“I’ve never seen anyone Tazed before.”
“Who got Tazed?”
“Justin.” Holly looked up at him, surprised he hadn’t turned to look for himself.
“He deserves it. I hope Knox gives him an extra jolt for spitting on those poor suckers.”
Holly stared at the man in pity. “I think he gave Justin more than one. He peed on himself.”
Greer still hadn’t looked back to watch what was happening at his back.
“You can let me go now,” she stated the obvious.
Greer moved away from her so fast he stumbled against one of the deputies, sending him into men Knox was still trying to break apart.
“Goddammit, who sucker-punched me?” Holt Hayes swung at the first person closest to him.
Greer ducked, his own fist coming out to nail Holt in his stomach.
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” Holt panted, trying to catch his breath.
“Motherfucker …” Greer started toward the man who was trying to straighten out of his bent-over position.
“Greer, don’t.” Holly wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to hold him back. “Please don’t. Logan’s watching.”
His hands went to hers where they were clasped around his waist. She held on tighter, her body tight around him from behind.
“Look. Knox is putting his handcuffs on him now.”
He tried to break away from her again.
“Do you want everyone in town saying that you couldn’t beat Holt in a fair fight?” Holly tried again to calm him down.
Knox pushed Holt down to the ground beside Justin, who was trying to angrily explain that Curt and Justin hadn’t been the ones to start the fight.
“Woman, let me go.” When Greer turned to look over his shoulder at her, she saw he had calmed down enough to release him.
Dustin and Tate came to stand next to them.
“I’m surprised you’re not sitting there with the others, getting arrested.” Tate slapped him on his back. “You must be getting old.”
“He didn’t fight. He made sure I didn’t get grounded into the dust from those jerks.”
“Damn, Greer, you’re not getting old; you’re getting soft,” Tate teased, putting Greer into a headlock when Greer swung a fist at his laughing face.
“Tate, quit bugging Greer.” She placed herself between the two brothers who loved to fight as much as they loved each other. “You can take all your aggression out on the bumper cars.”
“You still want to let Logan ride them?” Dustin asked, setting Logan down on the ground.
“Of course.” She took Logan’s hand so he couldn’t run ahead of them. “There doesn’t seem to be a line anymore. Where’re Sutton and Rachel?”
“Cash took them and the baby on home.” Tate left it unsaid that neither he nor Dustin would leave without making sure Greer didn’t need their help.
Holly released Logan’s hand at the entrance of the bumper cars.
“You’re not coming?” Greer asked when she moved to the side so that Dustin and Tate could enter.
“Hel—Uh, no thanks. I’ve had enough excitement for the night.”
Holly stared after Greer as he went to find his own car, stupefied by the ironic smile he had given her for the near miss at cursing. He never smiled at her, always giving her a cold shoulder. That smile had lightened his expression, buoying the flickering flame in her heart that one day there might be a chance of something growing between them. A slim chance, but it was better than what she had been living with for the past six years.
10
Kentuckygirl: Did you have fun at the carnival last night?
Sharpshooter: It would have been better if you were there.
Kentuckygirl: Maybe one day, I will.
Sharpshooter: Are you thinking about us being more than friends?
Kentuckygirl: Maybe. Were you able to ride your tilt-a-whirl?
Sharpshooter: My brother recorded my nephew and me riding it. You want to see?
Kentuckygirl: Yes.
Sharpshooter:
Kentuckygirl: Your nephew is very handsome, like his uncle.
Sharpshooter: He looks more like his dad than me.
Kentuckygirl12: Who is the woman?
Kentuckygirl: You sure you don’t have a girlfriend or are married?
Sharpshooter: Sorry, I had to put my dog out. The woman? She’s my nephew’s babysitter. I’d rather shoot off my dick before I went out with her. I’m not going to lie; I date around, but I’m not serious about any one woman yet. I’m looking for that special woman. And I think I’ve found her if you would just give in and meet me.
Kentuckygirl: Why don’t you like her?
Sharpshooter: Like? God says I shouldn’t hate anyone, but with her, it’s hard not to make an exception. If she had it her way, I would have never known my nephew. God grants forgiveness. I don’t.
Kentuckygirl: I see. Wow. I can understand. I’m sorry that happened to you and your family. I need to get busy. My lunch break is over. Take care, Sharpshooter.
Sharpshooter: You, too.
“Can I go play with Noah and Chance?” Logan tugged at Holly’s hand as they came out of the church.
Smoothing his dark hair back, Holly smiled down at the little boy she considered her whole world. “Go ahead.”