A former rodeo star unknowingly starts a rapport with a young man who is responsible for all of the violence that has suddenly gripped his small town.

Definition of rapport; "A close and harmonious relationship in which people understand and accept each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well."

How is possible to "unknowingly" have a close and harmonious relationship? To have mutual understanding and acceptance of feelings and ideas -- and not know it?

Definition of rapport; "A close and harmonious relationship in which people understand and accept each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well."

How is possible to "unknowingly" have a close and harmonious relationship? To have mutual understanding and acceptance of feelings and ideas -- and not know it?

I find myself reading it more than once trying to understand it. Also "unknowingly" leaves me confused. Unbeknownst to whom and why is that critical?