Epilogue
Spring
The final curtain dropped and the musicians were able to leave their positions. Angelica carried her violin against her chest and hurried backstage. Her parents had come to hear the final symphony for the season and, of course, Kirk was waiting for her.
She went to her station backstage and was just placing it in its case when Kirk strode over, followed by her parents.
He looked amazing in his tuxedo. Even better than he had in Paris last fall.
Looking only at her, he walked straight through, others moving out of his way as if by magic.
Her heart rate increased, and the smile that lit her face was involuntary.
She couldn’t help it, each time she saw him she fell in love all over again.
“Fantastic, Angel,” he said, sweeping her into a hug and kissing her.
“Your best ever,” her mother said, coming up and bustling around. “You were born to play music.”
“Maybe,” Angelica said. Privately she thought she was born to be Mrs. Kirk Devon, but she wasn’t sure her mother wanted to hear that.
“You sure you won’t come to Boston for a few days?” her father asked.
“No. Our plans are made. We’re stopping in Atlanta to check on the gallery there and take stock of any statues unsold, then heading for home.”
Her mother sniffed delicately.
“Home is here, Smoky Hollow is your vacation retreat.”
Kirk stiffened and Angelica poked him gently. “Home is wherever we are, actually,” she said. “But for the next few months, we’ll be there.”
Her mother gave Kirk a look that Angelica knew privately amused him.
He’d won the most amazing prize, so he often said.
He didn’t care if her mother figuratively threw darts his way every time she saw him.
She hadn’t fully reconciled to the idea of her daughter married to a man who whittled for a living.
It was too early to prove to Kirk that their marriage would last forever.
The past seven months had been fantastic.
Dividing their time between New York for her engagements, and Smoky Hollow for down time, had proved the perfect solution.
Even Kirk admitted he found inspiration in New York and they had bought a loft flat that would allow him all the light and space he needed to work.
Now he had two studios and she had two homes.
Gradually the din eased as musicians left. They were having a late supper with her parents, then early in the morning heading south.
It was time to begin practicing for the music festival in Kentucky.
Angelica had picked up quite a repertoire of folk songs.
She loved her long weekends in Smoky Hollow, playing with Webb Francis and the children.
Sam was getting better and better. Teresa Ann had her own violin now and could practice at home.
But she still liked to practice with Angelica when she was in town.
Angelica couldn’t wait to see them. And Hiram. He’d written in his last letter he had a brand new song to practice so they could perform together at the festival in August.
And tonight, after her parents left, she had some special news to share with her husband.
She wondered if she should pull back from concerts and concentrate on building her family.
Time enough to discuss that once he learned her news.
She smiled up at Kirk as they walked out of the concert hall.
Her breakaway summer had brought her happiness beyond her dreams. And there was no end in sight.