That Dog Won't Hunt (Dearing Family Series)

by Collins, Brandilyn

  “Well, you know how it is.” She nearly had to shout.

  “So get ’em all out on the lawn to meet my Christina. The grand moment’s here, and I want to see y’all lined up nice and pretty.”

  Nice and pretty? Ho boy.

  CHAPTER 2

  Panic rolled in Christina Day’s stomach.

  “And this is our downtown, all two blocks of it.” Ben Dearing slouched in the driver’s seat of his sporty white BMW, one hand on the wheel—his typical casual driving pose. But his tanned face was all smiles. Ben had been like an over-the-top kid ever since they left Dallas that morning. Couldn’t wait to show Christina off to his family, he said. Couldn’t wait to show his family off to her.

  Now he’d just called and asked them all to be out on the lawn as the two of them drove up.

  Was he crazy?

  How was she supposed to handle meeting them all at once? Everybody looking her up and down, judging her. Like a ratty dress in some fancy shop window. And this was only Friday. They had all day Saturday and Sunday here, not leaving until Monday morning.

  Why hadn’t she found some excuse not to come?

  It could be worse. If this was an extended family reunion, with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins, she wouldn’t have come. But Ben had told her his grandparents had all passed away. A very sad thing for all of them. And the cousins and uncles and aunts didn’t live close.

  Still, the immediate Dearing family was more than enough.

  With a trembling hand, Christina pulled down the visor to check her reflection in the mirror. She looked awful, as usual. Bad hair day, makeup sloppy. Eyes all scared-looking. Oh, yeah, this was going to be some great meeting.

  “Stop worryin’ about what you look like—you’re gorgeous.” Ben patted her leg.

  Christina put the visor back up.

  She wasn’t gorgeous. Had never been, no matter what Ben said. Her father had called her Ugly Bug for as long as she could remember, always with a sneer. Sometimes she’d wished she was a bug, so she could crawl away from her parents for good.

  Nothing like Ben’s family.

  During the whole six-hour trip from Dallas he’d told Christina all about his “wonderful, wacky” older sisters and their little town of Justus, Mississippi. These were on top of the stories she’d already heard in their two and a half months of dating. Christina loved the stories, soaking them up like a bone-dry sponge. A family that really loved each other. Talked to each other. Wanted to be with each other. The Dearings sounded like they lived on a different planet.

  Wherever it was, Christina wanted to be on it. Even as she knew deep down that would likely never work.

  And what would happen when she didn’t fit in?

  She’d told Ben nothing of her abusive past. Just that she was an only child. That she didn’t talk to her parents much since moving out. At first she hadn’t dared tell Ben anything for fear of scaring him away. Why should he want damaged goods, especially with the childhood he had? Then the closer they grew, the more she had to lose, and she really couldn’t tell. When Ben tried to get more out of her she’d just turn the conversation back to his family.

  “So, come on—what do you think of our busy downtown?” Ben threw her another grin, his blue eyes sparkling. Those eyes could light up a room. And Ben’s friendly, boyish face drew everyone to him. That and lots of charm.

  Christina tried to concentrate on the near-empty streets. She took in a drugstore and grocery, a dry cleaners, a barbershop. Some other small businesses. Didn’t look like much. She’d never lived in a small town. Four thousand people, where everybody knew everybody else’s business? Sounded scary. But Justus was Ben’s hometown, and for that reason Christina wanted to love it.

  “I’m trying to picture you here as a boy.”

  Nice deflective answer. She was good at that.

  He laughed. “I had a lot of chocolate shakes at the drugstore counter. They still make ’em. I’ll bring you back down for one.”

  “Promise?”

  “You bet.” Ben reached for her hand and squeezed it.

  Christina’s heart surged. Everything about this guy was incredible—his solid childhood and sense of family, the feel of his arms around her, the way he looked at her when she spoke. Not to mention his smarts in computer programming. Yet he was so laid back. That easy confidence was what first had attracted Christina to him. But—get in line, everyone at work loved Ben. She was just a lowly new admin at the huge company where they worked. She’d never in the world expected him to notice her. When he asked her out, she about fell off her chair. Wasn’t worth a thing the rest of the day.

  Now he’d asked her to marry him. Marry him. Her hopeless life had just blitzed into a Cinderella fairy tale. She had to make it last, somehow, some way.

  Ben pointed with his chin. “See that Corner Café sign? We turn there and head out of town. The house is in half a mile.”

  Christina’s panic squirmed harder.

  She’d seen pictures of the house. It was so pretty—a large white two-story with a big porch framed by round pillars, long wings on either side. What an amazing place to grow up. Nothing like the crummy duplex she’d lived in.

  “Come on, Christina, smile. You look like a deer in headlights.”

  She curved her mouth.

  “There ya go.”

  She breathed in … out. Ben said his family teased a lot. That’s how they “loved on” each other. Christina didn’t understand teasing. When her parents had said something, they meant it. And it was never nice. To her, teasing felt like put-downs, and she couldn’t stand conflict. She’d had enough of that in her life.

  A dark memory filled her head, one of many that could rise at any time. Her father yelling. “When I tell you to get me a beer, I mean now!” Christina was nine and could barely walk. He’d whipped her back and legs so hard that morning, they’d bled. The buckle had gouged out pieces of skin. Now her body screamed with every step. Somehow she managed to get to the refrigerator and back. Her father snatched the bottle from her hand. “Ain’t you happy to be servin’ your daddy, Ugly Bug?”

  Christina lowered her chin and mumbled, “Yes.”

  “What?”

  “Yes!”

  “That’s better.” He sneered. “And put a smile on your face when you’re talkin’ to me. Or I’ll take that belt to you again.”

  Christina spread her lips wide—a clown smile she didn’t begin to feel …

  She blinked out of the memory and shivered. “What if your family doesn’t like me?”

  “Are you kidding? They’ll love you.”

  “What if they don’t?”

  They reached the Corner Café. Ben turned right. He threw her a puzzled glance. “Why do you always see the negative side of things?”

  Maybe because her entire life had gone wrong until she met Ben? You didn’t grow up the way she did and just suddenly decide to trust that life would be good.

  “I’m not negative. Just … cautious.”

  “Well, you don’t need to be cautious here. Just be yourself.”

  Which “self” would that be? The one who knew she’d never measure up to Ben and was scared to death of the day he realized it? The girl who wondered if she really knew how to love? It definitely wouldn’t be the bitter kid who’d grown up determined never to be trampled on again. That one was way too harsh. That person rattled around inside Christina, but she always pushed her down. Was too scared to let her out.

  Christina’s nerves prickled. She turned away to focus outside the window. Houses soon gave way to a rural road and green fields. It was all so pretty. Made her chest ache.

  “You know you’ll do great.” Ben’s voice softened. “Really, Chris.”

  Christina. My name’s Christina.

  “I so want you to be happy. I want you to love them.”

  Christina faced Ben and forced another smile. “I’m sure I will.”

  But would they love her? Even Ben wouldn’t, if he rea
lly knew her. He was all filled up inside. She was empty. He was positive and strong. She was anxious and weak. Everything Ben and his family were, she wasn’t. It was one thing to hide the real Christina from Ben. But how to hide from an entire family? Ben was so close to them. What would he do if someone didn’t like her? Wouldn’t he think twice? He had twenty-seven years’ history with his parents and sisters, ten weeks with her.

  They rounded a corner—and the Dearings’ beautiful house came into view. On the lawn stood a whole group of people. Christina immediately recognized the three sisters. Sarah, with the Dearing’s signature chestnut brown hair cut short. Maddy, wearing hers long and straight. And Jess, who bleached her hair blond and cut it shoulder length.

  “There they are!” Ben gave a huge wave, and they all waved back. Two darling little girls in front jumped up and down. Christina knew the bigger one was Lacey, Sarah’s daughter. She’d seen pictures of the little girl with her incredible hair, all in brown ringlets to her shoulders.

  Here they all were—Ben’s family. Supposed to be her new family.

  Christina pasted on a smile and managed to raise a feeble hand.

  CHAPTER 3

  Jess stood close to the driveway, ready as the first to greet her little brother with a big smile. Penance, in a way. After the last girlfriend he’d brought home, Ben hadn’t spoken to Jess for four months. Which was ages in the Dearing family. He’d blamed her for his argument with the girl that ended in their breakup. Only later did he admit Jess had been right. Still, that hadn’t stopped him from calling her cell last night. “Listen, Jess, you got to take it easy on Chris, okay? She really is shy, and I don’t want you grillin’ her with questions or makin’ your I-can-see-right-through-you comments.”

  Jess bit her tongue. So she could read people well. Was that a bad thing?

  “You hear me?”

  “I hear you. Good grief, I’m not an ogre.”

  “No, you just … spout what you think. And sometimes it makes you sound like an ogre.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “Thing is, Ben, you’re my adored little brother, you know that. Sarah, Maddy, and I—we’ve all looked after you. They’ve managed to find good husbands, and we want you to find a good wife. Be happy. Stay married the rest of your life.”

  “You don’t think I can do that?”

  “Of course you can.” Jess’s mouth curved. “You just might need my help a little.”

  “Jessica—”

  “Okay, okay. Just teasing.”

  Well. She’d been half teasing.

  Now as Ben’s car pulled into the driveway, Jess caught her first glimpse of Christina. Whoa. Jess raised her eyebrows as she plastered on a smile. The girl was gorgeous. Long straight blonde hair—real blonde—and an oval face. No wonder Ben had been attracted the moment he first saw her.

  “Hi, Ben!” Mama slipped to Jess’s side, her face alight. She patted her palms together in anticipation.

  “Hang in there, Mama, everything will be just fine.”

  “Of course it will be.” Mama’s words were over-emphatic, as if she hadn’t a clue why Jess had made the comment.

  “Hi, Ben, hi, Christina!” Sarah and Maddy called. The rest of the family crowded forward. Jake was taking pictures.

  “Look, she’s pretty.” Lacey pointed at Christina. Alex nodded, her mouth a round O.

  Ben stopped the car and popped open his door. Christina started to open hers, but Ben laid a hand on her arm. She stilled.

  He strode around the front of the car and wrapped Mama in a bear hug. The top of her head didn’t even reach his chin. Ben gave Jess a quick hug next, then stepped back. “And now”—he opened the passenger door with a flourish—“meet the most wonderful girl in the world, Christina Day!”

  Oh, sheesh. Was that terror that flashed across the girl’s face?

  Christina smiled, and whatever Jess had seen—if anything at all—was gone. “Hi, everyone!” Christina got out of the car and stood next to Ben, his arm slipping around her waist. She looked a tad pale, and something about her smile slipped.

  Okay. It was terror.

  “Christina, so nice to meet you!” Mama held out her arms. “We’re very glad to have you with us.”

  “Glad to be here.”

  Really? Didn’t look like that to Jess.

  Christina hesitated, then let Mama give her a hug. She stiffened in Mama’s arms. Surely Mama felt it, but she gave no sign.

  “And this is my sister, Jess.” Ben pushed Christina forward. “The one you don’t wanna get into an argument with.” He grinned.

  “Oh, knock it off, Ben.” Jess turned to Christina. “Hi. So glad to meet you.” She didn’t offer a hug. Poor girl apparently had enough to handle. Jess looked into her turquoise eyes. What a color. And her makeup was perfect. Long, mascaraed eyelashes, but not overdone. Pink lipstick. Looked like she should be on a magazine cover.

  So why did she seem so unsure of herself?

  Christina dipped her head. “Glad to meet you, too.”

  “Can I see your ring?” Jess pointed to Christina’s left hand. Christina smiled shyly and held out her fingers. She sported a large sparkly diamond, simple but elegant. “Oh, it’s lovely.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I want to see too.” Mama came close to look. Soon Christina was holding her hand out for all to admire.

  “It’s beautiful.” Mama patted Christina on the shoulder. “Good choice, Ben.”

  “Thanks, Mama.” Ben was absolutely beaming. He pointed his fiancée toward the rest of the family.

  “This is Maddy, the middle sister. And Sarah, the oldest …” Ben made his way through the family, pulling an ever-smiling Christina along with him. Jess thought the girl’s lips just might break. “And this”—Ben’s voice took on obvious pride—“is my father.”

  Dad hugged his son and laid a hand on Christina’s shoulder. “Welcome to the family.”

  She looked up at him, swallowing hard. Then covered it with a downright beatific smile. “Thank you.”

  Ben went through brothers-in-law Jake and Don, over to Pogey, and ended with Lacey and Alex.

  Lacey looked up at Christina with round chocolate eyes. “You’re pretty.”

  Christina blinked. “Thank you.” Her voice softened. She stooped down and took the little girl’s hands in hers. “And so are you.”

  Lacey beamed. “Are you and Uncle Ben gettin’ married?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I be in the wedding?”

  “Now, Lacey.” Ben to the rescue. “We can talk about that later.”

  “But can I?”

  “Later, Lace.”

  Lacey pulled in the sides of her mouth. Christina winked at her.

  Christina turned next to Alex and reached for her hands. “Here’s another pretty one.”

  Alex jerked away. Christina let go immediately, her expression flattening. Her palms sprang up as if to say So sorry!

  She stood up, looking stricken.

  “Alex is just a little shy.” Ben ruffled his niece’s hair. She pulled away and frowned at him.

  Christina nodded. But Jess had the distinct impression she was berating herself, as if she’d committed the unpardonable sin.

  Mama stepped to Christina’s side. “Well, let’s get you out of this heat and show you to your room.”

  “Oh, I should get my things out of the car.”

  “Don’t worry, the men will get them.”

  Christina tipped back her head to admire the house. “It’s so beautiful.”

  “Glad you like it. The place is kind of old now, but we love it. Raised all four kids here.”

  Good ol’ Mama, with her natural warmth and love for people. If anyone could make this new addition to the family feel at home, it was Mama.

  But as far as Jess was concerned, things weren’t looking so good. As much as Christina might have the rest of the family fooled, to Jess she looked like she’d
just as soon be cleaning toilets. Or be holed up in a cave. Jess glanced at Ben and caught him looking at Christina, love shining in his eyes.

  Oh, man. He’d fallen hard.

  Mama and Christina crossed the porch and went inside the house, most of the family following. Ben turned to the car to get bags, Don saying he’d help. Jess trailed along. “What can I carry?”

  “There’s not much. We packed light.” Ben handed her Christina’s purse—a white tote, neatly packed. Don took one suitcase from the trunk. Ben took the second.

  Ben fell alongside Jess as they headed for the porch. “So what do you think? Isn’t she gorgeous?”

  “She really is, Ben.”

  “She’s just the best. I’m so lucky. I can’t wait to get married.”

  “When’s the wedding?”

  “Haven’t figured that out yet. We all have to talk about it so everyone can be there.”

  “What about her family?”

  “She doesn’t have any. Not to speak of anyway.”

  What? “How can she not have family?”

  “Well, I mean she doesn’t talk to her parents. I don’t know why.”

  Jess eyed her brother, shocked. “Don’t you think it’s a little bit important to find out why? Family’s a big deal. It’s who a person is.”

  “I know her, Jess.” Ben’s voice edged with defensiveness. “I know she’s a wonderful person.”

  Yeah, he’d known her for a whole ten weeks. Still, ten weeks was plenty enough time to at least talk about family.

  Something wasn’t right here.

  They reached the porch steps. Jess stopped and Ben lingered with her. “Tell me—why do you love her?”

  He looked at his sister as if she’d just sprouted a second nose. “Why wouldn’t I? She’s incredible.”

  “I know, but I mean … what exactly is incredible about her? Other than her looks.”

  Anger flicked across Ben’s face. “Why do you always do this? You’re so—”

  “Please, Ben. I’m just tryin’ to understand how this happened so fast.”

  Ben’s jaw slowly relaxed. He sighed. “Okay. She’s a great listener, for one. And she’s really smart. Main thing is—she loves me so much. It’s a wonderful feelin’ to have someone so excited to be with me. To want to marry me.”