Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas Page A

Blue jackets, just like the one over her shoulders, had moved in around her. Not so close that she’d noticed them, but close enough to make a point. She sat down as the barrel races started, aware of the blue jackets slowly moving away. Reagan had a feeling that if Brandon or someone like him returned, they’d be back.
    It was a strange feeling, being protected. She’d thought she was alone watching while Preacher rode, but all along they must have been watching over her.
    A few minutes later, Noah climbed the bleachers two at a time and plopped down next to her. He looped his arm lightly over her shoulders. “How’d you like my ride, Rea?”
    “What ride? You fell off.”
    He laughed. “I stayed on four seconds. I was halfway there. Wait until I ride the bull. I’ll make the buzzer.”
    “Before you fall off?”
    He nodded. “Before I fall off.”
    She poked him in the ribs. “So this falling off is part of it, win or lose. Noah, doesn’t that seem strange to you? Seems like if you make the time, they should train the bulls to stop at the bell and let you get off.”
    “I’ll put that in the suggestion box.” He laughed.
    Thirty minutes later, he lasted five seconds on the bull before he was bucked off and rolled in the dirt and mud. She clapped, figuring he was making progress.
    As the last few events wound down, the wind seemed to kick up as if pushing the crowd toward their cars. Families bundled up the kids and headed for home.
    One of the blue jackets behind her walked past, his girlfriend right behind him with her hand on his shoulder to steady her.
    “Wanta go down by the chutes?” the boy asked Reagan.
    “You can meet up with Preacher there.”
    His girlfriend nodded once, as if to reassure her.
    “Sure,” Reagan said, not wanting to be the last one left in the stands.
    She found Noah behind the fence. He was dusting the dirt from his jeans. When he straightened, the light reflected off something wet on his shirt.
    “What’s that?” Reagan moved closer, touching the sticky liquid.
    “Bull snot,” he said.
    “Oh.” She wiped her finger on her jeans.
    “It’ll dry”—he slapped at his leg—“but this shit I fell in is all over me.”
    “Nice ride,” she managed, trying not to think about what he was covered in.
    “Yeah, I almost made the time.”
    She was beginning to think maybe he did have mush for brains. He didn’t seem the least upset that he’d failed at everything he’d tried tonight.
    He offered her the hand he’d been using to dust off his jeans. “Want to go to the dance?”
    She swallowed and took his hand. “Sure.” If it didn’t bother him that he was covered in snot and shit, she guessed it didn’t bother her. “But I don’t know how to dance.”
    “Me neither.”
    They listened to the music and watched the dancers for an hour, and then he drove her home, explaining all the rules of the rodeo. She asked questions more because it was fun to listen to him talk, all excited and happy, about something he obviously loved.
    When he pulled into the yard, she saw Jeremiah sitting on the front porch.
    “Your uncle waited up,” Noah whispered as he accepted his jacket back.
    “He’s probably asleep in the chair.”
    “He was worried about you,” Noah added.
    Reagan doubted that, but she said, “I’d better go in before this pickup turns into a pumpkin.”
    Noah grinned. “You had fun?”
    “I did.” She thought of telling him that this was very nearly the best night of her life. She’d laughed more than she had in months, and she’d felt protected. For her, both were too new to be taken for granted.
    “You want to go with me again next week?”
    “Don’t your folks come?”
    “No, my mom’s never cared for rodeo. My dad lives in Amarillo and only comes over to one now and then. My sister is usually too busy being sheriff to worry about me. It was kind of nice having someone in the stands watching me almost make the ride.”
    “I’d like to come.”