“Did you have a good day at school?” Holly asked from over her shoulder as Logan climbed into the backseat and buckled himself into his car seat.

“Mrs. Hillard made me student of the day,” he bragged with self-importance.

“That’s wonderful.”

She continued to listen attentively as Logan continued to talk about his day while she drove them home.

The little boy was the spitting image of his father. As he had grown, his hair had darkened and was so curly that he would constantly ask for it to be cut when it grew too long. Holly knew exactly who to thank for it—Greer.

The man would call Logan a feminine term that she despised at any sign of softness the boy showed. If she didn’t love Logan so much, she would have hit Greer over his stubborn head with her iron skillet. The only reason she hadn’t done so yet was because Dustin and Tate kept their brother in control.

Once they were home, Holly started setting the dinner table as Logan went to his bedroom to play.

She was putting some rolls in the oven when the front opened and Dustin came in. She couldn’t help smiling when Logan came running out of his bedroom to greet his father. Dustin barely had enough time to catch the little whirlwind as he closed the door.

“I was student of the day!” Logan told his father excitedly.

Dustin tickled Logan. “Was it because you were being good, or because you gave Mrs. Hillard that apple you whittled for her?”

Logan’s laughter filled the house as he tried to escape his father’s tickling hands. “Because I was good!”

Dustin sat him back down on the floor. “Then I guess you deserve to play that new video game I have stashed in my room.”

“Really?” Logan’s eyes grew round.

“Really. We can play it after dinner,” Dustin promised.

Holly watched them as she took the dinner plates out of the cabinet. She had taken out three plates when the front door opened again and Greer came inside. She turned back toward the cabinet to take out another one for him when he stopped her.

“Going to need more plates. The rest of the family’s coming.”

Holly took out enough plates for everyone, relieved she had made enough to feed the crowd.

“Why’s everyone coming over?” Dustin asked as Greer ruffled Logan’s hair before sinking down on the couch and putting his long legs on the coffee table. Logan climbed up onto Greer’s legs, swinging his own.

Greer may be hard on Logan, but the surprising thing that always shocked her was how affectionate he was toward his nephew. He shifted his legs as if he would let Logan drop while squeals of Logan’s laughter found a soft spot in her heart, which she made sure not to let Greer see. If he had any idea she liked anything he did, Greer would make sure to stop. He lived to irritate her, and he wanted her gone from his family. That he hadn’t yet reached his goal was a sore point for him.

“I’ve called a family meeting.”

Holly finished setting the table then went to the oven to take the rolls out and put more in, trying not to let Greer see she was curious.

“Why?” Dustin sat down next to his brother on the couch.

“We’ll talk after dinner when everyone’s here. No need to repeat myself.”

Holly frowned, growing concerned. Had he decided to make it a family issue to get her to leave? What if they were tired of listening to Greer’s complaints about her?

The sickening feeling in her stomach destroyed any appetite she had. Even when Rachel and Cash showed up, she could barely manage an awkward smile as she took a fussy Ema to give her mother a break.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel asked intuitively.

Holly buried her face in Ema’s pudgy neck, breathing in the baby aroma to calm her anxious nerves. “Nothing,” she lied, masking her expression as she lifted her face.

Rachel raised disbelieving brows but let it pass as Tate and Sutton arrived.

She managed to eat a small amount as the large family sat at the table. Holly didn’t try to talk, letting the conversation flow around her. She even managed to give a proud smile at Logan when he boasted about his achievement at school.

When dinner was over, she busied herself with cleaning the table and doing the dishes with Sutton’s help, feigning interest in Sutton’s plans to redo the kitchen to the house she had inherited from her grandfather. Then she listened with half an ear as the rest of Logan’s relatives spread out in the living room. Rachel’s husband sat on the couch with her, while Dustin sat Logan on his lap.

Each minute that passed as they finished the dishes made her tension curl tighter. When Sutton dried her hands then sat down on the arm of Tate’s chair, Holly knew from Greer’s expression he was waiting impatiently for her to leave the room before speaking to his family. Trying to be unobtrusive, she started to sit down at the kitchen table.

Greer, who had been talking to Tate, broke off his conversation, bringing his hawk-like gaze toward her.

“You ready for your bath, Logan?”

Logan shook his head. “Daddy promised me we could play a video game after dinner.”

“You can do that after your bath. Me and the grownups have some business to talk about.”

Under Greer’s authoritative stare, Logan stood up from his father’s lap.

“The game is my room on my dresser. The machine is hooked up. You can play until Greer finishes talking to us.”

Logan ran out of the room before his father could change his mind about the rare treat.

Holly started to stand up. “I’ll go to my room—”

“You might as well stay; you are part of this family, too.” Dustin’s jaw clenched when Greer shot him the same glare he had given to Logan.

“No, she ain’t. What I’ve got to talk to you all about is none of her business.”

“Does it concern me?” Dustin spoke out.

“Some,” Greer grudgingly admitted.

“Then it affects her.”

Holly turned her face away, not wanting the others in the room, especially Greer, to see what Dustin supporting her meant to her.

“Fine.” Greer rose from his chair to walk back and forth across the room as everyone stared at him closely. It wasn’t often that Greer was at a loss for words. “I’ve decided it’s time for me to get married.”

You could hear a pin drop in the room. The only sound that could be heard was Logan playing his video game.

Rachel was the first one to find her voice. “Please don’t tell us you’re marrying Diane.”

“Maybe. I haven’t made my mind up yet.”

“What in the fuck does that mean?” Tate asked his brother, wincing when Sutton elbowed him in the shoulder, nodding toward Ema who was lying on Cash’s chest.

“Watch your language,” she reprimanded her husband.

Holly couldn’t blame Tate. Her own stunned reaction had her biting back the expletive that had come to mind.

Greer stopped pacing. “It means I haven’t exactly made up my mind.”

Dustin rose up to sit on the end of couch cushion. “You either are or you aren’t. Which is it?”

“It means I haven’t decided which woman I want to marry yet.”

“There’s more than one you’re thinking about marrying?” Cash asked, his shoulders shaking.

Rachel sent her husband a fulminating glance, and Cash raised Ema higher in his arms, afraid he would be treated the same way Tate had been.

Rachel turned back to Greer. “That’s illegal.”

“I ain’t thinking about marrying all three of them.”

Holly wanted to smash her head against the table. It would be less painful than what Greer was trying and failing to explain.

“That’s reassuring.” Tate gave a strangled cough. “We have enough trouble with the Feds, anyway. No sense giving them more ammunition.”

Greer rolled his eyes as if Tate was the one being ridiculous. “There are three women I can see myself married to. I wanted your advice as to who I should pick. I can see you’re not going to be any help.”

Tate pulled a laughing Sutton onto his lap, putting a hand over her mouth.

“Give us a chance. We’re just surprised. Who are the women?”

“Never mind.” Greer started to storm toward the front door.

“Wait!” Cash bellowed, stopping him. “Do you all want to see him end up with Diane?”

Their horrified expressions were answer enough. His family started taking him seriously.

Holly would have to move if Greer picked Diane. There was no way she could remain in the same house as her. There was no way she could share the same house with any woman Greer chose.

Greer turned back toward the room. “I don’t know what you all have against Diane.”

“She uses you when whoever she’s seeing dumps her. You fall for her lies every time, and every time, you take her back.” Rachel didn’t have any problem exposing the feelings of the entire room.

Greer shrugged. “We aren’t exclusive.”

“If you married her, she’d fu—” Tate moved his shoulder away from Sutton’s reach. “She’d mess around on you before the honeymoon was over.”

“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.” Greer nodded.

“Who’s your second choice?”

“Jo.”

“Jo?” Rachel asked, shocked.

“You know, Jo Turner.”

“I know who she is. I’m friends with her.”

“I know. I figured you could put in a good word for me.”

Cash put a restraining hand on Rachel’s leg.

Holly watched as she tried to control her temper.

“I didn’t even know you were dating her. I’m going to kick your ass if you’ve been messing around with Diane and dating Jo at the same time.”

“Cool down. I haven’t asked her out yet.”

“I don’t understand …”

“I’m attracted to her, she’s pretty, and she has that new tow truck. Shit like that comes in handy.”

Holly wondered if anyone would notice if she got a glass of wine. The man was driving her nuts with his logic.

“I wanted to talk to you all and see if she’s a good choice.”

“For you? No,” Rachel stated empathically. “Who’s the third choice?”

Greer turned stubborn. “I don’t know if I want to tell you all any more. You are shooting my women down.”

“They aren’t your women,” Sutton snapped.

Unfazed, Greer stared at his sister-in-law unblinkingly. “One of them could be if you all would get off your high horses.”

“Who’s the third woman?” Tate asked, breaking the staring contest between the two.

For the first time, Greer appeared embarrassed. “I don’t really know her name,” he admitted.

“I need a drink.” Dustin stood up and went into the kitchen.

Holly couldn’t resist, motioning to Dustin that she wanted one, too. His lips twitched as he took the six-pack out of the refrigerator, and she thanked him after he handed her one. It wasn’t wine, but it would do.

Then he set the rest of the beers on the coffee table after taking one for himself. Opening it, he stared at Greer.

“How do you not know her name?” he asked then took a long swallow of his beer.

“I met her on a dating site.”

Holly nearly choked on her beer, and she wasn’t the only one. Cash had to hit Dustin on his back.

“You’ve been seeing someone you met online?” Dustin asked with a strangled voice.

“Technically, I haven’t met her in person.”

“How long have you been se—talking to her?” Rachel asked, starting to reach for a beer, but Cash reminded her she couldn’t have one and took it for himself.

“You’re breastfeeding.”

“For a few months,” Greer answered. “I’ve been thinking of taking the next step with her.”

“Like what? Talking to her in person?” Dustin laughed, dodging Greer when he would have body slammed him into the couch. However, Tate jumped up and broke the two brothers apart.

“Stop, Dustin.” Tate shoved Greer away before he could go for Dustin again.

Dustin picked up his beer bottle that had fallen to the floor. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop. Do you know her name? I can check her for you.”

“I don’t know her real name. Her online name is Kentukygirl.”

“Sounds like a twelve-year-old made it up.”

“Are you saying I’m a pervert?” Greer started to go for Dustin again, but Tate stepped between them.

Holly finished her beer, wondering if it would be too embarrassing if she took another one. Then she debated on getting the new bottle of wine out of the kitchen cabinet when Tate, Sutton, and Greer took the remaining ones.

“He’s not saying that.” Tate sent Dustin a warning look as they all sat back down. “You have to admit, though, we never expected you to be on a dating site.”

“Why?” Greer asked belligerently.

“Because you made fun of them when Dustin signed up for one.”

“That’s because he signed up for one where millionaires hook up. He ain’t no millionaire. It was false advertising.”

Dustin blushed. “I will be.”

“Well, you sure as hell aren’t now,” Greer sneered. “Unless you’re holding out.”

“I’m not holding out. I make good money now, and Willa wrote me into her will.”

“She sick?”

“No.” Dustin’s blush deepened.

“Then it doesn’t count for shit. At least I’m being honest.”

“That’ll be a first.”

“Kentuckygirl knows what she’ll get if I choose her. I haven’t lied about a damn thing.”

“Did you say you’ve been messaging her for a few months?” When Greer nodded, Dustin continued egging the brewing fight on. “There is no way you’ve shown your true self and she’s still talking to you.”

“Either that or she’s desperate.” Cash snickered, lifting Ema higher.

“She isn’t desperate. She just knows the real thing when she hears it.”

“How can it be real? It’s on the Internet.” Rachel took Ema from Cash, giving him a dirty look.

“It just is.”

“You don’t even know what she looks like,” Dustin pointed out.

“Don’t care.” Greer shrugged. “I’m going to ask her to come for a visit, but I need to go out with Jo so I can compare.”

Rachel hit her head with her hand. “Lord, help me. Tate …”

“Don’t look at me. Greer came up with this idiotic idea himself.”

“It’s not stupid. I want to get married and have a bunch of kids; what’s wrong with that?”

Holly stared at Greer as he talked, seeing the honesty on his face. He was opening himself to the others, knowing they wouldn’t sugarcoat their reactions.

“Men can have kids when they’re older. It’s not like you’re on a timetable.” Rachel also realized how serious he was.

“But will I be physically able to do things with them when I’m older? I don’t want to have kids when I have one foot in the grave. I want to see them grown. I want to be a part of my grandkids’ lives. Dad and Mom never got to see Logan or Ema. An accident took them out. But Dad hadn’t gone hunting the last year before he died; said his knees were getting too bad.”

The sadness on his face had Holly wanting to sympathize with him. Then the part of Greer that he couldn’t hide showed again.

“I want at least four or five kids. Unless I start now, I’ll need a pill to get it up for the last one.”

“Don’t be gross!” Rachel snapped.

“I’m just saying …”

“Let’s get back on track,” Tate interrupted. “Let’s look at this logically.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do. You all are the ones who keep sidetracking me.”

“Then let’s get back on track, or we’ll be here all night. You know our opinion on Diane.”

The entire room nodded in agreement at Tate’s words, except Greer.

“That leaves the other two. Rachel, you talk to Jo and feel out if she would be willing to go out with Greer.”

“You want me to be the one to talk her into going out with him?” Rachel’s hair practically stood on end.

“You want him married to Diane?”

“I’ll call her tonight.”

“Good. Greer, ask the Kentuckygirl to come for a visit and see what she says. If she doesn’t want to come, there won’t be anything else to talk about. You can’t marry over the Internet. She’ll have to show her face if she wants a ring on her finger.”

“I haven’t told her I want to marry her yet. I have to see if she can cook before I pick.”

“You don’t care what she looks like, but you care if she cooks?”

“Hell, yeah! A woman cooks with her soul. Any fool can smear makeup on to look good.”

It took every ounce of strength Holly possessed not to ask the burning question she wanted to ask. Thankfully, Rachel didn’t have any compunction.

“Diane cooks? I didn’t think she could boil water. She never volunteers to bring a damn thing when she goes to the potluck at church.”

“She’s doesn’t, but that’s only one of my requirements. The other one is more important, and before you ask what it is, I wouldn’t if I were you. If me talking about taking a pill to get it up when I’m old grosses you out, then you won’t want to hear that a good pair of tits and a fine ass are on my list.

Rachel’s mouth snapped closed.

“From what the men around town say, Diane will be the most experienced woman you’ve picked out.” Tate helped Sutton to her feet then rose. “Me and Sutton are going to call it a night.” Hooking an arm around his wife’s shoulder, he led to the door.

“You’re really leaving?”

“Yes. You’re not going to be able to get anything settled tonight, and all this talk about getting it up is getting me worried. I’m not getting any younger, either.”

Holly saw Sutton blushing as they left. She envied how much in love they were. Tate was a hard man, but Sutton somehow managed to soften him when no one could.

No one would be able to soften Greer. He was arrogant, stubborn, and grouchy, and those were his good points.

From what Dustin had told her in confidence, he was the spitting image of their father. He had also told her that Greer had unfortunately taken most of the punishments their father had dished out, making Greer even harder than him and Tate.

Rachel and Cash soon left with a sleeping Ema. Then Holly went to the living room to clean up the beer bottles, while Dustin went to his room to play with Logan.

She was carrying the bottles into the kitchen when she saw Greer watching her.

“I didn’t hear your trap when they were here.”

She turned toward him, surprised. “I didn’t think you would be interested in my opinion.”

“I ain’t, but I thought you would give your two cents about me getting married. ’Cause, you know, soon as I figure out who to marry, your ass will be out the door. I won’t be bringing a new bride into a home that already has a woman in it.”

“I didn’t think you would,” Holly replied coldly.

“I would start looking for a place if I were you.”

Holly was getting sick and tired of his snide comments. She loved Logan as if he were her own son, but even a dog got tired of being kicked around.

“You’re not me. This is a conversation Dustin will share when the time comes.” Going to the kitchen, she dropped the bottles into the recycling bin. “I don’t think I’ll have to worry about it anytime soon. Did you find Kentuckygirl on inmatessearchingforlove.com? With your personality, the only woman stupid enough to marry you is a lifer.” The words weren’t even out of her mouth before she regretted them.

Anger filled his face.

Terrified, she took off running to her bedroom, slamming and locking the door behind her. Holly then shakily leaned back against the door, pressing her hands into the wood by her side as Greer pounded his fists on the door behind her back.

“Woman, when I get my hands on you, you’re going to be sorry you ever heard the Porter name!”

Holly shivered in fright as she listened to Dustin calming his brother down and getting Greer to move away and into his own room. She didn’t release her death grip on her door until she was sure they had left.

“You’re going to be the one who’s sorry,” she promised herself when she was sure no one could hear her.

Some men had to learn the hard way, and then there were some men, like Greer, who needed a cast iron skillet … or a computer to teach a lesson.