Page 68 of Wild Dreams

I raised a brow. "Wow. I had no idea you were doing that."

"Eli said it made good business sense, so we didn't have to create new sets each time." Scarlett began moving around the stage. "They're working on steps—a grand staircase, if you will—that can be moved around. We can decorate the sides and banisters with garland and lights." Scarlett moved to the edge of the stage. "The tree will go here, and it makes sense for a fireplace along the wall just before it with stockings hanging. This is where they hope to see Santa, and it's away from the main stage area where the adults and the rest of the cast will be hanging out."

"Who will be the parents?" I wondered out loud.

"Eli and I can do it."

I raised a brow. "I didn't realize Eli could act."

Scarlett shrugged. "There's a first time for everything. I've been so busy with kids' classes, I haven't started one for adults yet. When we do, we'll have a bigger pool of actors to draw from. But for right now, Eli will do in a pinch. I'll work with him in the evenings."

Chance grunted.

I assumed he was thinking about them practicing love scenes together.

"We'll need to do a quick audition this week to see who would be best in which role. I have an idea of who could work, but it wouldn't hurt to hold open auditions so that we get the best kid for the part. Sometimes, kids hold back because they're afraid to act freely in front of friends."

"Maybe have each kid come on the stage without an audience. Just you," I suggested.

Scarlett snapped her finger. "I love that idea. I'll handle the auditions. Eli will coordinate the set design with the Fletchers."

"The costumes can be holiday pajamas, slippers, and Church outfits for the party."

"No need for swords or spears?" Chance teased.

Scarlett shook her head. "Not this time. The kids will be disappointed. We'll have to do the castle one this spring. I could see the kids having a blast with something medieval. We'd have swords, knights, and battles."

I held up my hands. "Focus, Scarlett. We have a holiday play to put on in a few weeks."

"We don't have a title." Scarlett lifted the script. "You just wroteA Christmas Playon it. I'm assuming that's just a placeholder?"

"I couldn't settle on the perfect one.The Magic of the Holidays.Catch a Santa.Believe in Magic." I ticked off the few I'd thought of. Nothing had struck me as being the one.

"I actually likeThe Christmas Play," Chance said simply without an explanation. "It doesn't give anything away about the plot."

"That's a risky move, but it does have a certain ring to it." Then Scarlett turned to me. "This is your play. What do you think?"

"It's the one that's always at the top of my page, so it's stuck with me."

"For now, we'll go withThe Christmas Play.We have a few more days to think about it. I know that Eli wants to get the tickets sales going here soon."

Chance sat on the edge of the stage. "It's good to see this place being used again. It sat empty for so many years."

Scarlett nodded. "It's what the previous owners wanted for this place, and now that Eli is pursuing it to be named an historical site, no one will be able to turn it into something that doesn't fit the history of the building."

"I can't imagine walking down the street and not seeing the old ticket window." It was a symbol of the history of the town.

Chance made a move to leave. "I'll let you two keep working. I just wanted to stop in and see your progress."

"How did you even know we'd be here tonight?" Scarlett asked.

"Marigold must have said something about it when I checked in with her about Oakley."

"Oh, I almost forgot. How is the little guy?" Scarlett asked me.

"You wouldn't even know he had a scare. He's happy as can be, and the food is all tucked away in upper cabinets."

Chance hopped off the stage. "I still need to stop by and fix that one cabinet that won't shut."

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