“So tell me, how are the kids doing with their lessons?” he asked.
They talked about Sam and Teresa Ann, moving on to the topic of Hiram’s big comeback, as Angelica called it.
“He blows me away with his voice. Age has not diminished it at all. He’ll wow the crowd.”
“Webb Francis seems to think you will.”
She shrugged.
“I’ve been practicing.”
“Pops said you’re doing a solo from one of your concerts,” he said slowly.
“And?”
She seemed defensive.
“I think we’ll be fortunate to hear you.”
She thought it over.
“Sam’s mom said the same thing.”
They’d enjoy anything she played, he thought. He would, even if he couldn’t hear it all. Watching her would be enough.
Angelica dressed with care for her date. She didn’t have much variety, but so far neither had anyone else in town shown a huge wardrobe. The pink of her cotton top enhanced the color she’d picked up from the sun, making her blue eyes look brighter. Or was it the anticipation in seeing Kirk again?
She waited on the front porch and heard the muffled roar of the motorcycle when he started it. Smiling she waited. The things she did here would have astonished her six months ago, six weeks ago. Now she agreed with what Kirk and Webb Francis had said that first morning—the back of a motorcycle was the best way to see things.
The ride into Bryceville was fun. She held on, savoring every movement of his body as he smoothly leaned into curves. Theycouldn’t talk, but she didn’t need conversation. Being with him was enough.
She was so glad he’d stopped by at lunch. Her time was winding down and decisions had to be made soon. But for today, she’d go with the flow and savor every second.
The barbecue was delicious and messy. They used a dozen napkins and she still had to stop and wash her hands before they headed for the movie theater. The feature movie was a comedy. As they waited in line to buy their tickets, a very short line compared to the lines she’d seen in New York, she asked if he could hear film soundtracks.
“Most of it. The theater cranks up the sound pretty loud. Sometimes I miss parts. I don’t come often,” he said.
He touched her back as they moved forward, sending spiraling shivers down her spine. They found seats near the center. The theater wasn’t crowded, though the air-conditioning felt so good Angelica thought everyone around should come for the relief from the heat.
Kirk held the popcorn in his lap, near her so she could easily reach for some. The lights dimmed and the coming attractions began. Halfway through the box of popcorn, she reached in and tangled her fingers with his. Startled, she looked at him. He looked back and smiled, withdrawing his hand.
Disappointed, she took another few kernels and then whispered, “I’m finished. I can’t believe I ate anything after dinner.”
He set the box on the floor by his feet and reached for her hand as casually and confidently as if they’d held hands forever.
Angelica drew in a sharp breath, feeling every cell in her body focus on Kirk. She couldn’t get back into the story unfolding on the screen. She could only feel the hardness of his palm, the callouses on his fingers as they gently cradled hers. He restedtheir linked hands on his thigh. A surreptitious glance showed he was watching the movie. Didn’t he feel the charge?
Gradually her heart rate settled down and she picked up the threads of the movie, but she never grew complacent about their linked hands.
It was dark on the ride home. The air was cooler, scented with night smells. What mysteries lurked in the darkened woods that lined the road? Who else was out, enjoying the brilliance of the stars, the lessening of the day’s heat? She felt magical gliding through the night with skin brushed by the air, her head dancing with fantasies.
When they reached the cottage, she climbed off the motorcycle reluctantly. She could have ridden to California and back and still not had enough.
“That was fun,” she said, walking to the door.
“You didn’t leave a light on,” he said.
“I didn’t think about it when it was still light. I know right where the switch is,” she replied, unwilling to end the evening. “Want to come in for coffee?”
