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

the lake.
    A flash in the night, like a snapshot blast, blinked something big and black in the middle of the road. It was almost the height of a deer but three or four times wider. Teeth and tusks reflected milky white in the headlights.
    Ronny veered off the road, fighting her way past saplings as tall as the ATV but only an inch thick.
    She heard the animal’s snort, half growl, half squeal, but she didn’t turn to look. Anything that frightening at first glance had to be dangerous, maybe deadly.
    A few heartbeats later she saw a huge tree blocking her path ten feet ahead. She had to turn toward the animal or crash.
    Ronny gripped the wheel, turning right as the lights flashed back to the trail in time to see the short-legged beast vanish on the far side. He left broken bushes and branches in his wake.
    Gunning the engine, she held on tight as she bumped down the road as fast as she could go. She had to get to the cabin fast before he decided to turn around.
    Gulping for air, she fought frantically to concentrate on driving until the ATV’s lights flashed on the cabin. She saw her porch swing. Her quiet place by the water. Austin Hawk sitting calmly on the steps. All looked peaceful.
    It took a moment for her to react. She hit the brakes and managed to stop with the left front tire bumping the porch steps.
    Austin swore, jumping out of the way as if he feared she might be planning to mow him down. He was dressed in khaki pants and khaki shirt with a rifle strapped over one shoulder as casually as if it were a satchel.
    Ronny climbed from the seat, shaking so badly she wasn’t sure she could stand. “I . . . I . . . saw a pig.”
    Austin lowered his rifle to the porch and moved swiftly toward her. His arms circled around her as he laughed. “Run into porky, did you? I saw him once at dawn, but I didn’t think he’d come too close.”
    “He’s so ugly.” She forced a slow breath, feeling suddenly safe. “And his teeth. You can’t imagine his teeth!”
    “Yes, I can. I know. I was close enough to shake hands with him before I noticed him sleeping in the weeds.” He brushed his big hand over her short hair and smiled as it curled back into place. “I dropped by to tell you to watch out for him.” Austin’s words were casual, but his touch seemed gentle along her back, almost caring.
    Ronny stepped away. Marty had been too much with her tonight to allow her to take even comfort from another. “Thank you for your concern. I’ll be fine. You needn’t have worried.” Her back straightened, pulling her emotions in check.
    Looking up, she expected to see hurt in his forest-green eyes, but she saw no feelings at all. He could have been a ticket taker at one of the hundred trains she’d ridden in the past year. She was just someone passing through. Men saw her as no one worth even the time to smile at her.
    Austin Hawk shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away without looking back.
    That night, in her dreams, Ronny looked for him. The background of her dream was a county fair like the ones that pull up in a vacant lot and stay for a week. Electric lights kept blinking on and off at odd intervals, and faceless people walked among the trees decorated with carnival prizes. She was darting among worn-out rides and small groups huddled together laughing, unaware that she was looking for Austin.
    When she woke the dream hung in her mind, almost a memory. Standing, she stared out the window and thought she could barely make out his big house on the other side of the willows. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d been the one lost in her dream, not her.
    A little after nine, Ronny called Mr. Carleon and asked him to buy her a gun.
    He hesitated for a moment, then said he would.
    If Ronny left the safety of her cabin again, she planned to be armed.

Chapter 8

    BUFFALO’S BAR
    H ALFWAY THROUGH THE SECOND SET AT B UFFALO’S B AR, Dusti finally got a few minutes to talk to shy Kieran alone.
    They