If for Any Reason (Nantucket Love Story #1) - Courtney Walsh Page 0,74

could end the sentence there, but it wasn’t the end, was it? Since I had people who cared about me like this were the words she decided not to say.

Nan reached over and took Emily’s hand. “You have lots of people now, hon.”

That stupid lump was back, and Emily wondered if she could swallow it whole.

“God’s doing a good job of taking care of you.”

Emily didn’t bother disagreeing. She didn’t want Nan to know how cynical she’d become where God was concerned.

“Now we’ve got work to do.” Nan clapped a hand on her back. “Are you up for this?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Sure?”

She smiled at Nan. “I’m sure.”

Nan squeezed Emily’s arm. “Well, if you get overwhelmed, we’re all here. You just tell us what you need.”

She followed Nan out of the bathroom, bolstering her own resolve with every step. Okay, Ackerman, you’ve got a job to do, and these women need a leader.

The fact that she was that leader was still a bit worrisome, but she was determined to make a go of this, if for no other reason than Jolie deserved it.

As they reentered the classroom, the chatter subsided, curious eyes trained on Emily.

“I’m so glad you’re all here,” Emily said. “I knew I wasn’t the only one who wanted to see the children’s show return.”

“We’ve just been waiting for the right person,” Pearl said.

They were all in front of her, this small army of worker bees, looking at her with kind anticipation, and they were genuinely excited about this project. She hadn’t had that for her failed play.

Maybe things would be different this time?

“Okay, ladies.” Emily clapped her hands together. “How do you feel about Alice in Wonderland?”

Emily left the arts center feeling ready and excited for auditions the following day.

Their production of Alice in Wonderland Jr. would be a musical adventure with vibrant, colorful costumes and sets, and as long as the kids came out for it, they were ready. Marisol had turned out to be a godsend—not only did she understand theatre; she knew almost everyone on the island. She and the other women Nan had assembled were finding ways to supply everything they needed.

Take that, Gladys. Emily tried not to be smug about their success—they had a long way to go. But knowing they’d already accomplished exactly what Gladys said they couldn’t—namely garnering interest from the families—made it difficult.

Those weren’t the only goals she had that Gladys found too lofty. She’d been walking through the lobby that afternoon when Emily was explaining her vision to her team.

“I know it may seem ambitious,” she’d said, “but I really believe kids will live up to our expectations, so I want to set them high. I want to push them. So when people leave the performance, they cannot believe what they just saw was a kids’ show.”

Gladys had audibly scoffed, drawing everyone’s attention away from Emily and onto the old woman.

Gladys waved as if to say, Don’t mind me but said nothing else as she walked upstairs.

“Well, I think it’s a great idea, Emily,” Marisol said once Gladys was gone.

“Me too,” Pearl agreed.

“You’re right,” Nan said. “These kids are going to surprise everyone. I just know it.”

In a very short time, this show had become important—really important—to Emily. She knew it couldn’t erase her past failures, but it was nice to have something to focus on other than that. Other than herself.

Dear Emily,

I’ve always grown up believing passion was a good thing. “Follow your passion” is the kind of thing I’d like to have cross-stitched on a pillow. If I liked cross-stitched pillows, that is.

I’m all for that. I believe in finding what you’re passionate about and pursuing it with everything you’ve got. Even though you’re still young, I see a lot of passion in you. For animals and people and creativity. You’ve got the same kind of spirit I do, and I love that about you.

But I’ll caution you with this . . . Follow your passion, follow your heart, but keep your head in the game too. Take your common sense along with you. Don’t let yourself get so wrapped up in passion that you forget you’ve got a big, beautiful brain in that beautiful head of yours!

Love,

Mom

CHAPTER 27

HOLLIS STOOD OUTSIDE the closed door to the audition room, pacing.

His mom left her spot at the check-in table and walked over to him. “Honey, I think you’re making the children nervous.”

Hollis glanced at the line of children seated in a row outside the room. They watched him with wide