they will. If they want to overcome it badly enough, they can do that, too. As for Mike, I’d say his biggest problem is across the pond.”
“I agree. Edward’s like one of those people in the medication ads who suffer extreme highs and lows.”
“Now, that’s a good point. I wonder if he’s ever been to a doctor? A psychiatrist? I don’t know. But you should ask your husband,” Gabrielle said.
Her husband. The words felt so good, so ripe with possibilities.
“What do you know about our marriage?” Gabrielle had talked Derek into giving Amber a chance, which had made Amber like Gabrielle immediately. And she desperately needed someone to talk to about Mike and her current situation. She needed a friend.
“I know a lot,” Gabrielle said, then summarized Amber and Mike’s relationship.
“So you pretty much know the whole sordid story.” Amber tried not to show her embarrassment because deep down, she was grateful the other woman was well informed. “At least I don’t have to retell it. Knowing all that, do you really think Mike will take any advice about his father from me?”
Gabrielle shrugged. “If he doesn’t, he should. It’s obvious to me how much you care about Mike. He’ll be here later today, right?”
Amber nodded. “He’s coming straight from work.”
“You can find out more then. But I can promise you this. I’m on your side.”
One Corwin more than she’d had yesterday, Amber thought, pleased. “Where is Derek?” she asked, changing the subject.
“At work. He’s a financial planner. He wants to get as much accomplished as possible before his daughter, Holly, comes to visit for the summer.”
“How old is she?”
“Turning thirteen this August. She’s a great kid.”
Amber recalled what she’d learned of Derek’s first marriage. She knew he adored his daughter, but Amber was glad he and Gabrielle had gotten a second chance.
Gabrielle suddenly grabbed her purse and looked through it. “Damn, I forgot them,” she muttered, before glancing at Amber. “Do you know if there are any saltines in the kitchen?”
“I don’t think so. There are corn flakes, though.”
Gabrielle wrinkled her nose and groaned, low and deep. “No, it has to be saltines. I think I’ll take a ride into town,” she said, shutting her laptop and gathering her things.
Amber narrowed her gaze. “You looked a little pale earlier.” And now she was asking for saltine crackers. “Are you feeling okay?”
Gabrielle clutched her laptop against her chest. “I’m pregnant,” she whispered, although nobody else was around to hear.
“That’s wonderful!” Amber squealed. “I mean, that’s wonderful,” she repeated, whispering this time.
“Thank you.” Gabrielle’s eyes sparkled with excitement despite the morning sickness she was obviously suffering from. “It feels so good to tell someone. I took an early home-pregnancy test this morning after Derek left for work. Once I knew, I couldn’t just sit home alone, you know? But you can’t tell anyone yet. I want to get past the point I was at last time before I tell anyone else. I don’t want Derek to get overly protective.”
“I understand. I do. But won’t he be upset you kept it from him?” Amber knew the consequences of keeping secrets from her husband firsthand.
Gabrielle shook her head. “He’ll understand. Besides, if I tell him, he’ll take my shoes away and insist I wear sensible flats. He’ll drive me crazy!”
Amber laughed. “Well, we can’t have that!” In just two meetings, Amber had already pegged Gabrielle as a woman with incredible fashion sense and taste, especially in designer shoes.
“Besides, Derek loves you,” Amber continued. “That’s obvious even to someone who’s only seen you together once.” Just thinking of the way husband and wife had looked at one another left Amber feeling wistful and sad.
She wanted that for herself. Love, caring, family.
Speaking of family, she checked her watch. It was noon Eastern time, 9:00 a.m. in Vegas. She normally called the nursing home around ten, after her father had eaten and been bathed and dressed. That way the staff could tell her what kind of day he was having. She had an hour to kill before she could check in.
“Do you want me to go to town and pick up some crackers and ginger ale for you?” Amber asked.
Gabrielle shook her head. “Thanks. I’ll go. I could use a break from this story. Anything I can get for you?”
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’ll give you a small list.” Edward’s idea of food and Amber’s were light-years apart.
She walked Gabrielle back to the house and they chatted like old friends. Amber was thrilled to be the keeper of her new sister-in-law’s secret and hoped for a smooth pregnancy this time around.
Gabrielle drove off and Amber headed back inside, her thoughts on Gabrielle and the family she was building with Derek. The more Gabrielle had talked about the baby she was expecting, the more the yearning in Amber’s chest grew to one day have those same things for herself. She still didn’t know where Mike fit into her future, but she did know she missed him.
She’d slept by herself her entire life and yet she’d had a hard time falling asleep alone last night. She’d missed snuggling into Mike’s warm body. Even more, she’d missed waking up to his sexy morning smile, his gruff hello and the eager way he’d thrust inside her once he allowed himself to let go. Even if he was upset with her, in bed they were one hundred percent compatible. How many married couples could say the same?
Mike was different from other men. No man in her past had ever filled the space inside her the way he did. None had left an aching emptiness when they were gone. He
Because she already knew how easily she could fall for him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MIKE LEFT the station and drove directly to his father’s house, looking forward to seeing Amber more than was prudent. But prudence had never played a role in this impulsive relationship, which, he admitted, was what had him so on guard, off-kilter-and exhilarated all at the same time.
His cell phone rang. A quick glance told him Dan was calling and he pushed the speaker button to keep it hands free. “Talk to me,” Mike said.
“You had a phone call at the station. A P.I. in Texas,” his partner said.
Elvin Rogers, the man Mike had hired to investigate King Bobby Boyd, Mike thought, and his heart rate kicked up a notch. Maybe he’d finally get the information he needed on the stupidly named man so Amber could feel safe.
“Thanks for letting me know,” he said to his partner.
“No problem. What case are you working in Texas that I don’t know about? Are you holding out on me?” Dan asked.
Mike laughed. Sometimes his partner could be such a baby, constantly needing reassurance. “It’s not a case, it’s personal.”
“And you’re not going to fill me in,” Dan said.
Mike heard the rebuke in the other man’s voice. “Maybe someday.” When he could look at himself in the mirror and not feel like such a tool. “I’ve got to go,” Mike said.
“Fine. Just remember what we talked about the other day. Enjoy your wife the way I’m enjoying mine,” Dan said.
“Thanks for the advice, Dear Abby. Talk to you later.”
Mike hung up and called the P.I., only to get his answering machine informing callers
Mike groaned. What was with these Texas yahoos giving themselves nicknames and pats on the back? He left a message for the other man to call him as soon as possible and once again left his cell phone number, which Elvin
