Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

And she had, Holly admitted. If she had to do it all over again, she would still have accepted the job Vincent Bedford had given her of caring for his grandson. She had taken one look at the beautiful baby and fell in love.

Caring for the baby had filled a void in her life. She had been alone since her mother had died, and the job had given her a roof over her head and had begun to repair the confidence that had taken a blow when she had been unable to find a secretarial job in Jamestown. Her boyfriend at the time had talked her into moving in with him, but his possessive attitude and growing dependency on her paycheck at a temporary agency had made the job Vincent had given her a chance to get back on her feet and away from Mitch’s domineering attitude.

In a few short weeks, Logan had taken over her life. His grandfather had only shown up when it was time to pay her and to visit Logan.

Holly couldn’t understand the distance Samantha had kept between her and her son, explaining that she was in college and was relieved Logan was in good hands until she could finish her degree. Something about her explanation didn’t ring true, though. Samantha exhibited no maternal pride in her baby, and she only held the baby for short periods before handing him back.

Months slipped into a year, and soon the visits came less and less. Holly had grown concerned when a month, then two went by without any contact. When Vincent had stopped coming by to pay her, the concern grew. When she had called Vincent and his phone had been disconnected, she had become frightened, not knowing what to do. She had been about to go to the police when Samantha showed up, giving her the ultimatum to move to Treepoint. If she didn’t want to move, Samantha would find someone else to care for him. She had no choice, really. Logan needed her.

It was then that Samantha had told her that her father had been arrested, and she needed to save enough money so they could find a new life away from Kentucky.

She had given one excuse after another as the weeks had passed. Holly had wanted to move to a larger city that had a warmer climate. Logan was doing well but becoming frail as he grew.

Holly had found a job when she moved to Treepoint. Mitch had offered to babysit Logan the days when Samantha wouldn’t show up. He was just as anxious to leave Kentucky and started taking odd jobs.

They all had made a pact that, as soon as they had enough money, they would get out of town and find Logan the medical care he needed. They had placed their faith in Samantha.

Holly slipped on the burgundy skirt. Donning a cream blouse to match, she stepped into her heels.

Shaking her head, she went back to her bathroom to style her hair.

When Samantha had been found dead, Holly and Mitch had been stunned. Mitch wanted to leave immediately, but Holly couldn’t until who or what had killed Logan’s mother was found. She had found herself in a walking nightmare, not knowing who to turn to.

Not knowing what to do, she had made one mistake after another by not confiding in Diamond and by not going to the sheriff. It was those mistakes that Greer held against her to this day.

Holly tried to excuse the mistakes she had made by telling herself she had no biological ties to Logan. Since his birth, he had been in her care, but she had no way to prove her guardianship over Logan, which Samantha had promised she would do as soon as they had arrived in Treepoint.

With Samantha dead, Logan could have ended up in foster care. Samantha had told her there were no living relatives beside her father, and he was in prison. She had also told Holly that Logan’s father hadn’t wanted anything to do with her when she had told him she was pregnant.

All lies, one after another, and she had bought them all.

Picking up her keys and purse from her dresser, she left her bedroom. Relieved that Greer was still gone, she shooed the puppy outside.

Her small car didn’t want to start, and it took a couple of minutes before the stubborn motor turned over.

Her gaze went to her wrist watch. She wasn’t going to be late, but it was going to be close. Holly hated to be late for work. She owed Diamond for standing by her side. She had not only remained her boss but became the sister she had never had.

When she opened the mailbox with her key outside the office door, she realized Diamond must have already beat her to work. Going the short flight steps to the office, she saw she was right when the door opened.