Alanna resumed eating her apple as Greer held her burned hand and started sifting through different creams in the box.
“You don’t have to hold my hand while you’re opening the bottles,” she told him, watching him try to open the creams one-handedly. “I’m not going to escape.”
“I didn’t reckon you would,” he said, finally getting the cap off. “You don’t like me much, do you?”
Alanna looked from her hand to meet his eyes. “Not really.”
Greer grinned at her. “Can’t say I blame you. Most people don’t. It’s no never mind to me whether they do or don’t.” He shrugged.
Alanna saw Greer truly couldn’t care less what people thought of him, and a grudging respect for the man started to bloom in her chest. She wished she could have that attitude without the obnoxiousness.
“Why?”
“Because, at the end the day, I only have to settle up with one person, and you, nor any of them, are that person.”
“You’re right.”
“I always am. No one can make you feel less than you’re worth unless you let them, and I don’t let ’em.”
“You might not, but for others, it’s not so easy.”
“It’s just as easy as you want it to be, or just as hard. All you need to do is remember two little words.”
“What are they?”
“Fuck ’em.”
Her lips twitched in laughter. Those two words did sum up Greer’s attitude.
“I take it you don’t care about those no trespassing signs the Colemans posted to get back at yours.”
“Course not.” He snorted. “Those are for kiddies; mine make them think twice.”
“Yes, they do.” Alanna couldn’t hold back her gurgle of laughter.
“There you go. You’ll be right as rain tomorrow,” he said, snapping the case closed.
Alanna stared at her newly bandaged hand. She must have zoned out while they were talking because she didn’t remember him reaching for the gauze.
“There comes the boy, right on time. One of those jugs of apple cider is riding home on my lap.” Holding on to the door, Greer started to jump down from the seat to the gravel parking lot.
“Greer!” Alanna scooted over the seat when she saw he would have fallen if he hadn’t been holding the door.
Silas and Matthew came running up.
“You okay, Greer?”
“Yes. Just came down the wrong way,” he said, limping to the passenger door. “Here, help me up in the seat, Matthew.”
Matthew lifted Greer into the front seat.
“Hand me one of those jugs of cider,” Greer demanded before Matthew could shut the door.
Silas handed him one, giving him a suspicious glance and shutting the door before Greer could ask for anything else.
Alanna leaned forward. “Are you sure you’re okay, Greer?”
“Yep,” he said, taking a drink from the gallon-sized jug.