The Last Dupont

by Rachel Renee

  It had been just a waiting game for Granny. She somehow made sure that October thirteenth was her last day on earth and that I would come to Crimson Falls because she was certain I’d need the money the estate would afford me. The only detail she could not be positive of was whether or not I’d stay. She set Tucker to that mission, praying that he’d use his charm to win me over. She wrote all of this to me, telling her story so that I would know exactly what had happened.

  I can’t help but think had she not actually died a year ago, things would be very different. I was never to know of this place until Granny passed, so I’d still be back in Georgia, blissfully unaware, working at the diner. Now, though she is not physically here, the journal is my link to our past, to my future. The words I now hold in my head and my heart. That apology, those last lines she wrote…

  I’m sorry to leave you this legacy but a Dupont needs to be here to carry on our name, to carry on what I can no longer. YOU MUST CARRY ON!

  Tucker kisses me on the neck, wrapping his arms around my waist. “What are you thinking about?”

  “You won’t like it.”

  “Nothing is going to happen. We’re going to sit here and laugh at all the people who believe they are waiting for death to come for them on October thirteenth.”

  “I know it. But, isn’t there just the slightest bit of doubt that maybe you’re wrong? That it’s possible the curse is real and someone is going to die?”

  “Someone will die.”

  “See. You know it and I know it.”

  “As far back as the town records go, someone has died on October thirteenth. I don’t know why it happens. No one does. It won’t be one of us,” he whispers in my ear. “Someone died yesterday too, does that count as part of the town curse?”

  I turn slightly, smacking his chest. “You know good and well it doesn’t.”

  “Exactly. But why doesn’t it? It’s October.”

  “But not the thirteenth. That’s the only day this town considers as the cursed day.”

  “Whatever it is, we’re fine. Nothing is going to happen to us,” he repeats.

  “I really hope you’re right.” I take a deep breath in and let it out before I turn the water off in the sink. “I also hope you didn’t just jinx us.”

  “And the superstitions continue.” He laughs and kisses me on the temple. “We’ll just stay in bed all day and that way nothing can get to us. I’ll keep you safe and you keep me safe.”

  “You’re making me the talk of the town more than I already was.”

  “I’m not staying over, just sneaking in early in the morning before work. But we’re lucky. Today is Saturday and I don’t have a job on the books.”

  Tucker grabs the rocks glass from the counter, the one I poured before washing the dishes. The liquid I found in Granny’s hidden liquor cabinet. As he takes a big gulp, a knot forms in my throat. “I’ve got something that needs fixed,” I tease, trying to choke the feeling down.

  “Oh yeah, what’s that?”

  I grab his shirt, pulling him close. Pointing to my lips, I say, “They are lonely. You’ve kissed here”—I point to my neck—“here” – I touch my temple—“but you’ve yet to…”

  His mouth is on mine before I can utter another word. Tucker’s kisses are sweet, gingerly nudging my lips open with his tongue to deepen what he started. He pushes me up against the counter and I feel his hands reach under my butt so that he can lift me up, his favorite position to have me in. I enjoy it too, but this time is different. I can feel it, and I think he can as well.

  Suddenly, he pulls back, his eyes bulging and his mouth still open as if he’s making out with the air. “What’s wrong?” I ask even though I know the answer.

  His mouth closes and opens, his breathing coming out in gasps of air. He reaches out for me but all I can do is sit and watch. There’s foam forming on his lips as he grabs for his throat, his eyes wild and searching for something, anything to save him from his plight. I didn’t know how fast it would happen, but I knew it would. Last year a Dupont died and for the next death, it was only fitting that an Astor take their turn. I’m upset that it had to be Tucker, especially since he wasn’t truly one of them and there are so many more vile ones still among the living. I also care about the man, he’s a good one, so handy and helpful around the house. I could have spent a long life with him and been very content.

  Just place the liquid in the cup, if it’s his turn, you’ll know. I was tempted to not let fate have her way, but I was also afraid to leave this to chance. After reading Granny’s journal, I decided to keep the charade going, if only to make Tucker happy for his remaining days and just in case her calculations were off. I mean, it didn’t actually say it had to be this year, just said he should be next.

  This last year has been nice. It’d had been a while since I had someone to take care of me, but I realized I didn’t actually need anyone. I wasn’t always happy, but with Rusty, I at least had some companionship.

  When Tucker falls to the floor, I hop down from the counter, walking swiftly to be with him. “I’m sorry,” I tell him, kneeling down beside his convulsing body. “I didn’t do this. I mean, it wasn’t my idea. I want you to know that. I wanted to spend a lifetime with you, but ours was shorter than most. It wasn’t easy to comprehend at first, but after sometime, I came to understand it for what it was. I’ll see you again soon,” I whisper, kissing him on his forehead as the last of the tremors subside. He’s lying, eyes stuck open, staring at the ceiling. Rusty is licking all over him, happy to have his friend so close, but I put him outside before he realizes what’s going on.

  I pick up the phone and call the doctor even though I know it’s too late.

  He answers immediately. “What is it?”

  “Tucker,” I answer.

  “The curse?” he asks.

  “It was his turn,” I whisper, letting the phone fall from my hand.

  Plummeting back to the floor, I hold Tucker’s hand and rub his head to keep him company until the doctor arrives. Just as Granny and Momma did for Samantha. I recognize he’s no longer living, but it helps me feel better knowing he’s not alone as he passes onto whatever comes next.

  As a single tear falls from my eye, I wipe it off with my sleeve. I told myself I couldn’t cry over this, I wouldn’t. I’m the only one left, given the task to carry on what Granny no longer could, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

  THE CRIMSON FALLS NOVELLA SERIES

  READ ALL EIGHT:

  Original Sin by Greta Cribbs (1945-1976)

  The Last Dupont by Rachel Renee (1970)

  All the Dark Corners by Emerald O'Brien (1995)

  Flawed Plan by Amabel Daniels (2000)

  Returned Home by Julie Strier (2015)

  Sight in the Dark by AM Ialacci (2017)

  The Stranger in the Woods by Kiersten Modglin (2018)

  Little Girl Lost by Laurèn Lee (2019)

  Join the Crimson Falls Reader Group on Facebook for more behind the scenes details, exclusive information, and a community to discuss all the novellas in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CrimsonFallsReaderGroup/

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read The Last Dupont! Whether this be the first, or just one in the line of books I’ve written, I’m grateful to you for leaving your world for a time to step into one of mine! I really hope you enjoyed it!

  Thank you to all the people that have supported me from the beginning and continue to cheer me on throughout this journey! My husband and children who let me take time out of our busy lives to write and all the things that are encompassed in the life of an author. Thank you to my family and friends who read my books and/or are constantly encouraging me to keep writing.

  Thank you to my Crimson Falls team! What a wonderful group of ladies you are! It has been such a pleasure to work with all of you on this project! I hope this is the first of many that we collaborate on!

  Thank you to Alora Kate
from Cover Kraze for another amazing cover! Thank you for being patient with me when it came to the many changes and supportive of this collective group to make our covers cohesive!

  Audrey Bobak and Tiffany Lynne, I’m thankful to you for editing and proofreading this book! I feel good about releasing it into the world after knowing your able hands and minds have worked your magic!

  It takes many people to get a story ready to go out in the world…From all the work behind the scenes until it gets into your hands, the amount of time and effort put forth is immeasurable and I’m thankful to have so many amazing people along on the ride!

  P.S. If you want to help me out even more, please consider leaving a review on this book. More reviews mean more visibility for my books, and your review could be the thing that convinces a skeptical reader to take a chance on me. It doesn’t have to be long, just a few sentences will do. If you’d like to leave a review, just click here. Either way, thank you for reading!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Rachel Renee, born, raised and is still living near Cincinnati, Ohio. She has traveled to many places, but always comes back home to where the majority of her family lives. Rachel loves to read, when she’s not writing. She loves coffee, Mexican food and a good drink (a margarita or bourbon cocktail) after a long week!

  After completing a degree in psychology and racking up thousands of dollars in debt, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom and homeschool her children, all the while working on her writing career. While she is not using her degree in the secular world, she uses it on a daily basis, psychoanalyzing her husband of fifteen years and two children (11 & 9), her two dogs, three cats and her life as a writer and a teacher.

  Find out more about Rachel:

  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:

  @AuthorRachelRM

  Amazon

  BookBub

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  Don’t miss all the fun and sneak peeks in Rachel’s Ravenous Readers on Facebook.

  ALSO BY RACHEL RENEE

  Standalone:

  Untangling Rose

  Genre: Contemporary Romance

  The Savannah PD Series

  Please read in order…

  Instincts

  Human Nature

  ILL WILL

  Genre: Crime Fiction/Mystery/Suspense

  The Cauley Files

  The Professor

  Genre: Crime Fiction/International Mystery)