Chapter 2
“He what?” Violet asked, horrified that her reply came out as a squeak.
Her friend Daisy-Mae Ray showed the photo on her phone.
Married.
Owen Lancaster, her old crush, had gotten married. He’d left town—and her—in order to return to major league baseball. Not even a year had passed, and he was already married?
Her ex-fiancé, who’d moved to a new town when she’d refused to budge from Sweetheart Creek after their humiliating wedding fiasco, was engaged again, as well.
She seriously needed to get busy with that blasted curse.
Be different, act different.
Staring at Owen’s happy wedding photo, Violet felt as if all the sweet guys, like Leo Pattra, would never notice her—not as a woman worthy of dating. Nobody would.
She sank onto the bench, her Dragon costume pushing up around her, almost swallowing her.
“I’m sorry,” Daisy-Mae whispered. “I thought you’d want to know.”
Violet made a gurgling sound.
Her friend’s voice grew sympathetic. “It seemed like the two of you were going to…”
“I know,” Violet said quickly. She didn’t need to hear it. She and Owen… It had felt as though they had a special connection. When they’d met, he was fresh out of the league, and she’d been left at the altar. They’d shared the pain of crushed dreams. It had taken them a while to edge toward flirting. Then to dance around the idea of dating.
It had all felt so certain. Intentionally slow and careful. A rebuilding of her confidence, a second chance to break the curse.
Or so she’d thought.
Violet hadn’t predicted that he’d leave so suddenly, returning to baseball and, obviously, his ex-girlfriend.
But here she was—still single, and wondering what had happened.
Violet’s shyness had grown worse after Wyatt and the altar abandonment. But it had become debilitating after Owen left without even a goodbye.
“I’m never going to find someone,” she said with a sigh. It was too hard, overcoming her fears and getting back up again after falling flat on her face in front of everyone she loved.
“No, remember? We’re two single gals out on the town!” Daisy-Mae gave her an encouraging nudge. “Dragon Babes! We’re putting ourselves out there so we can find love.”
When Daisy-Mae landed the job as her handler a few days ago, Violet had insisted they live it up as a Dragon babe duo. They were ready to meet hunky men, and what better way than through their jobs, and being in the big city on their work nights?
But Violet had a sneaking suspicion that despite her best plans and wishes for a great season out on the town, her best friend would soon be up to her eyeballs in dates, and their duo idea would fade away. That suspicion had grown into full-blown worry this afternoon as they’d worked on her mascot moves in the stands during the team’s practice. Daisy-Mae, as usual, was done up like a Texas babe, and it had practically brought the entire rink of men to a standstill. Tall, blonde, and with a traffic-stopping smile, she was a deadly package in a tight short shirt and shorts.
“I can’t see much through these eyeholes—” Violet patted her costume head “—but it’s clear you’re going to remain single for approximately zero seconds once the Dragons find a way to meet you off the ice.”
Which meant her Dragon Babes plan better come with a Single and Lonely Violet backup plan. And it should probably involve therapy.
“Hey, are you okay?” Daisy-Mae crouched in front of her. They’d had fun out in the stands, and Violet had been silly in the costume, feeling freer than if she’d been hanging out with family or friends. But now reality returned, nipping at her heels, reminding her that she wasn’t outgoing or desirable.
“Yeah, fine.” She stood and turned her back to her friend. “Unzip me?”
“This guy asked if you’re single.”
Unable to stop herself, Violet spun around again. “Really? Who?”
Despite the vibe she’d gotten from Leo, that he was just looking for a friend, she couldn’t help but hope that Daisy-Mae was going to say his name.
Her friend shrugged. “He’s the unassuming type of cute.”
“Trouble?”
She laughed. “Aren’t they all?”
“Double date?”
“You’re on.” Daisy-Mae headed for the door. “I’ll see if I can catch him.” She winked and was gone.
Violet’s heart hammered. She knew Daisy-Mae was going to find love this season. And for the first time, even though she knew she was acting like an ever-hopeful preteen about to get her world crushed again, she felt there might be a chance for her, too.
The first week of October, Leo scanned the conference room, looking for a familiar face as he smoothed his name tag over his shirt’s pocket. He spotted a few guys from the team, several strangers in suits, and a woman he hadn’t stopped thinking about since she’d literally crashed into the Dragons’ locker room a week ago. Violet.
He weaved his way among the tables, nodding or tipping his cowboy hat to people he passed. He liked that the new-employee orientation included everyone in the organization, from players to office types to ticket sales agents. It made him feel he was part of something bigger than just the team of athletes. And it reminded him that his performance impacted a lot of careers besides his own.
He paused at a table for three near the front of the conference room. “Fancy meeting you here,” he said to Violet. She was seated beside the woman he recognized as her new handler. “Anyone sitting here?”
Violet immediately turned red, while the blonde gave him an enormous smile and gestured to the vacant spot.
“Be our guest.” She reached across Violet to shake his hand after he sat and removed his hat. “I’m—”
“Daisy-Mae, right? You’re Violet’s helper and handler?”
“Smart cookie.”
“Not really.” He pointed to her name tag, noting that she’d chosen a Daffy Duck sticker for her name tag. Violet had chosen a Yosemite Sam for her black-and-white sweater, same as him. “But I do think you’ll have your hands full keeping this one from falling down the steps of the stands.” He winked at Violet, and the shade of red deepened.
“Tell me about it!” Daisy-Mae said with a laugh.
“Hi,” Leo said to Violet. He’d managed to get a complete sentence out of her when they’d met, and now it looked like he was back at square one. And not because of the teasing. He got the feeling she didn’t mind.
Realizing he’d become distracted by Violet’s shyness and had forgotten to introduce himself to Daisy-Mae, he said, “I’m sorry, I’m—”
“Leo Pattra.” Daisy-Mae shot him a triumphant smile. “And I didn’t have to read your name tag.”
She’d heard of him? He glanced at Violet, who was still blushing. He liked the implications that she may have mentioned him to her friend.
Although, as he had learned during his bull riding days, people often knew of him and his career before they actually met him in person. But despite Violet being obviously far from his type, he liked the idea of her talking about him.
“Your parents have a sense of humor?” Violet asked quietly.
“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?
Maybe intriguing.
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. She nodded, 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.”
A few more volunteers came forward and Miranda sent a sign-up form around the room.
“I love kids,” Violet stated.
“Yeah, me too. They’re fun.”
“I want about a half dozen.”
Leo laughed. “For real?”
“In theory. But in terms of practicality, somewhere between one and three.”
“Those are good numbers. But my vote will always be for more than one.”
“Being an only sucks.”
Leo thought about what it would be like to be without his three siblings. He couldn’t imagine it.
“You can approach me at any time about the charity,” Miranda continued. “That includes family and friends, as we’re not exclusive to employees or players when it comes to spreading goodwill. In fact, we’re hosting a gala fundraiser on December 19th. And everyone is welcome.”
“That sounds fun,” Leo whispered so as not to interrupt. “You two going?”
They shrugged, but he could see how their eyes lit up at the idea of a black-tie event. They reminded him of his sister.
He sat back as Miranda finished her presentation. She seemed warm and friendly, not at all like the cool, collected executive he often saw on television.
“I thought she’d be scary,” he whispered to Violet as Miranda left the room.
“She seems nice.”
“I guess she can be herself on home turf, where nobody’s got her tied to an angry bronco.”
Violet shot him a puzzled look. Sitting this close to her, he noticed she had faint freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“On TV,” he explained, after clearing his throat. The press frequently had fun at Miranda’s expense. He wasn’t sure why, exactly—just was grateful he wasn’t her.
“I guess I’d better volunteer, too,” Daisy-Mae said, as the sign-up sheet got to their table.
“Why’s that?” Leo asked.
“We commute together.” She pointed to Violet, then scrawled her name on the page. Then she sighed and scratched it out. “Except I’m pretty sure I’m getting fired.”
“What? Why?” The panic in Violet’s voice had Leo leaning forward as well.
Her friend winced. “I kind of told off the PR team.”
Leo bit back a bark of laughter when heads turned to stare at him. “Nuvella?”
She nodded.
She probably had it coming.
A break was announced and Daisy-Mae grabbed her phone, muttering something about missed calls before she hurried from the room.
“She runs a bunch of businesses in Sweetheart Creek,” Violet explained.
“And the two of you commute? From way out there?” He’d heard the team captain, Maverick Blades, talking about the small town, and Leo had looked it up. Tiny and a bit more than an hour’s drive away. A commute like that could wear on a person, even just a few days a week.
“We wanted to have a little fun,” Violet said.
“Commuting is fun?”
She giggled. “No. Our jobs. And we’re…having fun.”
“Ah.”
“We’re the Dragon Babes,” she stated, seeming almost embarrassed.
“Yeah?”
That blush returned to her cheeks, but she threw her shoulders back as though bracing herself. “We’re both single, so we’re going to enjoy all that this position has to offer.”
Curious, he asked, “And what’s that?”
For a long moment, Violet didn’t answer. Finally, she said, “Date for fun even if you know it won’t go somewhere. Go out for drinks and live a little. Meet new people.”
He thought about that. “You mean party?”
Her upper lip curled in distaste. Okay, so maybe closer to introvert than party girl.
“Live like someone left the gate open?” he suggested, thinking of the old rodeo saying.
She smiled and nodded.
“It sounds like you’ve been living pretty seriously until now?”
“A trail of broken hearts follows me,” she replied lightly. He had a feeling she was being sarcastic, but could see how she might break hearts. She had a way of worming into a guy’s soul. Sweet and kind, but with enough unexpected quips to keep you on your toes. He’d wondered more than once since meeting her what she was up to at that moment.
“It’s time for a bit of fun,” she announced. There was a set to her jaw as if she was fighting something and unwilling to back down.
She definitely wasn’t looking for the same things he was. He was ready to settle down—once he figured out how to find Ms. Right, aka Christine Lagrée, and convince her he was the one for a lifelong partnership.
“Well, I’m glad you have a friend here—even though she might get fired,” he said with a wink. He was pretty confident Miranda would never allow someone like Nuvella to influence the hiring choices for her company. “Having Daisy-Mae here with you will make it all the more fun.” And safer.