Page 95 of Wild Love

"They were willing to try anything. She doesn't have to live here, but they'd like to see her more often."

"You want her to live in Telluride," I said to him.

Chance nodded. "I liked having her here and working with the community. It was nice."

Marigold looked out the window at the front of the theater. The sign still saidThe Magical Forest."I'd gotten used to her being gone. Then she stayed longer this time, and we were able to work together. I kept thinking how great it would be to make the theater program a real thing."

"I was too,” I said.

"We could have several performances a year. She could have separate singing and acting classes."

"You put a lot of thought into this," Chance said as he sipped his coffee.

"That play was mine. It was amazing to see it come to life, and it made me feel like my writing had a purpose. I have more written and even more ideas. The best part is, that if we're doing original works, it's new and exciting for the kids and the audience."

"I hadn't thought about it like that," Chance said thoughtfully, his attention fixed on Marigold.

"What we're trying to do here is unique. I never thought I'd buy a theater or that I'd fall in love with Scarlett."

Marigold touched my hand. "It's going to work out. But it might take some time."

"We'll have to keep busy." I couldn't even look forward to Thanksgiving or Christmas. It seemed pointless without Scarlett. "Should we interview directors?"

"I don't know. It doesn't feel right to replace her yet." Marigold sighed. "But I could post an advertisement. Whoever we get won't be as good as Scarlett but?—"

"I'm not selling the theater so we can have another restaurant downtown."

"I can't imagine not walking down the street and seeing the ticket window. It's a part of the town's history."

"Have you thought about making it a historical site so you don't have to worry about anyone renovating it?" Chance asked.

"I don't know what the process is, but I'll look into it. This isn't a money-making endeavor for me. I enjoy building the business, but being part of the community… That felt great."

Chance nodded. "I get that with my job, but this is even better."

"Same with me. But it's still nice to do more. And this isn't anything we got paid for. We did it out of the kindness of our hearts."

We finally dug into our now-cold food. I picked up the tab for the table, ignoring their protests. Then we walked outside and stood on the sidewalk. The sun was bright but the air cool. Next week was Thanksgiving, and the town was already putting up holiday wreaths with red bows on the light posts.

A woman stood in front of the theater admiring the sign. She wore a light jacket, too light for Colorado weather, and when she turned, the air was sucked out of my lungs.

"Scarlett?" I took a step forward, and I vaguely heard Marigold murmur something like, "I told you."

But I didn't care. There was a rushing of air through my ears. I looked both ways before I jogged across the street.

Scarlett tipped her head to the side, her expression pensive. "Marigold said you were interviewing for a new director."

"We were talking about advertising for one. But we hadn't made any decisions yet."

Scarlett looked over my shoulder where I was positive Marigold and Chance were watching us.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you have an early flight? Marigold dropped you off at the airport." I was beyond confused to see her standing in town when she was supposed to be thirty thousand feet in the air.

Scarlett focused on me. "I made a mistake."

My forehead wrinkled. "What are you talking about?"

"You bought a theater."

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