“You could be right. I never thought about it before.”
He tapped his finger against her chin.
“You’re a bit of a snob yourself.”
“I am not.”
“Not so much now, but I remember your look of horror when you stepped off the bus.”
“It wasn’t snobbery, it was astonishment that I was still in America and stepped off into such a different world.”
She didn’t know whether to be insulted or not. She didn’t want to be thought of as a snob.
“Ready to go? I thought we could take the bike.”
She grinned.
“Snobs do not ride motorcycles.”
“So maybe you’re broadening your horizons,” he said.
He got on the bike and waited. Angelica put her helmet on, wishing she and Kirk could just drive away and keep going until they ran out of gas. Evade making any decisions, just go where the mood struck.
She wanted to defend her choices, share with her parents her delight in the friendly people in Smoky Hollow who had gone out of their way to make her welcome. Convey all the new experiences that flooded her every day. The fun she was having.
When they sat in the booth at the diner Angelica realized how out of place her parents would be in a setting like this.
Their sophisticated clothing would shout to the world they were not from Smoky Hollow. She knew her mother would look with disdain at Angelica’s appearance. She’d worn nice slacks and a cotton top—perfectly suited to the community. She liked the feeling of fitting in. Her mother would be critical.
She refused to let her mother’s voice echo in her mind. She wondered when she’d felt that way before—if ever. Glancing at Kirk, she made a decision–no more dwelling on what others thought. This was her vacation and she’d spend it however she wanted.
Chapter Nine
Kirk sat back as far as the bench seat allowed once he’d ordered, watching Angelica study the menu. He knew she wasn’t seeing the words as her eyes never moved. She was lost in thought. He waited another minute.
“You okay?” he asked.
She looked up and nodded. Laying the menu down, she sighed softly.
“It always gets complicated when dealing with my parents.”
“You don’t have to deal with them here. They’re a thousand miles away.”
She shrugged.
“Look at it as you’ve made a commitment and you need to follow through. Aren’t they big on complying with commitments?” he said softly.
“Of course, but usually the commitments are ones they’ve chosen.”
“I don’t think Sam Tanner and Teresa Ann Williams care who chose the commitment, they’re counting on you to help them. Sam plans to play in the festival for the first time. He’s eight. Not a bad thing for a kid that young. Would you end that dream?”
“If Webb Francis recovers soon enough, he can handle things.”
“It’ll be luck if he’s back by the time the festival starts. He won’t be back in time to help Sam. Plus, I’m looking forward to hearing you play Orange Blossom Special.”
She smiled. “You might not be so glad once you’ve heard me. It’s tricky.”
“Most of us in Smoky Hollow will never get to New York to hear the philharmonic. You wouldn’t deny us the chance to hearyou this summer, would you? It’s not as if you’re planning to stay here the rest of your life.”
