Page 121 of Positively, Penelope

Matt gave a nod, happily being a bystander for this sweet and somewhat comical reunion.

“Now dry up your face and show me where I’m going to be the most useful.” Though the words came out a little disgruntled, the twinkle in Luke’s eyes intensified. “I can’t help anybody if I’m soaked to the skin from all your crying.”

“We’re almost done for the day, Luke, and I’m sure you’d like to settle in.” Matt gestured toward Penelope. “What do you say I order pizza and we meet up at Penelope’s to talk things over?”

“I have an extra room in my cottage, Luke. You can stay there.” She squeezed his arm. “It’s a great shade of blue.”

Luke stared down at her. “Well, I’m sure I’ll sleep loads better knowing that.” He turned to Matt, amusement flickering in his eyes. “If you’re sure it won’t help to start today, then I’ll take you up on that offer. It’d be good to get a general idea of what’s needed so I can use what time I have the best.”

“Excellent.” Good man. Smart. “And I’ll bring Grandfather with me. I feel certain he’ll appreciate meeting you since he was once a builder too.”

“And you’ll get to meet Iris.” Penelope beamed. “I just bought her a new princess hairband that she wears nonstop.”

“More princesses.” Luke drew in a deep breath, his shoulders expanding as if preparing for battle. “Perfect.”

***

Luke was here! AndThe Sound of Musicwas slowly, and a little shakily, coming together—at least as far as the cast went. And when Peneloperecommended Iris play the part of Gretel, it took only a few minutes for Matthias to give in to the idea. The little girl had the talent and interest, so why not give her the experience on her family’s historic stage? What a memory to appreciate later!

Luke and Grandpa Gray hit it off splendidly, sharing all sorts of builder-y types of information. There was a discussion about some property Grandpa Gray had that he’d wanted to renovate into holiday rentals for years and hadn’t had the time. Luke even put Grandpa Gray’s contact information into his phone, a huge show of compatibility. He only had fifteen contacts in there. She knew. She’d checked his phone dozens of times. Incognito, of course.

And a much more serious and somber Alec began a slow reentry into the theater’s work, behind the scenes. Grandpa Gray worked out some kind of community service agreement to ensure Alec received the consequences of his choices, but it also left room for healthy reconciliation. Which Penelope hoped helped to not only heal Alec but make him an even better person. He’d started going to counseling, too, initially as part of his agreement with Grandpa Gray, but if Penelope guessed right, he’d end up continuing the sessions for himself. And the cast and crew welcomed him in without a hitch, which probably helped him return with more dedication. Well, everyone welcomed him back except Gwynn. She’d barely looked at him, let alone talked to him.

Luke jumped right into the work, connecting with some of the other men, especially Mark, who appreciated Luke’s skills and work ethic. Penelope had always known her brother had a great deal of potential for socializing, but she’d never realized how much until watching him join in with the crew. Maybe it just took the right people for him to exchange his grumbly-ness for chattiness. Well, the wordchattinesswas going a bit too far. At least he was speaking in full, non-sarcastic sentences.

And Penelope nearly started crying all over again every time she’d turn a corner or glance onstage to find him there. A part of home hadcome to her. It caused the ache for that familiar place to somehow grow and shrink at the same time.

The second weekend ofPeter Panproved another sellout, with Mr.Carrington giving the welcome speech and sharing how his father had been in one of the earliest performances of the show. The board of directors set up hors d’oeuvres outside the museum before and after the performances, and people went through all the paraphernalia, leaving donations in a designated spot as they went. Something about the nostalgia and a look at how the community had supported Darling all these years created additional buzz and morale to push forward toward the uncertainSound of Musicperformance.

Penelope was cleaning up in the museum the week followingPeter Pan’s final performance when a pair of arms came from behind and wrapped around her middle. The welcome scent of Matthias’s cologne along with the warmth of his body melted over her with wonderful belonging.

“We’ve not had much time alone lately.” His words pearled near her ear and she leaned her head back against him, reveling in his hold and the tingles his voice sent through her.

“Any ideas on how to change that?”

His lips pressed into her hair. “Gwynn is taking Iris shopping for a Gretel dress this afternoon and offered to drop Luke off at the cottage. What do you say to dinner?”

She turned around in his arms. “A dress-up kind of dinner?”

The way he looked at her made her feel as if she already wore a beautiful gown instead of leggings and a baggy sweater. How could she leave this? Him? Iris?

“Would you like a dress-up dinner?”

Her eyes stung. “Actually, I don’t care as long as I can spend the time with you.”

“Oh, luv.” His finger and thumb went to her chin. “Words directly to my heart.” He drew in a breath. “But I believe you’d appreciate alittle dress-up after all your hard work, and I know a lovely place to take you where we can enjoy a view, a quiet place to talk, and”—he gave his brows a wiggle—“perhaps some dancing?”

And so it was.

She wore a flirty red dress with a ruffle at the knee and he donned a suit and tie. Penelope felt as if they’d stepped into a movie, especially when the car pulled up to a manor house overlooking the sea and the sound of live jazz spilled from the windows. They were ushered to a quiet corner of the restaurant with windows offering a view of rocky cliffs and an endless horizon. They ordered. Danced. Ate. Laughed. And danced some more. It was the most perfect date she’d ever had, because it was with him.

And perhaps because she’d grown enough to know what “right” felt and looked like.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun in my life,” Matthias said as they shared a decadent chocolate dessert.

“Me either.” She dipped her spoon into the creamy mixture. “And I have had a lot of fun in my lifetime.” Her gaze came back to his. “But you’re the best. Ever.”

And with her declaration, the inevitable slipped into the conversation. The topic they’d skimmed around for weeks as they’d shared quick dates, many with Iris along, and momentary (yet delicious) closet kisses, definitely without Iris along.

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