Chapter 29

Oliver ambled across the boards of the Garner House. Actors and stagehands laughed and chattered in the background. The curtain would go up in an hour on a season he hoped would alter the fate of the Renaissance Players.

“Ready for the big show?”

Oliver turned at the sound of Julianne’s voice. “I’m ready, how about you?”

“My hard work is done. I get to sit back and relax tonight. The show is sold out, you know.”

“Really? That’s great. I hope we can keep that up for the whole run.”

“We already have. Every showing is sold out. Cameron and I have talked about adding one or two more matinee shows at the end of the run if there seems to be a demand.”

Oliver stared at her, flabbergasted. Julianne winked and ruffled his hair.

“I hope you guys are up for a busy season.”

“I look forward to it,” Oliver said, wrapping Julianne in a hug.

“I should get outside,” Julianne said. “There are several critics coming tonight to do reviews.” Oliver released her and gazed into her eyes.

“You’ve done an amazing job.”

She blushed and looked at the floorboards. “Thanks. See you after the show.”

“I’ll make sure things run smoothly back here. Go take care of those reporters.”

As Julianne disappeared in the shadows, Oliver glanced around the empty theater one last time before setting off to prepare for the show.

Patrons were already arriving when Julianne slipped through an inconspicuous door into the main foyer of the theater. She scanned the crowd to locate the invited media, delighted to see six of the eight reporters already waiting.

“Ms. Finnegan, I was hoping to see you here tonight.” Julianne turned to find Conrad Ashton approaching. She smiled and moved to meet him.

“Mr. Ashton, a pleasure to see you again. I was just going to meet with some of the other reporters here this evening. Would you care to join me?”

“I’m here for pleasure tonight. I don’t think we will be running a review of this show. It is a little low-class for my readers. I merely wanted to congratulate you for making the front page of your local newspaper. You must be so proud.”

“Any publicity for the Renaissance Players is a good thing. I hope you have a lovely evening, Mr. Ashton. Please excuse me.”

“Of course. Duty calls.” Ashton chuckled and watched her walk away.

Julianne took several deep breaths as she maneuvered through the increasingly crowded room to meet each of the journalists she had invited.

“Good evening, Mr. Simon, a pleasure to meet you. I am so happy you could make it tonight. We are having a private reception during intermission. Present this coin to any usher and they will escort you. I hope you enjoy the show.”

“Good evening, Ms. Whitesong, a pleasure to meet you. Your dress is lovely.” Julianne mingled with the patrons and invited media, pressing the V.I.P. coins into the appropriate hands. She smiled and chatted with each one, clinging to the facts she had memorized about them.

“Will Cameron be available?” Ms. Whitesong inquired. “I would really like to interview him. We haven’t seen much of him since you were hired, Ms. Finnegan. No offense.”

“Of course. Cameron would be happy to speak with you. I am sure he will be more visible as the season goes on. He has been very busy with the adjustments to the schedule, ordering new scripts, checking the wardrobe, those sorts of things. He can tell you all about it.”

“Excuse me, Ms. Finnegan, may I speak with you a moment?”

“Certainly,” Julianne smiled at her guests, “Pardon me.” She turned to see Gavin, in a tuxedo, eyes gleaming. He handed her two dozen tulips in an array of brilliant colors.

“These are for you.” He smiled and Julianne crushed him into a hug. “You looked like you could use saving,” he whispered in her ear.

“Did I ever, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much,” she whispered back.

“I hear tonight is sold out. I almost didn’t get a ticket.”

“I will always find room for you,” Julianne cooed, linking her arm through his and directing him to the terrace. A few late arrivals hurried in from the parking lot. Julianne smiled at each as they passed by.

“Don’t you need to get inside to make some kind of speech before the show?”

“No, Cameron is doing that. He needs to let people know that he is still in charge. A number of our longest standing season ticket holders are here tonight.”

“Did I mention you look beautiful?”

“Thank you,” she whispered. The theater lights flashed. “You should get inside. I don’t want you to miss the show.” She disengaged her arm as they returned to the lobby. “I will see you after the show.” With a smile, she disappeared through the concealed door.