In her concierge days, Amber had opted for the sleek and sophisticated look. A flatiron and lack of humidity had helped her accomplish that goal. But on take-it-easy days like today, she let it dry naturally.
She stretched her feet out and looked over the lake. “Is that Edward fishing?” She pointed to a place far away from where they sat.
Gabrielle glanced over. “Mmm-hmm.”
“He looks peaceful.” So different from the stressed-out man he’d been earlier. “Fishing must relax him,” Amber said.
“There are no fish.” Gabrielle perched her sunglasses on top of her head. “But at least he seems calmer.”
Amber nodded. “Did you ever notice how he teeters on the edge, between sanity and mania, and back again?”
Gabrielle nodded. “The whole family notices. It’s easier to just leave him alone as much as possible. Trust me, you don’t want his attention focused on you. I should know.” She ran her hands up and down her arms, glancing out across the lake. “I lost a baby six months ago,” she said softly, obviously confiding her deepest secret.
Amber was touched Gabrielle had chosen to tell her. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. The reason I wanted you to know this now is because of Edward. His reaction was crazy. He took the miscarriage as a sign the curse is at work. Ever since, he’s been making me crazy and that’s pretty hard to do.” Gabrielle forced a laugh.
“I’ve seen your books in stores. Based on the subject matter you write about, I’d bet it’s difficult to spook you.”
Gabrielle inclined her head. “Exactly. But when Edward gets in one of those moods, like he is today, all rational thought flies out the window. Even I get nervous.”
“I can understand that. So the curse is pretty well known around here?”
Gabrielle nodded. “The stuff of town lore,” she said, a frown on her face.
“What about Mike? Where does he fall on the curse-believing scale?” Amber asked.
“Well, he’s never acted as if he feared it, not the way Derek has. Then again, he’s never been serious about a woman, either. Coincidence or intent?” Gabrielle shrugged, but she studied Amber with her astute gaze. “I couldn’t tell you. But he’s married to you now…”
“But he isn’t in love. We aren’t in love. No love, no curse. So maybe I was just a safety net for him.” Even as Amber asked the question, the thought hurt her.
She’d married Mike on a whim, but she’d taken those vows seriously. She’d begun to care about his family and she knew she cared about him. Enough to want him to care about her in return.
Gabrielle shook her head. “Don’t read too much into it,” she said, as if knowing Amber’s thoughts. “Every situation in the world has been played out in Corwin male history. If they want to find a way to say the curse exists, 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.