Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

Greer relaxed, the others trying to do the same.

Logan went to Greer, resting his arm on Greer’s shoulder. “Yes, Uncle Greer?”

Holly couldn’t explain the unfurling love she felt for the two people she loved most in the world.

Greer came across as self-centered, because he was, but like a tree, he sheltered his family, holding himself back so when they needed him, he would be able to make sure they were safe. Logan was young and weak like a little sapling, and Greer, being an ego maniac, wanted his nephew to grow tall and strong. He wanted all his family to prosper and do well. He didn’t take one trait after his father. His love wasn’t borne out of fear and pride. It was borne out of self-sacrifice and enduring loyalty. That lesson he had learned from his mother, his grandmother, and those before them; it was a lesson Greer would pass on to their child, just as he had done for Logan.

Despite Greer’s threats to spank him, Logan had no fear to touch his uncle. The bond between the two made it apparent that Greer would be a wonderful father, putting her fears to rest.

“Why did you draw the picture of the puppy?”

Logan shrugged. “I like to draw pictures I see in my head.”

“Did you see that puppy before you drew it?”

“No.”

“How much did the puppy you drew look like the puppy you saw from the window?”

“Not a lot. I didn’t have my colors, so I couldn’t color him brown.”

“Was the puppy outside brown?”

“Yes. And it had a spot there.” Logan touched the patch of black on the puppy’s side that he had shaded in with the ink pen.

“Is that why you went outside, because he looked like the one in your picture?”

Logan lowered his lashes as if he would get in trouble if he answered.

“You won’t get in trouble. Answer your uncle’s question.”

“Yes.”

“Has that happened before? Have you drawn something then saw it?”

“Sometimes.”

“Can I see your pictures?”

“They’re in my room.”

Greer stood up. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Logan took Greer’s seat, swinging his feet. “Can I have another cookie?”

Holly started to tell him no then took one from the cookie tray, breaking it in half to give him and nibbling on the other half.

Five minutes later, when Greer didn’t come back, she started to get worried. Trying to ease her fears, she broke another cookie in half, giving it to Logan and eating the other half herself.

When ten minutes passed and Greer hadn’t returned, Tate called him. “What’s taking so long?”

“Okay.” Hanging up the phone, he told them Greer was on his way back.

Another five minutes passed, and no Greer. Holly couldn’t take it another minute, about to go see what was taking him so long when she heard the four-wheeler he had taken coming back. She was beginning to feel foolish for overreacting when Greer came to the door, not making a move to come inside.

“Tate and Dustin, come outside. We need to talk.” His furious expression had the men going to the door.

“Logan, stay here.” Holly headed outside.

Rachel handed Ema to Cash, going with her. The men looked at them as they stepped out onto the porch but didn’t ask them to leave.

“What’s wrong?” Holly kept her voice low, so Logan wouldn’t hear.

“Someone broke down the old outhouse.”

“Why would they break down an old outhouse?”

Holly hadn’t even known what it was when she had moved into the Porters’ house. Rachel had laughingly told her what it was when she had seen the small, tiny building sitting on the small rise of the hill beside the barn.

“That’s where we keep our stash.”

“You keep it in an outhouse?” She was revolted at the thought of them hiding their stash in a glorified cesspool.

“We never used it the way you’re thinking. Pa had that one built as a hidey hole. The one we used before Pa built that was on the other side of the house. We tore it down ten years ago and covered it with dirt. The outhouse by the barn was where we could keep an eye on our stash, and no one would search for it there.”

Tate slammed his fist down on front porch post. “Son of a fucking bitch! No one knew it was there. We never went there until pitch dark. Greer, did you tell?”

“Course not! I may have shown her those quilts, but I never told her about the outhouse?”

“You, Dustin?”

“No!”

“Then how could anyone have known?”

“I don’t know, but I will find out when whoever stole it starts selling it.” Greer bleakly stared out at the road that led to his house. “All that work for nothing. Another two days, and it would have been gone. I had already promised everything out. I would have made their deliveries after the wedding.”

“Did anyone know when you were going to make the deliveries?” Holly went to Greer, rubbing his arm and trying to make him feel better.