Just Down the Road

by Jodi Thomas

  She needed time to think … to heal … to grow. Big had been right; humans must not be very bright. She was twenty-one and still trying to figure it all out. Maybe she should turn her energy to work.

  Concentrating on the harvest during the day and redecorating the upstairs of the house kept her busy for a while. Late at night she worked on her online classes and tried not to think about Noah. She’d seen the girls line up on TV after he rode and made the best time. They all wanted a kiss, or a date, or more from him, and they all had perfect hair, perfect bodies. The guys called them midnight rides.

  Reagan didn’t just think she’d never be able to compete with the women he met, she didn’t want to. The Noah she wanted lived here. The other Noah belonged to the rodeo, not her.

  Then, as if nothing had happened between them, one windy evening Reagan walked out of the barn and saw the cowboy standing on her doorstep.

  He had his hat low, like most bull riders prefer wearing them, and his jeans a few inches too long and snug along his slim frame. As she walked closer, she noticed the spurs on his boots and the gloves tucked into his back pocket. For once he looked like a working cowboy and not one dressed for show.

  Glancing around, she realized his pickup was missing. Noah had ridden over, but she wasn’t sure from where.

  He didn’t say a word as he watched her near.

  When she was close enough to see his eyes, a sober brown gaze met hers. She stood a few feet away from him, having no idea what to say. She hadn’t started the fight they’d had at the bar that night, but she’d ended it with one slap.

  “I’ve missed you,” he finally said, so low she barely heard him.

  “I’ve missed you too,” she answered.

  “I’m sober. Have been since you slapped me.”

  She grinned. “Don’t tell me I knocked some sense into you.”

  “You woke me up, Rea. Climbing on a hundred bulls takes less courage than coming out here to say I’m sorry. I was wrong. I was way out of line.”

  Her emotions were too raw to face trouble. All her life she’d had to fight to survive, and if surviving meant letting go of Noah, she’d do it. “What do you want, Noah?” She wasn’t sure she could even handle being friends right now. She needed solid ground.

  “I’m leaving tomorrow. I’ve got to make the rodeo in Houston.”

  He didn’t smile his easy smile at her. The hardness she’d seen in him that first night, when he’d broken the door down, was back. Just as time had changed her, it had changed him, and they both knew they could never go back to being the kids they’d been when they first met.

  “You came to say good-bye?”

  “No,” he said. “I came to ask you to have dinner with me tonight. Call it for old times’ sake.”

  She looked down at her dusty jeans and shirt. It was almost sunset. By the time she cleaned up and put on something else, every restaurant in town would already be closed. “I’m tired,” she whispered, knowing this was a onetime offer. There would be no tomorrow. “I don’t want to go out tonight, but thank you for the invitation.” She wasn’t sure, but this might be as close to a date as he’d ever offered.

  “We’re not going out,” Noah said. “I packed a meal and thought we’d eat in the orchard. I just want to talk to you. If we went into town, we’d be interrupted by every other person who passed.”

  Reagan was shocked. She thought he loved the attention. “I don’t know. It’s windy.”

  “It won’t be in the trees.”

  Reagan didn’t want to fight with him. Maybe this would be a kind ending to what had almost been between them. They could eat, talk about years past, and she’d be able to wish him well. She figured a part of her would always love him.

  “All right,” she said. “I’ll get a blanket.”

  Noah stepped off the porch and offered his hand. “I got everything. It’s waiting over by the trees.”

  Glancing toward the orchard, she saw his horse tied to one of the apple trees. In the fading light she made out a picnic basket, a lantern, and blankets. Hesitantly, she took his hand and they walked up the path.

  He moved among the trees until he found a clearing big enough to spread the blanket, and then he lit the kerosene lantern, which looked to be a hundred years old. “I found this out in my barn. When I was little, my dad used to take me on campouts and he’d always bring this along.”

  Reagan pulled the food out of the basket. Peanut butter, jelly, and a loaf of bread. “You went all out.”

  That easy smile came to him then. “I brought cookies, too.” He dug out a bag of Oreos. “Remember that time you went with me to a little rodeo in Oklahoma and said you’d only go if we drove back that night. I had bruises all along my backside, but I got you back by midnight.”

  She grinned. “We didn’t have time to stop to eat. All we had between us and starvation was two canned Cokes and a bag of Oreos.”

  Then, as simple as that, they were talking again. He’d picked the one place in the world where they could just be themselves … where they could be best friends again.

  When the wind died down and the moon came out above the bare branches, they lay on their backs and finished off the cookies while they talked.

  When they were finally silent for a while, Noah said simply, “Rea, don’t sleep with Big anymore.”

  “I don’t …”

  “I know,” he interrupted. “But I don’t want you even sleeping next to him. I always like the idea that you only did that with me.”

  “You’ve no right to ask, Noah. You fade into and out of my life.”

  “I know I don’t have any claim on you, but we’re more than friends and you know it.”

  She closed her eyes, remembering the kisses they’d shared and the rare times she’d felt so close to Noah that she’d almost believed in something silly like soul mates.

  “Knowing you, Rea, just having you curl up next to me means more to me than a full-blown wild affair. I didn’t mean what I said about you not growing up. Believe me, I see folks all the time who are acting like rabbits in permanent heat who haven’t shown any sign of being an adult.”

  “What are you asking from me, Noah?”

  He was so quiet she wasn’t sure he planned to answer, and then he began. “I want our friendship. It’s strong, like none I’ve ever known before or ever will again. And if that’s all you want to give, I’ll count myself lucky, but I want that from you for as long as we live. I have to believe that nothing, not me being a jackass or getting drunk or even you sleeping with Big, will break it.”

  She wanted that too, and she knew he was right. She had several people she called friend, but none like Noah. He’d been there when she’d come out of the darkness that had been her life for years. He’d been her friend when no one else would speak to her. She owed him friendship. “All right, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get mad at you.”

  “Fair enough. Only no matter how mad at me, you’ll take my calls.”

  Raising her head, she added, “You don’t take mine.”

  “I lost my cell.”

  She hit him hard. “You used that excuse the last time you disappeared for a month.”

  He acted like he was in pain. “I suppose it would be too much to ask for you to take hitting me off the table, Rea.”

  “Definitely.” She laughed. “It’s one of my great pleasures in life.”

  He matched her laugh. “I must be some kind of masochist because if that’s the only way you’ll touch me, I’ll take the hits.” He rolled easily to his feet before she took another swing at him.

  She took his hand without hesitation as he walked her back to her house.

  “You planning on riding that horse all the way back to town?” she asked as she stepped onto the porch.

  “No. I borrowed him from Hank Matheson next door. I’ve been helping him out for a few days before I have to leave. We’ve been moving stock. He says he’s finally got his place paying the bills.”

&nbs
p; Reagan smiled. In this part of the country folks talked poor. Paying the bills meant they were doing good.

  “I’ve got a few details to finish up, so I’ll be in the saddle from dawn to noon, then hopefully I’ll have time to clean up before I catch a flight.” He took a few steps before he added, “You wouldn’t want to drive me over to Amarillo, would you? We’d need to leave about four.”

  “I could. I’ve got a few things to pick up in town.” They were at the porch, but Reagan didn’t invite him in. “Thanks for supper.”

  “You’re welcome.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, then stepped away into the shadows.

  She listened, hearing him swing into the saddle and ride away. Part of her felt like she was walking on paper and might fall through any moment. She had no idea what Noah was up to. Did he really just want to go back to being friends?

  Chapter 28

  TINCH DIDN’T WANT TO TAKE JAMIE BACK HOME AFTER they’d visited the chapel and said good-bye to his mother, so they drove over to Bailee and had an early lunch. The vet in town mentioned in his e-mail that he’d had a busy week delivering three foals. Tinch thought Jamie would enjoy seeing them.

  He’d been right. Jamie couldn’t wait to get out of the pickup the minute he saw the little horses. Newborn foals always made Tinch smile with their funny bushy tails and the mane sticking straight up on the back of their necks.

  He let Jamie climb on the fence and watch them while he talked to the vet about his latest problem mare.

  “The boy reminds me of you, Tinch, when you were about that age. Your dad would bring you over and, if I didn’t watch, you’d be in the stalls with the newborns. You had something, even then, a way with horses that even the horses could smell. I’ve seen devil bucking horses who hate the whole world eating out of your hand in no time.”

  Tinch didn’t want to talk about himself. He’d never been comfortable when people described him as being gifted; he considered his talent more one of understanding when it came to any animal. Only, the more he denied it, the more people bragged to others about how they’d seen him work magic with a horse. A publisher of mostly animal nonfiction had even been asking him to try writing a book for people who bought horses, then had no idea how to handle them.

  He reached over and straightened Jamie’s cap, wanting to change the subject. “He’s my nephew. His mom died last week, so it looks like he’ll be living with me.”

  The old vet grinned. “It’s a lot of work raising kids. I got four of my own. Kind of takes over your life before you know it, until one day you realize they are your life.”

  Tinch didn’t want to tell the vet that he wasn’t doing anything with his time anyway, but he decided to stay on the safer topic of horses.

  While they talked, Tinch noticed Noah McAllen’s truck pull up with a trailer attached. The professional cowboy had one of those fancy trucks he’d seen only in ads. It even had his initials on the door.

  Noah bounced out and headed his direction. “Afternoon, Tinch. Glad I caught you. Hank asked me to deliver a few bags of feed to your place. While I was picking them up, the guy who helped me load them said he thought he saw your pickup turn off here at the vet’s.”

  Tinch groaned. He figured he’d go pretty much unnoticed forty miles from Harmony, but evidently not. Suddenly, getting home as fast as he could seemed like a good idea. “We could shift the feed to the bed of my truck and I’ll take it back with me. Save you a trip.”

  Noah shook his head. “We also loaded up that cutting horse for you to take a look at. He’s been acting like he’s half-broke for a week. Getting so bad the men at Hank’s place are refusing to ride him.”

  The bull rider glanced back at the trailer and looked frustrated.

  Tinch smiled. “I don’t know what’s wrong with the horse, but how can I help you, ’cause something’s got you worried?”

  Noah explained that he had a plane to catch and was running out of time. Even with Reagan Truman driving over the speed limit, they’d barely make it now with having to deliver a horse and feed to Tinch’s place first. “It’s my fault.” Noah swore. “I left in plenty of time, but half the people in the feed store wanted to talk to me and I lost track of time.”

  “It must be tough being famous.” Tinch laughed. “Maybe I can help, with the horse anyway. How about we trade trucks? I’ll drive yours home with the feed and the horse, settle him in, and then drive over to the Truman place. It’s not all that far on the back roads, and I’ve got Jamie riding shotgun. You go catch your ride, but leave my keys in the truck. Before Reagan gets back from taking you, I’ll have your truck parked at her farm and mine back at my place.” He studied Noah. “If that’s where you want to leave it?”

  The bull rider grinned. “That’s where I want to leave it. I’ll be back by next Tuesday.”

  Tinch offered him the keys to his old Ford, and Noah tossed his keys as he thanked him.

  While Tinch visited with the doctor a few more minutes, he noticed that Noah took the time to talk to Jamie. Someday, Tinch decided, he and the boy would make it to a rodeo and maybe get to watch Noah McAllen ride.

  It occurred to Tinch that Noah wasn’t telling his stories of the rodeo to build himself up, but to entertain others. He was taking the time to talk because folks liked to say they knew him, understood him, cared about him. Tinch had always admired McAllen’s skill; now he admired Noah’s kindness. Noah might even forget he talked to the boy, but Jamie would always remember meeting the champion.

  Fifteen minutes later, they climbed into Noah’s truck and he and the boy headed back to the ranch.

  Jamie didn’t ask as many questions as usual. For a while he was fascinated that a pickup had a GPS and he could track them going down the back roads toward home. Finally, he asked, “You ever cuss, Uncle Tinch? You know, like Noah McAllen did when he thought he might miss his flight.”

  Tinch swore he could see the boy growing up.

  “I do sometimes, but I try to save it for something worth cussing about, and I try never to do it around a lady. I’ve always had the idea that using the same few words over and over kind of wears out the need for them, so cussing isn’t something I’d want as a habit.”

  Jamie nodded. “I agree. Is Doc a lady?”

  “That she is.”

  “But she’s not kin to me, is she?”

  “No.”

  “Then, I could marry her when I grow up, right?”

  “Right.” Tinch fought down a grin. “Got any idea where you’d live once you’ve tied the knot?”

  “Yeah.” Jamie looked very serious. “I’m thinking she could have the extra bedroom upstairs. We could tell her that if she could sleep by herself, she could have the other pup to keep her company. I think that sounds fair, don’t you?”

  Tinch almost choked on the last of his malt. “Sounds like a plan,” he finally managed. “But, you know, she could sleep with me as long as she needs to.”

  “I told her that last night,” Jamie agreed.

  “What’d she say?”

  “She said, ‘That would be interesting.’”

  Tinch fought not to agree. He flipped on the radio, trying not to think about Doc moving into the extra bedroom, but once the image was planted in his mind it was hard to erase.

  The afternoon turned cold and threatened rain by the time they’d unloaded and swapped the trucks. Reagan Truman’s place was deserted except for Tinch’s old pickup parked in front of the house. The old dog on the porch didn’t even bother to raise his head as they traded trucks and drove away.

  Once they were home, Jamie played with the puppies until he finally collapsed in front of the TV with his favorite food … cereal with bananas mixed in.

  Tinch had tried a dozen meals and snacks, but the boy always turned to cereal when he felt hungry. He’d pick at other foods, but Tinch figured the boy ate as much oats as a horse.

  Now wasn’t the time to try to improve his eating habits, so Tinch stocked bananas and boxes
of cereal within easy reach of Jamie. He also kept the milk on a low shelf so the boy could help himself.

  While the TV played, Tinch cooked a late supper. He’d always been comfortable in the kitchen. His mother used to sit him on the counter and teach him when he wasn’t even in school. Once Lori Anne got sick, cooking became his job. He used to make up foods like fried carrots and chocolate-covered celery sticks just in the hope that she’d eat a bite.

  He made a hearty goulash with a salad and bread on the side. Just before sunset, he heard the familiar chime and moved to the door to see Addison flying up the driveway as always. He smiled, thinking he might ask her if she wound her little toy car up too tight this time, but the doc didn’t take teasing well.

  Climbing out of her car, she smiled, as if liking the idea that he’d been waiting for her. They ate at the kitchen table with her telling them all about her day. When Jamie asked to go back to the show he was watching, she began questioning Tinch on how the boy had acted at the chapel.

  “He’s fine,” Tinch whispered as he reached across the table and covered her hand with his. All day he’d been wanting to touch her, just touch her.

  She pulled away and explained that she’d talked to her father on the way home, and that always put her in a bad mood.

  Tinch didn’t push it. The feelings he had for her were too new … too unsure.

  When Jamie went to bed, Addison said she wanted to take a long bath. Tinch cleaned up the kitchen and then went out on the porch to sit in an old rocker. The night air was thick with the smell of rain, and no wind moved through the trees. He could hear the horses settling down, and the last of the summer bugs had disappeared. The silence was almost haunting.

  “He’s asleep,” Addison whispered as she stepped barefoot onto the porch. She wore one of his mother’s quilts around her shoulders like a shawl.

  Tinch stretched his hand out, and this time she put her hand in his. He tugged her gently until she lowered onto his lap. The need to have her close enough to smell her skin had been a hunger growing in him all day, but he guessed that wouldn’t be a very flattering thing to say to a woman.