Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

“Hey, Dr. Matthew’s, how you doing?” Greer greeted Dr. Price’s grandfather, extending his hand.

“How are you doing, Greer? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.” The elderly doctor took his hand to shake.

“Can’t complain. How about you?” he asked, not releasing his hand.

“My gout has been acting up, but other than that I can’t complain, either.” The man’s eyes went to the office Greer had just come out of. “You staying out of trouble?”

“You know me. Trouble always finds me.” Greer joked, laughing while pressing his other hand on top of the one he still held.

The old doctor laughed with him. “It’s been good seeing you again. When that new wife of yours gets pregnant, let me know. I still keep a few close friends as patients; keeps me from being bored in my old age.”

“You’re not old; you’re still in the spring of your life. Holly will be calling soon. I don’t plan on anyone delivering my kid but the man who delivered me and my family. It’s a tradition.”

The man’s eyes grew misty. “Yes, it is. I still miss your ma.”

“We all do.” Greer released his hand with a small pat. “You take care.”

“You, too, Greer.” The old man walked away with a new spring in his step.

Greer took another three steps before a pretty woman glowing with health was trying to push a stroller out of the door of the clothing store.

Greer hastened to hold the door for her.

“Thanks, Greer.”

Winter tried to hug him, but using the stroller as a barrier between them, he bent down to look at the small child gurgling up at him.

“How’s Aisha doing?”

“She’s doing good. We just had a checkup. The doctor said she’s behind on the growth chart, but that’s because she was premature. We’re hoping she’ll catch up; as much as she eats, it won’t take her long.” She gave a worried laugh.

“May I?” he asked, holding his hands out to pick up the child.

“Of course. She loves to be held.”

Carefully, Greer picked the little girl up into his arms, cradling her to his chest, staring down into her bright eyes. “She’s beautiful, Winter. I bet Viper is so proud of her he doesn’t know what to do with himself.”

“Every time he goes out, he buys her a new toy. If he keeps it up, we’ll have to add another room to our house just for the toys.”

“A little bit of spoiling never hurt anyone. I hope I’m still around to see when she starts dating, I’ll probably have to lend him my shotgun to chase the boys away.”

“Viper says he’s never going to let her date.”

He held the child closer, pressing his hands harder on her. “Holly is expecting. They’ll be close enough in age that they can play together. I reckon I’ll be keeping an eye on both of them. Can’t have both girls wrapping Viper around his thumb.”

“I didn’t know Holly was expecting. You already know it’s a girl?”

“Don’t know for sure, but a man can dream. I’ve always been hankering for a little girl. I’m gonna name her after my grandmother, Rosalie Adana. Tate and Dustin both say when they have girls, they’re gonna name her after Granny. I have to beat them to the punch; can’t have three Rosalies running around Treepoint.”

Greer placed Aisha back in her stroller.

“No, that would be confusing. Greer, I—”

“I better be going. I’m taking Holly out to lunch.”

He stepped around Winter, walking down the sidewalk toward Diamond’s office. Nodding to several more townspeople without stopping, he saw his petite wife and her tall boss standing outside talking. The direct opposite in looks forging a friendship that he could see lasting a lifetime. While he didn’t mind that his baby girl would be playing with Aisha, there was no way he would let the baby Diamond was carrying become close. He planned to nip that in the bud; there was no way in hell he was going to share a grandbaby with Knox. Sometimes, the God Almighty asked too much.

“Is he in a good mood?” Holly whispered to her best friend, not wanting to turn around and alert Greer that they were gossiping about him.

“How can you tell?” Diamond asked sarcastically.

“Is he whistling, or does he have his usually grouchy expression on his face?” Holly asked, anxiously waiting to get a forewarning of the mood Greer was in after his meeting with Knox.

“He’s whistling.”

“Then we’re good.” Smiling, she turned to wait for her husband to reach them, her eyes narrowing on him when she saw the fatigue on his face.

“Ready for lunch?”

“Mind if we miss it and do lunch another day? You getting me out of bed early has made me tired. Thought I’d go on home and take a nap.”

She saw her husband unsteadily hoisting himself into his truck. “I don’t mind. Go ahead and get your beauty sleep. I’ll be home after work. Logan is having a sleepover with Chance and Noah, so we’ll have a couple of hours until Dustin gets home.”