“When did Mom tell you this?” he asked.
“While I was packing to come stay with you.”
Apparently marriage had mellowed his ex even more than Derek had realized if she was willing to blame their divorce on the curse rather than on Derek’s workaholic feet.
“So can I go with Grandpa? Please?”
Derek groaned. If she knew about the curse, that was one less thing he’d have to explain to her when she got older. As for tonight, he was still on the fence. “Do you believe in the curse?” he asked.
She pursed her lips in thought. “I don’t know. It seems kinda silly, but Mom pointed out how Aunt Ruthie and Aunt Allison are still happily married. It’s just the men in the family who can’t get it right.”
Derek exhaled a groan. “That’s one way of putting it. But listen, you know how mean people can be? Talking and saying things they shouldn’t?”
She nodded.
“Well, that’s why I don’t want you to go to the library tonight. If they’re talking about our family, why should we go and listen?”
“Because it’s about us, silly! We can go and either tell the true version or make sure they say nice things.”
If only it were as simple as that, Derek mused.
“I think Little Missy has a point. We should show up and hold our heads high,” Hank said. “Maybe that’ll keep them from telling tales that aren’t true, at least.”
Derek rubbed his hands over his eyes.
“Please, Daddy?” Holly said, eyes wide, deliberately batting her lashes.
How could he argue with his daughter’s sweet face, his father’s obstinate insistence or his own desire to see Gabrielle again?
GABRIELLE ARRIVED EARLY at the library. She liked to see where she’d be speaking and get a feel for the place before she actually did her thing. It helped ease the jitters that went with public speaking. As her other writer friends liked to say, they preferred being behind the computer screen, not in front of a crowd. Gabrielle didn’t mind the attention as much as some people, but she still appreciated time to warm up.
She stood at the small podium and was reading through her notes when the first guests arrived-an older woman accompanied by a younger one with a pad in her hand. Gabrielle didn’t recognize either of them.
“Are you Gabrielle Donovan, the author?” the older woman asked.
Gabrielle put her papers in a neat pile and stepped down so she’d be on the same level as her visitor. “Yes. And you are?”
“Mary Perkins.” She shook Gabrielle’s hand. “And this is my granddaughter and indispensable assistant, Elizabeth.”
Gabrielle shook Elizabeth’s hand, too. “Nice to meet you both. It’s Mayor Perkins, isn’t it?”
The older woman nodded. “Of Perkins. My family founded the town,” she said proudly.
“And will continue its legacy in the next election,” Elizabeth said with certainty, her hand on her grandmother’s shoulder.
Gabrielle smiled. “Nice to meet you,” she said, sizing up Richard’s opponent and the woman who apparently struck fear in many.
It was hard to believe.
She couldn’t be more than five foot three inches to Gabrielle’s five foot five. Her hair was gray and professionally styled. She wore a tailored suit and what Gabrielle’s mother would call sensible heels. The outfit complemented her conservative style. Her granddaughter was a younger version of the mayor. Her brown bob wasn’t as chic as it was conservative. Utilitarian, even, along with her clothes. They’d both greeted Gabrielle with a welcoming smile-even though the subject of Gabrielle’s speech tonight went against everything the Perkins family stood for.
“Congratulations on your success. I understand you’re a fixture on the bestseller lists,” Mary said.
“Thank you. I feel very fortunate.” And at the moment, very off balance, Gabrielle thought. She wasn’t sure what Mary wanted or what to make of her friendly overture.
“Nonsense. Never sell yourself short. Fortune occurs because of talent.” Mary reached into her purse and pulled out a paperback copy of Gabrielle’s latest book. “I was hoping you would sign this for me.”
Gabrielle nodded. “Of course.” She accepted the book, opened to the title page and signed it as generically as she could get away with. Best wishes, Gabrielle Donovan.
She placed the date below her signature and handed the book back to the mayor. “Thank you for asking.”
The other woman smiled. “My pleasure. I think it’s wonderful that you’re returning to your hometown to speak. Some people become famous and forget where they came from.”
Gabrielle forced a smile. She hadn’t been back in years, and though she’d had her reasons, this woman’s comment struck a nerve.
From behind Mary, Gabrielle noticed people were beginning to file into the room, filling the seats. “It was nice to meet you,” Gabrielle said, hoping Mary would take the hint and leave.
“You, too.” Elizabeth stepped out from her grandmother’s shadow. “I’m looking forward to hearing you speak. It’s fascinating how you debunk popular myths.” Her inflection never changed nor did her expression.
“I just write the facts as I see them, based on research, psychological evaluation. The theories, however, are my own.”
“Yes. We all have our own ways of viewing the same phenomenon, don’t we? That’s why so many people from both my town and Stewart are showing up to hear you.”
Gabrielle glanced toward the rapidly filling room where people-neighbors, friends-congregated. “I suppose you’re right.”
Mary straightened her shoulders and Elizabeth followed suit. “Yes, we usually are. Well, best of luck.” She lifted the signed book in the air. “Thank you again.” They turned and walked away to find a seat.
Gabrielle shivered. “That was the strangest thing,” she said aloud.
“What did the wicked witch and her mini me want?” Sharon asked as she joined her.
Gabrielle hadn’t seen her friend come in. “To say hello and have me sign a book for her.”
“That’s odd.”
So was the way everyone in the room gave the older woman a wide berth. “For a woman who’s been the uncontested mayor of Perkins for years, she doesn’t have many people wanting to talk to her,” Gabrielle mused.
“There’s a reason for that. She’s not likable,” Sharon said.
Yet she had been very pleasant to Gabrielle. “I need to get ready.”
Sharon nodded. “You’ll be great. And I’m here for support. So is Richard.” She pointed to her fiancé, who was meeting and greeting people in the audience. Since the towns of Stewart and Perkins were so close, their pasts so intertwined, people from both places wanted to hear what Gabrielle had to say.
All under the watchful eye of Mary Perkins, who was obviously staying for the talk. She and her granddaughter had taken seats in the back.
By themselves.
By the time Gabrielle walked up to the podium, the small library was filled to capacity. Chairs had been set out in rows and the crowd overflowed into the back hall. She was pleased with the turnout, especially since her latest book had been published last October. Normally, Gabrielle spoke only when she had a new book to promote, doing readings at local libraries, signings and chats at bookstores.
Tonight’s talk was different. She wasn’t here to sell books. She was here to use her expertise to sway people’s thinking. She’d stop short of endorsing Richard Stern’s mayoral campaign, and she definitely wouldn’t mention the much visible Mary Perkins.
Gabrielle started on time. She’d watched the flow of people walk in, keeping an eye out for Derek or his gun-toting father. Thanks to that searing kiss earlier today, she’d been too distracted to ask Derek if Holly had been serious about her grandfather. But so far, neither man had showed.