure? A mix, she supposed, enjoying watching the play of expressions cross his handsome face.

Her own body was ready again. Dampness pooled between her thighs and her nipples were puckered into hardened peaks. The pulsing had started yet again, as she anticipated finally having him inside her. But she wasn’t ready to give up feeling his strength and power pulsing inside her hand.

Wanting to give him just a taste of the sensual torture he’d inflicted on her, she bent down and flicked her tongue over his cotton briefs. She aimed for the tip of his erection and tasted his salty essence through the cotton barrier.

“Mmm.” She hadn’t let go of his rigid length, nor did she stop at one taste.

His hips jerked upward and his body shook. “That’s it,” he ground out.

Gabrielle smiled, pleased she was still able to make him as crazy as he made her. So many things hadn’t changed. They’d gotten even better with age, she thought as she sat up, meeting his gaze.

Derek couldn’t hold out another minute. If she kept up the pressure, he’d come in her hand.

He was finished waiting and thankfully so was she. He pulled her into his arms at the same time she reached for him.

She came warm and pliant, molding against him and making the thin fabric separating them a mere nuisance. He pulled one of the straps over her shoulder and trailed damp kisses down her neck, over the scented skin on her shoulders and arms, before she helped him by wriggling her upper body out of the sexy garment. From there it was easy for her to lift her hips and, with his help, slip off the negligee completely.

He sucked in a shallow breath, stunned at how her body had changed. Either that or his memory had failed him. She was curvier than he remembered, her breasts lush and full. His gaze traveled over her silken flesh to the small triangle of hair between her thighs.

She didn’t cover herself in embarrassment but let him drink in the sight of her.

“When is it going to be my turn to look?” she asked, a sultry glint in her eyes.

He’d be happy to release himself from the confining boxers. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Now sounds good.” She slid her fingers beneath the elastic waist and began to ease them over his hips.

He helped and soon she was the one staring.

“Keep looking at me like that and it’ll be over before it begins.” He didn’t know how he’d held on this far. But giving her pleasure, while holding back his own, had let him feel her orgasm rush through her. It was an incredible sensation, feeling her release, while still surrounded by her warm body and delicious scent. He hadn’t been able to resist savoring every moment of it.

She backed up to the top of the bed and beckoned to him with a crook of her finger, her eyes gleaming with delight.

At last he joined her. He ripped the foil open. She took the condom back and together they rolled it over his hard length.

Protected and more than ready, he came down on top of her, hard and fast. Her skin was warm, her body soft, so opposite of his.

Finesse went by the wayside. He slid his hand through her slick, dewy folds, finding her damp and ready. Her hips twitched and her body trembled as he parted her and pushed hard and fast inside. He found himself cushioned in unbelievable warmth and he exhaled a slow groan, unable to hold back the sound. It wasn’t the physical sensations that floored him, but the rampaging feelings he couldn’t control. Connected with her, body to body, his heart swelled with deep emotion that shook him to his core.

And when he met her gaze, it was obvious in her eyes and her expression she felt the same.

She shifted beneath him, and the subtle change in position made him catch his breath. He began to move, sliding out, then in again. She synchronized her rhythm to his, as if they’d never been apart, as if they’d made love just yesterday.

The old bed creaked beneath them and Gabrielle laughed. “I hope nobody’s going to complain to Mrs. Rhodes. She’ll never look at me the same way again.” Amusement bubbled in her voice and she grinned.

He propped himself up with his hands and placed a long, lingering kiss on her lips. One she answered by locking her arms around his neck and kissing him back. Once again, their bodies began to move in unison. He didn’t remember starting up again, but everything with Gabrielle came instinctually.

Without warning, she raised her legs, locking them tight around his back. She held him captive with her body, and there wasn’t another place he’d rather be. He rocked his hips from side to side, thrusting as best he could, seeking the friction their united bodies created.

He succeeded. Waves of desire built higher with each plunge he took deeper and deeper inside her. Her breath was warm and hot in his ear, becoming rougher with every thrust. Just when he thought she was about to come, he deliberately slowed his pace.

It nearly killed him, but he took his time, wanting to see her clearly. He knew it was selfish, but he wanted to mark every moment in time a she plunged in, then out again. He needed her to feel every hard inch of him branding her, inside and out.

He pulled out of her until only the tip of him touched her moist opening. Reaching down, he circled her breast with his palm, cupping and molding her in his hand. Her hips jerked beneath him, her small feminine mound thrust upward, wet, wanting.

“God, Derek!” She reached for him but he remained out of reach.

Instead he leaned down and pulled one hard, distended nipple into his mouth. He suckled on the engorged tip, teasing with his teeth, laving with his tongue. Back and forth until her hips shook in a frenzied rhythm.

A frantic plea.

His groin throbbed desperately and he knew he’d reached his limit.

“Dammit, Derek, now!” Apparently so had she, as the words exploded from deep inside her.

She grabbed on to his shoulders and dug her long nails into his skin, and with her heels, she pushed his body back toward hers.

He didn’t need any more coaxing. He plunged into her so fast his world spun. He didn’t remember anything after that except the heat suctioning all around him and Gabrielle’s screams of pleasure. Release didn’t hit him slowly but slammed into him with the force of a Mack truck.

At that moment, everything around him suddenly cleared. He inhaled her warm, sweet scent. His face was close to hers and her soft hair brushed against his cheek. He was inside her. She surrounded him. And the explosion that followed rocked his world.

Although he was filling her body, she did the same for his heart, completing him as no woman ever had.

DEREK DOZED BESIDE Gabrielle. She knew she’d have to wake him soon so he could go home before Holly realized he’d slept out, but she wanted a few selfish minutes first. She let her gaze travel over him. Asleep, he was so much more vulnerable than awake and definitely less guarded. Not that he’d been remotely guarded when they made love, she thought, a smile curving her lips as she remembered.

Their connection had been even stronger than when they were younger and she’d dare him to challenge her on that. When she and Derek joined together, it was a connecting of hearts. She knew it just as she knew now she had something to fight for.

No, she thought, correcting herself. She had everything to fight for. Still, she had an uphill battle ahead.

Wanting a little more quiet time before he had to go, she snuggled in to him. He reached out and pulled her close, spooning his body around hers. She shut her eyes and savored his heated warmth until, little by little, her body relaxed and her mind wandered.

GABRIELLE AWOKE WITH a start. Sunlight flooded the room through the window curtains she’d forgotten to draw shut last night. She glanced at her alarm clock and realized it was 9:00 a.m.

Wow, she must have really been exhausted to sleep so late. Then again, Derek had definitely worn her out, she thought wryly. She quickly glanced at the other side of the bed, hoping he hadn’t slept through the night along with her. With relief, she realized he was gone, which hopefully meant he’d gotten home before Holly missed him. She placed her hand on the space beside her. The sheets were cold. He must have left not long after she’d fallen asleep last night.

She wasn’t worried that he’d left her bed with regrets. She knew it was Holly that had drawn him away. She trusted Derek enough to know that if anything had changed between them, he’d tell her face-to-face.

But she wasn’t going to give him the time or space to panic about what they’d done or the implications. She could work as easily here as she could at her apartment. She was in no rush to get home.

Gabrielle tossed the covers off and headed to shower for the day ahead. Now that she was sure of her own feelings, she planned to include Derek in every area of her life, lavishing him and his daughter with enough affection that he wouldn’t be able to deny they belonged together. And if that wasn’t enough, she’d arm herself with enough curse-rebuttal knowledge to change his mind.

Because she loved him. Before last night, she’d sensed she had never stopped doing so and now she was certain. They had a lot to learn about each other still, but they deserved the opportunity. She was determined to give it to them.

WHEN SHE COULDN’T FIND her car keys again the next morning, Sharon decided to change purses. She was going to move everything she’d put in the small open-topped handbag she’d taken to the Wave into her work tote, giving her more room.

Sitting at her kitchen table, she dumped the contents of the smaller bag onto the table. Yes, she was a pack rat. Even her dress bags were stuffed with unnecessary items she might need and couldn’t leave the house without. Richard, who was much neater, often teased her about the clutter.

Reminded of Richard, the fear and panic she’d been fighting all morning resurfaced. Nobody had contacted her last night, which meant she’d be constantly looking over her shoulder for the big shoe to fall. The photo would eventually surface, although it wasn’t in the local paper, thank God. At least not yet. She’d run to the end of the driveway this morning and scanned the news cover to cover. Not knowing what Tony’s next step would be had her on edge.

“Concentrate on your daily routine,” she instructed herself aloud. The only way she could function was to ignore her churning stomach and focus on the things she needed to do.

She picked up each item, one at a time-her wallet, makeup case, cell phone and keys-and placed them in her work bag. She also went through the receipts and papers that she’d been accumulating. Tissues went into her tote. Receipts, notes and the like she set aside in two piles, trash and to file later.

“What’s this?” She picked up a small envelope she didn’t recognize with her name typed on the front. The flap hadn’t been sealed.

She didn’t have a good feeling about this. With shaking hands, she pulled out a note. “Leave the money in the bathroom hallway, beneath the fake ficus tree outside the ladies’ room. Photos will be returned shortly thereafter.”

Cryptic and to the point. But she hadn’t seen this letter last night and she broke out in a sweat now. He’d expected her to leave the cash and she’d left the bar instead. No money had changed hands and she had no way to contact the person to explain. No way to contact him to explain.

She was in so much trouble.

What if Tony-she still believed it was Tony who was blackmailing her-was furious? What if he thought she was playing with him and he got angry? He could very well expose her instead of contacting her again. Those photographs could show up in the paper any day.

No. She couldn’t let that happen.

Which meant she needed a plan.

As she stuffed the note in her purse with shaking hands, she realized what her next course of action had to be. And a sudden sense of calm overtook her. She was going to take charge of her life again.

First, she needed to talk to Tony, but she couldn’t go in blind. She had to stake him out and see what kind of life he led now. Only then could she consider approaching him.

She pulled out her keys and headed for her car. First stop, Gabrielle’s. Sharon needed to come up with a story to cover her sudden upcoming disappearance so her best friend wouldn’t worry. She couldn’t tell Gabrielle what she had planned. Her friend would definitely try to talk Sharon out of it. And if Gabrielle couldn’t dissuade Sharon, she’d insist on coming along. But this was something Sharon needed to handle herself.

With any luck, she wouldn’t be arrested with her hands around Tony’s neck as she screamed, “Give me my naked photographs, you jerk!”

GABRIELLE GOT A LATER start to the day than planned because Sharon had stopped by to let her know she’d be out of town for a few days. She said she’d received a call late last night from another librarian. The woman had asked Sharon to fill in for her at a regional conference, since she’d come down with some kind of summer virus. Sharon said she’d be gone three or four days tops, but she’d call to check in.

Gabrielle was disappointed. She’d hoped to spend some more time with her friend, but she would have no problem keeping busy. Sharon’s trip would give Gabrielle a chance to interview people in town about the curse.

Not to mention, she could spend much coveted time with Derek. They’d just begun to tap into the feelings they needed to explore.

Doughnuts in hand, Gabrielle rang Derek’s doorbell. Before she could think beyond the still-delicious tingling between her legs and the aches in body parts long unused, the door swung open wide.

“Gabrielle!” Holly greeted her with a welcoming smile. Dressed in a nightshirt, her hair mussed from sleep, Holly managed to hang on to her normal enthusiasm despite the early hour.

“Whatcha got there?” the young girl asked, eyeing the bag Gabrielle held in her right hand.

“Chocolate frosted, powdered sugar and jelly doughnuts. Any of those interest you?” Gabrielle waved the treats in front of Holly.

Her eyes grew wide. “I love all kinds of doughnuts. So does my dad. Come on in.” She waved Gabrielle through the door and into the renovated barn.

This was the first time Gabrielle had seen the inside of the place where Derek currently lived. The barn, which had been behind his house since before Gabrielle had first moved to town, had been renovated, insulated and now served as a guest house. Thomas and Hank Corwin hadn’t lost their builder’s touch, Gabrielle thought, glancing around the interior, which retained a country charm.

“Dad! Company!” Holly yelled.

Heavy footsteps bounded down the loft stairs. “How many times do I have to tell you not to open the front door unless-” He stopped short when he hit the bottom step and caught sight of Gabrielle.

Unlike his daughter, he appeared freshly showered and dressed. Hours earlier, she’d seen him undressed and aroused, just for her, and she couldn’t wipe the memory from her mind. Not even focusing on his khaki chinos and short-sleeved shirt helped dull the surge of warmth suddenly rushing through her.

“Gabrielle’s here!” Holly said unnecessarily.

“I see that.” His voice sounded gruff, as if his thoughts were as vivid as hers.

“I brought breakfast,” Gabrielle said with a smile.

“Which means you don’t have to try to make pancakes again today.” Holly turned to Gabrielle. “He burns them,” she explained.

Derek groaned. “I have no secrets in this house,” he said, laughing. “For the record, I’m not much better with eggs. It’s usually cold cereal for us.”

Gabrielle glanced at the bag in her hand, realizing at that moment how little she knew about raising children. Her carb-loaded, sugar-laden choice in breakfast didn’t have the same nutritional value as eggs.

So much for making a good impression on Derek, she thought. “Well…” She cleared her throat. “I didn’t exactly bring breakfast. These are doughnuts. So maybe your father will let you have them after you eat something healthy.”

“Aww-”

Holly geared up for a teenage outburst, something Derek had no intention of dealing with at the moment. Not when Gabrielle looked so crestfallen about bringing doughnuts for breakfast.

“Or maybe I could let you enjoy them now?”

His suggestion garnered him a huge hug from his daughter. As Holly took the bag, Derek winked at Gabrielle, silently telling her to relax.

She grinned and exhaled in relief.

“Let’s eat!” Holly ran for the kitchen.

“I think she wants first dibs on her choice of doughnuts,” Gabrielle said.

“She can have it. I want first dibs on you,” he said in a low voice.

He’d gotten home late last night, long after Holly had fallen asleep. This morning she’d been tired and hadn’t asked any questions. A good thing, since he couldn’t have answered them without a goofy grin on his face. Despite how wrong it was for him to keep seeing Gabrielle, knowing he was sinking deeper and falling fast, he couldn’t deny they were magic together. He wasn’t ready to let her go yet.

She stepped closer. “I’m glad to hear you don’t have any regrets.”

“How could I? You just need to remember where I stand.”

She tilted her head to one side. “How could I?” she mimicked his comment wryly, but kept a smile on her face. “Did I ever tell you what my favorite television show is?”

He narrowed his gaze. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“It’s Survivor,” she said, ignoring his question. “Want to know why? The motto. Outwit, outplay, outlast. Something I happen to think I’m pretty good at.” She met his gaze with flashing determination.

He’d been warned. She wasn’t going to let the curse stand between them this time.

“Are you two coming? I already finished one doughnut!” Holly called from the other room.

“Did you even chew it?” he called back.

Gabrielle laughed. “Come on. If there’s not a chocolate doughnut left, there’ll be hell to pay.”

He led the way into the kitchen, thoughts of Gabrielle and chocolate dancing in his brain. He still smelled the scent when he breathed in, even before she’d shown up this morning.

“I wish I could stay and eat but I have an early appointment in town. I’d planned on grabbing coffee while I was there.”

“Where is your office, anyway?” Gabrielle asked.

“I rent a room at Englebert and Rowe, the law firm in town. They have all the office supplies I need, and since they had empty space, it was a win-win situation.”

Gabrielle nodded. “I understand. I should have called before showing up, anyway.”

“Can you stay and have doughnuts with me?” Holly asked Gabrielle, powdered sugar on her nose.

“I sure can. If your dad doesn’t mind?” She paused and glanced at Derek for permission.

He should mind. His daughter shouldn’t be bonding with Gabrielle any more than he should sleep with her again. “Of course I don’t mind if you stay.”

“Yes!” Holly pumped her fist in the air. “I want you to meet Fred.”

Gabrielle crinkled her nose in confusion. “Who’s Fred?”

“My father’s basset hound,” Derek said.

“He’s old and he smells like shi-”

Derek shot his daughter a warning glare.

“Shiitake mushrooms. He smells like shiitake mushrooms,” Holly said, giggling as if she had gotten away with the curse.

Derek groaned. Marlene was going to give him hell when she returned and discovered his daughter’s new vocabulary, courtesy of Hank.

“I’d love to meet Fred,” Gabrielle said.

Derek knew she meant it. He remembered that Gabrielle had always wanted her own dog, but her parents had never wanted the responsibility.

He’d intended to get her one for Christmas, their senior year. But then he’d talked to her parents. They’d been adamant about him waiting. He’d promised her a puppy one day…but then he’d come to his senses. His mother’s letter had reminded him about the ramifications of the curse and why he and Gabrielle couldn’t be together.

“Did you ever get a pet?” he asked her, knowing he was treading on sensitive ground.

She shook her head.

“Why not?” Holly asked. “Don’t you like dogs? You’ll like Fred. He’s a lazy bas-”

“Hey!” Derek admonished.

“Basset hound! He’s a lazy basset hound. Jeez, Dad, relax!”

Gabrielle laughed.

Derek’s face flushed hot. Time for him to go to work, he thought, before he made a bigger ass of himself.

“I never got a dog because it wouldn’t have felt right.” As Gabrielle spoke, she never broke eye contact with him, giving him a view into her soul.

After he’d left her, Derek had been selfishly focused on his own torment. He’d convinced himself that she’d move on and be better off without him. As her career had soared, he further patted himself on the back, reassuring himself he’d been right. But suddenly, in her eyes, he saw the pain he’d inflicted and accepted that the dreams he’d crushed hadn’t just been his own.

He swallowed hard, facing his actions for the first time. Then and now he wanted everything she had to offer. But he could give her nothing in return.

He needed air. Work was the perfect excuse. “You’ll like Fred. Just watch out for your shoes.”

“He likes to chew them, sometimes he even pees,” Holly said. “Grandpa says it’s a wonder he doesn’t poop there, too.”

“I’ll keep my shoes on.” Gabrielle curled her toes into her sandals.

“I’ve got to get going. Uncle Thomas is next door,” he told his daughter. “I was going to drop you off there, but Gabrielle can do it when she’s ready to leave. I’ll let him know you’ll be over a little later than planned, okay?”

She nodded.

“Your father isn’t around?” Gabrielle asked.

Derek caught the hopeful note in her voice.

“No, he’s out. It’s his week to do the grocery shopping,” Holly said.

In other words, she had no need to worry about the old man and his shotgun, Derek thought, but he didn’t say the words aloud.

He left his two best girls alone and headed out to work.