Free Angel of Smoky Hollow by Barbara McMahon Page B

left, she tried to go wide, but he turned and threw water at her again.
    Laughing so hard she almost fell, she reached the edge of the water. Ignoring her shoes, she waded in and began splashing water at him. He joined in and before five minutes passed they were both soaked.
    Angelica plopped down at the edge of the water and just let Kirk’s attack wash over her. She felt deliciously cool in the hot afternoon. She’d squish all the way home, but for now it felt marvelous.
    A minute later another wave of water washed over her as he sat right down beside her on her left.
    His dark hair glistened with water. Drops clung to his eyelashes. “Now do you want to go skinny-dipping?”
    â€œNo need, I’m soaked.” She glanced at him from beneath her own damp lashes. “Next time I’ll bring a bathing suit.” She’d have to buy one as she hadn’t brought one. Did the local store carry any? Maybe she’d need a ride to Bryceville.
    â€œSpoilsport,” he said easily.
    â€œYou must have had a great childhood,” she said lookingaround and imagining Kirk and his friends roaming wherever they wished, safe and happy and free.
    â€œSure did.”
    â€œAre you an only child?”
    â€œOnly child of an only child of an only child,” he said.
    â€œSo no cousins to play with.”
    â€œPlenty of others around.”
    â€œDo your parents live in Smoky Hollow?”
    â€œThere’s only my granddad. He’s still here. He raised me.”
    Angelica swished her hands through the water, letting the cool liquid drip when she raised her palms. She remembered that’s what the store owner had said.
    â€œI should get home. I’ll need to change before Sam comes,” she said slowly. She looked at Kirk. “Thanks for the picnic and bringing me here. This is such a lovely place.”
    He nodded in acknowledgment, then leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. It was a momentary touch which was over far, far too soon in Angelica’s opinion. She felt an explosion of feelings, indescribably exquisite, with just that brief contact.
    Without a word, he rose and offered his hand to pull her up. His touch seemed electric. Water streamed from them both as she snatched her hand back and looked everywhere except at him. He kissed her! Her heart pounded. She wanted to touch her lips with her fingers, stop a moment and savor the feelings that roiled inside.
    Instead, she turned and stepped out of the water, her shoes squishing. She knew she would be uncomfortable all the way home. But that didn’t even faze her. It was the second of his kiss that dominated her mind.
    She didn’t know how to react. Should she say something? Ignore it. Laugh it off. Her back to Kirk, she wrung water from her shirt, pulling it away from her body. Her pants were dripping at every step, her shoes dribbling water as she walked.
    Taking a breath, she turned. Kirk had taken off his shirt and was wringing it out. She almost caught her breath at his masculine beauty. She knew his shoulders were broad and muscular. He looked like some kind of perfect male form that artists would long to paint. His skin was tanned and taut over muscles in his chest and flat stomach. She was mesmerized. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen men in swimming trunks or something, but none she could remember looked like Kirk.
    When he donned the damp shirt, she was disappointed. But she hoped he never suspected.
    â€œReady?” he asked.
    She nodded, and followed Kirk as he led the way along the stream and back to the picnic area. This outing was the most spontaneous fun she ever remembered. And his kiss was not something she’d ever forget.
    By the time they reached Webb Francis’s home, her feet felt rubbed raw from walking in wet shoes and socks. Her shirt and cotton pants had dried for the most part, but she couldn’t wait to get them off.
    â€œNext time bring a bathing suit,”