That Dog Won't Hunt (Dearing Family Series)

by Collins, Brandilyn

  “How do you know?”

  Lacey scratched Penny behind the ears. The dog closed her eyes and smiled a doggie smile. “She’s been mad at all of us at one time. Me too. But look at her now. She’s my real friend.” Lacey lifted her hand from Penny’s head. “Go ahead. You try.”

  Christina stilled. She didn’t want to try. Because if it didn’t work, if a stupid dog wouldn’t even accept her …

  “Go ahead, why’re you scared? She doesn’t bite.”

  Sometimes words—or doggie actions—bit worse than teeth.

  Lacey cocked her head and gazed at Christina. “Are you sad?”

  Christina blinked. “Yes,” she heard herself say.

  “Oh.” Lacey started petting Lady Penelope again. “I have a sad friend.”

  “You do? Who?”

  “Kelly.”

  “Why is she sad?”

  “Her mama died.”

  Christina sucked in a breath. “Oh, that’s terrible.”

  “Mm-hm.” Lacey’s eyebrows knit. “I try to make her not sad.”

  “What do you do?”

  “Go to her house and talk to her. Give her a colorin’ book sometimes. Or new crayons. She really likes it when I do that. And for a little while she’s happier, I think. But then she’s sad again.”

  Christina watched her gently ruffle Penny’s fur.

  “Mama says I can’t really make her happy, no matter how hard I try. Only just for a little while.”

  “Because she’s lost someone really important.”

  “Uh-huh. But I like to see that little while part. I think maybe one day she’ll feel better. But Mama says it will take a long time.”

  Christina couldn’t imagine losing someone who really loved her like that.

  Wait, what was she thinking? She was losing Ben …

  Lacey looked into Christina’s eyes. “Why are you sad?”

  “I … just am.”

  Lacey bit her lip. “Don’t you like it here?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you like me?”

  “Are you kidding—I think you’re wonderful.”

  Lacey beamed. She considered Christina a moment longer, than put her little hand on top of Christina’s. “Here.” She moved Christina’s fingers toward Penny. “If you pet her, you’ll feel better.”

  Christina let her hand hover over the Yorkie, barely touching the soft fur. Then she lowered her fingers. Carefully she started petting. At the different touch, Penny opened lazy eyes and looked up at Christina. Her fingers stilled. Penny’s eyes slipped shut again.

  “See?” Lacey smiled. “She knows it’s you.”

  Something cracked inside Christina, something small and … earth shaking.

  Lady Penelope rolled on her side and lifted her two top legs.

  “She wants you to scritch her belly,” Lacey said.

  Scritch?

  Christina rubbed her fingers across the Yorkie’s little stomach. The dog sighed.

  Lacey grinned. “See, told you.”

  “Guess you did.”

  It was only a dog. And a little girl who couldn’t possibly understand. Still, Lacey had such a huge heart. Christina felt her own warming.

  Lacey squashed her lips together. “I wish Kelly could forget that easy. So she could feel better.”

  “Me too.” The dog was now completely on her back, all four paws in the air. Christina ran her hand up and down the dog’s belly.

  Lacey kicked one of her feet. “You know why Penny forgets after somebody’s made her mad?”

  “Why?”

  “’Cause.” Lacey raised her hands, palms up. “She’d miss a whole lot of love if she didn’t.”

  The words trickled through the crack inside Christina. Dissolved some of the edges. Her throat tightened. She gazed across the room at the bench where she and Ben had sat. Remembered the swirling pain on his face …

  Her fingers stilled.

  She felt a tiny thump on her hand. Penny’s eyes had opened, her right front paw tapping Christina’s palm—hey, scritch already. Christina started petting her again. The dog’s eyes closed in sheer bliss.

  The crack inside her widened. Something behind it glowed.

  “Lacey?” Sarah’s irritated voice beyond the door made them both jump. “Are you in there?”

  The little girl’s eyes rounded. Christina patted her on the arm. “It’s okay.” She slid off the bed and opened the door.

  Sarah looked past Christina at her daughter. “I’m so sorry. Lacey, you are not supposed to be in here botherin’ her.”

  “She’s not bothering me. Not at all.”

  Sarah regarded Christina.

  “We were just … petting Lady Penelope. Lacey was telling me about her friend Kelly.”

  “Oh.” Sarah’s expression softened. “Yeah. Sad story.” She looked to Lacey. “But come on. You need to come out of there now.”

  “Is it time for the hamburgers?” Lacey slipped from the bed. Penny stayed behind.

  “Not yet.”

  Sarah glanced at Christina—and caught her eye. They exchanged a long look. Christina felt nothing but concern vibrating from her. No judgment.

  “You’re comin’ out for supper, aren’t you?” Sarah asked.

  Christina hesitated. “I don’t know.”

  “Yes you are!” Lacey pulled at her arm. “And sit by me.”

  Sarah offered a small smile. “You know I make a mean after-supper latte.”

  “No other family will love you like this one—if you’ll just quit pushin’ ’em away.”

  Christina shifted on her feet. “Won’t anybody else drink one with you?”

  Sarah shook her head. “What do they know anyhow?”

  Her expression was so open. Inviting. Caring. Christina didn’t know what to do with that.

  Sarah reached for Lacey’s hand and pulled her out the door. “Listen, Christina. I’m sorry for laughin’ about the lobsters. I—we—were laughin’ at Jess, not you. She was havin’ one of her hissy fits.”

  Tears tugged at the back of Christina’s throat. “I … know.”

  Sarah tapped her daughter on the head. “Go on into our room. Brush your hair.”

  With a final smile at Christina, Lacey skipped away.

  Sarah dropped her voice. “Jess wasn’t mad at you either. Not really. I know she acted like it. But it’s because she was havin’ trouble with Tamel.”

  Christina raised her eyebrows.

  “Looks like they got it worked out now, though. I don’t know the details, and Jess isn’t about to tell. And don’t you tell her I said anything.”

  “Okay.” How were they even having this conversation? Christina felt more than a little stunned.

  Sarah leaned forward, one conspirator to another. “Tell you somethin’ else. But it’s a secret.”

  Christina could only nod.

  “Jake and I found the perfect spot for our family pictures tomorrow.” Her eyes danced. “Jess is gonna die. It’s way better than her bathtubs.”

  “Oh.”

  “We take the pictures after church. It’s always the craziest afternoon of the reunion. Lots of fun.” Sarah grinned.

  Christina’s head bobbed once more. She tried to smile back.

  “Well.” Sarah straightened. “I’ll let you get ready for supper. I think it’s in about forty-five minutes.” She threw another dazzling smile at Christina. Nothing fake about it. Nothing forced.

  “Okay. I’ll be there.”

  Had she said that?

  Sarah nodded and walked off. Christina closed her door in a daze.

  What had just happened?

  She turned around and spotted Penny still lying on the bed. The Yorkie caught her gaze and gave a little wiggle—come pet me.

  Christina walked to the bed and sat down. Picked up Lady Penelope and held her in her lap. The little dog snuggled in.

  Staring at the door, Christina pictured Sarah and Lacey, and the rest of the family. Most of all—Ben.


  “Your future belongs with me. Nobody else is gonna love you like I do.”

  The crack inside Christina opened wider still, and she sensed with a start what the glow behind it was. Hope. She closed her eyes and dwelt in it awhile. Tried to get used to the feel of it. Then she took a deep breath—maybe the deepest of her life. Gently she placed Penny back on the bed and headed into the bathroom to fix her makeup for supper.

  CHAPTER 25

  Ben sat outside on the porch, the humid heat and his own depression lying heavily on his shoulders. He stared across the road to the field on the other side, remembering times with Christina, wondering if they’d ever happen again. Part of him couldn’t believe he’d lose her. Part of him sensed she’d never break out of her hard shell. She didn’t know how. And he didn’t know how to teach her.

  Despite what he’d said to his mother, he’d stopped himself three times from knocking on her door. Demanding a decision.

  Ben lowered his head and tried to breathe.

  Behind him the house’s front door opened. He didn’t bother to turn around.

  “Ben?” Mama’s voice.

  “Hmm?” The response came out rough.

  “Christina’s lookin’ for you.”

  His head jerked up. He swiveled around, searching his mother’s face. Did Christina want to work things out? Or would she keep demanding he take her home?

  Mom gave him an empathetic but hopeful smile. “She’s apologized to Jess.”

  Ben pushed to his feet, heart tripping. Mama stood back as he hurried into the house.

  Christina stood in the kitchen looking worn—and more beautiful than he’d ever seen her. All three of Ben’s sisters were nearby, their husbands in the family room, Dad in his chair. Tension and awkwardness swirled through the air, his family trying to act normal, as if Ben’s entire future didn’t rest on this moment. Christina’s body looked tight.

  Their eyes locked.

  Something—self-consciousness?—flushed her cheeks. “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  No one moved.

  “Want to take a walk?” Ben heard himself say.

  In the heat? That was crazy.

  Christina nodded. She headed toward him—and Ben could have sworn he heard his whole family breathe.

  “Sy, time to put the hamburgers on.” Mama was back in the kitchen, trying to keep her voice even.

  “Okay.” Dad rose as if glad for something to do, Jake and Don following. Grilling meat was a man’s cooperative sport.

  Ben took Christina’s hand. They went outside but stopped on the porch, out of the sun. He turned her to face him. “Tell me.”

  “I …” Her eyes filled with tears. She shook her head and swallowed. Ben’s heart plummeted.

  After a time Christina got hold of herself. Wiped her eyes. Her mouth creaked open. “I love you. And I don’t …” Her chin quivered. “I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

  The words ripped through Ben. He slipped his arms around her. Pressed her to his chest.

  “I don’t know how we’re going to do this.” Christina spoke into his neck. “But we have to try. I have to try.”

  Ben held her tighter, his eyes squeezed shut. “So do I, just as much as you. But we’ll do just fine, you’ll see.”

  For a long time they stood there, neither wanting to move. Finally Ben broke away, leading Christina to sit on the top step where he’d been just minutes—and ages—before. They entwined their arms, at first saying nothing. Just being. Ben vacillated between wanting to know what had led to her decision and being afraid to ask. What if she wouldn’t tell him? What if she still held back, not trusting?

  At some point the question popped out of his mouth. “What happened?”

  Christina gazed down the street, biting her lip. Anxiety, then resolve played across her expression. “Kind of hard to explain. It was … Lacey. And Penny. And Sarah.”

  Ben pulled his head back. “Really? Sarah talked to you?”

  “She came to get Lacey out of my room. Lacey was supposed to be sleeping. And she had Penny.”

  “Oh.” Ben’s sister hadn’t said a word about that. “So … what?”

  Christina lifted a shoulder. “They said things that got to me. They didn’t even know it. And Penny let me pet her again. It was just … I needed …” She shook her head. “It was at the right time, is all.”

  Ben nodded. “I was prayin’. At least tryin’ to.”

  Christina took a moment to process that. She gave a little smile. “Guess it worked.”

  He wound his fingers through hers. For a few moments neither of them had anything more to say.

  The smell of grilling hamburgers wafted from the backyard. Ben sniffed. “Smells good.”

  Christina smiled. “Yeah.”

  “I’m so glad it’s hamburgers.” Ben made a face. “Don’t tell Jess, but I don’t even like lobster.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.” Ben chuckled. “I’m glad you killed ’em off.”

  Christina swatted him on the arm.

  A car drove by, its window down. The driver, a strange-looking woman with long brown dreadlocks, craned her head at them, then waved. They waved back. “Who is that?” Christina asked.

  “Rita Betts. Owns the Mocha Ritaville coffee express downtown. Probably just closed up for the day. She lives a couple miles down the road.” He shook his head. “Word about us’ll be all over Justus tomorrow.”

  “Really?”

  “She’ll phone half the town. They’ll call the other half.”

  Christina searched his face. “Is that bad?”

  Ben grinned. “Are you kiddin’? My reputation’s gonna soar. Prettiest girl this town’s ever seen—and she’s on my arm. Can’t wait to show you off at church tomorrow.”

  Christina leaned into him, her head on his shoulder. A big part of her still cringed at the thought of being on display like that. Everyone in town talking, wanting to get a look at Ben Dearing’s fiancée. But a new, small voice whispered So what? Hold your head high.

  That’s the voice she would need to listen to from now on.

  CHAPTER 26

  Sunday dawned five degrees cooler—a small but welcome relief from the heat. Jess and her family filled a whole church pew, Tamel sitting beside her. She hadn’t slept too well the previous night. She and Tamel had gone out for their drive (in his awful car that he’d have to get rid of), and ended up closing down a restaurant in Jackson with their second dessert of the evening. They’d talked and talked, Tamel admitting how much he wanted to get out of Justus, resume his life. Yet he felt guilty saying that because of his dad. He was doing the best he could, taking care of a father who hadn’t done all that much to take care of him. Jess felt terrible that she’d been so hard on Tamel. She had to admit he was doing a noble thing.

  Once the reunion was over, they didn’t know when they’d see each other again. Memphis was only four hours away, but Tamel didn’t feel like he could leave his dad alone overnight, and Jess was so busy it was hard to get away, even for a weekend.

  Somehow, they’d find a way.

  In church she barely heard the sermon. She still couldn’t quite believe this was happening. Deep inside she’d known it should, but her independent spirit hadn’t allowed her to do anything about it. Even now, wanting Tamel, she still wanted her independence too. How was that supposed to work?

  Meanwhile Ben and Christina sure looked happier. Ben had assured Jess they’d talked things out. Maybe. She still wasn’t betting a hundred percent on that relationship.

  After church the family had a lunch of cob salad and fruit. The kids ate more hamburgers. Sarah and Jake could barely contain their excitement over leading everyone to The Family Photo site. “You’re gonna love it.” Jake poked Jess in the shoulder.

  “No she won’t.” Sarah loaded salad on her plate. “She’ll be all ticked off about bein’ bested.”

  Tamel was supposed to meet them at the site, serving as picture taker. Whic
h meant he already knew where they’d be.

  “Did Tamel give you this idea?” Jess asked Sarah for the fifth time.

  “We found it all by ourselves,” Jake insisted.

  Yeah, right.

  After lunch everyone got fixed up to go. Jess chose a soft pink top and white shorts. Glitter sandals. Sarah and Maddy emerged in almost identical blue shirts. “Agh!” Maddy threw her hands up. She disappeared into her room to change.

  “What do they care what they’re wearing?” Don asked Dad.

  “Women and their pictures.” Dad shook his head.

  Mama came downstairs in multi-colored blue and green. Her eyes sparkled. “This is gonna be fun.”

  She’d been a lot more lighthearted since Ben and Christina got back together.

  Dad grinned at her and did his look-right-look-left thing. Mama scrunched her nose at him and smiled back.

  Ben and Christina sat on the couch, Penny perched on Christina’s lap. Christina looked great in a turquoise top that matched her eyes. The Yorkie knew something was up, the way people were milling around. Of course, she would be in the picture too.

  “All right, everybody here?” Jake stood in the middle of the family room, his fancy camera hanging around his neck. “Time to go.”

  “Where are we goin’?” Jess and Mama asked at once.

  “Just follow us.” Jake arched his hand through the air like some Pied Piper.

  “We’d better not be climbin’ another tree.” Maddy put her hands on her hips.

  “It’s way better than that.” Jake looked mighty sure of himself.

  They all marched out to the garage. Jess crowded into the backseat of her parents’ car along with Christina, Ben, and Lady Penelope. Jake, Sarah, and their two kids took off down the road, leading the procession. Maddy, Don, and Alex were next. Jess’s dad backed out of the garage and followed, bringing up the rear. They drove through Justus, past the downtown block, and on up Highway Forty-Nine toward Jackson. Jake had told them the place was about five minutes outside town.

  Penny scurried from Christina’s lap to Ben’s. She put her paws on the door and watched out the window.

  Ben had a tight hold on Christina’s hand as if he never wanted to let go. He leaned toward the front seat. “Guess what we’re talkin’ about at supper tonight.” He winked at Christina. She gave him a shy smile.