“He’s not in this scene,” Ellen replied, but she was looking at Paige. “We’re picking up exactly where we left them in the season five finale.”
“Anabelle overheard Jesse say something disparaging about Theodore Wedgington, and she confronts him,” Paige said.
“And he just gapes at her, overcome by her breathtaking beauty,” said Olivia, grinning.
Paige’s cheeks went pink. “I think he was just surprised that she addressed him before they had been formally introduced.”
“No, he really was overcome by her breathtaking beauty. Now, Noah—” Ellen looked around the circle, looked again, and clasped a hand to her forehead. “I forgot. Noah isn’t here. I need someone to read for Noah.”
“I’ll do it,” said Jason, shrugging. “How hard can it be?”
Some of the actors gave him a side-eye.
“I should be honored to read any lines from your pen, Ellen,” Nigel said grandly. “Or your keyboard, as the case may be.”
“Have Louis read the part,” said Julia, inspired. “He’s the right age. No offense, Nigel.”
“None taken. I quite agree.”
“Me too,” said Paige, brightening. “Louis, say yes.”
Louis hesitated, then shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m a pianist, not an actor.”
“But you have such a strong, resonant voice,” Paige pleaded. “Justread the scene through with me once. If it’s utter torture, you never have to do it again.”
She was so lovely and sweet, Julia couldn’t imagine how Louis could possibly refuse, and he didn’t. “Okay, sure. If you insist. But I’m not giving up my day job. Or my night job.”
“Let’s take it from the top,” said Ellen, beaming. “Anabelle, you have the first line.”
“On it.” Suddenly Paige drew herself up, her eyes flashing fire at Louis. “?‘I said, sir, how dare you speak such lies about my uncle?’?”
Louis blinked at her, stunned
“Your line, Jesse,” Ellen murmured.
“What?” Louis gave himself a little shake. “Right. I’m Jesse.”
“Should we start over?” asked Paige kindly, herself again.
“From the top,” said Ellen, nodding.
Immediately, Paige transformed again into Theodore Wedgington’s spirited, indignant niece. “?‘I said, sir, how dare you speak such lies about my uncle?’?”
“?‘You’re Wedgington’s niece?’?” Louis said, appropriately thunderstruck. Julia suspected he wasn’t acting.
“?‘I am,’?” said Paige crisply. “?‘And who, may I ask, are you, other than an impertinent young man who obviously knows nothing at all about my dear uncle?’?”
“Perfect,” Ellen murmured, jotting down something in the margin of her manuscript.
Julia caught Nigel’s eye across the circle, and they shared a smile. It hadn’t been their imagination. Sparks were lighting up the circle as they had the stage the night before.
Julia was happy for them, of course, but also for herself. Surely Paige and Louis would eagerly commit to another few seasons ofA Patchwork Lifeif it meant they could continue to work together.
14
Zumba was especially invigorating the next morning, and breakfast was especially lively, with conversation and laughter flying among the tables. Julia’s commitment to dining with new acquaintances rather than her closest friends was bearing fruit, for she had unwittingly encouraged everyone else to mingle freely too. Julia was pleased to discover that there were no longer any strangers within the company. After four days of traveling, feasting, working, and relaxing together, they had all become friends.
As she thrilled to observe Elm Creek Quilt Camp working its magic on her unsuspecting colleagues, she was heartened by her friends’ occasional, wistful remarks that they were having such a wonderful time together that they would be sorry to part ways when the show ended. “It doesn’t have to end,” she would remind them, never allowing her smile to falter even when they humored her with a grin or a sigh and a shake of the head.
