That Dog Won't Hunt (Dearing Family Series) (12 page)

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Authors: Brandilyn Collins

BOOK: That Dog Won't Hunt (Dearing Family Series)

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CHAPTER 18

Tamel hadn’t known what to do with himself ever since he got home. He’d stomped around the house, then the backyard. Fortunately his dad had been taking a nap. When Henry Curd did wake up, he was no help. He gimped out of his room, one hand at his back, working hard to breathe. White hair stuck up on one side of his head. His wrinkles looked deeper than Tamel had ever seen them. Maybe he wouldn’t even last a year.

The thought pierced.

“What’s the matter with you?” Tamel’s dad asked after one look at his face.

Tamel turned away. “I just got things on my mind.”

A moment of silence. “You worried about the business? It’s all right, Son, somebody’ll die soon, you’ll see. We’ll get some money comin’ in.”

Tamel closed his eyes. He’d laugh if it wasn’t so grim. His dad had no business working at all. He could hardly stand long enough to do the embalming anymore. Which Tamel knew nothing about. And his dad had stopped doing the books for the funeral parlor long ago. Tamel had completely taken over the accounting and taxes.

He turned back toward his father, seeing the gray face. “You need to sit down. I’ll get you some water.”

His father shuffled over to his favorite chair in front of the TV. “That’d be good.”

It was the closest to a
thank-you
Tamel would ever get.

He poured a glass of water over ice and placed it on the table beside his father’s chair. “I’m gonna go out and sit on the porch awhile.”

“Awful hot out there.”

Tamel shrugged.

Seated outside, he stared at the weedy lawn and cracked driveway. What was he doing here? Other than going crazy. He longed for the life he knew, working in the law firm, using the knowledge he’d slaved so long to acquire. Here every day went by like molasses, slow-poured and dark.

Until Jess visited. Those were the few bright moments.

Tamel dropped his head. After tomorrow she’d be gone again. And this time he wasn’t sure if she’d even want to see him when she returned.

Her judgment of him cut deep. Took him all the way back to high school when he thought he’d never measure up to her. He was laid back and easy; she was dynamic and driven. Her personality was far better suited to law than his. Yet he’d found fulfillment in it too. In large part because they were both on parallel roads.

Tamel’s cell rang, jarring him from his thoughts. He pulled it from his back pocket and read the ID.
Syton Dearing
. His heart lurched. Jess, calling from her parents’ phone?

“Hello?” He leaned forward in his chair.

“Tamel, it’s Mama Ruth.”

She sounded upset. That realization chased away his disappointment. His back straightened. “Something wrong?”

“It’s Jess. She’s locked up in her room, cryin’ her eyes out. Won’t come out for anybody.”

Crying?
A tinge of hope glimmered inside him. “Why?”

“Well, one reason is soapy lobsters.”

“Huh?”

Mama Ruth told him the “short version” of a crazy tale involving Jess’s lobsters, dirty clothes, and the large sink the washing machine drained into. “I’m afraid supper’s ruined. Jess was so lookin’ forward to cookin’ for us.”

Tamel frowned at the worn wooden floor of the porch. “I see.” Which he didn’t.

“But I don’t think that’s all. I was wonderin’—did somethin’ happen between you two this mornin’?”

He hesitated. “Why?”

“You don’t have to tell me what it was. I just … Jess is cryin’ way too long over a silly thing like lobsters. So if you think it’s got somethin’ to do with you, I wonder if you’d come over. Try to talk to her.”

The hope inside Tamel glowed stronger. He hadn’t dared think Jess was hurting too. If she was hurting she had to
care.

But she was also mad as a wet panther. The feeling inside him flickered. His going over there could make things worse.

“Please, Tamel. I’ve got Jess in one room and Christina in another …”

“What’s wrong with Christina?”

“She argued with Jess. But that was after the lobsters, and the apple pie and ice cream, and the broken plate. And Penny.”

Tamel didn’t even want to ask.

“It’s just a total mess over here. Never had such a thing happen durin’ a family reunion—” Her voice caught.

That brought Tamel to his feet. He’d do anything to help Mama Ruth. “I’ll be right there.”

He clicked off the phone and hurried into the house for his car keys.

CHAPTER 19

At twelve-forty Ben and the rest of his foursome were on the green at the thirteenth hole. The afternoon was hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch. But Ben had been playing great—ahead of the others by five strokes. This game was in the bag.

Ben’s cell phone rang. It was Mama, sounding very worried. “Christina’s all upset and won’t talk to any of us. She’s holed up in her room, just won’t come out. I think you should come home.”

Oh, no. Ben’s nerves prickled. “What happened?”

Dad caught the concern in his voice and shot him a silent question—
something wrong?

Mama launched into a long explanation that started with Penny howling and ended with an argument between Christina and Jess. Ben stared down the course toward the fourteenth hole, his mouth open.

“Jess
argued
with Christina?” After he’d warned his sister? Anger wrapped around his chest. He’d strangle her.

“Well, she did get a little carried away over the lobsters. But actually”—Mama hesitated—“she tried to apologize. Sounds like Christina wouldn’t accept it.”

What?
Christina bent over backwards to please everybody. Something was seriously wrong here. “How did all this happen in just a few hours?”

“I’m wonderin’ that myself. It’s partially my fault. Sarah and I went to the store and left Christina with the kids.”

“Where was Maddy?”

“In her room with a headache.”

Ben’s dad still focused on his face. “Sounds like somethin’s goin’ on at home,” Dad said in a low voice to Jake.

Wait. Everybody had scattered, leaving Christina to babysit? She was way too hard on herself to be left like that. One little thing going wrong, and she’d drown in self-blame.

So why had
he
left her?

The thought hit Ben in the gut. Last night’s conversation with Christina came rushing back. She didn’t want to be expected to serve him. Didn’t want to be taken for granted. He’d promised not to do those things. Promised to take care of her the way she wanted. He’d already failed.

But golf with the men in his family was so important. It was
tradition
.

“Ben, you there?”

He put a hand over his eyes. “Yeah. We’ll come home. It’ll take about half an hour to get there. We’ll hurry.” He punched off the call.

“What happened?” his dad asked.

“More like what didn’t.” Ben wiped sweat off his temple. Why was it that ever since he and Christina had gotten to Justus, things started going bad? “We need to go right now. I never should have left Christina.” He walked over and yanked up his ball.

This was just terrific, coming after last night’s argument. Christina had been hard enough to deal with then. Now practically the whole family was involved. She was surely thinking they were all against her.

What was he going to have to do to make her happy?

CHAPTER 20

Jess slumped on her bed, spent from crying and thoroughly ticked at herself. What in the world was wrong with her? She couldn’t remember bawling like that in years. Just because she’d probably ruined her brother’s engagement. But so what? Clearly, Ben could do a whole lot better than Christina Day anyway. Jess knew good and well what Granddad Pete would say about their relationship if he was still alive.
“That dog won’t hunt.”
And Jess was far from ready to forgive Christina for the things she’d said. Like she could just barge into this family and attack one of Ben’s sisters.

As for crying over Tamel, he was hardly worth it.

Jess ran a hand over her face. In a couple days she’d be back in Memphis and at work. Life would cycle back to seventy-hour weeks at the office. She wouldn’t have time to think about Tamel Curd.

A knock sounded on her door. Jess shot a dark look in its direction. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?
“What?”

“It’s Tamel.”

Tamel?
Jess jerked up straight. Her legs started to bounce her off the bed, toward the door—

Wait a minute. No, no, no. What did he expect—to argue some more on her own turf? Jess’s fingers dug into the bedcovers. “What do
you
want?”

“Let me in.”

“You’re crazy, Tamel Curd, comin’ here. I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Let me in, Jess.” He rattled the knob.

“Go away.”

“You don’t let me in, I’m breakin’ this door down.”

“Oh, that’ll be real nice. Mama will love the new look.”

“Have it your way.”

Jess heard him back up, like he was ready to take a running leap. He could not be serious. She shot off the bed and flung open the door. Tamel stood there with his arms crossed, as if he knew that’s what she’d do. Jess’s cheeks flushed. “You—” She moved to slam the door, but Tamel pushed his way into her room and shut it behind him.

They faced off a mere two feet apart, Jess breathing hard, Tamel’s jaw tight.

“Get out.” She tried to yank the door open, but his hand pressed against it.

“You know you want me here.”

“Do not.”

“Then why’re you in here cryin’?”

“Do I
look
like I’m cryin’?

“You look like you have been.”

“You need your eyes fixed.”

Tamel drew back, his fingers flexing. Emotions scuttled across his face like blown sand over wood.

In a split second he closed the space between them, planted his hands on her cheeks, and kissed her. Hard.

Jess stiffened in pure shock. Her palms rose, ready to push him off … not able to do it. She felt his breath on her face, his lips on hers—and her heart shimmied. She didn’t want it to end. Should never have let it begin. She grasped Tamel’s shoulders to shove him away. He wrapped his arms around her. Jess’s muscles locked tighter … then melted. Before she could stop herself her hands had slipped around his back, her mouth responding.

Oh, have mercy.

Tamel wound his fingers in her hair. Jess could feel his wild heartbeat against hers. His kiss didn’t get any gentler, and she didn’t want it to.

After forever—or was it mere seconds?—Tamel pulled away, his face still close to hers. He grinned, showing his dimples. “You’re not cryin’ now.”

Jess stepped back, her nerves fiery. What had she done? “Get away from me, Tamel.”

He let his arms fall, his expression turning serious. For a long moment he gazed at her. Jess’s heart flopped over. “Please talk to me.”

How dare he do this, after he’d let her know their lives would never connect? Jess felt her face go hot. “I have nothin’ to say to you.”

He reached for her hands. She yanked them away. He followed their movement and caught her by the wrists. “Jess, I’m not leavin’.”

“This is
my
room, Tamel. You can just get out.”

“No, I can’t.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I love you.”

The words soared through her. Then stabbed her in the chest. She stared at him, not finding a thing to say. Her throat tightened, and she swallowed hard. Slowly, her spine straightened.

“That’s just great, Tamel, what do you expect me to do about it?”

“Love me back.”

She snorted. “For what? I’m workin’ my tail off as a lawyer in Memphis, remember? You’re lookin’ at stayin’ in Justus the rest of your life.”

“I never said I was stayin’ in Justus forever.”

“You most certainly did.”

“No, I didn’t. ’Cause I’m not. You just assumed I was.”

“I did not assume. You
told
me so!”

“Think back, Jess, remember our conversation. At what point did I tell you I’m stayin’?”

Her mouth opened, their argument running through her head.
“Is that a yes? You’re gonna stay?”

“I’d be the same person.”

Jess’s mouth closed. She pulled her hands away from his grasp. What kind of game was he playing? “Why’d you do that, why didn’t you answer me straight?”

“Because I want you to love
me
, not my career.”

She jerked her head back. “Who said I love
anything
about you, Tamel Curd?”

“Jess.” Pain flicked across his face. “Stop.”

She looked away, stricken. Why on earth did she want him to kiss her again? She wanted just as much to smack him. Send him reeling across the room.

“Tamel.” She fought to keep her voice from trembling. “You purposely let me think you plan to stay here and run a funeral parlor the rest of your life. You let me think we have no future.” Tears bit her eyes. She tried to blink them back.

“I wanted t—”

“Fine! You think I was cryin’? Maybe I was. And maybe it was about you. Happy now?”

“I …” He shook his head.

“Oh, for once you have nothin’ to say.” Jess pressed her lips together. “Why did you hurt me like that? Why didn’t you just
talk
to me?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be.” A tear fell onto her cheek. She whisked it away.

Tamel caught one of her hands again. “Can we just … let’s sit down.”

She shrugged. Let him lead her to the foot of the bed. They sat.

Jess crossed her arms and glared at the carpet.

“Listen to me.” Tamel clasped his hands in his lap, clearly struggling for words. “I thought you were lookin’ down on me because I’m not workin’ as an attorney right now. I wanted you to see I’m still
me
. I’m the guy you grew up with. The one who’s always been your friend and there for you. Who got to take you to the prom our junior year—most wonderful day of my life. The guy who’s loved you since ninth grade.”

Ninth grade?
Jess’s eyes widened, but she kept her gaze on the floor.

“The romantic part of me wanted to hear you say you’d be with me wherever I was. Whatever I did. That you cared for me no matter what.”

Jess closed her eyes and felt another tear fall. It plopped on her shorts. She waited for Tamel to say more, but he fell silent.

“That wasn’t fair.” She rubbed at the tear stain with her knuckles. “Because you’re talkin’ two different things. You say you’d be the same person, no matter your job. Yes, you would. And you’re a wonderful person. But I have a life I’ve struggled to achieve. I just couldn’t imagine livin’ in this small town forever—even if I did grow up here. I love bein’ in a big city. Love the energy and flow of it.” The rest poured out of her, no holding it back. Oh, would she regret it. “I always thought one day you’d be in the same city with me. Even though we’d never said it. Even though we’d danced around it—I knew. And I knew you did, too.”

She dared a glance at him. He was gazing at her with wonder. Jess pulled in her top lip. Focused again on her lap.

“So then—suddenly—you change everything. You decide to move here, without tellin’ me first. Then you decide to
stay
here—as far as I can see. Also without any discussion. And you’ve still never really
said
anything about carin’ for me. So what am I left to think? That clearly I was wrong. That you don’t care what I feel at all—” Her voice squeezed off. Oh, good grief, why couldn’t she just hold it together? She cinched her eyes shut.

“Jess.” Tamel put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. She didn’t resist. “I’ve done nothin’ but care about you for years.”

That did it. More tears came. Jess hiccupped and pressed a fist to her mouth. Tamel let her sniffle, rubbing the side of her head. His touch was so gentle it made her cry all the harder. Drat it all.

Finally she took a deep, shuddering breath. Wiped her face and sat up. She winced. “Oh, my head hurts.”

“Happens when you’re in the presence of greatness.”

Jess threw him a weary look. He tipped his head in an apology.

Next thing she knew, he was kissing her again. How did that even happen? She told herself to pull back, but not a single muscle listened. The kiss was long and slow, and the best thing she ever tasted in her life. When they finally parted Jess felt utterly spent.

Self-consciousness bloomed inside her. What were they supposed to do now? She focused across the room, lacing and unlacing her fingers. This would totally complicate everything. How could she focus on her career with Tamel on her mind? She wasn’t
supposed
to have a man in her life.

Plus, no way was she giving her sisters the satisfaction of seeing her smitten.

“Jess.”

“Hmm.”

“Wanna tell me somethin’?”

She only had a million thoughts on her mind. “What?”

“You know.”

Her fingers stilled. Fear wound up her spine. Maybe this was all wrong. She should just get up and walk away, end it before it got any further.

Tamel put his fingers beneath her chin and turned her face toward his. “Go on. Say it.”

She lowered her gaze, feeling the heat of his touch.

“It won’t kill you, you know.”

It just might.

“Do I have to kiss you again?”

“Oh, like that’s a real chore?”

“Well, you didn’t make the first one exactly easy.”

She smiled in spite of herself.

Tamel smiled back. His dimples creased—so cute. She could look at them all day. And suddenly she realized how much she’d missed them in Memphis. Jess found herself gazing down the tracks of her life—a life without this man who’d been there since childhood—and they faded into a horizon cold and empty.

She needed her career. She needed Tamel.

The words bubbled up inside Jess, spilled out of her mouth. “I love you, Tamel Curd.”

She blinked, surprised at herself. The words hung between them. Part of her wanted to bat them away.

Tamel grinned and wagged his head. “See there. Told ya.”

She flexed her shoulders. “Aren’t you the smart aleck.”

“Yup. And
you
don’t know as much as you think you do.”

Jess blew out air. “You are totally exasperatin’.”

“Not half as bad as you.”

“Oh, really.”

“Shut up, Jess.”

He pulled her close and kissed her again.