“Fine. 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.”
“Angelica Cannon, that’s wonderful. She’s a rare talent. From what I hear she’s 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.”
“Did you call your house?”
“I 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?”
“No, 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?”
“I don’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.”
“They’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.”
“Let her fatten you up. As I remember, Betsy’s a great cook.”
“Yes, just what I need.” He coughed again. “Sorry to ask you to keep an eye on my place longer.”
“That’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 intothe 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.
“Figured she’d only stay a little while. She has a career in New York. I’m sorry I can’t play with her. I bet that would be something.”
“Your sister’s care will have you recovering quickly. You might make the festival—play a duet or something,” Kirk said.
“We’ll see. Tell her to call Professor Simmons.”
Kirk replaced the receiver after the call. He wanted to get to work on the new carving, but it wouldn’t take long to give her the message.
Chapter Six
He 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’d 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.
“Come in. Want some coffee?”
He hesitated. He was only going to give her the message and then leave. But might as well be neighborly.
“Sure. I heard from Webb Francis earlier.”
“Sit down. How’s he doing?”
She began to bustle around the kitchen, measuring the grounds then pouring boiling water over them in the French press.
“He’s doing better, though he sounds awful on the phone. He’s going to his sister’s when discharged, which he thinks will be later this week.”
“Oh.” She stopped and turned around. “Does that mean I should leave?”
“No, he likes having someone here watching the place.”
“Sure, like there’s any danger. No one even locks their doors.”
“Well, better to be lived in than not. He had a message for you. Call Professor Simmons. Apparently the man’s been trying to reach you but your cell doesn’t work here.”
