Page 102 of Positively, Penelope

“The theater goes to her as part of her inheritance.” He looked over the crowd and she followed his gaze to his sister, who looked amazing in a deep-scarlet gown. “For generations, the theater has passed through the female line as part of our great-grandfather’s attempt to ensure the women in the family had a way to earn their own money. Besides, as Grandfather tells it, Great-Grandfather believed women took better care of places anyway.”

“And he knew women excelled at drama, no doubt.”

Matthias’s grin split wide. “I don’t know. I’ve met a few dramatic men in my time.”

Penelope couldn’t help her gaze wandering to Alec on that comment. She turned back to Matthias, and the warmth of his palm on the small of her back fuzzied up her thoughts in the most wonderful way. “I love how special the inheritance is for Gwynn.” A thought popped to mind. “I suppose, if the theater were sold, the money for the sale would go to her too?”

“I’m not certain.” His brows pinched in thought. “A special situation in the inheritance contract allows for the widower of the owner to hold control of the theater until the next female in line is twenty-five, at which time she receives control of the theater. But if the situation becomes so dire that the widower must sell the theater, I believe the funds are split among the remaining nearest family members.”

“So you, Gwynn, Alec, and Grandpa Gray would all receive an equal amount of the sale cost.”

His gaze sharpened on hers. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m not quite sure.” Her thoughts whirred around an answer she couldn’t pin down. “Just curious, I guess.”

They danced in silence a few more beats and then Matthias gave her hand a squeeze. “Do you still have that list you’re making of all the places you wish to visit before you leave?”

“I do.” Saying those words out loud to him nearly tickled alive her laugh. Very romantic words.I do.

“Would you allow me to see it next week? I’d love nothing more than to escort you on your adventures, if you’d like.”

“That would be great!” She squeezed his hand back. “And ensure I don’t get lost on the way.”

“If we travel to the northwest mountains, we both may get lost.” His brows wiggled. “The Skymarian Scots in those hills are worth experiencing for certain, and I can dust off some of my Scottish Gaelic.”

“Oh, and I want to visit the Kirk of Skree. Izzy said it’s a must.”

“Certainly, and something we should do fairly soon before it gets too cold.” He nodded. “The island is open to the elements, and winter is closing in.” He held her gaze. “How does next week sound? Perhaps we could take the day off on Tuesday? Or Wednesday?”

She mustered up a bit of courage. “It’s a date?”

His smile fell, his attention focused on her face. “Do you want it to be a date?”

“I’d like that.”

He blinked a few times before his grin reemerged. “Aye, Penelope, it’s a date for certain.”

***

Text from Penelope to Luke and Izzy:Matthias and I have a date sometime next week. A DATE! I mean, it was a kind of date-ish conversation, and the word “date” was used in the right context, so I’m banking on it being a mutual acceptance of the same definition. EEE!

Luke:Do you even know what you write sometimes? I can give you the date that reading your confusing gibberish caused me a headache.

Penelope:Do you remember what Grandpa Edgewood used to say about headaches?

Luke:You think you’re so funny.

Penelope:With a head like yours, it ought to hurt.

Luke:It wasn’t funny from you either.

Text from Penelope to Izzy:It’s not a sin or anything to sort of hold hands in church, is it?

Izzy:What are you talking about?

Penelope:Well, I was sitting next to Matthias in church this morning and had my hand strategically placed on thepew between us, just to . . . you know . . . see if anything might happen. And near the end of the sermon, he reached down and wrapped his hand around mine. I didn’t look his way to make a scene or anything, but I’m pretty sure I wore a really ridiculous grin for a while. Or the rest of the day.

Penelope:And just in case you ask, I was listening to the sermon. Mostly.

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