Chapter Seven
Angelica was getting used to the casual attire she wore all the time in Smoky Hollow. She selected cotton slacks, a cotton T-shirt and comfortable walking shoes. She heard the motorcycle right at ten and went through the back door to the side of the house just as Kirk pulled up.
She kept thinking of Sam’s comment—it’s a date.
It was, no matter what kind of spin Kirk or she put on it. She almost danced out of the house. She was going on a date with Kirk Devon.
He greeted her, handed her the helmet then waited for her to climb on. She felt self-conscious putting her arms around him and snuggling up against his back. She knew the kiss at the pond had meant nothing to him, but the memory made her awareness spike to an all-time high.
She tried desperately to get control of her emotions. They had the entire day ahead of them. She refused to act like a silly schoolgirl with a crush. Taking a deep breath to calm her jangled nerves, she took in the scent of the man instead, kicking awareness up another notch.
He smelled of soap and aftershave and the combination did odd things to her thought processes—or lack thereof.
While she was fighting her attraction, he turned the motorcycle around and roared out into the street heading for Bryceville and the county fairgrounds.
Angelica was glad for the end of the ride when they turned into the fairgrounds parking area. She felt tingly and self-conscious and wanted to gain some equilibrium.
Avidly looking everywhere she was immediately enchanted by what she saw. The air was filled with animal smells. The bright sunshine was already heating everything.
They parked on a dirt parking lot among pickup trucks and older model cars. Between the parking lot and the gate she saw rows of horse trailers parked every which way. She’d never seen such a sight before.
They walked to the gate where a lanky teenager stamped the back of everyone’s hands once they’d paid admission.
“So we can come and go if we wish,” Kirk explained. “One fee lets us into everything, including all the rides.”
Angelica nodded, still trying to take in everything.
Did counties in New York have fairs like this? She’d never heard of one, but then, would she, living in New York City?
Once through the gate, Angelica saw the stables. Horses hung their heads over the stall doors and watched as people passed by. Several children went to the horses to pet them. A few owners sat on benches, working with bridles and talking with friends.
Beyond were dozens of pens covered from the hot sun by high metal roofs.
Sheep were in one section, hogs in another, cattle in a third.
The smell was a mix of hot dirt and the excrement of the assorted animals.
Pungent and sometimes overwhelming, its earthiness had Angelica taking shallow breaths.
She wrinkled her nose, but smiled. How amazing.
Kirk led the way down one aisle with sheep in small pens on either side. Some were all curly wool and a dirty white. Others had black faces and legs with snowy fleece everywhere else. Some were covered with canvas coats.
“To keep them clean for the judging,” he explained when she asked why they wore covers on such a hot day.
When a group of teenagers laughingly headed their way, Kirk pulled Angelica closer, out of their path.
One hand around her shoulders, he drew her against his chest. Her pulse raced.
Swallowing, Angelica couldn’t speak. She didn’t move away once the kids had passed, content to be snuggled up against Kirk, smelling his scent mingled with that of the ambient air surrounding them. She could stay here forever.
He must have felt the same as he didn’t release her, but continued to point out features of the sheep and explain the judging. She turned her head to see where he was pointing, but wished she could lay it on his shoulder and have him pull her even closer.
When he stepped forward, she moved away, walking at his side. He reached down and caught her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.
She wondered how she could concentrate on the fair with the waves of sensation washing through her.
Once out of the animal barns, there was a center walkway as wide as a street with assorted buildings on either side, like the main street of an old sleepy Southern town.
Even to the rocking chairs on several porches—occupied.
Some had kids rocking madly. Others had an older couple watching the people saunter by.
When Kirk ran into neighbors he knew, he introduced Angelica, explaining he was showing her around. She wished for a little while that she wasn’t in Smoky Hollow merely for a visit, but could be a part of the community.
How amazing it’d be to know everyone she ran into, to stop and chat a few minutes, knowing she’d see them again in a day or two.
The morning took on a magical feel—like something out of a fairy tale.
She was enchanted with everything, from the animals to the canning and quilting, to the wonderful art exhibits.
There was plenty to eat at the food court, where anything from teriyaki chicken to corn dogs to cotton candy was readily available.
And sun tea booths everywhere. Which they took advantage of as the day grew warmer.
Stopping to eat lunch on the lawn near one of the platforms, they listened to the musicians playing that hour. Kirk explained how the various musical groups rotated around the fairgrounds. There were several venues where different type of music from bluegrass to country to rock were played.
“Did you put on sunscreen?” he asked as they were finishing their lunch.
She shook her head.
“Your nose is looking red,” he commented. “Come on and we’ll buy you a hat to keep you shaded.”
She wrinkled her nose, feeling tightness.
“I didn’t even think about it this morning.”
She was rarely out in the sun enough to worry about sunburn at home.
However, if the feeling on her nose was anything to go by, she’d be burned to a crisp by the end of the day if she didn’t do something.
Kirk led her to one of the concession stands where hats and scarves and sunglasses were sold. He picked out a pink cowboy hat and plopped it on her head.
“It’s so you,” he teased.
She laughed and looked at the small mirror on the stand. For a moment she didn’t recognize the reflection. Her face was pink, her eyes a deeper blue than normal. But it was the happiness shining back at her that surprised her.
“We’ll take it,” he told the vendor, paying him for the hat.
“I can buy it,” she protested, noticing the transaction.
“Consider it a gift from Smoky Hollow. I bet you don’t have the nerve to wear it in New York.”
She smiled and shook her head.
“Probably not. But then, I don’t spend a lot of time outdoors in New York.”
“Why not?”
“Too busy with practice.”
It sounded lame. She could make time to go to Central Park, or even to the beach. Maybe if she factored more breaks in her schedule she wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed and pressured.
She was in control of her life. It was up to her to find the balance.
“It’ll work for today,” he said, taking her hand again.
Kirk took her to the amphitheater where the music festival would be held later in August. Today there was a rock band playing with lots of teenagers on the stands and sitting on the grass.
Many were dancing to the music, others clapped or sang along.
He found a spot on the back of the stands and they sat.
“The acoustics are good here,” she said.
He nodded. It wasn’t bad. He could hear the music and some of the murmur from conversations around them. Usually it was too much effort to listen.
He glanced at Angelica and her new hat. She looked pretty as a picture watching the musicians with an assessing look. He hoped the sunburn would fade and not peel. Though he bet she’d look cute with a peeling nose.
He leaned back against the empty seats behind them, remembering the last time he’d come to the fair.
It had been before he’d gone into the army.
He’d brought Alice. They’d just graduated from high school and had talked of marriage once he was done with his service.
They’d listened to music, rode the rides.
He’d even won a silly turtle for her at the pitching booth.
Different experience now with Angelica finding every aspect fascinating. It showed what different upbringing could do. He took it for granted, she was amazed.
If she stayed, after a few years would she take this for granted as well?
He’d never know.
She looked at him and smiled and he felt a kick in the gut. If she had any idea how pretty she was she’d control those smiles.
“You must come every year,” she said.
“Nope. First time in a long while.”
“Why? This is fabulous.”
He sat up.
“It’s more fun coming with someone. I didn’t have anyone to come with before. Not since Alice.”
“No one?”
“No one I wanted to risk gossip enough to bring.”
“Is there some rite of passage I don’t know about coming here with you?”
“If you were staying, there’d be speculation about our relationship. Bringing someone to the county fair is a pretty strong indication you’re involved or thinking about it.”
“But not with me?”
“No. You don’t live here.”
If she did, would he have brought her? If she lived here, he’d have to rethink the entire situation.
But he knew better than to get involved with someone who liked the bright lights and big city. Alice hadn’t stayed. He hadn’t enough to offer her and she’d told him so in no uncertain terms. There was no reason to think Angelica could ever fit in.
But for today he could pretend. The idea surprised him. The longer he considered it the more he thought, why not? He’d show her around, explain everything to her and enjoy her enthusiasm for the fair.
He hadn’t dated anyone seriously since Alice. He was careful not to give the wrong impression to anyone. Or was he guarding his heart against the pain of loss? He wouldn’t think about that today.