Positively penelope, p.23
Positively, Penelope, page 23
Jazz marked the background music. Sinatra and Bublé. Matthias probably did that for her too.
They drove in a direction Penelope hadn’t gone before, away from Mountcaster or Ansling. To the south. And their conversation consisted of Iris recounting all her favorite birthday memories and then her favorite parts of the parade until she grew quiet, humming to the music.
“I do have a parade question,” Matthias said.
She relaxed her head back against the headrest and looked over at him. “All right.”
“What did you give away in those little bags you distributed? The phone rang all day yesterday with inquiries, but Evelyn only smiled and told me to ask you or Grandfather.” His brow quirked. “But Grandfather said he’d leave the surprise to you.”
Penelope burst forward in her seat. “Classes.” She squealed. “There were some sweets and a card with the upcoming productions through summer, and then there was a coupon for classes. And if people called to show interest in Darling featuring classes again, then they would have their names put down for a 20 percent discount on the first set of classes offered.”
“Classes?” Matthias shook his head, one expressive eyebrow pointed skyward. “Who is planning to teach these classes?”
“Haven’t you realized how many people you have around you with amazing potential?”
“You’re right.” His grin split wide. “I do. They just seem to have been gently prodded to become more demonstrative in their potential.”
“Positivity is highly influential, Mr. Gray.” She gave a shrug topped with a not-so-innocent smile. “Gwynn volunteered to start with the voice class, along with Gloria. Dani offered to teach an audition course for those interested in learning how to try out, and Mark said he’d teach something about set design. Lilith is going to teach beginners dance, and Grandpa Gray volunteered to teach an advanced waltz class.”
“Grandfather?”
“He did.” Penelope giggled. “It’s amazing. Once he embraced the life he still has left to live for his family and theater, he jumped all in.”
“He’s done that with the business side too. Taking things back in hand.” Matthias shook his head as if the news surprised him. “I’m afraid you’re going to inspire me out of a job.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if Grandfather takes back his previous responsibilities, then all I’ll have to manage are the finances. He’s already taken back his previous work overseeing the donors and working with the board of directors.” He chuckled. “That may sound like a handful, but it’s nothing compared to what I’ve been juggling the past few years.”
“I’m sure there’s plenty to do.” She watched the passing scenery of green fields and jagged mountains growing nearer. “You love the theater, too, don’t you?”
He hesitated enough for her to notice. “I appreciate it as a place my family loves, a place of history and talent, but I was more invested in the entire production because I was working alongside family.” He nodded. “I’m realizing more and more how much it means to the people who perform on a regular basis, and how they can become like family, to an extent.”
“You didn’t know that before?”
“I was so close to the theater and the business of it, I don’t think I’d ever stepped back and seen the . . . house view, if you will. As someone watching the performance and recognizing how it all works together to create something memorable.”
“That’s a great way to think about it.” She rested her head back against the seat again, basking in the comfort and sweetness of sharing this drive with her . . . friends. On her birthday. “It’s something I learned when I worked at The Ashby Theater because we had a little crisis there—kind of like here—and had to revitalize.”
“Ah.” He raised a brow and sent her a look from his periphery. “You’ve had practice saving places before.”
She liked the notion of saving places, rescuing dreams and people. It sounded very heroic. “Well, I don’t know if saving is the right word, but maybe loving a place back to life? Or loving a dream back to life?” She shrugged. “It’s what sent me in the direction of marketing and theater, instead of performance. Besides, despite my obvious emotional flexibility, I didn’t have the superb talent for performing that’s required to make it big.” The ocean came into view along the road. Just glimpses. And a smaller town, all cobblestone and lantern-lined roads. “And, well, to be honest, I want a family, so I chose a different path.”
His quiet drew her attention to him. His attention shifted back to the road. “Do you regret it? Not pursuing performance? Broadway?”
“No.” She’d spent a lot of time thinking and praying about the decision, but the past two months had only proven her choice was positively perfect for her. She was doing exactly what she was meant to do, professionally. Introducing others to theater. Educating them. Bringing the classics back to the forefront of people’s minds while giving the old a new shine for a new population. “I’m doing exactly what I feel professionally called to do. I love it.” She looked over at him. “What about you? What would you want to do if you could do anything?”
“A few months ago, I don’t know what I would have said. But now?” His gaze flickered back to her, searching, and then he gestured with his chin toward the window. “Well, right now, I’m going to take you and Iris on one of our favorite walks.”
Hmm . . . deflection? Well, she’d just have to save that particular investigation for another day.
The parking lot was nothing more than a little dirt patch near a thick wood of evergreens.
“It’s the best place ever, Penelope!” Iris danced alongside her. “Da says it’s our special place and we only take special people to see it.”
“Do you?” Penelope looked up at him as they entered the forest on a little trail weaving between the trees. He carried a basket and the wind tossed a few strands of his hair over his forehead in a look of disarray. She decided she rather liked that look on him. It made him seem less put together and serious, though she’d come to realize he wasn’t so serious.
“It’s a public footpath,” he whispered. “Anyone can find it.”
“You’re supposed to just say yes, Matthias,” she whispered back. “Only special people come here with you.”
His grin crooked and his gaze roamed over her face in such a way her breath grew a little shallow. He really believed in pulling out all the stops for a special birthday, because she sure felt special at the moment.
“Then yes. Only special people.”
They walked on and talked about the day and Penelope’s favorite birthday memories, including the time Luke rode a camel first in order to show her that she could fulfill her birthday wish of riding a camel. They’d been eleven and seven. He’d walked funny for a week.
Iris shared how her last birthday party had been at the very spot to which they were walking, and they’d stayed until dusk in order to catch fireflies.
The image of Matthias running around with a giggling Iris catching fireflies settled in her heart like a perfectly sung note. Right. Sweet. The type of family memory she’d embrace too.
After holding Penelope’s hand for part of the walk, Iris took off after a rabbit scurrying past, leaving Matt and Penelope following at a slower pace. Birdsong twittered overhead and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the cool scent of pine. The simplicity brought its own magic and she breathed it all in, the feeling of . . . well, she wasn’t certain, but it made her want to linger and sing and sigh all at once.
“You do realize how much you’ve made a difference here, don’t you?”
Matthias’s deep voice blended in with the setting around her, offering a deliciously warm mix within the slight chill in the October air. A perfect sound. Hot chocolaty.
“I’m happy I’ve been able to help.” She smiled up at him, pushing back a strand of hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail. “It really has been one of the most delightful experiences of my life so far.”
“Even with all the troublesome Grays?” The twinkle in his eyes inspired her chuckle.
“I’d have to say the troublesome Grays have been my favorite part. People are what make the difference in our lives most of all.” Her thoughts dove into her doubts. “But, Matthias, there’s something I wanted to talk with you about.”
His attention zeroed in on her face with such intensity, she almost forgot what she was going to say. How strange was that?
“Yes?”
She drew in a breath, garnering courage. “I think someone is stealing our ideas for Darling and giving them to Emblem.”
He came to a stop, turning completely toward her. “What?”
She gestured for them to keep walking, and when he didn’t move, she slipped her arm though his to urge him along. Iris didn’t need to worry about this. “I dismissed the idea at first, but the longer I’m here, the more I realize all the instances can’t be coincidences.”
“What instances?” He’d lowered his voice to match the tone she’d set.
“The website designs, the box seats, the newspaper ads, and then . . . the float?”
“The float?” He almost stopped again, but she tugged him forward, glancing around them to make sure no one was within earshot. It was unlikely that a spy followed them to the Vandermeer—whatever that was—on her birthday, but she’d watched enough mysteries to be suspicious.
“I just assumed Emblem had already secured a spot in the parade when Grandpa Gray signed us up, but then I overheard the Emblem folks arguing at the parade about how their appearance was a fast decision. And that they hadn’t planned on even being at the parade until a few days before.”
“Which would make sense seeing as how the presentation was so . . .”
“Uncreative?” She waved at Iris, who’d stopped in front of them to pick an orange leaf off the ground, and the realization that this little scene in her life looked very much like a family moment almost distracted her. She gave her head a shake and pulled the current conversation back to the forefront of her mind, pocketing that unexpected thought for later. “Grandpa Gray said that floats receive their placement based on the size of the donations—a sacrifice Grandpa Gray made along with pulling a few strings of his own.”
“He knows everyone.”
“Right, which is why he thought we’d be closest to Avontur or that other company nearest the royals.”
“And you think someone tipped off Emblem from The Darling House team?”
“But who would? Not Grandpa Gray or Gwynn, surely.”
“No, I can’t imagine either of them ever doing anything to wound the Darling. And Gwynn practically lives and breathes love for the place.” His gaze fastened on hers. “Did Alec know?”
Alec? No, surely not him. He was family. “I hinted at something about the parade, but wasn’t specific. The theater troupe knew, but if it were one of them, then it would have to be someone different for all the earlier times. None of them knew about the news interview or the web designs or the other things.”
“Have you told anyone of your suspicions?” He’d stopped and turned toward her.
“Only my family, but I’d thought about mentioning it to Grandpa Gray.”
“Good idea.” Matthias nodded and threaded her arm back through his to continue walking. “He knows so many people and I’m certain you can trust him above all others.”
“Except you.” She grinned, giving his arm a little squeeze with her own. “You’re my closest friend I have in Skymar.”
He stopped again, searching her face. “Am I?”
The admission pooled through her with welcome warmth. Despite his being older, and certainly wiser, and having a daughter, she valued his friendship more than anyone else’s here. He just fit in her heart so well. “You sound so surprised.”
He tipped his head as if in thought and then continued their walk, his smile gentle. “Honored, more like.”
Something inside her bent, shuddered, and then expanded as if welcoming in a feeling so big that it needed more space to reside.
She searched his face as if he would explain it to her, but his tender expression only confused her even more. What was happening? She blinked her attention back to the path up ahead, but her mind raced with an impossible notion. Was she falling in love with Matthias Gray? Friendship took on a very different definition: deeper, sweeter, and topped with a few delicious tingles.
“We’re here!” called Iris with a giggle—a sound as at home among the forest as the other woodland noises. “We’re here!”
And whatever spell Matthias Gray had cast on her heart released as she turned to the little girl. “Are we?”
“Come, we’ll show you,” Matthias said, taking the lead in tugging their linked arms forward.
They followed Iris through a last veil of trees and the forest fell away to reveal the most magnificent waterfall she’d ever seen. It plunged over the cliff and across a deep gorge from the field in which they stood, so high a few birds even flew below the waterfall’s origin spot. Maybe Penelope had stepped into a storybook!
“Vandermeer.”
She looked from Matthias to the falls and back.
Everything felt too big to take in. The view, the possible mole, this realization about her feelings for Matthias. But as the latter idea sank deeper into her heart, she embraced it.
She wouldn’t have noticed him a year ago in her world of busyness and college fun. Not with her silly list of what she thought she wanted, but the truth in her heart began to form more clearly in her head. She’d been so focused on some crazy definition of a leading man that she’d forgotten some of the best characters played the secondary roles. And sometimes, they should’ve been in the spotlight all along.
Her heart squeezed against the thought. She couldn’t fall in love with Matthias Gray, could she? He was six years older than her. There was no war. And she was returning home in less than two months.
Chapter 17
A perfect day.
That’s how Matt would describe this particular Tuesday of his life.
He’d had a few before, but not in a long time, so the presence of this one glowed a bit brighter than the ones before. But that’s how life seemed to work. By comparisons. Seeing the good more clearly and with more gratitude when placing it next to more shadowy memories. Or in this case, setting one relationship next to another.
This hopeful, intelligent, and lovely woman riding beside him toward home shone a clearer light into how broken his relationship with Deirdre had been. How one-sided. How much he’d changed to suit her demands or whims. How he’d come to dread entering the house at the end of the day to one of her tirades or criticisms. Nothing ever seemed good or right or . . . happy.
But spending time with Penelope was wholly different and . . . beautiful.
Penelope never seemed jealous of Iris’s presence but instead pulled his daughter into conversations without a hint of exasperation. She painted the world with melodies and joy—he couldn’t help but grin—as much a real-life fairy-tale heroine as anyone he’d ever known. Her arm had slipped through his with such familiarity, as if she’d always belonged beside him. Her laugh came quickly and often, and he hadn’t realized how much he craved someone looking at him the way she did. Like he wasn’t a second choice or a failure but . . . important to her. Her friend? Yes, and his heart wanted even more. The impossible more.
How strange a turn of life.
He’d never have expected to be drawn to her, and yet it was almost as though she matched him like no one else. And as he’d looked down into her lovely face after she’d called him her friend, he wondered for the first time whether her heart felt the same draw. A flicker of something in her eyes. A change in the way she’d touched his arm or the way her gaze lingered in his.
His chest deflated. But how? How could it work? He lived here. Iris’s life and family were here. And clearly, Penelope longed for home. But Iris came alive under Penelope’s care. So did he.
Was he a fool to pursue something that could very well break both their hearts?
“You never know,” came Penelope’s voice in the car as she spoke to Iris about the possibilities of performing as a princess in a musical one day. “The biggest dreams are the ones that take the most risk, but they’re worth it, Iris. You may just have to make it through the hard things first.”
So he took those words to heart. Risk. Worth. The two words went hand in hand. He would never do anything to hurt his daughter, but what if loving Penelope meant the best for all three of them? Could that be true?
He pulled the car up to the cottage.
“This has been the very best day. I just don’t want it to end.” Penelope smiled over at him, the green of her blouse bringing out the same color in her eyes. “Would you and Iris like to come in for dinner? I make homemade pizza for my birthday every year and, well”—her teeth skimmed over her bottom lip—“I’d love for you to join me in the making and the eating.”
“What do you say, Iris?” He held Penelope’s gaze as he turned his head toward the back seat. “Pizza and Penelope?”
“Yes, yes!” Iris had already unbuckled her seat belt and opened the door.
And the perfection continued with laughter and flour and Penelope’s special care for Iris. He saw what his life could be. A family. A future. But the possibility of thousands of long miles hung between reality and hope.
“I made a fifth try of Chocolate Strawberry Dream.” Penelope winked at him.
“Ah, I see the way of it.” He nudged her with his shoulder as he kneaded the pizza dough. “You only wanted us to stay for this favor of yours.”
“No.” Her eyes grew wide and then she smiled. “The favor is the bonus. Having you both here is just . . . well, right.” She shrugged. “But I won’t ask the favor until dessert so I can sweeten you up and secure a yes.”
He chuckled. “You’re a very poor negotiator, you know? Laying all your cards out for everyone to see.”
