Page 78 of Peach Blossom Hollow

“If I can fall in love?”

She bobbed her head.

“Vi, the past few months without you in my life have been the hardest I’ve ever endured. I think about you all the time. I miss our laughter and conversations. I keep thinking about things we should do together, and I check my phone a million times a day hoping there’s a message from you.”

Those tears weren’t stopping, but neither was he. “I want a lot more of those kisses we shared. I meant it when I said I think friendship and love are the best foundation for a relationship. And you and me? I believe we have both of those things. I believe we can go the distance.”

“Oh, Leo.” Her breath hitched, and her eyes filled with something that fueled his hope.

“I know I don’t have everything that I’d like to offer you when it comes to a life together. My career is unstable, and I know I could get traded next year. The only thing certain in my life is my desire for you.”

Leo.

How had she ever missed seeing his affection? It was right there, written on his face. His right words and actions wereherright words and actions. That’s why they hadn’t worked with Christine. They were Violet’s, and had been all along.

She’d let her own fears block her from seeing what was in front of her—a man who loved her.

Speechless, she swiped at her tears before Leo could. She’d planned to be the one arguing her case for love at some point today, and here he was, stunning her. Violet didn’t know what to say, how to react other than to kiss him.

Would that be an acceptable reply?

His chair was nestled up to hers, his arm across the back. He was caressing her shoulder in a gentle, soothing motion and she shivered as something raw ran through her nervous system.

He was beautifully turned out for the casual beach wedding in tan linen trousers, the hems rolled up, leather flip-flops and a loose-fitting cotton shirt and suit jacket. Everything looking as though it had been cut to hang magnificently off his muscled shoulders, torso, hips and legs. She’d never seen him look more handsome, and she took a mental picture to save for later.

“I’m praying you still have enough hope in that wounded heart of yours that you’d be willing to give a man like me a chance,” Leo said. “That you’ll let me try to be your heart’s superglue.”

“I want more than a year.”

“A year is only a start.”

“What if we need more time?”

“If things are good and I’m traded, you move with me. Or I quit.”

“Quit the NHL?”

He’d do that for her? The man was insane. Intense. Committed and half crazy.

Or really and truly in love.

Or crazy. But maybe love and crazy were actually the same thing.

The woman performing the marriage ceremony cast a warning look Violet’s way after her outburst, while Maverick and Daisy-Mae, oblivious to the fact that their witnesses weren’t paying attention, continued to smile at each other.

“You know what you want, Violet. And I trust that about you. You’ve taught me so much about love over the past few months. So…” Leo took her hand in his. “I’m stepping off that cliff right now, hoping the air will catch me.”

“You don’t need the air to catch you,” Violet said, her eyes welling up again. “You’ve got me above the rocks, waiting with my arms open.”

She tilted her body, leaning against his chest as he angled in for a kiss.

“I think I love you, Violet Granger.”

“I think I love you, too, Leo Pattra.”

The kiss started off sweet. And maybe it was the magic of the wedding, the sunshine, or the sound of the gulls playing above the ocean waves that made this kiss feel different than anything she’d ever experienced.

Or maybe it was Leo.

---