Angel of Smoky Hollow Read Free

overlooking the street. The oak in front shaded it from the sun. It wasn’t as cool as air-conditioning could achieve, but it was pleasant enough. Definitely twenty or more degrees cooler than outside.
    The double bed was covered with an old quilt. There was a slipper chair near one of the windows, a large double-wide bureau and knickknacks galore from little ceramic kittens playing with yarn to old figurines of ladies in antebellum attire.
    â€œThis is nice,” Angelica said, taking it all in. It was so different from her sleek Manhattan apartment, with chrome and leather furnishings and modern art on the walls. This was warm and homey. She had never seen a place like it. She liked it.
    â€œSupper’s at six. If you don’t eat here, there’s a good diner in town. Without a car, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find anything else you can walk to and get back before dark.”
    â€œI’d like supper here,” Angelica said, slowly lowering her backpack to the floor. Her precious violin she hugged against her chest for comfort. She felt it was the only familiar thing in life right now.
    â€œMeals are extra.” Sally Ann quoted a figure that was ridiculously low.
    Angelica smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.” If everything was that cheap in Kentucky, she could stay longer than originally planned.
    If Webb Francis got well and agreed to help her.
    And if she could keep her mind on work and not the disturbing presence of Kirk Devon!
    Â 
    Kirk walked back toward town. He planned to call Webb Francis as soon as he reached a phone. Did the man know Angelica Cannon? He had not seemed worried about an invited guest showing up when Kirk saw him yesterday. The more he thought about it, the odder it seemed. What would a young woman whom no one ever heard of have in common with Webb Francis—except for the fiddle. Webb Francis was a world-class fiddle player. At the music festivals and hootenannies held in and around Smoky Hollow, Webb Francis was renowned for his talent. Could she be a student wannabe? Would explain the violin case she guarded. He should have told her he had no interest in her instrument.
    Melvin and Paul still held the fort on the porch of the store. There were a couple of others from town chatting with them. Waiting. When they spotted Kirk, the questions began to fly as everyone wanted to know more about the woman who came to visit Webb Francis.
    â€œDon’t know any more than you do. But I’m taking her over to see him tomorrow. Maybe that’ll clear things up.” Hespoke another minute or two to the neighbors then headed for home. It was hot. Late July in Kentucky was always hot. He’d been in hotter places. But a long time ago. Time and places he didn’t want to remember.
    Next time he’d take his motorcycle. It wasn’t a long walk to town, but midday wasn’t the time to be out walking in the sun.
    Reaching the log cabin built as if it grew directly from the forest floor, Kirk went straight to his phone. In a moment he was connected to Webb Francis at the hospital.
    â€œYou expecting an Angelica Cannon?” Kirk asked after ascertaining his friend was improving.
    â€œWho?”
    â€œSome woman with a fiddle in a case, backpack, faded jeans and a secretive attitude.”
    â€œDoesn’t sound like anyone I know. Far as I can remember, no one’s going to show up to see me.”
    â€œClaims she was expecting to see you. I figure she’s going to try to talk you into giving her some lessons or something.”
    Webb Francis coughed for a long moment. Then said, “Not up to it. Send her on her way.”
    â€œI’m bringing her in to see you tomorrow.”
    â€œI’m not up to taking on a student. The doctors here can’t even tell me when I’m going home.”
    â€œRest up. We’ll sort this out tomorrow. She’s staying at Sally Ann’s tonight. If you’re not up to