Page 7 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“Sorry? Oh, my name? Yeah. Sort of.” He’d received his fair share of teasing for the way his name rhymed with Cleopatra.

“History buffs?” she suggested.

“No, just liked the way it sounded.”

“Are they proud you’re a hockey player?”

“Mom’s worried I’ll lose my front teeth.” She definitely preferred hockey over bull riding, though. There was a lower risk for paralyzation, for one. “And she says I already have enough belt buckles to last a lifetime. So…” He gave a shrug, proud of how casually he’d slipped in the fact that he’d won a lot of awards in his rodeo event.

“Do yours think it’s cool you’re the mascot?” he asked.

Violet rolled her eyes and gave him that same dry look she had the other day. It tickled him as much as it had the first time.

One word to describe her:shy.

No,enigma.

Sassy?

Maybeintriguing.

He might need several words for a woman like her.

“Vi’s mom had a coronary when she found out she’d taken this job,” her friend interjected.

“No, she didn’t. But almost.” Violet’s voice was slightly scolding, but her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

“Her mom wanted her to be an accountant, lawyer or mutual fund manager,” Daisy-Mae added.

“Good thing she’s in Korea for the foreseeable future,” Violet muttered.

“Korea? Wow.”

“She moved back to take care of her mom,” Daisy-Mae explained for Violet. “She grew up there, but hated it so never taught Vi anything cool like how to swear in Korean.”

“How about your dad?” Leo asked Violet. “Did he go too?”

She waved away the question and he sized her up, trying to figure her out. She was serious and self-conscious, but she had a goofy side and seemed to be willing to go against family expectations.

The employee orientation session began, and after HR’s quick spiel about reading the manuals that were being passed out, the team’s owner, Miranda Fairchild, gave a brief presentation about the new charity. The charity would raise funds, brighten the lives of patients at the local children’s hospital with a few hockey player visits, and the like.

Leo sat forward. Something like this was totally up his alley, and might help him get on the radar for a sponsorship deal with a company like Family Zone. The company had theme parks and even movies and TV shows. It was a huge company, and he loved everything about them.

“This is really cool,” he whispered to Violet. Shenodded, and he noticed she was leaning forward, too. “I’ll join if you do.”

When she glanced at him in surprise, he lifted his brows, challenging her.

Her hand shot up, and Miranda nodded at her.

“Will anyone be going as Dezzie?” Violet asked.

“You’re welcome to, of course. I think the kids would love to meet our favorite dragon.”

Violet sat taller, then gave Leo a pointed look of her own.

“Where do we sign up?” he called out.

Miranda smiled, looking almost relieved. “Thanks, Leo. I’ll mark you down.”

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