Chapter 27
Tori rushed around all day, making sure everything was ready for the opening. Checking ticket sales, making sure the lobby was sparkling and the concession stand was set to go. Keeping herself way too busy to think about Gavin. Mostly. But somehow he still managed to creep into her thoughts. He should have been here with her, sharing the excitement of opening night. And yet, here she was, alone.
She hurried home as evening approached and changed into a simple black dress and heels before returning to the theater, her nerves tied into a tight knot. Taking a moment to collect her thoughts in her office, she unlocked her desk drawer and pulled out the pendant she’d found. The desk light caught the gems, making them gleam as she traced her fingers over the design. She slipped the necklace on and fastened the clasp, comforted by the weight of it.
“Okay, it’s just us. And I’m hoping you bring the theater good luck tonight. You can do that, can’t you?” She touched the pendant again, hoping the heirloom could indeed make tonight magical.
She returned to the lobby and paced back and forth, glancing repeatedly at the time, nervously waiting for the doors to open. When they finally were, she held her breath, hoping people would come. Anyone. At first, just a few people entered. Then, to her extreme surprise and relief, people started streaming into the lobby. Some said hi to her, some didn’t, but at least they were here.
She lifted her hand to the necklace again, feeling the delicately crafted magnolia under her fingertips. “Bring the show good luck,” she whispered to it.
Beverly, Maxine, and Dale walked up to her with friendly smiles on their faces. A welcome sight. “Looks like a great turnout,” Beverly said as she glanced around the bustling lobby.
“I’m… surprised. I thought that no one would come.”
“Well, Miss Eleanor suggested that we all do. And she’s right. Your past is no business of ours. You’ve done right by our theater and we’re proud of you.” Beverly gave her a hug, which she accepted gratefully.
“Yes, we are.” Maxine nodded in agreement. “You’ve done a wonderful job. It’s great to have the theater open again.”
Dale looked at her closely for a moment, his eyes narrowing, his expression thoughtful. Then he snapped his fingers. “I know where I’ve seen it before. The pendant. It was in a stack of photos in a box at my shop. Old photos from the theater. One of the actresses was wearing it. He frowned for a moment. “It was from a scene from Old Man River. I’m almost certain.”
“Was a Vera Whitmore wearing it?”
Dale nodded. “Yes, that was it.”
“I have a program framed over there on the wall. She was a star in the show.”
“Vera Whitmore? One of Miss Eleanor’s relatives?” Beverly’s eyes widened.
“She was my great-aunt.” Miss Eleanor walked up to them, staring at the pendant hanging around her neck.
“She was?” Tori touched the pendant, feeling the weight of history in it.
“I hadn’t seen that in years until you showed me it at Coastal Coffee. I thought it was… lost.” Miss Eleanor’s voice cracked just slightly with the last word. “I was so surprised to see it again. I should have told you it was Aunt Vera’s. She was just always so secretive about it. Although, I know it meant a lot to her.”
Dale frowned. “I think there was some actual write-up about this piece of jewelry. I’m just sure I saw something. I’ll have to go back and do some research. I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Thank you.” Tori gave him an appreciative smile.
Miss Eleanor’s eyes filled with sadness as she continued to stare at the necklace.
Tori reached up to unhook it. “Then you should have this. It’s your family’s.”
“No, dear. That pendant belongs to the theater, not me.” Miss Eleanor put on a smile that didn’t erase the sadness in her eyes. “Anyway, Miss Duran, break a leg. I’m sure the opening will be a huge success.”
“Thank you. I hope so.”
Miss Eleanor gave a small wave, still lost in her memories, and turned to make her way into the theater.
Beverly turned to Maxine. “I knew Miss Eleanor recognized it when she saw it at the cafe. I’m glad she told us about it now.”
Dale gestured to the theater doors. “So, should we go in?”
“Yes. And let Tori get back to her work,” Maxine agreed, giving Tori a supportive smile.
She returned the smile, grateful for their support. She stood in the lobby, greeting people and scanning the crowd, looking for Gavin. But there was no sign of him, and her heart sank a little at his absence.
With a quiet sigh, she turned and headed backstage to see if she could be any help there. It was better than standing in the lobby hopelessly waiting for something that was never going to happen.
The organized chaos of the dressing room welcomed her with a familiar embrace. This was her element, the world she knew best. Tonight was too important to be distracted by personal disappointments.
Tori paced back and forth backstage, listening to every word of the play. She held her breath when the lead actress tripped over her lines in a pivotal scene, but luckily another actor improvised smoothly, covering for her. She let out her breath, realizing that no one in the audience was any the wiser.
The lighting technician was spot on, each spotlight and floodlight carefully angled to highlight the actors exactly as planned. Not a squeak or pop from the sound system. The actors’ voices rang clearly throughout the theater.
Before she knew it, the final act was drawing to a close. She let out a deep breath of relief. Soon the sound of thunderous applause filled the theater. The star of the show motioned for her to come out on stage. She hung back for a moment until another actress came over and grabbed her hand, dragging her onto the stage.
The cheering grew even louder, and she basked in the familiar sound of applause as tears gathered in her eyes. She’d done it. After all the struggles and setbacks, the beloved theater was back open, and the show was a success.
As the applause died down, she walked up to where a mic would pick up her words. “I want to thank all of you for coming tonight. For supporting our efforts to open the theater again and experience the magic of a live performance. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Applause started up, and she heard someone call out from the back of the theater. “Way to go, Tori. You did it.”
Someone else called out, “Yay, Tori. Bravo!”
Happiness swelled through her at their support and appreciation. She waved warmly to the audience and headed off stage with the cast, her eyes glistening. Backstage, the cast milled around, trading hugs and laughter. Someone popped open a bottle of champagne.
Her happiness was only dimmed by not being able to share the opening with Gavin. She had hoped he’d be here at her side, sharing the moment, seeing the result of all their hard work. They were no longer together, but a part of her still yearned for his support on this momentous night.
“Aunt Victoria?”
She whirled around at the sound of Chloe’s voice, breaking her from her wistful thoughts. A smile spread across her face as she hurried over to embrace her niece.
“Chloe.” She hugged her tightly. And then, looking over Chloe’s shoulder, she saw him. Gavin. Standing there watching her. A bouquet of flowers in his hands.
She stepped back, surprise flashing through her, but turned her gaze back to Chloe. “You’re here,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
“I wouldn’t have missed it. I think it’s a lovely thing you’ve done restoring the theater.”
Pride swept through her at her niece’s compliment. She had restored the theater back to its glory. It was alive again, just like it should be.
“And Aunt Victoria, I found out.”
She tensed, and a trill of panic started rising inside her. “Found out what?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and calm.
“I know why you left. The theater community is a tight-knit group. I know the producers of your last show stole the script from Christopher Snow. Everyone knows by now, I imagine, because I leaked the news to the media this morning.”
She gasped. “Oh, no, you shouldn’t have done that.” All her efforts to protect her niece, and now Chloe did this, risking everything.
“Well, I also heard you kept it a secret because they threatened to blacklist me from the stage if you told anyone.”
“But now… don’t you see? They will. You shouldn’t have said anything. I feel guilty enough that I kept it quiet. But I had to. You have a brilliant future on the stage.”
Chloe set her jaw stubbornly. “I’m not going to be the reason that you leave the stage or a young playwright gets screwed over. And I heard that Christopher Snow had an anonymous donor who backed his new play. You wouldn’t have any idea who that was, would you?” Chloe’s eyes twinkled knowingly. “I bet I do.”
Despite herself, she smiled slightly. “I was just trying to make things right.”
“Now that the story is breaking, I’ve heard that your former producer will be forced to pay Christopher what he’s due. And I heard that very same producer is being removed from his current production.”
“Really?” Relief washed over her. Christopher was finally getting what he was owed. He’d get justice.
Chloe hugged her again, her eyes shining with affection. “And don’t you see? Now you can come back to Broadway. Act again. I’ve missed having you in New York City.”
Tori looked long at her niece. Chloe was right. She could easily go back to Broadway now. She was sure she could get another acting part. But she might have to dye her hair back to red, she thought wryly.
Gavin was still staring at her, flowers in hand.
She reached out and took Chloe’s hand. “No, sweetie. I’m not coming back. Not now. Not in the future. I’m done with stage life. I’ve found a new life here on Magnolia Key. One I love. A charming little town I love.” She glanced over at Gavin. “And people I… I care about.”
Her niece threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly. “Then this is where you should stay. I will say, I’ve never seen you happier, more glowing than when you came out after the show and thanked the audience.”
“I promise I’ll come catch your show soon.”
“I’d like that.” Chloe turned to Gavin. “I know I butted in right when you were getting ready to give those flowers to Aunt Victoria. And if you’re the one she was saying she cares about? Don’t mess it up. She’s a special lady.”
Chloe turned back to her and kissed her cheek. “Got to run. Have to get back to New York for tomorrow’s performance. I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Chloe disappeared into the crowd, and Gavin walked over, handing her the flowers. “These are for you.”
She took them and stared down at them, focusing on their delicate petals, her heart beating wildly.
“Tori, I’m so sorry,” Gavin said, his voice thick with regret. “I should have known you had a good reason for keeping your past in the past. And you did. You were protecting your niece.”
She nodded slowly, her eyes still fixated on the flowers as she took in his words.
“You are a truly wonderful person and I’m a fool.”
With that, her lips curved up in a smile, and she looked up and reached out to touch his face. “As long as you’re my fool, I’m good with that.”
He grinned and stepped forward, pulling her into his arms, crushing the flowers. But she didn’t care about the flowers. Didn’t care who was watching them. All she cared about in that moment was being back in Gavin’s arms, where she belonged.