Read Online Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page A

acquainted with the rich history of the area, and of Salem in particular.” Again, she had to tread carefully for Derek’s family’s sake. “I plan to take a look at specific family curses.”
    An overwhelming round of applause followed. Apparently people liked the idea of her taking on a subject so close to home. Gabrielle hoped that meant they’d be open to being questioned about their ancestors.
    Derek listened to her answer in dismay. He wouldn’t have asked had he known the answer ahead of time. He couldn’t believe she’d be delving into something so deep and personal. Yet, who was he to interfere in her career? He didn’t have to like it, but apparently the crowd did.
    â€œThe hell you are!” Derek’s father stepped up from behind him.
    Derek glared at his father. Though Hank had been the one insisting they show up tonight, he’d been fidgety for most of the lecture. Close to the end, he’d slunk out and Derek assumed his father had gone to the men’s room. He’d been relieved, and he’d hoped his father would stay there for the duration of Gabrielle’s talk.
    â€œIs there a problem?” Gabrielle asked.
    â€œDarn straight there’s a problem!” Hank bypassed Derek and waved his hands as he spoke to both Gabrielle and the crowd. “It’s bad enough you’re standing up there trying to tell everyone curses don’t exist when my family’s living, breathing proof they do. But now you’re going to make money off of our story?”
    Gabrielle’s cheeks flushed red. As red as her temper, Derek would bet, cringing at his father’s accusation.
    She drew her shoulders back straighter. “Excuse me, Mr. Corwin, but I object to the notion that I’m out to make money off of other people’s misery. I write about factual situations and how the choices people make play into the outcome. The hope is that other people will learn lessons from these situations they can apply to their own life. In this case, I want people to see that the power of suggestion is as strong as any curse.”
    â€œSounds to me like you’re mocking us, as sure as anybody who tells tales about us around town,” Hank said.
    â€œMr. Corwin, I assure you, I’m doing no such thing,” Gabrielle said hotly.
    â€œHah! If you mock the curse, something worse will happen to us. You just watch.” Hank turned beet-red.
    Derek was surprised his father wasn’t foaming at the mouth. He placed a calming hand on his dad’s shoulders. “Getting worked up isn’t good for your blood pressure,” he said quietly but sternly, warning his father to back off.
    â€œI’m not mocking anyone or anything,” Gabrielle said. “What I’m doing is debunking something that has ruled your family’s life for too many years.”
    Derek knew Gabrielle. She wasn’t about to back down.
    â€œHah!” Hank said, obviously warming up for another tirade.
    Without warning, Sharon stood up in the center of the room. “Relax, Mr. Corwin, or I’ll have Roger show you out,” she said, pointing to the uniformed officer who’d only come in case he needed to direct traffic.
    â€œIt’s a public library, missy. I can stay and have my say.”
    â€œIt’s my library and you’re insulting my guest!” Sharon perched her hands on her hips.
    Before things could get any more out of hand, Derek grabbed his father’s arm. “Shut up and leave on your own before you embarrass us any further.” Derek clenched his jaw.
    Hank muttered under his breath.
    And Holly inched closer to Derek’s leg.
    â€œThat’s my point!” Hank said, not finished arguing. “Look how she’s humiliating us in public!”
    Hank was the only one humiliating the Corwin family, but before Derek could let his father in on that fact, Chaz, the town drunk who showed up at any public