Page 74 of Positively, Penelope

“Good.” She narrowed her eyes in mock pleasure and then took a bite of her tart. “Maybe you’ll learn your lesson a little.”

To be the younger of the two of them, she certainly taught him a thing or two about forgiveness and moving on. “I feel the sting to my heart.” He stared at her upturned profile, hoping the intention in his words came through. “I... don’t want to hurt you.”

She glanced back at him, holding his gaze for a moment. Her expression softened before she turned to look back up at the sky. Silence followed as they enjoyed another taste of tart.

“It hurt worse only because I know you don’t really believe those things about me.” She shrugged. “You’ve been one of the few men I’ve met who actually took me and my ideas seriously from the start. And I guess it just hurt worse because we’re closer friends than anything Alec and I will ever be, so your words mattered more.”

More than Alec’s words? How could he feel utter shame and pure delight at the same time?

“So it means all the more that you came after me. Because it only proves you are whoIalready know you are.” She took another bite of tart as if this were a simple, everyday conversation, instead of the world-breaking and hope-building one he felt it to be.

The trill of the robin, likely one of the last bird sounds of the fall evening, permeated the quiet, followed by the hoot of a tawny owl. The scent of rain drifted on the light breeze, tinted with a hint of mango, and his heart stumbled forward into feelings he shouldn’t have for this woman.

“Autumn is my second favorite season.” She sighed. “I love the briskness of the air and the rainbow colors growing over the trees. They’re so vibrant here.”

Second favorite? His smile brimmed. “I’m afraid autumn is rather short in Skymar.”

“It’s longer where I live and just as lovely.” There was a wistfulness in her tone.

Which meant she’d surely leave. And he’d known that from the start when he’d brought her on, but now things were different. The risk greater. The wounds more imminent. And yet he couldn’t stop wanting what he wanted. Not now. “You miss home.”

“More than I thought I would. The place and people are such a part of me. You would like it there, I think. It’s a nice, quiet life, except, well, for me.” She looked over at him, her eyes lighting with her smile. “And I’m an aunt now.”

His smile responded to hers despite the sudden pain in his chest. “I’ve seen the photos.”

She laughed. “A fewdozentimes, I’m sure.”

Quiet blanketed the moment again and his chest constricted a little more. Was this what his future could be? Was his heart strong enough to manage the consequences if... if it didn’t work out? How could he even contemplate risking his daughter’s heart too?

“So what is yourfirstfavorite season then? Christmas?” Evidently, his heart thought so.

“Christmas is my favoriteholiday.” She raised her finger to make her point. “My favorite season is spring because everything that has been waiting for months beneath the sleep of winter comes back to life. The world is suddenly filled with color and scents and this kind of happy awakening again.” And then, with a little sigh, she rested her head against his shoulder as if it were the most natural thing to do. “But I do so love Christmas.”

And he fell, completely and utterly. An ache branched out through his chest.

But he couldn’t have her. Not when she longed for home and his home was here. Not when the good of Iris’s heart had to come above the needs of his own.

Then he realized what was worse than having someone else break his heart.

Choosing to break his own.

Chapter15

From: Penelope Edgewood

To: Luke Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin

Date: October2

Subject: Parades and plays and stuff

This week is going to be so full, y’all!! The festival is this week, and when I rode my bike into town this morning, things were looking just wonderful. Autumn colors everywhere! Some of the fall flowers they have here, along with some of the same ones we have back home, are scattered throughout the place, and as any good festival should, this one has twinkle lights. It feels very much like home except with a special bit of “magical foreign island” sprinkled in. I’m attaching pics.

The parade is Wednesday, and I have another float-building meeting with folks from the theater group tonight to finish everything. It is going to be SUCH FUN!!! Gwynn and I have been sneaky and have Iris involved. She’s so excited. I think Matthias is going to be so wonderfully surprised. Grandpa Gray too (although he knows about it but doesn’t know what it looks like).

Grandpa Gray put in enough money to get our float closer to the royal carriage because, evidently from what Grandpa Gray says, the closer you are to royalty, the more people will notice you. (No surprise there.) Plus, maybe, just maybe, I’ll get to MEET THEM!!! And I imagine with the costume I’m planning to wear, the queen would find me very impressive.

As far as the production schedule: Narnia is next, then the ball,thenPeter Pan, and then (fingers and toes crossed)The Sound of Music. I’ve sent emails out to every possible person I know and a few I don’t.

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