Read Online Angel of Smoky Hollow by Barbara McMahon - Free Book Online

good.”
    Kirk couldn’t remember having someone over to camp out while the power was gone. Usually he would either eat alone, or head out to the café which had a generator for situations like this.
    â€œThis is fun,” she said with a hint of surprise.
    â€œTell me how the lesson went.”
    She nodded, still chewing. Then she swallowed and smiled. “He’s really good. And I think I learned more than he did. Practice will have him ready for the festival. I followed him, let the music take hold and was able to play along. Just what I came down here for. I didn’t know my first foray would be with a little boy. We played Granny Does Your Dog Bite, know it?”
    â€œOf course.” He moved back and leaned against the front of the sofa, stretching his feet out. “That was nice of you, New York, to help him.”
    She finished her hot dog, put down the plate and scooted back to sit beside him. It was too warm to sit very close to the fire. The rain had cooled things down, but not that much.
    â€œI liked it. Which surprised me. I’m an only child and have never been much around children.”
    â€œExcept when you were one,” he said.
    â€œNot much then—except in school. I had to practice in the afternoons.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI was a child prodigy and my parents wanted me to make the most of my talent.”
    â€œSo what was that like?”
    Angelica began telling him a bit about growing up in Boston. The more Kirk heard, the more he thought of deprivation and lack. She didn’t appear to have had the kind of childhood he’d enjoyed—roaming around, exploring things, hanging out with his friends. Even getting into trouble with some wild hijinks.
    Instead, she painted a picture of a little girl and later a teenager who did little but study academics and the violin. She mentioned different recitals and programs she played in. Maybe if he knew more, he’d be impressed, but mostly he felt the lack.
    â€œDoesn’t that wear on you? When did you go to the beach with friends, shop at the mall, explore historic Boston?”
    â€œNo time.” She shrugged, then flicked him a quick glance before looking back at the fire. “That’s why I’m here. I want to see what else is out in the real world.”
    â€œIt’s still revolving around music,” he commented. His idea of seeing the world had been to actually travel—in Europe, in the U.S. and Canada. He’d worked construction once he got out of the army, wherever a job was going to earn enough money to keep traveling. Now he made an occasional trip to visit a gallery in a major city when selling a sculpture. But he liked home best.
    â€œIt’s all I know. At least I’m branching out.”
    â€œWhat did your parents say to that?” he asked, curious about people who could put so much pressure on a child.
    She stared at the fire for a long moment, then slowly said, “They don’t know.”
    â€œDon’t know what?”
    â€œWhere I am, what I’m doing. I’m twenty-four years old, for heaven’s sake, I don’t need my parents’ approval to do anything.”
    â€œNo, you don’t.”
    â€œI can make my own choices. And this is my choice, to learn more about this kind of music.”
    â€œAngel, no one’s arguing with you here.”
    She flicked him another look. “You’re right. But this is the first time I’ve done anything like this. I’m shoring up my defenses,” she said with a wry grin.
    â€œYour defenses seem fine.” He reached out and took her hand. She started a moment, then relaxed. He traced the tips of her fingers. “Do you have these insured?”
    Angelica giggled. “No.”
    Giving in to impulse, Kirk brought her fingertips to his lips and kissed her lightly, then let go, watching as a spark flickered across her face and a blush rose in her