Page 49 of Peach Blossom Hollow

Did Leo believe in romantic, heart-wrenching, heart-stopping love? The question had been plaguing him since Violet had asked him about love back in November, in the limo. Only a month ago, but it felt like eons.

He believed he couldn’t fall in love. It wasn’t what he was looking for—that big romantic moment when you “just knew” that the other person was the one for you. And that your life wouldn’t be complete without them sharing jokes and adventures.

That sounded like a partnership to him, and he hadn’t once thought that love was the ideal.

But now, after talking to his mom, and trying to pursue Christine Lagrée and failing, he wondered if he had it all backward. Maybe love and friendship—a full partnership—was the needed foundation. And love wasn’t a mere bonus that might complicate the relationship or hold him back from his dreams.

It felt crazy that he could ever think that love and friendship weren’t important pieces of the partnership puzzle when it came to marriage. And maybe Christine sensed that? Maybe that’s why she kepthim at arm’s length? Or maybe because she didn’t see love ever happening between them, and like Violet, was looking for it.

It was all so confusing. He wanted a plan, a strategy, and it felt like he was trying to lasso a cloud.

Shaking his head, he walked up the steps to Violet’s charming former B and B. He’d told her he couldn’t—didn’t—fall in love. Didn’t believe in it. How could he be so preoccupied with living that he didn’t understand life?

He straightened his tuxedo jacket and glanced over his shoulder at the limousine idling in the chilly December evening air. Violet had been so delighted with the other limo that he’d hired one for tonight’s Dragons gala. She’d tried to insist they meet up in the city, but he’d pulled the Boyfriend Practice card and said he’d pick her up. Their ride, however, was a surprise.

He smiled, thinking of her delight the first time she’d ridden in a limousine. How her long fingers had glided over the leather surfaces, how tickled she’d been discovering the hidden compartments. It had made him question why he was being so frugal. Sure, he had plans for his future that included full financial freedom within a few years, but why did he have to be so stingy with himself? He was limiting his life experiences, and he was in a position where he could spend a bit without throwing himself off his stringent plan.

Plus, he was also part owner of a Montana ranch. That thought made him smile. He shared the land his family worked. It felt good. Really good.Breathing room.That’s what his grandfather had called that feeling.

That didn’t mean his plans had changed, though. He still wanted to be financially independent before he started a family. He wanted to be there for his kids and wife and know that, no matter what happened, he had enough to get them through any of life’s hiccups or bumps without having to go back to work somewhere away from them.

He believed in love. All forms of it.

And he was starting to believe that a life without it would be gray and lacking.

He knocked on the peach-colored door with the cute stained-glass panel. When he was ready to settle down, he could see himself living in a modest place with impeccable charm like this. He’d hang a swing from the large oak growing beside the house. Maybe build a tree fort in that spot where the branches met, just high enough off the ground that you’d feel like the king of the world.

But best of all, there would be no banks that came knocking, threatening to take it all.

Violet opened the door and he froze, all thoughts of bankers and tree forts whisked away. Looking at her, any man would believe in love. She was drop-dead, eat your own tie gorgeous. So beautiful it hurt to look at her.

No, scrap that. It didn’t hurt. But it brought on a feeling that was foreign and weird. A tugging in his gut, drawing him closer to her, shutting out everything around him other than her.

“You look gorgeous,” he said. He cleared his throat, removing the huskiness.

“Thank you,” she said, fumbling with her purse and a coat as she turned to lock her front door. She’d draped an off-white cashmere shawl-thingover her shoulders, contrasting with her black strapless gown. His panda bear was in black and white again. The dress hugged her every curve, showcasing her petite frame. Her straight black hair was pulled up in some sort of twist, and was speckled with small sparkly gems. He tried to get closer to see how they stayed in place, but she turned, bumping against his chest.

“Oh,” she said softly. “Hello.”

“You smell nice.”

She stared at him for a long, heavy second while he recovered. He leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek. He’d never kissed a woman hello before and he moved slowly, afraid she’d make a sudden move and they’d bump heads. His lips landed against her cheek and he savored the softness, the scent of her hair, her skin, and the way her small intake of breath stilled his heart.

She didn’t move until he leaned back.

He slowly held out his arm for her to take. He couldn’t seem to look away from the smoky effect she’d dusted around her dark eyes. She was mysterious.

He nearly stumbled when the first step down caught him off guard. He gave a brief smile, glancing away long enough to calculate where next to place his feet.

He’d barely seen Violet over the past several weeks, keeping himself busy as he sorted out his thoughts. They’d texted and bumped into each other at work and at the Dragons’ first charity event on the children’s ward. But he’d basically been avoiding her.

At the same time, whenever he’d help with workat Maverick’s house, just a few miles from hers, he always offered to make the coffee runs into town, hoping for a chance encounter.

“A limo?” Violet said softly, as they made their way down the front path to where it was parked, the driver waiting by its back door.

“Boyfriends do things that delight their girlfriends. Gifts, right? Or does this go under the category of doing nice and thoughtful things?”

She looked at him, her eyes wide and indecipherable.

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