Holly’s mouth dropped open. “Do you have to talk like that in front of Logan?”
Greer’s lips twisted in a sneer as Dustin urged Logan into the bathroom.
Greer went behind the kitchen counter to get a cup out of a cabinet, while Holly tensely waited, knowing what was coming. He didn’t disappoint.
“When I want your opinion about what I say in front of my nephew, I’ll fucking ask.”
Holly wanted to burst into tears at his harsh criticism, but like when faced with a rabid dog, she had learned not to show fear or emotion in front of the arrogant man.
“You may enjoy acting like an unmannered hillbilly, but if the same woman raised you as your brothers and Rachel, then you should know how to talk in front of a seven-year-old!”
Holly braced for the comeback when Dustin and Logan thankfully came out of the bathroom.
Dustin helped Logan slide on his backpack, saying, “I have to hurry. I have a meeting with Willa at eight thirty.” He gave her a concerned look, hesitating.
Holly brushed past Greer to smooth down Logan’s cowlick. “Have a good day at school. I love you.” Bending down, she brushed her lips against his cheek.
Logan darted a quick glance at Greer. “Bye, Holly.” Pulling up the straps of his backpack, he grabbed his father’s hand, tugging him toward the door.
Holly lowered her lashes, not wanting Logan to see how hurt she was that he didn’t repeat the “I love you” back. However, she didn’t miss the triumphant gleam of satisfaction in Greer’s eyes as she went to the freezer to pull out the stew meat she planned to make for dinner.
If he said one thing, she promised herself she would brain him with the lump of frozen roast.
She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. She wasn’t about to give him the gratification of seeing that her feelings had been hurt.
As she placed the meat in the crockpot, she ignored his muscular body taking up the breathing room she needed.
“I heard the diner is hiring. If Diamond can’t give you more hours, maybe you should check it out.”
“Maybe you should go take a shower. Between that cologne and Diane’s cheap perfume, I’m going to have to open another window.” She pulled out a knife from the knife block and started chopping carrots.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Greer scowl. Then, setting his coffee cup down on the counter, he folded his arms against his chest.
“The boy is too old to have you mollycoddling him anymore. Dustin is too nice to say anything to you, but we don’t need you here anymore.”
Holly kept chopping the carrots. “While Dustin doesn’t have your charming personality, I wouldn’t say he’s too nice. If he wanted me to leave, he would have no problem telling me.” She dropped the handful of carrots into the crockpot then reached for an onion.
“What are you trying to cook? You know I hate onions.”
“Does it matter? You’ve been eating out with Diane for the last week.”
“Jealous?”
The knife almost slipped. She barely managed to save her thumb in time.
Steadying her hand, she expertly sliced the onion before tossing them in with the meat and carrots. “Of Diane? I’d sooner be jealous of that dog sleeping on the front porch.” She vengefully reached for another onion.
He cocked a brow at her. “I meant going out on a date.”
“What you and Diane do isn’t considered a date. She considers you a meal plan.”
Rage filled his face. For a second, Holly became afraid he would hit her.
Flinching, she raised the knife to protect herself.
Greer started laughing. “What are you going to do with that?”
“Try me.” She was beyond tired of his attitude. If she didn’t love Logan with every breath in her body, she would have left the first week she had moved in with them.
Insultingly, he dropped his eyes to her breasts that were heaving against her T-shirt. Then he scornfully roamed down to her curvy hips before lifting his eyes. “I’ll pass.”
Holly turned back to finish chopping the onion as she heard the bathroom door close. She kept her face expressionless until she heard the water running. Then, feeling defeated, she felt a tear slide down her cheek.
Finishing with the vegetables, she put on the top to the crockpot. Then she quickly washed her hands before fleeing outside.
Going to the chicken coop Tate had built for her, she grabbed the basket hanging on a hook before gathering the eggs. She didn’t wince when one of the hens took exception to having her eggs robbed. Sitting the eggs to the side, she then walked around the pen, spreading feed.
It gave her a feeling of accomplishment to see how healthy and large the chickens were growing. Holly made sure not to get attached to them, but it made her feel as if she was contributing in a small way. The money she made selling the eggs and jams wasn’t much, yet it made her feel as if she was continuing a tradition when she placed her own jams on the shelves where Porter women had stored theirs for generations.