Page 52 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“Did Maverick’s tailor do me right?” he asked.

He sure did. There was no doubt. Even whenstyles changed and women looked back on photos of tonight, they’d know that this man’s tailor knew what he was doing.

“He did okay,” Violet said casually. She was definitely crushing on the man, but there was no way she was letting on how sexy he was. Especially since her friend Leo seemed to be well versed in practicing the things women liked, and all the particular things that made her heart beat a little faster.

Truly, it was quite unfair.

While Leo played up his wounded ego for Jackie and Mrs. Fisher, Violet moved to the shop’s dirty window. “What’s going on in there?”

She tried to peer inside without brushing her dress against the grimy exterior, the peeling paint, but couldn’t see a thing.

“Coffee shop. With fresh baked goods.” Mrs. Fisher looked more tense than on auction day, when the Longhorn Diner was filled to the rafters with impatient, hungry customers.

“Bookstore,” Jackie said, authority ringing in her voice.

“No, no. You’re both wrong,” Henry proclaimed. “It’s a toy store—”

“A toy store will never make it here,” Violet interrupted. “I was hoping you were starting your own day care, Hannah.”

She furiously shook her head, eyes wide.

“Andit’s a speakeasy,” Henry said gruffly. “I say we run ‘em out of town before they get started.”

“A speakeasy toy store?” Leo said doubtfully as he stepped to the window.

“That makes no sense, Henry,” Violet told him.

“I’m just saying that’s what’s on the permit.” He pointed to a document taped to the glass.

“It says nothing about a speakeasy,” Leo stated. “It says retail.”

“It’s a speakeasy. Mark my words, this’ll be the end of the town!”

Jackie rolled her eyes, but Mrs. Fisher’s shoulders stiffened and she pulled her puffy jacket tighter around her. “I need to get back to my diners.” She gave Violet’s arm a squeeze. “Enjoy tonight, sweetie.” She sent Leo an extra-long look of approval. “Promise me you won’t be good.”

Violet laughed. “We’re just friends!”

Sadly.

“Y’all should come to a football game with me in September,” Jackie said, winking at Violet.

Violet smiled, wishing her friend’s matchmaking prowess could work on her. Anyone she took to a football game seemed to be happily married within a year or two.

Either way, Violet wished Leo would begin to believe in love, now that he was starting to see that he shouldn’t have to try so hard with Christine if it was meant to be.

“I brought you a glass of champagne,” Leo said, passing Violet the flute he’d snagged for her. He’d left her chatting with Daisy-Mae, but saw that Violet was now alone, standing near one of the many tall Christmas trees that decorated the grand ballroom. Leaving her alone was something he’d promised hewouldn’t do if she came with him tonight. “Sorry I was gone so long. When did Daisy-Mae leave?”

“Feeling guilty about abandoning me?”

“Very much so. Would it help if I told you you’re a stunning wallflower?”

“Cheers to that.” She tapped her flute lightly against his highball glass. “What are you drinking?”

“Tonic water.”

“Did you know it contains quinine, which is used to help treat malaria?”

Leo looked at the clear liquid. “Really? Is it safe for me to have a couple, or will I overdose on something?”

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