“You have accomplished great things for a woman your age. I think you’ll go back to the familiar.”
She wasn’t sure if she liked that idea or not.
On the other hand, this was a graphic example of what could happen if she went forward—there would be a drop and splat and she’d be done.
Kirk wondered what she’d say to his assessment. Came from years of experience. There were only a few hearty souls who found the happiness in life in this small town. Those who farmed the land and passed it down from generation to generation, like Ben and Carrie. Or those who had seen what the rest of the world had to offer and selected this town, like he had and Webb Francis.
He didn’t judge her. He wanted her to be happy and suspected the familiar route was the best way for her to go. This visit was merely a slight detour in her life’s road. One she might remember for years, but wouldn’t significantly alter anything.
“Were you ever on a precipice?” she asked.
“Sure, everyone goes through that stage, don’t you think?”
He picked up a wide flat blade and worked some on the cliff. It could be chunky to offer a way down and onward. It should be smooth in some areas to show the unknown, the possible danger of a sheer fall.
“And what did you choose?” she asked.
“Not the familiar or I’d be a farmer like my granddad. But enough of the familiar to settle in the town I grew up in. To build a community. To know my neighbors and friends.”
“Yet you touch the outside world with your art,” she said.
“I’m not a hermit. I travel sometimes. But I’m always glad to return home. I’ve seen things I wished I hadn’t when I was in the army. Been places no one else in town has been after that. And seen sights like no others where it grabs you by the throat and make you thank God for the opportunity to see one of His wonders.”
“Yet you come back here.”
“Time and again,” he said, nodding.
“Alice wanted more. Does that mean you want less?” she asked.
He stopped working, putting down his tools.
“How is it wanting less to be happy here?”
“I don’t know. All my life I’ve heard go to New York, make it big.”
“And are you happy?”
She thought a moment, then slowly shook her head.
“You know that. It’s why I’m here, trying to learn something new, see what else is out there.”
He reached for her and drew her to her feet, folding her into his arms.
“Do you have a special male friend, Angel?”
She shook her head, her eyes unable to look away. Her heart raced. Her fingers grabbed hold of his shirt, feeling the warmth from his chest, the heat from his eyes.
“People who are happy here have someone special in their lives. They are building family. Connecting with neighbors and finding satisfaction in the work they do and the leisure activities they choose.”
She swallowed, feeling inept and unsure.
“Have you ever had a special male friend?” he asked softly, resting his forehead on hers.
All she could see was Kirk’s dark eyes, gazing deeply into hers. Slowly she shook her head, moving both of them. She felt surrounded by heat, rising desire, wishing he’d stop talking and kiss her. It was scary and thrilling. For this moment, she did feel on the edge of a precipice. Would his kiss send her soaring or have her fall flat on her face?
So slowly she thought she’d never stand it, he lifted his face then leaned closer, giving her time to pull away if that was what she wanted. Then he closed his eyes and kissed her.
Angelica closed her eyes and savored every aspect of the kiss, from the warm lips moving against hers, to the hard body cradling her, to the sensations that blotted out everything else but the two of them.
