Page 47 of Positively, Penelope

“Well, at least on this point. I can list a few dozen other times when my brand of thinking wasn’t your favorite.”

His lips split into a grin, and she embraced the warmth pouring through her at the sight. He’d smiled a lot more lately. She took it as a clear sign that her work had helped relieve some of his burden.

“So what is this idea of yours?”

She steadied her shoulders and he chuckled. “Oh dear, am I ready for this?”

“Probably not, but it’s a very good idea.”

His chuckle almost increased to a laugh. Almost. “Let’s hear it.”

“Well, Grandpa Gray has approved of us reopening this stage, which is why I’m getting it cleared off, so that Mark—the carpenter from the community theater troupe—can get in here and make repairs.”

“Mark has offered to do that?”

“Of course he did, though Grandpa is going to give him a stipend for his trouble. Your community theater peeps are die-hard fans of The Darling House and all it stands for. They want to see it succeed, too, because they care about its history and story.” She sobered. “I think you should really tap into their passion and creativity. And let them know you are grateful for them.”

“You’re right.” His shoulders gave a momentary droop. “I’ve been so distracted by my own life and trying to make it from one season to the next, I’ve lost sight of the good in it all. About a lot of things.”

“Like dancing?”

He squeezed her hand back, his lips crooking ever so slightly. “Perhaps.”

They took another quarter turn, allowing the music to fill the silence for a moment. He’d said “perhaps,” which meant reviving his love for dance might still be a possibility. The thought settled deep, and almost painfully. Maybe Matthias Gray was as overshadowed and forgotten as this theater. Maybe he needed as much of the right loving touches and faith to bring him back into the spotlight of who he was meant to be too. Her smile spread. It was a good thing she was here! Bringing people into the spotlight was her specialty.

“Your idea, Penelope?”

Gee whiz, she loved hearing her name in his accent.

“Since this theater is more intimate and carries such a wealth of historical significance from your grandmother and mother, I think we should use this stage for the children’s theater and the small productions, like some of the plays.”

“And the larger stage?”

“Well, we’d still have our adult community theater productions there, but...” She bit down on her bottom lip to attempt to rein in her excitement. “It’s been over four years since The Darling House hosted a touring company, and I think it’s time to try it again.”

“A touring company?” He shook his head. “We’re not the theater we once were. What company would come to perform here?”

“There used to be plenty of companies who came in the past. And I have some connections through my university contacts. I think we have a good chance of hosting a group this December as they travel from the UK to the Netherlands, with Skymar as a stop-off point.”

“That’s barely months away. It’s impossible to schedule a touring company on such short notice.”

“‘Impossible’?” She shrugged a shoulder. “To quote Cinderella, ‘impossible things are happening every day.’ And we won’t know unless we try.”

“Well, you’ve certainly proved that point where Grandfather is concerned. In fact, you seem very much like a veritable Cinderella.”

“Oh my goodness, that’s one of the best compliments anyone has ever given me.” She sighed. “But I believe this is very possible. Shows get canceled all the time and need a new venue. We could very well be that venue. But we need to make sure the production is something really popular and makes people think of Christmas, because not only do I hope to have them come near Christmas, but”—she shrugged—“everyone lovesChristmas.”

Matthias’s facial expression remained unreadable, so she nibbled her bottom lip a moment as she studied him. “Youdolike Christmas, don’t you?”

His brows crashed together. “Of course I like Christmas.”

“Oh good.” She sighed. “Because I figured Christmas would be right up there with your rather gloomy views of fairy tales and romance.”

His expression softened as he gently tugged her the tiniest bit closer. “Between you and Iris, I find fairy tales growing on me.”

“You say that like they’re a fungus.”

He pinched his lips tight as if going for a frown, but she caught the twinkle in his eyes. Why, yes, Matthias Gray’s sense of humor was making a fantastic debut.

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