“I told you it’s fine.” Holding her apple, she tucked her bandaged hand in the crock of her other arm.

“I told Knox I would make sure you’re healing okay. If you won’t let me, I can take you to the emergency room and get them to do it for him.”

She held her bandaged hand out for him to unwind the gauze.

“It looks much worse than it is. The blisters popped …”

Greer stared at her hand. “It’s getting infected. Are you running a fever?”

“N—”

She wasn’t finished answering when she felt Greer’s hand land on her forehead.

“What are you doing?” she said, pulling her head away.

“Checking for fever. Eat your apple. I have some work to do.”

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.