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

rested the back of her hand against one thigh and smiled.
    â€œI thought you didn’t like me,” she said.
    He grinned. “Jury’s still out on that one, babe. But maybe I was hasty in making a judgement. Let’s see what you’ve got going for you.”
    She considered what he said. “Deal. What do you get in return?”
    â€œA fun summer?”
    â€œDon’t you have to work?”
    â€œI’m helping out at the Coopers’ barn raising.”
    â€œIt almost sounds as if you’re doing the Coopers a favor helping build their barn. Are you independently wealthy?”
    He grinned again, his eyes dancing. Angelica felt her heart race. The man was too potent for her. Could she really spend the summer learning more about the mountains of Kentucky and spending time with this man and not have her heart smashed to smithereens when she left? She had no experience beyond casual flirting. Could she resist Kirk’s charm, learn about the community and return to New York in September glad for the break, refreshed, and not involved with Kirk Devon?
    If she had any sense, she’d run the other way.
    Yet his offer was tempting.
    â€œAre you?” he countered.
    â€œI have enough money saved to take time off for this.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I have enough, too.”
    He paused, and their gazes met and held. It seemed as if he was leaning closer and closer and her heart beat frantically in her chest—
    Then the lights came on in the kitchen.
    â€œPower’s back,” he said, jumping backwards and glancing over at the lights.
    â€œI should be going home. It’s late.” The time had flownby. She couldn’t remember when she’d enjoyed an evening so much—and all they did was talk. And hold hands. Reluctantly she slid hers from beneath his and scrambled to get up.
    â€œI’ll walk you home.”
    He rose easily to his feet. They stood so close she could see the fine lines around his eyes, feel the soft brush of his breath across her cheeks.
    â€œThank you for dinner,” she said politely.
    â€œYou can repay the favor sometime,” he said casually.
    In only a few minutes, Angelica closed the door to the cottage and leaned against it. She had halfway hoped he’d kiss her good night. Which was idiotic. He’d outright admitted he wasn’t sure if he even liked her. Why would he want to kiss her?
    She knew why she wanted to kiss him. It would be amazing. Her heart pounded just thinking about it. And her hand still held the warmth from his.
    Tomorrow—she’d see him again tomorrow. Would they go hiking? She needed time to get back to the library and listen to more CDs. And Sam was coming over again in the afternoon for another practice session. Two days in town and already she had a full agenda. She grinned as she walked back to the bedroom.
    Â 
    It was after ten the next morning when Angelica gave up on Kirk and walked to the library. She’d risen early, eaten quickly and sat with an ear to the door expecting him to come over. He’d said he’d show her around. But they’d made no firm plans. Maybe he had merely been being polite. Twice she rose and went to the window in the music room that faced Kirk’s house. She saw no signs of activity. Had he gone to work on that barn? He seemed to exist without a source of income, but maybe that was for show. He had to work every day like most people. Smoky Hollow didn’t look like it sported a lot of millionaires.
    When she reached the library, Mary Margaret was sitting behind the desk and greeted her warmly.
    â€œI thought you’d be back this morning, what with the power knocking off all the recorders yesterday. I’m sure you didn’t hear enough. Do you need any help finding anything?”
    â€œI’m not really looking for anything special. I want an overview and choosing the CDs randomly seems to give me that,” Angelica said. She