Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips

to the library and provide people with a sideshow.”
    When it came to the curse, Uncle Thomas had always been the more rational of the two men. Still, there was no question both brothers had suffered. Hank might have lost the woman he loved, but he’d been one helluva father. A little crazy on this one particular subject, but a solid man nonetheless.
    Uncle Thomas had a more colorful personal history. He and Uncle Edward had both fallen in love with the same woman. But Sara Jean Wilder had been dating Uncle Thomas first and she’d stayed with him—out of obligation, Uncle Edward claimed. Uncle Thomas loved her, though. They had three children and remained in a marriage that even Derek knew had been strained until Sara’s death from ovarian cancer two years ago.
    Uncle Edward never forgave his brother. Surprisingly though, he’d moved on enough to fall in love with Derek’s aunt Renee. But their marriage, too, which had started out with promise, had been tense. Renee hadn’t been able to deal with Edward’s gruff demeanor and unwillingness to forgive. Eventually, she began to believe rumors around town that she had been Edward’s second choice. They’d had one son, but Aunt Renee had been miserable. They finally divorced. She’d moved on and remarried while Uncle Edward withdrew into himself and became the town loner.
    The once-booming family construction business fell apart thanks to the rift between the brothers, resulting in bankruptcy. Afterward, the brothers earned a living by trade. Hank became an electrician, Thomas a handyman and Edward a plumber until he became such an oddity, people in town quit wanting him around. The Corwins had respectable jobs but no longer a thriving business.
    Can anyone say curse?
    Derek glanced around the small kitchen at his father and uncle. “I agree with Uncle Thomas,” Derek said. “Come on, Dad. Let’s stay home tonight. If none of us acknowledge the talk, maybe the gossip will die down sooner.”
    â€œThere’s no chance. Not as long as that Perkins family draws breath,” Hank said.
    â€œYou’re starting to sound like one of the Hatfields or the McCoys. Come to think of it, you’re starting to look like one of them, too.”
    Tonight Hank’s hair was messier than usual. With his shirt buttoned incorrectly and hanging longer on one side, he looked as if he didn’t give a damn about anything. He liked it that way. But he wasn’t the most wild-looking of the brothers. That distinction belonged to Uncle Ed.
    Uncle Thomas, on the other hand, prided himself on always facing talk, scandal or just life in general, looking his finest. When not working with his hands, he dressed immaculately in a collared, button-down shirt and Dockers.
    Uncle Thomas chuckled. “You do need a haircut,” he said to his brother.
    Hank scowled at him. “Why? Who’s lookin’ at me that I care about?”
    â€œYour granddaughter,” Derek reminded him. “If nothing else, how about cleaning yourself up for her benefit?”
    As if on cue, Holly ran into the room, Fred at her heels. “Dad, it’s almost time for Gabrielle’s talk at the library. I don’t want to miss it!”
    Derek winced. He hadn’t anticipated Holly having any interest in the talk, but given her new obsession with Gabrielle, he should have.
    â€œListen,” he said, walking over to his daughter. “I don’t think any of us are going to go tonight.”
    â€œSpeak for yourself,” Hank said.
    â€œCan I go with you, Grandpa?” Holly asked, eyes wide and pleading.
    Hank paused. “I don’t know that the subject’s one that you need to hear about,” he said kindly. Hank might be opinionated and outspoken, but he respected Derek’s role as Holly’s parent. “Who cares about curses and the like, anyway? Fred loves having you around. Why don’t you keep an