Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

She shook her head. “It wasn’t Mitch. The man who chased me was taller and heavier.”

“Just thought I’d mention him as a possibility.”

“He’s not,” she said firmly. “And let’s not say anything to Dustin until morning. You can go back to Diane’s, and I’ll talk to Dustin in the morning.”

“Hell, no. I’ll wait until Logan’s in bed, but I’m telling him tonight. I can see Diane tomorrow. I had already decided to stay in after taking you home. Logan wasn’t feeling well tonight.” Greer let her know he wasn’t staying home because of her, but because he was concerned about Logan.

“What’s wrong with Logan? Why didn’t Dustin call me? I could have come home after work.”

“He wanted you to have a good time. I told him to call you when I picked him up from school. The kid didn’t even want to go to the ice cream store.”

“You should have called me. I could have called the doctor’s office.”

“He just had an upset stomach. If he’s not better by tomorrow, you can take him to the doctor’s. You don’t have to run him to the doctor over every bellyache. You would make a sissy out of that boy if I let you.”

“You couldn’t be nice for ten minutes, could you?”

Her stark whisper had him feeling guilty.

“I’m sorry.” He hadn’t even meant to tell her that Logan wasn’t feeling well tonight. For some reason, Holly always brought out the worst in him.

“I’m so tired of always arguing with you, Greer. I know you can’t stand me, but I keep hoping that you’ll realize how much Logan means to me and give me a break, but you’re not going to. It’s just getting worse.”

Greer made the turn onto his property as he heard the defeat in her voice.

“Let’s not talk about this tonight.”

“Why? You have no problem hitting a dog when it’s down.”

It took everything in him not to snap at her, waiting until he parked in front of his house before turning toward her furiously. “Accusing a man of hitting his dog is fighting words in this town. Your first thought when you saw me tonight was to accuse me of trying to attack you, and now you’re accusing me of beating my dog? You’ve never seen me lay a hand on my dog,” he snarled.

Holly grabbed the door handle, opening the door, and Greer winced when he saw her miserable expression.

“Welcome to my world, Greer. How does it feel when someone misjudges you? You’re upset and angry because I said something you know isn’t true. Ever since the moment I met you, I’ve dealt with one accusation after another thrown in my face. You think you’re ready to be a husband and a father? Nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t care about anyone but yourself. You may have never hit a woman or a dog, but I’ve never seen you care about one, either.

“You can stop your worrying about Logan growing into a sissy. He’ll grow up to be a loving and affectionate man. Dustin and Tate are teaching him that, which is more than I can say about you! When you’re old and lonely, and Logan doesn’t want to come visit you at a nursing home, you won’t have me to blame, then.” Holly jumped out of the truck, making sure she was out of his reach before giving her final jibe. “And you can wrap that in one of your rolling papers and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!”

8

Kentuckygirl: What’s your favorite ride at an amusement park?

Sharpshooter: The games.

Kentuckygirl: The games aren’t a ride. What was the first one you got in line for when you went?

Sharpshooter: My family was too poor to go to the carnival. When me and my brothers did go, we sneaked in and watched everyone else ride.

Kentuckygirl: Why can’t you just answer the question?

Sharpshooter: What was yours?

Kentuckygirl: I loved the merry-go-round.

Sharpshooter: That’s lame. At least the tilt-a-whirl is fun when you go around in circles. The merry-go-round is boring.

Kentuckygirl: I thought you hadn’t ridden any rides? How do you know the tilt-a-whirl is fun if you’ve never ridden it? Or that the merry-go-round is boring?

Sharpshooter: I may have been exaggerating.

Kentuckygirl: Do you do that often?

Sharpshooter: Only when I’m trying to feel sorry for myself, so you’d go to the carnival next Friday.

Kentuckygirl: I don’t think it would be a good idea. We’re just friends. Going to the carnival would be like going on a date.

Sharpshooter: So, you’re saying you’re never going to meet me? Why did you even message me if you weren’t interested in a relationship? I was upfront. I’m looking for a relationship.

Kentuckygirl: I was upfront, too. I said I wasn’t. I was only looking for a friend, and you’re a good friend. I don’t want to lose your friendship. Besides, you wouldn’t like me if you met me.