Betting the Rainbow (Harmony) by JODI THOMAS Read Free Book Online Page A

when she brought Marty home from the hospital, his body had already started shutting down, but somehow she believed that if she loved him enough he’d get better. He’d stay alive for her. Border, Beau, and Big had helped all they could, and then they’d carried Marty’s body to the grave.
    Without a word Big leaned down and lifted her in his huge bear hug. “I’m glad you’re home, Ronny. We’ve all missed you.”
    When he set her down, he asked her to join him and his friends, but Ronny backed away, promising she would next time.
    She listened until the boys stopped for a break and then walked out of the bar. They were stars now. Fans crowded around them.
    She climbed into the black Lincoln waiting for her.
    “Where to next?” Mr. Carleon asked. His white hair shone silver in the dashboard lights.
    “Take me back to Rainbow Lane, please.” She glanced at the sun setting over the town she’d lived in all her life. “I want to make it home before dark.”
    Mr. Carleon nodded. “You having any trouble with the mule?”
    “No, but I practiced handling her before heading up the old road to where you parked to pick me up. She handles like the Jeep I drove in Brazil.”
    “Do you need anything, miss?” He always asked, as if he could provide “anything.”
    “Do you think you could get me a little boat with a motor? I think I might like to take it around the lake. I could even cross the water and you could pick me up at the Delaney farm. Their house is close to Rainbow Lane.”
    “I’ll find you a boat by the first of next week.” He hesitated, then added, “Did you enjoy the first set the boys played?”
    “I did, but it’s too soon to step out from the shadows. I think I just want to stay at the cabin another week, maybe two. No one noticed me in the back tonight except Big.”
    Mr. Carleon laughed. “Big Biggs. He still comes to see his grandmother at the bed-and-breakfast every Sunday evening. You wouldn’t believe the food she cooks. I’ve eaten at Golden Corrals that didn’t put out as much food.”
    Ronny leaned forward. “Mr. Carleon, when you stop at the light, can I sit in the front with you?”
    “Of course. Mr. Winslow used to do that even when he was a boy.”
    As she slid into the front seat, she realized how deeply this man must miss his employer. “You all right, Mr. Carleon?”
    The butler smiled. “I am, miss. I’m lucky he left me enough to retire comfortably. I can live at Winter’s Inn and don’t even have to make my own bed or breakfast.” He looked in her direction. “And best of all, I have you to keep up with. When you’re ready we’ll go over your options, but take your time. I’ll be watching over you for as long as you need me.”
    When they pulled to the shoulder of Rainbow Lane, Mr. Carleon got out to shine a flashlight while she stepped over two recently fallen trees and walked the few feet to where she’d stored her ATV. It was almost dark, but the trees lined the old road down to the cabin, throwing it into shadows.
    “You sure you’ll be all right?”
    “I’ll be fine. I’ll be in the cabin before full dark.” As always, she wanted to hug the dear guardian angel who’d been watching over her for so long, but she didn’t. He wouldn’t have thought it was proper.
    The need to be alone seemed to push her to drive the mule faster. The memory of all the people at the bar, their voices, their smells pressed down on her. She wanted her swing and her blanket. She wanted the night so she could relax alone.
    She was almost to the cabin when darkness settled in around her. The headlights blinked from one tree to another, reminding her of the opening to a horror film.
    Ronny forced herself to slow down. Leaning forward, she gripped the wheel and mentally figured out how many minutes before she’d be home. Five at this speed. Maybe six before she rounded the cabin. The trail from Rainbow Lane had been built to wind around trees, not cut straight through to