Lucky Streak

Derek shoved the phone back into his pants’ pocket. “My father saw Edward at the supermarket in town, talking to himself and buying more food than one man needs.” He shot a glance at Amber. “Don’t worry. People won’t automatically think he has company just because he’s stocking up. They’ll assume he wants to avoid coming back to town for a while. But I’d move your car around back to be safe.”

“I will.” She paused. “If you don’t mind my asking, why would your father wonder about Edward’s shopping habits? Wouldn’t he make the same assumption everyone does?”

“My father knows his brother pretty well, but their relationship is strained. Hank, my father, lives with my uncle Thomas,” Derek said.

“You see, Thomas and Edward fought over a woman,” Gabrielle continued. “She married Thomas, and Edward stopped speaking to his brother. He blamed the curse, moved to the far side of town, and when his marriage to Mike’s mother didn’t work out, he became a recluse,” Gabrielle finished helpfully.

Derek shot his wife an annoyed glance. “She didn’t need so much detail.”

“Relax,” Gabrielle told him. “I’m sure Mike already told Amber about it. While she’s living here, she should understand what she’s dealing with.”

“He did. I just didn’t know everything, so thank you.”

“Maybe that’s because your husband didn’t think you’d be around long enough to worry about it.”

“Derek! That’s just rude.” Gabrielle shook her head in frustration. “Go to work. Go buy things for Holly’s visit. Holly’s his daughter,” she told Amber. “Go do anything but stay here. Come back when you can be more friendly.” She pushed him toward the door and he allowed her to take control, probably happy to be rid of the burden Mike had placed on him.

“He’s loyal to his cousin,” Amber said, understanding Derek’s attitude toward her. “I can’t say I blame him, but I’m hoping he’ll give me a chance to prove he’s wrong for distrusting me.” Amber sensed she needed this man on her side if she wanted to reach Mike.

“He will,” Gabrielle said pointedly. “He has better manners than he’s shown you so far. Give her a chance,” she called to her husband, who was still standing by the door.

Derek groaned. “Oh, hell. If Gabrielle wants to get to know you, then so will I. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be good for my cousin after all.”

“That’s the spirit. True love conquers all,” Gabrielle said, smiling.

“Who said anything about love?” Derek asked. “Besides, that’s the last word you should be using around here. You’ll send Edward into a frenzy.”

Gabrielle walked over and patted her husband’s cheek. “Just go,” she said lovingly before kissing him on the lips.

“Come home soon,” he said.

“I will.”

Derek turned to Amber. “Welcome to the family,” he said slowly and maybe a little reluctantly.

He took Amber by surprise. “I appreciate your support,” she said. “Or at least the chance to earn it.”

“Just don’t make me regret extending the welcome mat.”

Amber crossed her heart. “I won’t.”

Suddenly an old car engine banged and rattled outside. “Sounds like Edward’s home.”

“I brought him a gift,” Amber said. “It’s still in the car. I’ll just-”

Before she could finish her thought, the front door swung open and Edward walked inside. Derek quickly moved Gabrielle out of the way of the man pushing an old shopping cart in front of him.

If Amber hadn’t met Mike’s father once before, she’d have thought she was looking at a homeless person. His pants were baggy and old, his shirt torn, and he muttered under his breath.

“A man’s house ain’t his castle if he’s gotta share it. I got you fresh milk and some fruit. Gonna take up room in my fridge, though. I picked up some dry cereal for you. Don’t complain if you don’t like the brand.”

“Thank you,” Amber murmured.

She shot Gabrielle a questioning glance. Once Derek left, she’d question the other woman, a writer with insight, about her feelings regarding Edward’s eccentricity, behavior and loneliness.

For now, though, she focused on Edward. “That’s so thoughtful of you. I appreciate you letting me stay here. Can I put those things away for you?” Amber asked.

“I can do it myself.” Without meeting her gaze, the older man walked past her to the kitchen.

Derek sighed. “Look, I think this is as good as its going to get. The fact that he bought food at all is a near miracle. Mike said he gave you some cash, so if you need anything, you can pick it up in town. Or better yet, call me and I’ll grab it for you. There’s no reason to advertise that there’s someone new in town, let alone a woman staying with Edward, the loner.”

Gabrielle nodded in agreement. “Especially since you want to keep a low profile.”

“You’re right. Thank you,” she said, grateful she had these people looking out for her.

But how long would their generosity-or her luck-hold out?

KING BOBBY HATED IT in the East. He missed the Texas air and wide-open spaces. Worse, there was no sign of the pretty lady in sight. She wasn’t comin’ or goin’ from the tiny apartment building Mike Corwin, the cop she’d married, listed as his place of residence. And it was tiny. What kinda man lived in a matchbox like that?

He got claustrophobic just looking at it. In fact, he’d even started to feel like he was bein’ followed. But it had to be his imagination. He didn’t know anyone who’d be lookin’ for him.

Not that it mattered. Because he wasn’t leavin’ here until he found Mrs. Amber Rose Corwin and his money.

CHAPTER TEN

MIKE TOSSED HIS KEYS on the counter and headed directly to his bedroom. After a long day at work, he wanted nothing more than to get some sleep, wake up, work tomorrow and then drive to Stewart. Dan had let Mike borrow his car since the newlyweds still had Natalie’s. Mike appreciated the loaner. He didn’t want Amber with his any longer than necessary.

He was worried about his family bonding with Amber. It was easy enough to do, Mike knew. And if that happened, the divorce and life after Amber would be twice as difficult. But Mike was probably worrying about nothing. Edward was a loner, through and through. Besides, he wouldn’t bond with any woman he thought his son might fall in love with. He’d push her away-and fast. Amber’s beauty itself gave Edward cause to worry about his son falling hard.

As for Mike, he knew what Edward didn’t: he couldn’t fall for her. Not with what she’d done, what she’d kept from him. But damn, he did miss her vibrant personality and her laughter.

And if, by slim chance, Edward got soft, then Amber still had to get by his cousin Derek, who wasn’t at all happy with Mike marrying a stranger in Vegas, let alone allowing her back into his life after she’d stolen from him.

No, he didn’t have to worry about any of his family members being taken in by Amber. There would be no new ties being created back home that would make a divorce any more difficult when this was over.

Only Amber herself.

She’d been in his apartment for a few days and yet he was forced to admit the place felt empty without her. And in the same way he’d avoided coming home to her the two nights she’d been here, he’d made the decision not to come home to the quiet apartment tonight. Not until it was late and all he’d have time to do was sleep, he thought, glancing at the empty, perfectly made bed.

He normally left it rumpled and ready to climb back into, but Amber had made the bed when she’d been here. The crisp bedding looked fresh and inviting.

And lonely.

Gone, too, were the items she’d placed on the nightstand, the feminine clutter, evidence of a shared life. Mike shook his head hard.

Was he really bemoaning the loss of a woman whom he’d classified as a liar by omission, a cheat by admission?