Page 67 of Positively, Penelope

His eyes widened for a moment and then he relaxed back into his chair. “The memories, I suppose.” His focus turned to the view. “Mum loved it and she seemed to make everything a bit brighter wherever she went. Granny too.” He grew quiet, as if he’d stepped into one of his memories. He wore pensive very well, especially with such a nose. And her heart went out to him. What grief! Matthias had been right in saying Alec wore his grief differently. In fact, she wondered if he tried to hide it.

He drew in a breath like he’d returned from wherever he’d gone. “Like I said, it had its day in the sun, and it was glorious.”

She studied him. Did he stay away from the theater because thememories hurt so much? “They both sound like remarkable women.” She smiled, hoping her expression offered some sense of her compassion. “Your grandpa has shared so many stories about your mom and grandma and their love for The Darling House.”

“I’m sure he has.” He leaned forward, fingers braided in front of him. “I just hope these reminiscences don’t set him up for another heartache, Penelope.”

“From his response so far, I think whatever happens, he’s on the road to stepping back into his life.” Penelope sat straighter. “To be honest, he’s been one of my very best brainstormers. He’s really been the mastermind, inspiring so many ideas Matt and I are currently putting into practice.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear it.” One brow rose in a perfect slant. “But be careful with Matt and Gwynn. They don’t always have a clear business head on their shoulders. Idealists, you know?” He nodded toward her. “And you would know. They all need a bit of reality to get a clear picture of things.”

“‘Clear picture of things’?”

His attention trailed to the right, as it had done a few times already, so Penelope took a sip of her drink and sent a quick glance in that direction. A table filled with young women, all model worthy with enough skin showing to shame a beach scene. It was pretty distracting, especially with all the loud laughing.

But she didn’t think Alec was particularly distracted by the laughing.

“The real numbers on the theater. Matt’s a stubborn idealist, I’m afraid, which is likely why what happened with Deirdre hit him so hard. The business and Iris became his life.”

“I think having your wife leave you and your child for a dance routine would hit anyone really hard.”

He dipped his head in half-hearted agreement. “But three years? I’d say that’s a bit too long, wouldn’t you?”

Not if you really loved someone.

“When he was younger, he could have taken on the world with his dancing and his ability to teach it. People swarmed into his classes. And he’d poured his heart into those children and choreography.” He gestured with his glass toward her. “He even taught classes at the university. Did you know that? And he just let it all disappear into his grief and a dying theater.”

Matthias teaching college classes on dance? She could see it, now that she knew him better. He’d be a calm sort of teacher, a gentle guide, she guessed. An encourager.

“And Gwynn’s getting degrees in marketing and business with the sole purpose of saving the theater.” He shook his head. “Stubborn girl. I tried to convince her to put her education in a profitable direction, but she is annoyingly determined.”

“She has great ideas, too, and a deep love for The Darling House.” Penelope rallied to their defense. “Passion, ingenuity, and hard work can go a long way. I worked for a couple who took a desolate little theater in our small town and turned it into a thriving business, against all odds. The owners taught me a great deal about the power of heart in a business, and I think Gwynn has that in spades. So does your grandfather. Matt too. Why don’t you?”

“Reality, I’m afraid.” He offered a sad smile. “As a career planner, I see the writing on the wall. Have for years. If we’re going to save this place, we need something to shock the theater back to life or give up altoge—”

“A touring company.” The words popped out before she could stop them. “I’m trying to getThe Sound of Musichere for December.”

A laugh burst out of him, but her expression must have sobered him. “You’re serious.”

“It’s possible.”

“Not really,” he said, patting her hand on the table. “AndThe Sound of Music? There’s no way you can get that. Touring companies, or those worth seeing, are scheduled years in advance.”

“But sometimes there are cancellations.” She pulled her hand from beneath his. “That’s what I’m banking on.”

“I’m sorry, princess, but it’s much too far-fetched to become a reality.” He shook his head and took another drink from his glass. “No, you’ll have to think of something else.”

“Can’t you just be a little hopeful with me?” She leaned forward, curbing the desire to slam a fist against the table. “We should pull out all the stops, especially the far-fetched ones. That’s what you do when you care about something or someone.” She lifted her chin, staring him down. “Some of the best stories and movies are about overcoming unimaginable odds.Cinderellais a grand example.Annie,Brigadoon—”

“All fictional.”

“I could give you some good old family history stories that are not fictional at all, but it sounds like you don’t care.” She started to rise and he caught her arm.

“Please, I’m sorry.” He sighed. “Sit, please. I suppose I become pessimistic because I want it so badly.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you?”

“How could I not?” His gaze trailed away and back. “It’s family history. Memories saturate nearly every brick of the place.”

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