He must have felt the same as he didn’t release her, but continued to point out features of the sheep and explain the judging. She turned her head to see where he was pointing, but wished she could lay it on his shoulder and have him pull her even closer.
When he stepped forward, she moved away, walking at his side. He reached down and caught her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. She could do nothing but feel the waves of sensation that washed through her. How could she concentrate on the fair when every minute inch of her was focused on Kirk Devon?
Once out of the animal barns, there was a center walkway as wide as a street with assorted buildings on either side, like the main street of an old sleepy Southern town. Even to the rocking chairs on several porches—occupied. Some had kids rocking madly. Others had an older couple watching the people saunter by.
When Kirk ran into neighbors he knew, he introduced Angelica, explaining he was showing her around. She wished for a little while that she was not in Smoky Hollow for a visit, but could be a part of the community. How amazing it would be to know everyone she ran into, to stop and chat a few minutes, knowing she’d see them again in a day or two.
The morning took on a magical feel—like something out of a fairy tale. She was enchanted with everything, from the animals to the canning and quilting, to the wonderful exhibits. There was plenty to eat at the food court, where anything from teriyaki chicken to corn dogs to cotton candy was readily available. And sun tea booths everywhere. Which they took advantage of as the day grew warmer.
Stopping to eat lunch on the lawn near one of the platforms, they listened to the musicians playing that hour. Kirk explained how the various musical groups rotated around the fairgrounds. There were several venues where different type of music from bluegrass to country to rock were played.
“Did you put on sunscreen?” he asked as they were finishing their lunch.
She shook her head.
“Your nose is looking red,” he commented. “Come on and we’ll buy you a hat to keep you shaded.”
She wrinkled her nose, feeling tightness. “I didn’t even think about it this morning.” She was rarely out in the sun enough to worry about sunburn at home. But if the feeling on her nose was anything to go by, she’d be burned to a crisp by the end of the day if she didn’t do something.
Kirk led her to one of the concession stands where hats and scarves and sunglasses were sold. He picked out a pink cowboy hat and plopped it on her head.
“It’s so you,” he teased.
She laughed and looked at the small mirror on the stand. For a moment she didn’t recognize the reflection. Her face was pink, her eyes a deeper blue than normal. But it was the happiness shining back at her that surprised her.
“We’ll take it,” he told the vendor, paying him for the hat.
“I can buy it,” she protested, noticing the transaction.
“Consider it a gift from Smoky Hollow. I bet you don’t have the nerve to wear it in New York.”
She smiled and shook her head. “Probably not. But then, I don’t spend a lot of time outdoors in New York.”
“Why not?”
“Too busy with practice.” It sounded lame. She could make time to go to Central Park, or even to the beach. Maybe if she factored more breaks in her schedule she wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed and pressured. She was in control of her life. It was up to her to find the balance.
“It’ll work for today,” he said, taking her hand again.
Kirk took her to the amphitheater where the music festival would be held later in August. Today there was a rock band playing with lots of teenagers on the stands and sitting on the grass. Many were dancing to the music, others clapped or sang along. He found a spot on the back of the stands and they sat.
“The acoustics are good here,” she said.
He nodded. It wasn’t bad. He could hear the music and some of the murmur from conversations around them. Usually it was too much effort to listen. He glanced at Angelica and her new hat. She looked pretty as a picture watching the musicians with an assessing look. He hoped the sunburn would fade and not peel. Though he bet she’d look cute with a peeling nose.
He leaned back against the empty seats behind them, remembering the last time he’d come to the fair. It had been before he’d gone into the army. He had brought Alice. They’d just graduated from high school and had talked of marriage once he was done with his service. They’d listened to music, rode the rides. He’d even won a silly turtle for her at the pitching booth.
Different experience now with Angelica finding every aspect fascinating. Just showed what different upbringing could do. He took it for granted, she was amazed. If she stayed, after a few years would she take this for granted as well? He’d never know.
She looked at him and smiled and he felt a kick in the gut. If she had any idea how pretty she was she’d control those smiles.
“You must come every year,” she said.
“Nope. First time in a long while.”
“Why? This is fabulous.”
He sat up. “More fun coming with someone. Didn’t have anyone to come with before. Not since Alice.”
“No one?”
“No one I wanted to risk gossip enough to bring.”
“Is there some rite of passage I don’t know about coming here with you?”
“If you were staying, there’d be speculation about our relationship. Bringing someone to the county fair is a pretty strong indication you’re involved, or thinking about it.”
“But not with me?”
“No. You don’t live here.”
If she did, would he still have brought her? If she lived here, he’d have to rethink the entire situation. But he knew better than to get involved with someone who liked the bright lights and big city. Alice hadn’t stayed. He hadn’t enough to offer Alice and she’d told him so in no uncertain terms. There was no reason to think Angelica could ever fit in.
But for today he could pretend. The idea surprised him. The longer he considered it the more he thought, why not? He would show her around, explain everything to her and enjoy her enthusiasm for the fair. He hadn’t dated anyone seriously since Alice. He was careful not to give the wrong impression to anyone. Or was he guarding his heart against the pain of loss? He wouldn’t think about that today.
“Come on, let’s hit the carnival section and ride the Ferris wheel,” he said, standing and offering his hand again. A day for just the two of them. Making memories.
As the afternoon progressed, Kirk did his best to give her the best fair experience she’d ever have. And she loved every moment. Laughter was the key word for the day. He hadn’t had such fun since before he could remember. During times waiting in line for a ride they talked a bit about their childhoods. So different it was educational in one sense. He still thought she had lacked the carefree days of childhood. And twice she had wistfully told him how lucky he’d been.
When they passed the pitching concession, he offered to try to win her a teddy bear.
“You’re kidding?” she said, looking around him to see the stand. Three metal milk bottles stacked pyramid style sat on the back board. A direct hit in only one area would knock all three flying—qualifying for a bear.
He bought some balls. Several other couples stopped to watch, while Angelica stood a few feet away, so not to crowd him. He threw the first ball which clipped the top bottle. But it only swayed, staying on the other two. His next ball missed completely and everyone laughed. The third ball hit the bottle on the bottom left. Again the bottles swayed, but remained upright.
“I’ll take another set of balls,” he said. Now it was getting to crunch time. Several good-natured teasing comments were called. A guy he knew from Bryceville called an insult to his pitching ability—or apparent lack thereof.
“Don’t listen to them,” Angelica said. “You can do it.”
He’d done it before for Alice. He wanted to do it today for Angelica. He threw it for all he was worth. It
missed completely. He looked at her and the faith showing in her gaze touched him as nothing had in a long while. She didn’t know him, didn’t know what he could do, but he could read her confidence in him as if it had been tattooed on her forehead.
He threw the ball and the trio of bottles exploded apart, flying around the concession booth.
“Woohoo!” Angelica said, rushing over to throw her arms around him. “You did it! I knew you could.”
The crowd clapped and began drifting away. Kirk’s friend called congratulations before moving on.
“Whoa, man, when you connect, you do it in style,” the concessioner said, looking at Angelica. “So what color bear do you want?” he asked.
“Pink, please, to match my hat,” she said looking over her shoulder.
Kirk liked the feel of her in his arms. Giving her a hug, he slowly released her so she could take the big pink teddy bear. Grinning, she looked at him.
“Thank you, no one has ever won a teddy bear for me before.”
“My pleasure.” The feel of her soft body against his felt imprinted. She walked along beside him and all he could think of was to find a place to pull her back into his arms to kiss her.
Twilight was fading into darkness when Kirk drove into the driveway of Webb Francis’s home. Angelica had held on to the bear with one arm, the other encircling him as the motorcycle rode through the quiet evening. Her hat had been squashed between them so it wouldn’t blow away.
“That was the best day ever,” she said when they stopped. Slowly she withdrew her hand when he turned to help her off the bike. He scooped up her pink hat and pushed it back into shape while she removed the helmet.
He took it, the bike still rumbling.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning over to kiss him.
He pulled her closer, relishing the taste of her, the feel of her in his arms. The kiss was awkward with him still straddling the bike, but he wouldn’t have changed an instant. When she straightened, he released her. He tried to gauge her expression in the dim light but it was impossible. All he could see was wide eyes and a stunned expression.
“I’ll see you in,” he said.
“Not necessary. It’s only a few steps. Thanks again. I had a fabulous time!”
She seemed to run away. He watched until she was inside and the light went on in the kitchen. He was hot after that kiss. Yet she’d skittered away like a fawn startled beyond expectations.
He frowned, studying the dark door. Putting together all she’d said about her past, was it possible in this day and age she had never had a serious relationship with a guy? No, that’d be impossible. She was too pretty, too talented.
She lived in New York City, for heaven’s sake.
Slowly he backed the bike until he could turn around. Driving the short distance to his driveway, he tried to argue the situation, but the more he thought about it, the more he grew certain she was a novice in the dating scene.
“Oh, damn,” he groaned when he shut down the bike and propped it on its stand. That would change everything.
Surprisingly, he’d had a fabulous day, too. Which raised red flags all over the place. He could not fall for the pretty violinist from New York. She was leaving, as all the women in his life had left. At least he knew ahead of time that this relationship had no future. He hoped he was wise enough to guard his heart or he’d be head over heels before he knew it.
His family had bad luck when it came to women. Did the men choose unwisely? Or were circumstances just stacked against them?
He went to get a drink, then headed to the studio. Restless, too keyed up to sleep, he wanted to escape from his thoughts. He needed to focus on the carving and not the unattainable woman next door. She’d be gone soon. He just had to wait her out.
Angelica was about to turn off the light and head upstairs to read before bed when the phone rang. It was Professor Simmons.
“Sorry to be calling so late. I’ve tried several times during the day. How are you doing there?” he asked.
“I’m having a great time. Sorry I wasn’t here when you called. Actually, I was at a county fair.” She smiled, remembering the different way of entertainment she’d seen that day.
“Well, that sounds different.”
“It was so much fun. We rode carnival rides like kids. The man who took me won me a teddy bear, and we ate so much I might not eat again for a week. Did you know cotton candy just melts in your mouth?”
“Ah, don’t believe I’ve ever had cotton candy.”
She shook her head. This was one of her former professors. Serious, focused. She must sound like an idiot to him.
“You doing okay there on your own? I didn’t know Webb Francis was sick when I suggested you look him up,” Professor Simmons continued.
“I’m doing better than fine. He’s letting me stay here in his place. Duh, you had to know that or you wouldn’t have called here. He has a fantastic collection of mountain music. And I’m even teaching two young kids how to play the fiddle.”
“The fiddle?” he repeated.
She laughed. “I’m getting used to calling it that. Everyone looks a bit blank when I call it a violin. I’m able to pick up a lot of the songs just by listening. And Webb Francis has a ton of sheet music.”
“You have a rare gift of hearing and playing without music. So are you glad you went?”
“Oh, I love it here. We listened to different musical groups at the fair. There’ll be even more at the music festival, I understand. That’s in August. It’s amazing to watch the people really get into the music, clapping, sometimes singing along. I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity for anything. Thank you.”
“I’m pleased it’s turning out well. Actually, I called because your parents called me two days ago wanting to know if I had the phone number of the place you were staying, as your cell wasn’t working. I said there was no cell service I knew of in Smoky Hollow. From the questions that followed, I realized you had not told them where you were going. I hope I didn’t mess things up telling them where you were.”
“Oops. Sorry, Professor Simmons. This vacation was supposed to be a break from everything, not just the symphony.”
“You might give them a call. They sounded worried.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I didn’t mean to put you in the middle of anything.”
“Sometimes families exert pressures that are not fully realized at the time. I know they were strongly supportive of your music when you were a student here.”
“Maybe too much. But I’m grown up now. I can make my own decisions. Did you ever consider delving more into folk music?”
“I have on occasion. Teaching that course gives me an outlet that combines my love for it with other duties at the school. I have spent several summers in Smoky Hollow with Webb Francis. He has a rare talent himself. And knows more about their music than anyone. You’ll have a good teacher, once he’s well again.”
“Did you ever go to the music festival the end of August?”
“Of course. You’ll not want to miss that. There will be jug bands, dulcimers and real old-fashioned mountain music. Great songs handed down from the first settlers. Call me when you return to New York. You can tell me your experiences in Kentucky.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks for everything, Professor.” She hung up feeling guilty that she had put him in an awkward position. But she’d never expected her parents to call him to find out where she was. Had they called everyone she knew until they reached him? Couldn’t they give her a few weeks on her own?
Reluctantly, she picked up the phone and dialed home. The phone rang until the answering machine picked up.
“Hi Mom, it’s Angelica. I, um, was just calling to say hi. I’ll call back.”
She reluctantly gave them the phone number. She didn’t want them calling her every day trying to talk her into returning to New York. But she could understand they wanted to be in touch. Sorry to say, she had not missed their presence in her life at all
since she’d been in Smoky Hollow. She had a freedom she’d never known before and she relished every moment.
Still, this was the longest she’d been out of touch with her parents. Gazing out the window she wondered why it had taken her so long to break free. She did not need her parents dictating her every move. She was talented and capable. From now on, she would dictate her own destiny. She hoped.
Angelica knew they only wanted what was best for her. Older parents when she had been born, they had already given up on having any children. So it was a double whammy—doting older parents and gifted child.
Restless, she changed her mind about going up to bed and went to practice the song she was planning to play in the festival. It was complex enough to keep her fully engaged while playing, forcing out all worries and thoughts of the future. There was only the bow, the strings and the fast pace to the music.
After an hour, she put down the violin. She was getting better all the time, but would anyone really care?
She walked over to the window to look at Kirk’s house, remembering his kiss at the end of their date. She’d had such fun that day. The Ferris wheel had given them an aerial view of the fairgrounds. The different music had enforced her decision to get more variety into her musical repertoire. And she couldn’t wait to have cotton candy again. Yet who knew the touch of two lips could set off a firestorm? And she hadn’t a clue what to do about it. On the one hand, she wanted more. To see if every time he kissed her she about melted in desire. Or would she grow used to them, would they lose their magical touch?
No lights showed at his house. He must have gone to bed. Which she should do. Then she saw the lights on in the building behind his house. Giving in to impulse, she went to see what he was doing.
The door to the building stood open, spilling light in a wide path. Angelica stopped in the opening and stared at the workshop. It was definitely not a garage. There were wooden statues and figurines against one wall. Piled up in front of another wall were chunks of wood in various sizes. In the center Kirk was chiseling from a huge block of raw wood. She glanced at what he was doing but her attention was immediately drawn to the glowing statue of a mother and children toward the back. Slowly she walked in and over to the wooden piece.
Angel of Smoky Hollow Page 10
