Carnal Innocence

comfort.
    “Don’t look to me like you even hit the brakes.”
    “I hit them,” Tucker said. “They were out.”
    Junior eyes came as close to sharp as they ever did. If it had been anyone else, he would have shrugged off the story. But he knew and admired Tucker’s skill at the wheel. “Now, that’s a puzzle. Bad steering, bad brakes, all at once in a car like this? No more than six months old, is she?”
    “Just.”
    Junior nodded again. “We’ll have to take a look.”
    “I’d be obliged if you would, Junior.”
    Caroline held her tongue until Junior walked back to his tow truck. “What the hell does a drag race more than fifteen years ago have to do with you crashing into my mail post?”
    Tucker smiled. “It was a hell of a night. Get on back from the car now, darlin’. It might shift some when he hooks it on.” Careful to keep her sympathy close to the surface, Tucker slid an arm around her shoulders, leaned a little of his weight on her, and allowed her to help him move back a few feet.
    “Are you dizzy?”
    He wasn’t, but there was such sweet concern in her voice. “Maybe a little,” he said—bravely, he thought. “It’ll pass.” He bit back a smile when her arm curved around his waist in support.
    “Let’s get you back in the car.” She’d insisted on driving him to the end of the lane rather than allowing him to walk. “I’ll take you home.”
    Home, hell. He was just starting to make progress. “Maybe I could just stretch out on your couch till I get my strength back.”
    She was wavering, he could tell. When he heard the blare of a horn, he had to swallow an oath. Dwayne screeched his white Caddy to a stop, dead in the middle of the road. He hadn’t shaved yet, and his hair was sticking out at all angles. He had pulled a pair of pants over his Jockeys and had added a muscle shirt.
    “Jesus H. Christ, boy.”
    He glanced at Tucker, saw he was standing on bothfeet, and gave his attention to the car Junior was hooking up.
    “Out for a Sunday drive, Dwayne?”
    “Crystal called.” Dwayne whistled through his teeth as he took a look at the front end of the Porsche. “Seems Singleton Fuller was in the Mobile when Junior got the call. He ran into Jed Larsson, then Crystal stopped in for a six-pack of Cokes. Good thing I answered the phone before Josie, or she’d’ve had a hissy fit for sure.” His hangover, thanks to Josie’s stock of pills and remedies, had backed off enough to make him sympathetic. “Shit on toast, Tuck, you sure did kill that pretty little toy.”
    Out of patience, Caroline sucked in a breath. “He’s doing as well as can be expected,” she shot out. “It could have been worse, but as it happens he only rapped his concrete head. It’s understandable that you’re so concerned about your brother’s condition, but let me reassure you. He’ll be fine.”
    Junior had stopped what he was doing to stare, the cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. Dwayne blinked. Tucker struggled not to lose his dignity by hooting with laughter.
    She was crazy about him, he decided.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Dwayne said, meticulously polite. “I can see he is. I just rode down so I could take him home.”
    “What a concerned, close-knit family you must be.”
    “We do tend to stick together.” When he smiled, there was something charming about him despite the bloodshot eyes, the barroom glow.
    “I’ve never known another family like yours,” Caroline said sincerely.
    “She’s all set, Tuck,” Junior called. “I’ll let you know what’s what.”
    “You do that. Thanks.” Tucker had to turn away. He just couldn’t watch his car being towed off. It was almost as bad as watching a loved one being carried away on a stretcher.
    “Nice to see you again, Caroline,” Dwayne began, then headed to his car. “Let’s go, Tucker. There was agame starting when Crystal called. I’ve missed the whole first inning by now.”
    “In a minute.” Tucker turned back to Caroline. “I appreciate the nursing.” He touched a hand to her hair. “And the listening. I didn’t realize I needed someone to listen.”
    It took her a moment to understand he was being sincere. There were no teasing lights in his eyes, no trace of mockery in his voice. “You’re welcome.”
    “I’d like to pay you back.” When she started to shake her head, Tucker cupped her chin. “I’d like you to come to dinner tonight, at Sweetwater.”
    “Really, Tucker, you don’t have