“Too much …”
“You can take it.” Licking the skin behind her ear, he pressed another finger inside of her, becoming aware of the small grunts she was making. He brought his free hand to her mouth to stifle the sounds.
“We don’t need to let Dustin know what he’s missing.” He held her steady with the grip he had on her pussy.
Curling her fingers around the headboard to keep it from hitting the wall, she was afraid she would lose control and bite down on his hand. The way he was fucking her was like he wanted to brand her soul, leaving no doubt that everyone on earth and in heaven would know she belonged to him.
Pressing even deeper, she felt his cock jerk inside of her as he pulled his fingers out to massage her engorged clit into an ecstasy that tore through her. She was afraid she wouldn’t survive.
Just when she thought she would fly too far away, he caught her, bringing her down to stare up into his amused eyes.
“Impressed?”
Unable to talk, she ran her hands over her body to make sure she was still there. When she was certain she was, she dragged her fingers through his long hair.
“When I told you the merry-go-round was my favorite ride, I was wrong.”
Greer laughed. “You were?”
“Yes. It was a kiddie ride. I’ve moved on.”
“What to?”
“You.”
“Chick, chick! Here, chick!” Holly strewed the chicken feed over the coup, proud that the chickens were getting fatter. They had shrunk down to nothing when she had lived at Mrs. Langley’s. Thankfully, since she had been home, they had regained their weight and her hens had started laying their eggs again.
Wiping her hands on the side of her jeans, she let herself out of the coup, scratching Hunter’s head as they walked toward the door. She smiled at the empty space where the barn had stood. The only thing left was the metal roof that Greer planned to use for the new one he was going to build.
She should call and ask Jo if she would like the old tractor and Greer’s scrap metal. She was surprised Greer’s father even owned a tractor. From everything she had heard about him, he didn’t do anything but grow weed and make moonshine. She didn’t know about growing weed, but she knew enough that he didn’t need a tractor to make rows of it.
A sudden thought struck her. Placing her basket on the porch, she angrily strode toward the tractor. Walking around it, her hands went to her hips as she studied it, keeping a wide berth from the reeking truck.
She kicked the big tire. Holly didn’t think that was her husband’s hidey hole.
She found what she was searching for when she nearly decapitated herself lifting the cover of the motor.
Slamming the cover back down, she was determined to confront her lying husband.
Picking her eggs up, she was practically in the door when she heard the sound of a truck coming up the driveway.
Going back to the porch, preparing to blast Greer when he got out of his truck, the sight of another truck following his had her egg basket dropping to the porch and her running toward the truck that Dustin and Logan got out of.
The brand-new Jeep that was as high as Greer’s truck was a pretty shade of pink. She laughed when she saw the license plate. “Hot Mama”
She ran, jumping into Greer’s arms. “I love it. Thank you!”
Twirling her around, he gave her kiss that blew Cash’s brass knuckles to smithereens.
“I love it so much.” Kissing him again, she then said, “Except I’m not a hot mama yet.”
“Who says?” His eyes crinkled. “You look pretty hot to me.”
She pushed him away laughingly. He had told her last week that she was pregnant. If she was, she was thrilled. But if she wasn’t, she looked forward to him trying to achieving his goal.
“Everyone hungry? Dinner’s ready. We can go out for a drive afterward.”
Greer carried her egg basket inside.
She was still admiring her present when Logan started to come down the steps.
“I forgot my backpack in your new jeep.”
“You go ahead. I’ll get it.”
Logan ran inside, slamming the door behind him.
Grinning, she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach his backpack. Shutting the door, she then caught a glance of a colored piece of construction peeking out. Unzipping the backpack, she pulled the bright yellow paper out. Tears filled her eyes at what she saw.
A man and woman were standing under a large tree that had her and Greer’s initials carved in it.
What had her smiling, though, were the four little daisies that were staring up in the sun with smiles on their faces.
“Woman, you coming?” Greer’s loud yell filled the air. Her man would never change.
Staring up at the bright blue sky above her, she said, “Thank you.”
A sudden breeze blew her hair against her cheek, as if lovingly stroking it. Holly brought her hand to her cheek, somehow recognizing the mysterious touch that had helped guide her back from death.
“I promise I’ll take good care of them.”
A tendril of her hair twined around her finger as the wind blew harder, holding them together and bridging the gap between the present and eternity. Greer’s mother was speaking without words, letting her know she would be watching. Then she left as suddenly as she had appeared.
Holly clutched Logan’s drawing in her hand, seeing the shadow next to the oak tree guarding the garden she loved.
“Woman, I’m hungry!”
Laughing, she ran toward the house, unafraid of what their future held, secured in the love of the family she had always wanted, and protected by those who would be endlessly watching.
Epilogue
Greer strolled into the sheriff’s office, giving a cheeky wink at the receptionist behind the desk.
“Don’t you look pretty in that dress. Is it new?” He leaned against the desk as he flirted with the older woman.
Her eyes brightened as she stepped around her desk to give him a big hug; he returned her hug, lifting her off her feet.
“If I had known you were going to stop by today, I would have made you some corn bread. I know how much you love it.”
He sat her back down on her feet; holding her hand, he stared down at it. “Is that a new ring I’m seeing, Ms. Combs?”
“No, I’ve had that the last time you came around. It’s almost time for me to splurge on something new.”
“You should go to the jewelry store in Jamestown; it’s where I bought my woman her ring.”
“I usually go to Dalton’s, but I’ll check out the one in Jamestown before I buy anything.”
“Make sure you tell the manager I sent you.”
“I’ll do that. When are you going to bring that pretty bride over to my house for dinner?”
“This Saturday soon enough? You gonna make me that chocolate cake I love?”
“I’ll go by the store and get everything I need.”
“Then we’ll be there. I can’t turn down a meal from the best cook in the county. If you hadn’t been married, Holly would have never caught me.”
She blushed under her leathery skin. “I see why she married you. I hope you’re spreading those compliments to your new wife.”
“Naw. I don’t want to spoil her.” He grinned. “How have you been doing?”
“Right as rain. I haven’t seen you in church lately. Pastor Dean is no Saul Cornett, but he’ll do.”
“There was only one Saul Cornett.”
“Amen to that. The younger generation will never benefit from him the way I did.” She took her hand away from Greer to wipe a tear that came to her eye. “When I tell people he cured my eyesight, no one believes that I was blind and that he healed me. I wish your grandmother were still alive. She’d tell them he did. When I tell them you were there, I’m sorry to say they still don’t believe me.”
“Don’t let it worry you. We both know what happened, and that’s what counts.”
&
nbsp; “Yes, it is.” She walked back behind the desk on her impossibly high heels. “So, did you just stop by to see me, or are you here to see Knox?”
“Knox called me to come in for a talk. You know what it’s about?”
She frowned. “No, there aren’t any warrants out for you, so you should be good. You can go right into his office; he isn’t busy.”
“Thanks, and tell Ezra I said hey.”
“I will.”
Greer lost his affable expression as he strode into Knox’s private office, unperturbed by the sheriff’s face when he saw him walking inside uninvited.
“You could have knocked.”
“Ms. Combs said you weren’t busy.” He sat brazenly down in the chair in front of his desk without asking. “What you need to see me about?”
Knox’s face tightened. “I have a position open for a deputy, and I wanted to ask if you were interested?”
“Diamond put you up to asking me?”
“Yes.”
Greer laughed. “Then you can tell her I turned you down.” Greer started to stand up.
“Diamond may have asked me to hire you, but I think you would be a good pick for the position. I can’t fight the drug problem here alone. I’m spending my time chasing down chicken killers and copper thefts.”
“I have a record.”
“I had it expunged.”
“You can do that?”
“I can do a lot of things.”
“It’s tempting. I wouldn’t mind locking up a few of the Hayes and Colemans.”
“You have to find the evidence. I can’t just lock them up because you hate them. I’d have to lock up half the town.”
“That’s fair, and you don’t have to worry about the chickens anymore. I dealt with that. You kept your word and didn’t tell Diamond about the chickens?”
“I said I wouldn’t.” Knox met his eyes. “Since we’ll be working together, it’s important for us to build a relationship based on trust.”
Greer grinned, getting his meaning. “I won’t stick my nose in your extracurricular activities if you don’t stick yours in mine.”
Knox nodded. “You’ll have to take training classes. When you pass them, I’ll put you on the schedule.”
“I don’t work nights or weekends, or holidays. I’d be willing to work part-time about ten hours a week.”
Knox’s eyes narrowed on him. “We work on rotating shifts.”
“I don’t. I’ll tell you what; I’ll work one weekend a month.”
“One holiday, and I’ll need you to give me at least thirty hours a month,” Knox countered.
“My extracurricular activities need monitoring. I’ll do twenty-five hours a week for you, one weekend a month, and I’ll even throw in one holiday as long as it ain’t Christmas.”
“You want me to call Holly and tell her you only want to work twenty-five hours a week?”
“You want me to call Diamond and tell her she’s pregnant and doesn’t need to take those lunch breaks to get knocked up?”
“How do you know she’s pregnant?”
Greer raised his brow at him. “I took Holly to work today, stopped in Diamond’s office to say hi.”
“She must have been thrilled.”
Greer ignored his sarcastic tone of voice.
“I don’t know how you’ve been fooling her with that pregnancy stick, but she’s got a bun in the oven. You must not want to give up what she’s giving you for lunch,” he wisecracked, tickled at his humor. Who said he didn’t have a sense of humor?
Knox’s jaw clenched. “I’ll call when I get the results of your test back.”
“You do that.” Greer stood up deciding he had given him enough of his time.
“Wait, can you make me another batch of that protein powder you made for me? Rider wants you make him a batch of it, too.”
“You liked it? I told you, you would,” he boasted.
“It better not have any illegal substances…”
“Nope, not one. Nothing that doesn’t grow in my own backyard.”
“Greer…”
He sighed. “I told you, the powder is a mix of my own herbs, roots, and plants I grind up that will help you build your strength, endurance, and build body mass. I’ve been using it on my weed, making it into a liquid to make them grow bigger; figured what works on weed could work for you. I’ve had to come up with something to replace the garlic. It didn’t bother me, but everyone else in the house kept complaining about me smelling.”
“Make me a month’s supply. Between your powder and my lunch breaks, I’ve never felt better.”
“Really?” Greer thought through the ingredients. “Let me know if it has the same effect on Rider’s dick; that way, I know about the benefits before I start marketing it.”
“Don’t tell me I’ve been your guinea pig?”
“Naw.” Greer waved that suggestion away. “You’ve been more like a bear.”
He hightailed it out of Knox’s office, grousing that no one got his sense of humor.
Making his way to Diamond’s office, where he had left his truck, he saw an older gentleman come out of the pharmacy.
“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 h
ave 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.”