Free The Comforts of Home by Jodi Thomas Page A

understood why he’d want to save them pain. “What can I do?”
    He was silent for a moment, and then he said simply,
    “Come get me. No matter how bad it is, I want you near when I find out.”
    She slid out of bed and paced to the window. He was asking her to leave her uncle. Noah was alone in a place without friends or family. “I’l try,” she whispered. “Cal me tomorrow.”
    Rea fought back tears. She felt she couldn’t go and she couldn’t stay.
    The light came on across the hal way in the parlor that had become her uncle’s room since his last heart attack.
     
    Reagan scrubbed her cheek with her palm before checking on him.
    Jeremiah pul ed himself up in bed and looked like he was waiting for a report when she walked in. The harsh frown he always greeted everyone with hadn’t frightened her since the day she met him. “Wel , girl, something’s upset you. Might as wel talk about it. I’m as awake as I’l ever be.”
    “I got a cal from Noah. He was hurt at the rodeo tonight.” She didn’t bother with details. Her uncle saw life as clean cut, without emotion.
    “If he cal ed, I’m guessing he’s not dead. If he cal ed you, I’m thinking he doesn’t want his folks to know.”
    “He wants me to bring him home here to recover, but it’s a long way to Memphis. I’d have to leave you.” Jeremiah raised one eyebrow and studied her a moment before snorting and saying, “Go get that boy and bring him here to heal. Hel , the place is turning into a hospital anyway.”
    “But . . .”
    “No but s about it. You care about him, don’t you?
    “Yes, but I care about you.”
    The old man smiled. “I know you do, but before long I’l be part of your past. That boy, he’s part of your future.” Reagan lowered her head onto the covers of his bed and cried.
    The old man placed his hand on her hair and patted lightly. “You’re the best thing that ever came along in my life, kid, and you’l probably be the best thing in his, but you should know that I plan to be around for a while to remind him.”
    Reagan raised her head. “But . . . we’re just friends.” He smiled as if he knew a secret and patted her head one more time before he pul ed away. “I know, girl. Now pack your bags and go get your friend. Foster and Cindy wil be here to watch over me.”
    Reagan kissed his cheek as he tried, not too hard, to wave her away.
     

Chapter 11
HARMONY FIRE STATION
    DALLAS LOGAN SAW IT AS HER CIVIC DUTY TO
    ATTEND every public function in Harmony even if no one else seemed to want her there. In Ronel e’s mother’s opinion, the town would go to hel in a hatbox if she, and her daughter, weren’t present.
    Ronel e had no more luck persuading her mother to stay home or go alone than she did at correcting the mixed metaphor. As far as Dal as was concerned, if her daughter wasn’t at the post office working, she should be by her side.
    So, Saturday morning, they were off to the meeting at the fire station. Of course, Dal as drove; she saw no reason for Ronel e to even learn. After al , Ronel e was young; she could walk anywhere she needed to go—the post office, the store, or the diner. As long as Dal as held the keys, she held the power, and they both knew it.
    The paper stated that the talk would center on how the county was going to afford another fire truck. No one seemed to have an answer, but that wouldn’t stop them from hashing it over in great detail.
    Ronel e hated town meetings. She never said a word. In fact, she usual y took her crossword puzzle books and timed herself to see how many she could get done in an hour.
    They arrived later than her mother would have liked.
    Dal as didn’t get to talk to anyone because the meeting was being cal ed to order. They also had to take a seat near the back, and nothing bothered Dal as Logan more than not being seen.
    Ronel e lost interest in the meeting within minutes. She slid down in her chair and began a crossword puzzle.
    Halfway through it, she