Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

Holly swallowed at how embarrassing that must have been to Greer’s ego.

“What did you do?” Holly asked softly, becoming caught up in the story of Greer’s past.

“I thanked her and put the shoes in the coat closet. Then sat back down.”

“You didn’t wear them?” Logan asked in awe.

“No, and I didn’t wear them the next day or the next.”

“Then what did you do?”

“I waited. About a week later, I asked to go to the restroom when Silas was still in there. He always had to take a dump after lunch.”

Holly grimaced at Greer’s graphic imagery.

“I reached under the stall and took his shoes before he could do anything. I kicked my old shoes inside. I was gone before he got out of the pot.”

“He didn’t tell?” Logan asked with wide eyes.

“He—heck no. He was too embarrassed to admit I got the better of him with his pants down.” Greer sniggered. “I wore those shoes all year, even though they were too small and I could have worn the ones the teacher bought me. But I didn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I had a point to prove. I was going to take my stand and not let Silas or that teacher make me do anything I didn’t want to do.”

Logan lost all pretense of playing sick, getting onto his knees on the bed, his fist flailing out. “I would have punched him for being so mean.”

“I didn’t have to. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

“Ew.” Logan’s disgust gave away to curiosity. “How?”

“Either scare it out of his skin, or give them something else to wear.” Greer shrugged. “You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.”

Logan nodded solemnly. “I will, Uncle Greer.”

“Hurry up. I need to make a stop before I drop you off.” Dustin ruffled Logan’s hair as they left the room.

Holly walked down the steps, going to get her purse from her bedroom. When she came back into the living room, she saw the two brothers talking. They broke off when they saw her.

“Since you two have this under control, I’m going to work.” Taking her car keys out of her purse, she jingled the keys in her hand, making no move to leave.

She hadn’t lived with the Porters for over six years without knowing they stuck together through thick and thin.

“What stop are you making before you drop Logan off? Diamond is flexible; I can do it for you.”

Dustin’s sheepish expression showed he was caught. “I’m going by the bakery at the church store to buy some peanut butter candy for Logan to give out after lunch time.”

“You can’t—”

“Woman, don’t interfere—”

“The school has a no nuts policy. Buy the vegan cupcakes instead.” She reached into her purse, taking out a twenty. “There are fourteen kids in the class. Buy the teacher one also. Fifteen should be enough.”

“We’re only buying thirteen.” Greer made no bones about their plan.

“Dustin better sweet talk his teacher, then, because she won’t be happy.”

“There won’t be no sweet talking involved,” Greer sneered. “If we give her an extra one, she’ll give one to that little bas—”

She started to snap at him, but Logan came bouncing down the stairs. “I’m ready, Daddy. You coming, Uncle Greer?”

“Nah. Your pa can do this without me.”

Logan took his father’s hand, going outside with Dustin. She started to follow them, but Greer stopped her by blocking her path.

“Forgetting something?”

“What?”

“A morning kiss would be nice.”

“Oh.” Blushing, she reached up and used his shirt sleeves to pull him down. Giving him a brief peck on his lips, she released him and went to the door.

“Don’t forget to tell Diamond you’ll be late coming back to work at lunch. We’re going to pick out your engagement ring.”

She didn’t want to hurt his pride, but she knew the state of Greer’s finances. Many nights, he and Dustin would sit at the dining room talking about their bills.

“I don’t need a ring—”

“I can pay for a ring.” His jaw tightened as if she had insulted him.

“I know you can … I know you’ve been doing some work on the house. I was just saying it can wait.”

“Let me worry about that, okay? I’ll be in my truck at twelve. Don’t keep me waiting. No need making Diamond’s day worse by seeing me in her office.”

“Why would that make it worse? The day hasn’t started yet.”

“It’s going to ruin her fucking day when she hears you’re engaged to me.”

Holly hadn’t exactly intended to tell her for the same reason. Seeing his narrowed eyes on her, she decided she should tell Diamond before Greer decided to take the matter off her hands.

“I’ll have a talk with her when I get to work. Happy?” She went out the door, starting the alarm when Greer came out behind her.

Opening her car door, she took her sunglasses out of her purse, seeing Greer about to jump inside his truck.