Page 120 of Positively, Penelope

Alec returned to his apartment in town but kept away from the family, even though Matt continued to reach out to him. Grandfather mentioned something about Alec seeking therapy and “needing time,” so Matt kept his distance. As long as Alec was talking to someone, Matt would wait for his brother’s timing. The initial sting of his betrayal had waned, and now all Matt wanted to do was find a way to heal together, even though Gwynn still wanted nothing to do with Alec.

With a set in need of modifying and few hands to get the job done, Matt grabbed his hammer, left his office, and started for thetheater doors, when a scene ahead of him stopped him in his tracks. In the reception area connecting the office spaces with the other parts of the theater stood a stranger, a small bag at his side. And from his overall appearance, he looked every bit a foreigner.

A red-and-black flannel shirt showed beneath a heavy jean jacket. Dark hair covered his head and framed his mouth. He seemed to take in his surroundings with a careful eye, studying various parts of the ceiling all the way down to the baseboard. At the clip of Matt’s footsteps, the stranger turned. There was something familiar about the shape of his eyes.

“May I help you?”

“Yes, sir.” He tipped his head. “I’m here to see Penelope Edgewood.”

His American accent held curls of an Appalachian dialect more pronounced than Penelope’s.

Matt’s grin grew as he approached. “You wouldn’t happen to be Penelope’s brother, would you?”

A light came to the man’s dark eyes. “I am.” He offered his hand. “Luke Edgewood.”

“Yes.” Matt took the proffered hand in a sturdy grip, his grin continuing to grow. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Heard a lot about you too.” The man held Matt’s gaze. “Mostly good.”

Matt immediately relaxed at the teasing in Luke’s tone. “I could say the same.”

Luke’s smile stretched wide. “Well, now, then she’s trying to fool you if she’s saying mostly good things about me.”

“It’s a nice surprise to have you here.” Matt waved toward him and his bag. “Penelope didn’t mention you were coming.”

“That’s probably because I didn’t tell her.” He shrugged a shoulder, one dark brow hitching northward. “She likes surprises.”

Matt’s laugh burst out. “Indeed, she does.” He had a feeling he and Luke would get along just fine. “Follow me.”

At first glance inside the massive room of the museum, he didn’t see the charming redhead, but then a grunt sounded from the nearest corner behind an expansive Cinderella dress used in a performance during the 1970s.

The skirt of the dress moved of its own accord.

“Ah, got it.” And from behind the skirt crawled Penelope, her hair in a lopsided ponytail.

“Seems about right.” Luke nodded, his voice low.

Matt bit back another laugh. “Someone’s here to see you.”

With great pleasure, Matt watched awareness dawn on her flushed face.

She looked up with a welcome smile, then her attention moved to Luke, and her smile fell into open-mouthed astonishment before she covered her mouth with her palms and ran forward, burying herself into her brother’s chest.

Luke stumbled back from the impact and rolled his gaze heavenward before looking over at Matt as if Matt understood the current “drama.” Yes, he’d been on Luke’s end of an emotional response before. Plenty of times. But there was no mistaking the man’s care for his sister. To travel all the way to Skymar. No, no doubt at all.

“What are you doing here?” Penelope pulled back, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t even believe it.” And then she burrowed back into his chest.

“I can leave if you want.” He heaved a massive sigh. “Especially if you’re going to make a mess of my jacket.”

She jerked back. “Don’t you dare. I haven’t seen you for over three months!” She laughed and just stared at him for a few seconds before shaking her head and turning to Matt. “This is my brother.”

“Yes.” Matt chuckled. “We’ve met.”

“I’m so glad to see you.” She sniffed while giving the front of his jacket a tug. “But why?”

He captured a piece of her rebellious hair between his thumb andfinger and lifted it off her damp face as if he were removing a bug. Very brother-like. “I reckon y’all could use some help with getting the sets ready forThe Sound of Music, and I had a few weeks free to come.”

Penelope laughed again and turned those glowing eyes on Matt. “He came to help us, Matthias! Isn’t he the best?”

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