Page 129 of Positively, Penelope

Like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

But how could that fit at all?

Functioning long-term with her body in one place but her heart in the other proved to be an exhausting dance number. But she would do it for as long as she had to, because when you found something as wonderful as this, you held on.

And she was holding on for keeps.

Even from afar.

Her shoulders slumped. Very far.

But Matthias seemed all in too. Even over the last month of long-distance messages and video calls. Unless he was faking! Hedidwork in a theater!

She rolled her eyes to the beautifully embossed ceiling of the Ashby.Stop it, Penelope.Her brain was her own worst enemy sometimes. It didn’t help to dive headfirst down the rabbit hole of disastrous possibilities. It only caused her to bake way too much food for a single woman to eat.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out, noting she had only another hour before closing up the theater.

Her smile spread across her face as she noticed the author of the message, but then her smile dropped when she read it.

Text from Matt to Penelope:I’m sorry, luv, but something has come up and I’m going to have to miss our video call tonight.

Penelope:Is everything all right?

Matt:Yes, very well. In fact, I was hoping we could reschedule our chat for a little later?

Penelope:Sure. Tomorrow?

Matt:If we can still have it this evening, I’d prefer that.

Penelope:It’s going to be super late for you.

Matt:That’s all right. It will be worth it to see your lovely face.

She shook all the sad-ending thoughts from her head and closed a few more boxes, glancing at the list of things to do on her clipboard. She and Jackie had already hired an office manager. And they were interviewing two potential candidates for facilities manager tomorrow. Then there was the need for an overall coordinator between the community and the theater. Plus a few teachers so they could get classes started to generate additional revenue. Ugh. And speaking of revenue, they needed to look into hiring someone to help with managing the finances.

Her brain started to ache, so she turned the clipboard over and dusted off a few of the lovely bonnets she’d found in storage. Had they been used for some Oscar Wilde or Jane Austen play?The Pirates ofPenzance? She gasped. Or maybe evenLes Misérables?

Had the Ashby ever performedLes Mis?!

“Penelope.”

Penelope turned at the sound of Jackie Crenshaw’s voice comingfrom somewhere in the distance. The woman’s silhouette shone in the theater doorway, the house lights too dim to make out her face.

“Yes?”

“I’ve had an unexpected meeting come up with a possible donor, so I need to leave a little early tonight.”

“Well, what a wonderful surprise.” Penelope stepped to the edge of the stage, squinting into the dimness. “We’ve had so many interested folks.”

“In no small part due to you, dear girl.” Jackie’s response straightened Penelope’s spine. She’d spent the first few weeks designing a new website for the theater and reaching out to some of her own contacts.

“But since I’m leaving early, I need you to do something for me.”

“Of course,” Penelope answered, cupping her hand over her eyes to get a better view. “I’ve already locked up the back doors.”

“Excellent, but actually, this is something completely different. One of our possible new hires is stopping in for a tour of the theater. Would you mind sticking around to give the tour?”

Penelope started for the stairs. “Of course, but what position?”

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