Page 16 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m not super experienced with wooing, but give me some credit. We’ve hung out with mutual friends and I sent the flowers to congratulate her.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“I may not have had anything serious or long-term, but I’m not a creep.”

“Sorry. Wait. You’venever…?”

“Never what?” Unfamiliar embarrassment filled him at the thought of Violet judging him and thinking he’d fallen short. He hadn’t really been in a place where he’d had time to pursue a romantic life. Surely she understood it wasn’t a failing on his part?

The few times he had dated, they’d rarely gone out a second time. Life moved too fast for the luxury of dating for fun. But now that he wasn’t on the road quite as much as he had been with rodeo, he was ready to pursue something. Something that would move him forward professionally. A strong partnership like his parents had on the ranch.

“Never had anything serious?” Violet’s voice had lowered, and she stepped closer as though afraid to spill his secret to the people trickling past them from the arena’s restricted area. “How have you gotten this far in life?”

Okay, so he was nearing thirty. But she didn’t need to use that tone, as if she thought there was something majorly wrong with him.

“There are so many good women out there eager to snap you up. You must have a fatal flaw, like I do.” Her eyes were wide, as though she’d just revealed proof that he was from outer space or something.

“Violet…” He sighed.

“And here you are roaming the wilds of the NHL, unattached.” She seemed incredibly amused. It was endearing in an annoying kind of way. “Something must be so very wrong with you.”

He planted his hands on his hips and scowled at her. “You’re not funny.”

He was busy. She was shy. There was nothing wrong with either of them just because they weren’t romantically attached at the hip with someone.

“Well, who am I to talk?” she mused in a tone that suggested she was ready to leave the conversation behind. “I’m older than you are and still single.”

“Right.” He cleared his throat. They’d delved into their vulnerable sides, not something he often did. “We’re just waiting for the right person and the right time.”

“It’s hard to keep believing that, once you’ve passed a certain age and all your friends seem to have a million ‘right person’ options lining up for them,” Violet muttered.

“Well, I’ve been busy,” Leo said, feeling the need to defend himself.

She started laughing and, unable to resist, he joined in.

“Why are we laughing?” he finally asked.

She shrugged, renewing their laughter. When his sides began to hurt, he held up his hands in surrender. His ability to laugh at himself so openly and freely with Violet left him feeling slightly dazed.

“I know I’m a mess,” he admitted.

“No, I am. There’s something wrong with me.”

“I’m unavailable. And always have been.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and now I seem to expect marriage to fall into my lap.” He sighed. “How crazy am I?”

“Well, I’m cursed and defective.”

“No you’re not. You’re just shy.”

“You haven’t been left at the altar!” Violet blurted.

He gaped at her. “What? No!”

Violet jilted? She was so sweet and kind. Pretty, too. What sort of monster would do that to her? No wonder she was so quiet and reserved. An experience like that would decimate a person.

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