Angel of Smoky Hollow by Barbara McMahon

freedom. Maybe that’s what he’d call it—freedom.
    The next morning the phone rang while Kirk was still eating breakfast.
    â€œHi Kirk, it’s Webb Francis,” the voice on the other end said.
    â€œHow’s it going? You coming home today?”
    He waited a moment while the older man coughed. “Not coming home for a while. My sister heard I was sick and is planning for me to stay with her in Louisville until I’m fit again. I may get discharged from the hospital later this week. Here’s hoping. How’re things there?”
    â€œFine. You’re missed. Gina especially wants to talk to you more about the festival. Speaking of which, your guest plans to play in it after all.”
    â€œAngelica Cannon, that’s wonderful. She’s a rare talent, played as a soloist in the New York Philharmonic already at her young age. And some of her solo concerts have been reviewed to high accolades. She’s the reason I’m calling.”
    â€œDid you call your house?”
    â€œI tried there earlier, no answer. I was feeling better yesterday so I called Ryan Simmons.”
    Kirk tried to remember anyone he knew by that name. “Do I know him?”
    â€œNo, he was Angelica’s professor at the conservatory. He’s been trying to reach her, but her cell isn’t on—or not working in Smoky Hollow more like. Anyway, can you let her know he needs to talk to her. She can use my phone, don’t worry about the cost. She learning anything?”
    â€œDon’t know about that, but she’s borrowed a stack of CDs from the library and seems to be faithfully working with those kids each afternoon.”
    â€œThey’ll learn a lot from her. Wish I could be there, but Betsy is so adamant about my coming to her place, she’s threatened to send Charles to wrestle me there if I don’t go on my own.”
    â€œLet her fatten you up. As I remember, Betsy is a great cook.”
    â€œYes, just what I need.” He coughed again. “Sorry to ask you to keep an eye on my place longer.”
    â€œThat’s what neighbors are for, you know that. Anyway, Angelica is melding in fine. She’s leaving after the festival.” If he said it often enough, he’d remember it—and keep that fact in the forefront of his mind. She’d looked good enough to eat when she arrived yesterday afternoon at Carrie and Ben’s. But by the way she’d almost run around the truck and then dashed into the house when they reached it, she didn’t share that growing awareness whenever she was around.
    He was having a hard time remembering she was only visiting!
    â€œFigured she’d only stay a while. She has a career in New York. Sorry I can’t play with her. I bet that would be something.”
    â€œYour sister’s care will have you recovering quickly. You might make the festival—play a duet or something,” Kirk said.
    â€œWe’ll see. Tell her to call Professor Simmons.”
    Kirk replaced the receiver after the call. He had wanted to get to work on the new carving, but it wouldn’t take long to give her the message.

CHAPTER SIX
    H E WALKED ACROSS THE LAWN between the two houses noting again that Webb Francis’s lawn needed mowing. Maybe he’d get to that later today. It would be dry enough after the rain. He went to the back door and knocked. Angelica opened it and gave that smile that made her the prettiest woman he’d ever seen.
    â€œCome in. Want some coffee?”
    He hesitated. He was only going to give her the message and then leave. But might as well be neighborly.
    â€œSure. I heard from Webb Francis earlier.”
    â€œSit down. How’s he doing?” She began to bustle around the kitchen, pouring water in the coffeemaker, measuring the grounds.
    â€œBetter, though he sounds awful on the phone. He’s going to his sister’s when discharged—he thinks later this