Page 43 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“No.”

“That she’s too skinny and needs fattening up?”

Violet giggled.

Leo’s tone turned more serious. “That I wanted to share my grandmother’s most beloved dessert with her because I heard she likes peaches, too.”

Violet’s heart softened. “Yeah. She’ll love that, even though it’s technically a lie.”

“Not really. My grandma baked lots of peach desserts.”

“Then you’re very thoughtful and sweet.”

“How’d you know my two middle names?”

Laughing, Violet set to work teaching Leo how to crumble the brown sugar and butter together.

He was an efficient, enthusiastic cook, catching on quickly. His strong hands and wrists worked thebutter, flour and sugar into a lovely mix for the topping.

“Cinnamon?” he announced, ceremoniously dropping a teaspoon of the spice into the bowl and sending a small scented cloud into the room. “Oops.”

The counter was already dusted with other ingredients, evidence of their work.

“Are you sure you haven’t baked before?” she asked as he expertly dropped dollops of topping over the waiting peach slices, then over the batch they were making for themselves.

“I watched my mom a lot. She wouldn’t let me help. Said I was too messy.”

Violet stepped back when he lifted the two dishes.

“Into the oven?” he asked. She opened the door for him, sending a blast of heat into the room.

“When are you going to find a player for me?” Violet asked, as they started cleaning up their mess. So far, Leo hadn’t produced a single soul.

“The best ones are taken.”

She sighed. The older she got, the truer that was, it seemed.

They had a cup of tea while they waited for the cobblers to brown. Before long, they were scooping vanilla ice cream over steaming bowls of peaches and their wonderful, crispy and soft topping.

Violet closed her eyes as she took the first bite. “Mmm.”

She glanced over as Leo tasted his. His brows curved upward and he quickly shoveled more into his mouth. “So good!”

Laughing, they ate until there was nothing left of their dish.

“Don’t tell the team’s dietician!” Leo stated.

“I won’t. Besides, Athena would never believe we ate the whole thing.” Violet grasped her stomach and leaned back. “Wow, I’m so full.”

“I can’t believe how much you packed away.” Leo bent to look under the table. “Where did you put it all?”

“Trust me. It’s all in my stomach.” She groaned. “I need to stop at one helping.”

“It’s not your fault. This stuff is irresistible.” Leo eyed the dish they’d made for Christine. “Think Christine would mind if we ate hers, too? Because this stuff is seriously the way to someone’s heart, and right now I’m falling hard.”

“So? Is Christine yours forever? You didn’t text me!” Violet fell into step beside Leo as they walked from the parking lot to the arena. It had been several days since they’d baked cobbler together, and with an out-of-town game thrown into the mix he hadn’t managed to bring her up to speed.

“Sorry.” In fact, as much as he hated to admit it, he’d been avoiding her, not wanting to tell her what had happened. He was losing faith in his plan, and without the woo-Christine strategy where would he be with Violet? Would she want to hang out as often if they didn’t have the common goal of training him to act like he was in love?

---