Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy Book 2)

by Jamie Begley

  Caleb gave her a discerning look, the flirty attitude she had become accustomed to gone. He went back into Diamond’s office, closing the door.

  She was so angry that she took out her phone to text Greer then put it back down. She was too angry. The only thing she wanted to give him was her skillet to his head.

  Ten minutes later, Caleb came out of Diamond’s office without saying good-bye to her.

  “If you don’t kill him, I will,” Diamond threatened when Holly was brave enough to go back into her office.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault Greer is a lunatic. You know there’s no way Caleb is going to ask you out now that you told him Greer is a friend of yours.”

  “Technically, Caleb thinks he’s Holt.”

  “Holt’s rap sheet is worse than Greer’s.” Diamond went to the small fridge where she kept her creamer and water to offer her clients, taking out a bottle of wine. Without worrying about a glass, she uncorked it and took a drink before going back to her desk. “Caleb prosecuted Greer on his drug bust. When he remembers who he is, any chance of me getting his job that he promised when he runs for office are going to be as empty as this wine bottle.” Taking another drink, she corrected herself, “When I finish it.”

  “I’m so sorry, Diamond. When Mr. Green comes back, I’ll explain about Greer. I had decided not to go out with him, anyway.”

  “Why not?”

  “It feels like I’m cheating on Greer, even though he doesn’t know it’s me.”

  Diamond’s head fell to her desk. “You’re just as crazy as he is.” Diamond lifted her head to stare at her. “If you do end up getting together with Greer—and that’s a big if, not because I don’t think he won’t forgive you, but because I think you’ll kill him when he quits acting like Mr. Nice Guy on the computer—I have only one thing I have to say …”

  “What is it?” Holly braced herself to be fired.

  “You’re off my island.”

  14

  Sharpshooter: What are you doing?

  Kentuckygirl: Contemplating the mysteries of life.

  Sharpshooter: You better not be buying weed off someone I don’t know when I can hook you up.

  Kentuckygirl: I’m not high. I was thinking how some men can be …

  Sharpshooter: Forget that. I have a question, and I need a woman’s opinion.

  Kentuckygirl: Is it about toilets? Because I’d like to shove …

  Sharpshooter: Hell, no. I don’t need your help with that. A woman couldn’t pick out a good toilet if her life depended on it.

  Chatroom closed

  Sharpshooter: Come on. I know you’re still there. I need your advice on how to tell a woman you’re sorry. Haven’t done it since my ma passed away.

  Kentuckygirl: You’re asking me advice on how to tell another woman you’re sorry?

  Sharpshooter: It’s not like that. She’s a friend.

  Sharpshooter: You gonna help me out?

  Kentuckygirl: Buy her a diamond bracelet.

  Sharpshooter: I didn’t kill her dog. I was thinking about buying her a couple of chickens.

  Kentuckygirl: You’re going to apologize with chickens?

  Sharpshooter: She likes chickens.

  Kentuckygirl: Buy the diamond bracelet. A big one. If she’s friends with you, she deserves it.

  Sharpshooter: Okay. The chickens are out. How about flowers?

  Sharpshooter: ??

  Kentuckygirl: Flowers will work.

  “Hi, Greer. You’re up bright early this morning. What can I help you with?”

  Greer looked at the displays of flowers behind Abe’s back. Then he gazed down at the different flowers that were wrapped in paper below the counter.

  “How much are the flowers behind you?”

  “They vary in prices. The ones on the top shelf can be over fifty bucks. The ones lower are even higher.”

  “How much are these?” Greer pointed at the ones wrapped in paper.

  “Nine ninety-nine”

  Greer thought about asking him for his advice. Abe was in business to make money, though, so he would try to sell him the most expensive flowers in his shop.

  “I’ll take two of these.” Greer pointed at the wrapped flowers.

  Taking out his wallet, he thumbed his money as Abe greedily watched him.

  “You going to need a vase? If you buy one, I can fix it up for you really nice.”

  “How much are they?”

  “Nine ninety-nine.”

  “Do I get a discount?”

  “No.”

  “Then I don’t need a vase.” Handing over his money, he chose two bouquets.

  “When are you going to have your new crop ready to sell?”

  “Working on it.” Greer kept his answer vague.

  “Don’t forget I want to buy extra this season. You promised to save me enough to get through the winter. Last year, I didn’t have enough to get through the end of August.”

  “Then don’t smoke up so fast.”

  “Come on, Greer; give me break. You know my old lady is a bitch. If I didn’t have that to enjoy at night when she goes to bed, I’d be in the Grange.”

  Abe had a point. The sanctimonious busybody was more interested in what was going on in everyone else’s bedroom than her own. If he were married to the bitch, he would be bribing the guards to let him into the prison that was located in LaGrange, Kentucky.

  “I don’t give breaks where my weed is concerned any more than you give discounts.” Greer turned to leave with the flowers in his hands.

  “Wait … Maybe we can work something out.”

  Ten minutes later, Greer left the flower shop, whistling as he walked down the sidewalk. It was hard to see with the two huge spray of flowers blocking his vision.

  “Watch where—”

  Greer lowered one of the vases at the sound of the sharp voice.

  “Is that you, Greer?”

  “Who does it look like?”

  Diane’s face went from shocked to angry at his sarcastic tone. “Who died?”

  “No one.”

  “Then who are the flowers for? You never bought me any flowers.”

  “Why would I buy you any flowers? According to you, I wasn’t good for anything except growing weed and fucking.”

  “You know I was joking around.”

  “No, you said that when I caught you getting laid instead of cooking for me.”

  “Greer, nothing happened. I told you we’re just friends.”

  “No, you were two-timing me, or three-timing me. Hell, I don’t even know how many you’ve been doing, and I’m done with it. I told you when you came back to me that it was the last chance I was giving you.”

  “I didn’t think you meant it. We belong together. You’ve been promising to marry me for years.”

  “I said I would marry you if you could go six months without cheating on me. You couldn’t make it two. Get Luke to marry you. Maybe he won’t care you’re a slut.”

  “You’ll change your mind. You always do. We’re two of a kind, Greer. You’re never going to find another woman who can give you what I can. I don’t care how many flowers you buy her.”

  “I already found her, so it looks like you’re stuck with Luke, unless you have someone else who can give you a more expensive ring. I heard Luke’s father’s fed up with him after he crashed his car.”

  Her face grew dark. “What if I’m pregnant?”

  “Then tell Luke congratulations. You’re not pulling that on me. I never fucked you unless I was bagged. If you want to claim it as mine, then you better be ready for a DNA test. And then, even if it was mine—and it ain’t—I wouldn’t marry you. You best remember who you’re talking to and what I’d do to a woman who tried to pull that game on me. Besides, you don’t look far along to be mine.” Insulting eyes skimmed over her trim body.

  Diane paled. “I’m not pregnant. I was just saying—”

  “I know what you were trying to
say. You were hoping that I was too drunk to remember if I had fucked you or not the nights I crashed on your couch. Now, move before I stop being the gentleman my mama raised me to be.”

  Diane hastily moved out of his way.

  Greer didn’t look back at the woman he had some good memories of without regrets. She could find another sucker who would believe her lies. He had given her the benefit of the doubt too many times to believe anything she said again.

  Diane was out of his mind before he even turned the corner.

  As he drew closer to Diamond’s office, he saw the two women’s cars were already there. He had wanted to be there before they had gone inside, worried that Diamond would have him arrested for trespassing before he could apologize.

  He hesitated before going inside, rehearsing his speech. Maybe he should have asked Kentuckygirl what to say, but the woman had kept harping on about that big-ass diamond bracelet. Therefore, he had cut their conversation short.

  After several cars slowed down to look at him, Greer put his ass in gear and went inside. Out of sight, though, he slowed, dreading the coming confrontation. Diamond was going to let him have it. It’s wasn’t that he minded taking her flak—she was the best lawyer in town, and he needed to keep her happy. The problem was his own temper. He didn’t want to lose it and make the situation worse.

  He stared at the door, thinking about getting Dustin to deliver them, but then decided to man up.

  If Logan could see him, the boy would have a hissy fit at the way he was acting.

  He was fumbling with the doorknob when it was swung open.

  Lowering the vases, he saw Holly staring at him.

  “What are you doing here?” she hissed.

  “I …” Greer cleared his throat. “I came to apologize.” Shoving one of the vases at her, he waited for it to be smashed over his head.

  “You bought me flowers?”

  “Yes.” He raised his voice so Diamond would hear him from her office. “I bought some for Diamond, too.”

  “They’re beautiful,” Holly breathed.

  Greer shoved his shirt back down his pants with his free hand. “I’m glad you like them. They’re the best in Abe’s shop.”

  He took it as a good sign when Holly moved away from the door, letting him inside the office.

  “Tell him to get out!”

  Greer saw Diamond through the mirror in her waiting room, sitting behind her desk. He knew she was still mad from the lawyer face that was screwed on.

  “Come on, Diamond. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s Mrs. Richards-Bates to you.”

  “They’re roses,” he tried to coax.

  “Move to the left a little bit.”

  Greer took a couple of steps, so she could see them in the reflection of the mirror.

  “Set them on Holly’s desk and get out.”

  Greer didn’t miss the smile Holly tried to hide as he set the flowers down on her desk. He then tucked his shirt down the other side of his pants.

  “I’m sorry I told that arrogant asswipe to fuck—”

  “Don’t blow it, Greer. Let the flowers speak for themselves,” Holly mumbled from off to the side, so Diamond couldn’t see their reflections.

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. Diamond will get over it …”

  “No, I won’t!” Diamond snarled from the other room. “And I don’t care how many flowers he brings; he’s not getting on my island! Son of bitch might as well have told the commonwealth attorney to fu—”

  Holly went to Diamond’s office door, closing it with a snap.

  “She’s pretty mad.” Greer stared at the closed door, debating whether or not to open it and try to apologize again.

  “She’ll get over it.” Holly sat down behind her desk then moved the vase to the front of her desk before fussing with them as if they were gold.

  His face softened. “Do you like them?”

  “I love them. I haven’t been given flowers since I went to high school prom, and then it was only a corsage.”

  “None of your boyfriends ever gave you any?”

  “No. Most of the men I dated didn’t want me fiddling with flowers when they were trying to get me in the backseat.”

  “You dated the wrong men, then.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know.” Holly shrugged, but Greer could see the pain-filled memories in her eyes. “Besides, men don’t really give flowers anymore, unless for a woman’s birthday or Valentine’s Day. How many times have you given flowers to a woman?”

  “Twice.”

  Her jaw went slack. “Diamond and I are the first women you’ve given flowers to?”

  “Yes. Never needed to apologize to anyone before.”

  “But when you went to prom, surely, you gave her flowers?”

  “I didn’t go to prom. I couldn’t afford it. And I didn’t really like anyone enough to go with them.”

  “You didn’t have a crush on someone in your school?”

  “Diane was my girlfriend in high school. She broke up with me when Asher asked her out. I didn’t have enough to do it up right, anyway. I was too busy trying to work. My ma and pa were dead, and Tate and I were too busy trying to feed and clothe Dustin and Rachel to worry about girls.”

  “Sutton said she and Tate fell in love in high school.”

  “They did … until her parents interfered and she left town.”

  “She told me. All those years they wasted being apart …”

  Greer saw the telltale signs of tears in her eyes before she glanced away.

  “They weren’t wasted. Both of them had some growing up to do. When they were meant to be together, Sutton came back,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “That’s profound coming from you. I didn’t think you believed in fate or destiny.”

  “I don’t. I believe in human nature. Sutton and Tate loved each other. Instinctively, they grew close again when she came back.”

  “However they managed to work it out, I’m happy for them. That reminds me. I need to call Tate and thank him for buying my new tires. Dustin said he had the used one that Jo gave me replaced, did an oil change, and fixed my air conditioner. I told Dustin to thank Tate when he brought it back, but I should call him—”

  “Tate didn’t do it. I did.”

  “I know you’re the one who dropped my car off. Believe me; I won’t forget it anytime soon. But Tate asked you to and paid for it.” Holly started to pick up her phone.

  Greer put his hand out to stop her. “Tate asked Dustin to get the tire fixed that Jo replaced. I had an appointment for it yesterday, and I thought it could wait until then, but Jo fixed it before I could. Don’t thank me. I should have told the auto shop that I needed an earlier appointment. It was my bad, and Tate called me on it.”

  “You paid for it?” She pulled her hand out from under his.

  “Yes … Kind of. Earl and I did a trade, or we will in a couple of weeks. He extended me some credit until I can pay him.”

  Holly stood up so fast her chair hit the wall behind her.

  “I drive around in a car that your weed is going to pay for?”

  “Quiet down, or Diamond will call Knox. I’ll have to fork over even more weed to keep out of jail. Hell, I’ve been spending enough. I’m going to have to grow extra crops this year, and I hate growing those fuckers under lights. They don’t taste the same.”

  She stared at him speechlessly then gave him a dirty look before pulling her chair back to her desk and sitting down.

  “Greer, go home. Now.”

  He frowned at her prissy attitude. Why the fuck was she upset now?

  “I need to get home, anyway. So, do you like the flowers? Are you still mad about yesterday?”

  Her sigh sent the expensive flowers swaying.

  “Why did you act like that with Caleb?”

  He thought about making up an excuse then decided to tell the truth. “I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

  �
�Why do you care how Caleb looks at me?”

  “He reminded me of the catfish I’ve been trying to catch for two summers.”

  “You’re comparing Caleb to a catfish?”

  “Yeah, it’s the only way I can explain it. Catfish are slippery sons of bitches.”

  Her gaze became speculative. “He gave me that impression, too. Thanks for the flowers and for fixing my car.”

  Greer smiled, relieved she accepted his apology. “You’re welcome. Tell Diamond I’m sorry.”

  “I will.”

  He left before he did something else that would piss her off.

  Whistling, he walked down the steps and retraced his steps to where he had left his truck and saw the ticket under his window wiper.

  The fine had been scribbled out and the extortionate fee had been written carefully in the bottom corner by hand.

  Lifting his head from the ticket, he saw Knox standing in front of the diner with a coffee cup in his hand.

  “Damn, I’m not going to have enough to buy a pack of gum by the time everyone takes their cut,” he muttered, getting into his truck.

  He was tempted to flick Knox off, but the fuckwad would probably write him another ticket. He tapped his fingers on his steering wheel. It was when he saw Knox raise his coffee to his lips that an idea occurred to him.

  He knew exactly how to solve his financial problem, and hopefully catch the woman he wanted to marry.

  15

  Sharpshooter: Thanks for your idea. It worked.

  Kentuckygirl: Glad to help.

  Sharpshooter: What’s your favorite flower?

  Kentuckygirl: Daisies. They’re cheap and you can grow them in your backyard.

  Sharpshooter: Do you have a backyard?

  Kentuckygirl: Yes.

  Sharpshooter: How big is it?

  Kentuckygirl: I don’t know. Medium-sized, I guess. Why?

  Sharpshooter: So I know how many daisies to plant there.

  Kentuckygirl: You never stop, do you?

  Sharpshooter: Nope. You won’t even tell me how big your backyard is. You don’t tell me anything about yourself.

  Kentuckygirl: Ask me one thing about myself, other than my name and what I look like.

  Sharpshooter: How do you feel about me?