Lucky Streak (13 page)

It was another void she hadn't let herself acknowledge until now. And another good reason to create a lasting future here—if she and Mike were meant to be.

The front door opened and a beautiful woman with auburn hair hanging past her shoulders walked inside. Derek's surprised gaze slid the other woman's way for a moment before turning back to Amber.

Amber leaned toward Derek, wanting to end this conversation before their visitor heard. “I'm not going to hurt Mike,” she assured him.

“What do you call deserting him the morning after the wedding?” Derek pinned her with his gaze, cutting her no slack, not dropping the subject as she'd hoped.

“Back off, Derek,” the woman said, her high heels clicking against the floor with every step. “Everyone has a past, everyone makes bad choices now and then. You ought to know. It's what they do with the present and future that counts. I'm Derek's wife,
Gabrielle, by the way,” she said, striding over to where Amber sat.

Amber smiled at the other woman, grateful for her show of support. She rose. “I'm Amber. It's nice to meet you.”

Derek pushed himself up from the chair. “I thought we agreed you were going to stay home today?” Derek asked.

Clearly he hadn't wanted her to meet his cousin's ne'er-do-well,
temporary
wife. But despite the censure in his tone, love and pleasure shone in his face, softening his features. These two shared the real thing, Amber thought, and a whisper of jealousy flushed through her.

Envy.

She wanted what they shared. More than she'd even realized.

Gabrielle shook her head and her glossy hair fell over one shoulder. “I said I'd stay home and work—I'm a writer,” she explained to Amber. “But then I realized that Amber could probably use some help getting settled, not to mention some company. It's not like Edward's going to give her any.”

“Where is he, anyway?” Amber asked. There'd been no sign of her host since she'd arrived.

Derek shrugged his shoulders. “He said he was going out. That could mean any number of things.”

“How did he take the news that I'd be staying here?”

Derek paused, probably trying to find a nice way to express his uncle's words.

“Never mind,” Amber said. “I can only imagine. Where's the skunk?”

“The what?” Gabrielle asked, glancing nervously around the room.

Amber laughed. “Stinky Pete. He's Edward's descented skunk. Edward doesn't like to advertise Pete's lack of odor though. He thinks it will keep visitors away.”

Derek pinched the bridge of his nose. “What the hell will he think of next?”

Gabrielle shuddered. “I think it's safer not to ask.”

Derek's cell phone rang and he answered. “Hi, Dad.” He paused. “You ran into him where?” Derek listened, then, “Yes, I know why he's buying extra food and things. I'll explain later.” Again, Derek paused. “No, don't get him riled up. I'll talk to you when I get home.” He flipped the phone closed.

“What is it?” Gabrielle asked, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder.

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?

 

K
ING
B
OBBY 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.

M
IKE 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?

Yeah, he thought. He was.

Damn.

The phone rang and, grateful for the distraction, he answered on the first ring. “Hello?”

“When are you getting your woman out of my hair?” his father blurted, not bothering to say hello first.

Mike realized he should be more worried about Edward driving Amber crazy than Edward softening toward her.

“I'm working on it,” he said.

And he was. He'd started by digging into King Bobby Boyd's background. Earlier today he'd called the small downtown Texas police department where King Bobby Boyd's Used-Car Dealership was located. Thanks to professional courtesy, he'd gotten some basic information, which hadn't been the least bit helpful.

No police record, not even a driving infraction. The man was squeaky clean and, according to the chief, full of hot air. Mike would have been relieved, except that the chief also mentioned that King Bobby was as dirty as his used cars, only no one had been able to pin anything on him. And he didn't only deal in stolen cars. It was common knowledge that the man had big-time criminal connections. But again,
the man couldn't be arrested for the company he kept, and nobody had ever managed to pin anything on King Bobby Boyd. Even the Texas chief had used the stupid moniker of King.

Without a rap sheet, Mike had turned to a P.I. the police chief had recommended. It wasn't a direction Mike had wanted to go in, but he had no choice. If he couldn't catch the King for being involved in illegal dealings, he'd just find another vice. In Mike's experience, guys who liked the rush of high-stakes poker games always came with other failings.

Mike planned to uncover King Bobby's skeletons and use them in exchange for the man's agreement to leave Amber alone. Mike wouldn't call it bribery, it was more of a quid pro quo. In any case, he now knew King Bobby was a legitimate threat.

“Hey, these minutes are costin' me money. Are you listening?” Edward bellowed into the phone line.

Technically they were costing Mike money, but he didn't correct his father. “Sorry, Dad, can you repeat that? I didn't hear you.”

“I said I feel like I'm livin' in a zoo. With your wife stayin' here and your cousin Derek and
his
wife coming and going like they own the place, a man can't get any privacy.”

“I'm sorry,” Mike said, trying to figure out what
was so odd about his father's complaints. “At least they're keeping you company.”

“Have I ever asked for company? And did I mention Amber's makin' herself at home? She's cleaning. I don't need a woman keepin' house for me. I can see my kitchen counters. I dang near forgot they were white. The shelves in the family room are dust free and I can't find Stinky Pete's favorite toy. He's moping around here like he lost his manhood again.”

“His
what?
Never mind,” Mike said before his father could answer.

Just then it dawned on him what was bothering him about Edward. His father
said
the words of complaint, but he didn't really
sound
as though he meant them. Could he be enjoying the company? Once again, Mike had to wonder if Amber understood his father better than Mike did.

“I may have to go back to town tomorrow to get Stinky Pete another toy,” Edward said.

Mike also opted not to ask what Stinky Pete's toy was, figuring it was another thing he was better off not knowing. “Go back to town?” Mike asked instead. “You were there already today?” His father rarely went to town. To do so twice in one day was unheard of.

“Had to get milk and cereal for my guest.”

Mike couldn't suppress a grin. His father, who lived alone and kept to himself, had ventured to town to make Amber's stay more pleasant.

And again Mike had the sense Edward was simply filling Mike in on his day, not moaning about it the way he pretended to. He
was
enjoying the company.

“I'll be damned,” Mike said aloud.

“The hell you will. I got enough jujus around here to spare one for you. I'll give one to ya when you come to get your wife. When did you say that would be again?”

Mike swallowed a chuckle. “I didn't. But I'll be there tomorrow after work to see how things are going.”

“I'm coming!” Edward yelled. “Damn woman made me some bedtime tea. I used to know someone once who selled newfangled tea and she was no good. It's a bad sign, I tell ya.”

Mike didn't reply.

And Edward kept talking. “Your wife also brought me a New Age dreamcatcher. Another bad omen. She says it'll help me keep the curse away, but last time I owned one it brought more bad luck. What do you have to say to that?” his father asked.

What the hell was a dreamcatcher and where had Amber found one? His father's ramblings were beginning to give Mike a headache.

“It all sounds harmless, Dad. And look, it's better than stringing up fake cats.” Or live ones. Mike left that thought unsaid.

“I gotta go drink my tea. Amber says it'll help
bring good dreams, not bad. See you tomorrow.” Edward disconnected the call, leaving Mike staring at the dead phone line.

Mike's head spun with the information his father had given him. Amber had shown up and taken over. She was caring for his father in a way nobody had in years. It had been just a few short hours and the change in Edward was noticeable.

Mike was in shock. And he suddenly realized he had to figure out what his father really needed from other people in his life, and then to be sure he received it from now on.

He stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed. Though he tried to sleep, his mind was too full.

Of Amber.

He owed her for opening his eyes to his father's needs.

He missed her in his bed, her soft body curled against him, her hands making him ache while he slept.

He yawned and forced his mind back to what he could handle. He owed her. And he could repay her by fixing the mess she was in with King Bobby Boyd so she could return to Las Vegas and to her own father.

Leaving Mike alone to handle his.

 

A
MBER AWOKE
to a hammering sound coming from outside her bedroom window. She immediately re
membered she was at Edward's house, but she couldn't imagine what was causing the noise. She'd slept in her pajama pants and top, so she pulled on a hooded sweatshirt and headed to check out the source.

Once she set foot in the family room, she saw Edward peering out the window through a pulled-back curtain.

“What's going on?” she asked. “Who's banging out there?”

“That son of a bitch Harry Winters is selling his house. The realtor putting up a For Sale sign is the one making all the racket,” Edward said.

“Who's Harry Winters? Your neighbor?” Amber asked.

“Best damn neighbor a man could have. Want to know why? He lives alone and never bothers me. He never has company, and he's got no family to come visit. Everything around here stays quiet. That's why,” Edward rambled.

Amber watched his agitated state with concern. He paced back and forth, periodically glancing out at the window facing the only house nearby.

“I wouldn't worry about it.” She tried to think of something to calm him down. “The market's pretty slow right now. The chances of him selling quickly aren't that good.”

He shot her a wild-eyed look. “But people will come to look at the house. They'll look at me.
They'll talk. And then the curse will come up. I don't want to be a freak show for people to gawk at.”

Amber lowered herself into a chair near the window, hoping to calm him down. “If you take down the jujus and the totem poles, nobody would know there's anything here to talk about.”

“And leave myself unprotected? Have you lost your mind?” His voice rose. “Do you want to know what happens to Corwin men who aren't careful?”

“What happens?” she asked quietly. She didn't know if her soothing tone would relax him, but it was worth a shot.

“Same thing that happens in the end to every Corwin man. Take my grandfather. He was in love with his wife. Only he caught her in the act with the neighbor, him buck naked, them going at it like rabbits, to hear him tell it. My grandfather shot the bastard and my grandmother had a heart attack right then and there. He was never the same.” He placed his hand over his heart, which had to be beating rapidly. She could tell by Edward's flushed face that his blood pressure was off the charts.

“Sounds like something out of a soap opera,” Amber said, the pain in this family tree unfathomable. Poor Edward.

“Well, it's real life. Then there was my folks. Had us three boys and they were happy. Thought they'd beaten the curse and then they got careless. A huge nor' easter hit the coast and wiped out most of the
town, including my father's blacksmith business. Tools, equipment, building, all gone.” Edward swiped the air with his hand.

Amber reached for rational thought on this one. “Aren't hurricanes common on the East Coast though?” she asked gently, so as not to further upset him.

“Yeah, I heard that explanation more than once. Gabrielle likes to spout that nonsense, too. An act of God, nobody's fault, there's no such thing as a curse,” he said, mimicking phrases he'd obviously heard. “The storm hit late in the day and we were all home from school. Only, my father was at his shop. Mom was worried about Dad, so she left us with my grandmother to go look for him. She never came home. A flash flood hit hard and she drowned.” Edward turned away from Amber.

But not before she caught the burst of pain and fear in the older man's eyes. She now understood why he believed so strongly in the curse. A weaker man would allow his tragic past, not to mention the awful things he'd gone through in his own life, to drive him insane. For Edward Corwin, it wasn't just his own life that carved out his reality, but the lives of his ancestors, too.

“Every Corwin male who ignored the curse has lived to pay the price. Myself included. Stayin' here alone on the edge of town has been my salvation.” Edward nodded his head, emphasizing his point.

Amber was tempted to mention that it had also been his downfall, but she realized he wasn't in any frame of mind to hear those words, let alone understand them. “Why don't I go outside and talk to the Realtor. See what his plans actually are,” she offered.

Before Edward could answer, Gabrielle's little black Lexus convertible pulled to a stop in front of the house. She headed up the unpaved walkway and Amber opened the door before she had to ring the bell.

“Uncle Edward, you need to pave the driveway or I'm going to break an ankle,” Gabrielle said, grabbing on to the doorframe for balance before she stepped inside.