That Dog Won't Hunt (Dearing Family Series) by Collins Brandilyn

Author:Collins, Brandilyn [Collins, Brandilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Challow Press
Published: 2013-05-24T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Christina found the house so quiet with Jess and the men gone. She would have loved to play with Lady Penelope, but the stubborn Yorkie still had her nose stuck in the corner.

“How long is she going to stay like that?” Christina asked Sarah, who lingered in the kitchen, Lacey at her side.

Sarah shrugged. “Long as she figures it takes to punish you.”

Christina already felt punished.

Sarah must have seen her fallen expression. “Don’t worry, the dog’ll get over it.” She turned toward Penny. “Hear that, Lady P? You’re a dog.”

Maybe. But she clearly thought she’d descended from royalty.

Mrs. Dearing came into the kitchen and bustled about, making a list of things to get at the store. “Okay, I’m ready, Sarah, let’s go.” She turned to Christina. “Want to come with us, hon?”

“No, stay and play!” Lacey stood up on her toes. “We can color.”

Which should she do? Either way, someone wouldn’t be happy with her.

“Oh, have mercy, I have a headache.” Maddy appeared in the family room, headed for the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of pain reliever.

“Oh, dear, I’m sorry.” Mrs. Dearing frowned. “Somethin’ we can get you at the store?”

“No, these’ll do.” Maddy stuck two pills in her mouth and gulped them down with water.

“Maybe I should stay,” Christina said. “I’ll watch the kids, and Maddy can rest.”

“Oh, goody, I’m gonna go pick some colorin’ books!” Lacey skipped down the west wing hall, then veered into the play room. Christina could hear one of Pogey’s video games already running.

“That sure is nice of you, Christina.” Mrs. Dearing picked up her purse. “You sure you’ll be all right?”

No. “Sure.”

“Okay. Thank you.” She checked the clock. “Jess has been gone about forty-five minutes. If they go to the seafood store and come straight home, she’ll be back in a half hour or so.” She turned to Maddy. “You lie down now, hear? Get rid of that headache before everybody gets home.”

“Don’t worry, I’m goin’ back to bed.”

Mrs. Dearing and Sarah disappeared down the hall toward the garage.

Maddy put the bottle on the shelf. “You’re a darlin’, Christina.”

“No problem. Do you get headaches very often?”

In childhood Christina had a lot of stomach aches. They’d gone away when she fled her parents’ house.

“Not really. But they’re doozies when I do. Best thing is to take some aspirin and lie down.” She raised her voice toward the play room. “Lacey, y’all keep it quiet in there now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Alex, don’t you fight with your cousin.”

“Yes, Mama,” Alex’s little voice squeaked.

Maddy ambled off down the east wing hallway.

For a moment Christina stood in the empty family room, watching Penny. The Yorkie must have sensed most everyone had gone. She peeked over her shoulder, spotted Christina, and gave her a hard look.

“Hi, Penny. Will you please forgive me?” Christina took a step forward.

Penny’s ears went back. She turned around and faced the corner.

Great. Christina couldn’t even get the dog to like her. And the day had just begun.

“Christina, come on!” Lacey’s voice filtered from the play room.

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