Chapter 7
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 kept him 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-thing over 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 work at 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.
“You liked the other limo, right? Did I pick up on the correct cues?”
“Yes, of course. Very thoughtful.” She placed a hand against his cheek before she got into the car. “Christine doesn’t know what she’s missing.”
Leo slid onto the seat beside her, thanking the driver as he shut the door.
It felt different being in the limo with the two of them dressed up. It wasn’t a lark, like the first time. Now it felt as though they were playing a part, and a current was zipping between them.
“You made me realize limo rides are fun,” he said, breaking the silence. “And I have enough money to rent one. So why not?”
Violet’s cheeks turned pink and her chin dipped down. “Thank you for the dress.”
“You bet.” He cleared his throat. He’d sent her into a store in the city to choose her outfit for tonight. It had felt odd, calling their staff to request she be able to put whatever she desired on his card. But he’d also felt proud of being able to return a helpful favor for a friend in a way that would make her feel special. “Goes with the limo, right?”
“And the limo is because we drive beaters and we’d be teased without mercy if we showed up at the gala driving them.”
He laughed. “No way. You just park around the block.”
“You do that?”
He shrugged again.
“Why don’t you just buy a new car? I’m sure there’s a dealership in the city that would love to have you as a customer. Maybe a Jag?”
“My dad would kill me.”
“Really?”
Leo shook off the image of his father’s disapproving face if he showed up in a car worth that much. He was pretty sure the man would come up with a long list of more important things his son could have bought instead of the status symbol.
But maybe it was time to pull a Violet and do something out of character just to see if he was playing out the habits of his upbringing. Like her and the fancy shoes. He’d buy a snazzy car and see if he liked it. And who knows? Maybe his dad would be proud.
Violet was smoothing her fingers along the soft fabric of her dress. He could see how much she loved it, and it made him happy that he’d thought to set her up with the shopping trip. He had a feeling her gown was like his first tailored suit—the kind of outfit that made you feel strong, confident and good-looking. The guys had razzed him about his off-the-rack suits until he’d relented and allowed Maverick’s tailor to set him up with a suit, as well as a tux for tonight. He’d nearly fainted when he got the bill.
“I appreciate the fancy ride and this lovely dress.”
“But?”
“You know you don’t need to overspend when it comes to me.”
“I needed a date. Tonight I woo Family Zone.”
“And Christine.”
“I’d like to be in a movie. Or on a billboard. Maybe a commercial or two… I’m not fussy.” He winked. “And you’re my wingman. ”
She let out a shuddery huff that almost sounded like a laugh. “A wingman who continually clams up. I’m going to be absolutely no help.”
“Knowing you have my back and are cheering me on is huge.” He clasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I appreciate you coming with me. Besides, you don’t really seem to clam up much any longer.”
“True.”
As they drove back through Sweetheart Creek to get to the highway, Violet shifted forward in her seat to peer at a group of people gathered on Main Street in front of an empty shop across from the diner. The windows were covered in newspaper, except for one where the yellowed paper had been removed.
“What’s Jackie up to now?” Violet muttered. “And Henry? Mrs. Fisher? And is that Hannah?”
Leo tapped on the glass divider separating them from the driver, and it lowered. “Slow down, please.”
Violet was still muttering under her breath about weird occurrences and the end of times.
“Want to stop?” he asked her, puzzled about what was going on.
She leaned back in her seat. “Nah. I’m just being a snoop. I’m sure I’ll hear all about whatever this is soon enough.” She peered through the window again as the limo crawled along. “Maybe Hannah is opening her own day care or something.”
The small group in front of the store turned, watching the car. Leo asked the driver to stop.
“Come on,” he said. He opened his door before the man could come around, and reached for Violet’s hand.
“No way.” She gestured to her fancy outfit. “We have to get to the gala and I’m just being nosy.”
“That’s exactly why we need to stop.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Come on,” he coaxed. “Be curious, Vi. I don’t mind. Besides, you look beautiful. Show yourself off a little.” He knew she wouldn’t quite believe just how amazing she was from the inside on out until it was reflected back to her by her own world.
Mrs. Fisher squealed, her hands performing a jittery dance as she hustled up to Violet on the sidewalk, her red-and-gold Christmas-garland earrings swinging. She embraced Violet in a hug, surrounding her with the scents of coffee and bacon. “Oh, sweetheart! Look at you.” Clasping her shoulders, she held Violet out in front of her, taking in her gown.
Her friend Jackie Moorhouse grinned at her. “You’re hotter than a black leather interior in hundred-and-ten-degree heat with no air-conditioning.”
Mrs. Fisher turned to Leo. “Don’t y’all just melt looking at this woman?”
“I do.”
The sincerity in his voice made Violet’s cheeks burn.
“She’s going to be the most beautiful woman at the gala tonight,” he said.
Okay, going too far. She gave him a dry look, the spell broken. “Daisy-Mae’s going to be there.”
“Oh, I bet she’ll look like she stepped out of a magazine,” the older woman gushed.
“Not my type, Mrs. Fisher,” Leo said easily.
“Christine Lagrée is his type,” Violet stated, feeling a strange wringing sensation in her chest at the thought of Leo finally capturing the woman he’d been pursuing for several months.
Hannah gasped. “She’s gorgeous!”
Violet nodded, knowing Leo was starting to have doubts about Christine. She hoped that tonight she could show him that he didn’t need a loveless relationship, and could find career advancement in something a bit less old-fashioned than a marriage geared to that. She had seen the RSVP list and knew who to introduce him to. She just had to be quick and not think, or she’d clam up. She needed to show him he could receive help when it came to finding success and happiness—without tying himself into a loveless relationship.
Jackie, eyes wide, mouthed the word hot to Violet, tipping her head in Leo’s direction. Violet introduced the two, then quietly pointed out Henry Wylder, the great-uncle of the Wylder brothers, to Leo. He was scowling through the dusty window of the building, and she decided he was a lot like the local armadillo, Bill. Best not disturbed.
Mrs. Fisher waved a hand. “You’re never getting Christine, Leo. She’s not gonna fall for a cowboy like y’all.”
Violet giggled as Leo glanced down at his very classy, not-at-all-Western tuxedo. “For what it’s worth, I’m starting to believe I have a thing for women with dark hair and mysterious eyes,” he mused.
Violet giggled again when Hannah sighed, but stopped when Leo winked at her, his gaze lingering just long enough that she couldn’t quite brush off his words.
Was she projecting her own feelings onto him, seeing what she wanted to see, like she had with Owen? She knew he was just flirting, playing the role of the adoring date in front of her friends to make her feel good. He wasn’t flirting in hopes of their friendship becoming more.
She just had to remember that.
“And what about me?” Leo asked, striking a pose. “Don’t I look good?”
“Very nice,” Hannah and Jackie said together.
Violet had barely allowed herself to look at him. He was so gorgeous. A cowboy in a tuxedo? It was like her knees didn’t remember how to work properly.
But now she drank him in, from his freshly styled hair to those devilish eyes that charmed her with secret tales she felt only she could translate. The jacket was cut to showcase the width of his shoulders, the power hidden beneath the fine woven cloth. The pants hung from his hips as if their designer saw him the way a hungry woman would.
“Did Maverick’s tailor do me right?” he asked.
He sure did. There was no doubt. Even when styles 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.
“And it’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 he wouldn’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?”
Violet shrugged, her bare shoulders lifting. Her light brown skin with the faint reddish undertones was smooth and irresistible. Leo gently brushed one of the longer tendrils of hair off her neck, and she shivered as his fingers grazed her skin.
“You had a little something there,” he lied. He lightly touched the elbow holding her champagne. “Want to dance?”
“I thought you were here to make deals with some mucky-mucks?”
She was watching the crowd in that serious way he’d noticed earlier. All night she’d been acting like more of a networking social butterfly than he’d assumed she’d ever be comfortable being. She had made several quick, strategic introductions, and had even occasionally eavesdropped on nearby conversations, then joined in, drawing Leo with her. So far, he’d met a lot of corporate heads. It was as though Violet had studied the guest list before their arrival and was determined to be the woman he wanted Christine to be.
Which was kind of funny, seeing as they weren’t looking to move their friendship into something more than it was.
“You’ve been working hard. I believe a break is in order.” He reached for her glass with plans to abandon it, even though it was still full. Violet took a sip, then allowed him to set it aside as the orchestra began a new tune.
She hooked her fingertips in his with a featherlight touch that sent tingles up to his elbow. On the dance floor, she floated into his arms, and he inhaled her scent. Her waist and lower back were small under the span of his hand and she was scented with something he couldn’t quite identify. Rosemary? Lavender? Whatever it was, he found it soothing and relaxing, like her. He couldn’t help but hope that his tuxedo smelled of her when he got home tonight.
They easily fell into step, dancing almost as if they’d taken lessons together. Who would have thought it? A cowboy and a wallflower could tear up the dance floor to an orchestra’s slow beat.
“Thank you for introducing me to so many people,” he said.
She smiled, the strings of lights above the dance floor creating twinkling highlights in her glossy black hair and making the small gems twinkle. He reached up to touch one. They seemed to be glued to her hair.
“You don’t seem shy tonight,” he said.
She gave a small shrug, interrupting their rhythm, and he gripped her tighter to prevent her from tumbling. She was suddenly so close, sharing the heat that was building between them.
Before tonight he’d noticed that she was pretty, but he’d never realized just how beautiful.
“What’s your secret?” Leo asked.
“I’m just being a good friend.”
“You’re always a good friend.”
“And I’m practicing being less reserved and self-conscious and shy.” Her face had gone red, the hand on his shoulder trembling slightly, her lower lip clamped between her teeth.
“Well, thank you. For pushing beyond your comfort zone to try and help me. I appreciate it.”
She relaxed, and their steps took on an easy rhythm again.
“Have I been a good practice-boyfriend tonight?” He’d put thought into the limo and setting her up with something to wear as promised, but beyond that had slipped into autopilot, thinking more about career moves than her.
She nodded. “Very good.”
She wouldn’t meet his gaze, and he wished she’d stop searching out whoever she wanted to introduce him to next, and focus on him.
“Have I hit all five of the good boyfriend habits?”
“You don’t have to hit all five with me,” she said absently.
“But practice. I want to be good at this.” For some reason it felt extra important to ace this tonight, like he was writing his final exam.
“You’re fine.”
“What can I do to make your night better?”
Her lips parted and her eyes finally met his. She seemed unable to speak, her cheeks flushing with color.
“Now you’re going to be shy? Right here? With me?” He crinkled his nose at her, trying to loosen the shyness that seemed to have her in its grip.
The song ended, and they stopped swaying. Eventually, Leo realized he should release her from his embrace. He cleared his throat and guided her to the side of the dance floor, suddenly feeling awkward.
“If anyone bids higher on this, put your name down.” Maverick Blades waved a sheet of paper in front of Leo, tapping it impatiently.
“What is this?”
“I’ll pay you back later. I need to win this blanket.”
“Uh? What?”
Maverick pointed a finger at Leo. “You got my back?”
“Um, sure. Of course.”
His friend’s shoulders eased, and he went to return the silent auction bidding sheet to one of the long tables lined with items.
“What’s with you and Dak tonight, man?” Leo asked, automatically following him. First, he’d found Dak, the team’s head charity dude, in the bathroom, basically standing up his date, who’d been looking for him all night. Now Maverick was getting all squirrelly and stressed out about some knitted blanket.
If this was love, count him out. It looked stressful. Not at all what Leo had been imagining over the past few weeks.
Maverick shot him a warning look. “Just do it, Socks.”
Leo grumbled at the nickname the team had given him for “losing” his socks before their first exhibition game of the season. He was still certain he’d been the victim of a prank. “Fine.”
Violet had wandered off and was checking out the auction’s tables. He caught up with her, asking, “Anything catch your eye?”
He passed a jersey signed by the entire team. Seeing his name scrawled on the fabric beside big names like Maverick’s still felt odd. He’d looked up to these players for so long his brain still hadn’t caught up to the fact that he was now one of them.
“Check this out.” Violet pointed to a getaway to a South Carolina beach town called Indigo Bay.
“What is it?” He bent over the table, reading the bidding sheet. It offered an overnight in a resort’s ocean-side cottage, and included scuba diving.
“No way,” he said. “Are you going to bid on it?”
Violet shook her head. “It’s already at $1700.”
“Does that include airfare?” Indigo Bay was about a twenty-hour drive from their part of Texas.
She shook her head again.
Leo did some rough mental calculations. You could probably get the same package for less by booking directly. But two people? Beach-side cottage and scuba? He scrawled his name on the sheet with a bid of $1800.
“If you win, you have to take me with you,” Violet said, clasping his arm.
“Sorry, already told Sara-Lynn I’d bring her.” He gave a hapless shrug as though to say, “What can you do?”
“You haven’t had time to contact your sister, and she doesn’t scuba,” Violet said, narrowing her eyes.
“How would you know?”
“We chat on the phone every night.”
“Do not.”
Violet gave him a smile best described as devious.
“You don’t.” She didn’t. There was no way. They’d never even met. No, wait. There was that time his family had come to one of his games and had swarmed Violet afterward. They’d adored her and threatened to bring her home with them, Sara-Lynn in particular. How had he forgotten that?
“I get to go with you.” She held up her little finger as if she was asking for a pinkie swear to seal the deal.
“I am not six years old,” he said, crossing his arms, staring at her raised finger with the peachy-pink-painted nail.
“Christine!” Violet said, her voice lifting. “Gorgeous dress.”
“Thank you.” The blonde moved closer, her black gown a clingy affair that was like a shout-out to good genetics, healthy eating and a personal trainer.
“Yes, very lovely,” Leo said absently. Christine Lagreé’s gaze raked over him, and he turned back to Violet, muttering, “I’m not taking you.”
“Of course you are,” she muttered under her breath, smile still in place. She sent a pointed look in Christine’s direction.
Right. He turned back to her. “Can I get you a drink?”
She waved the full champagne glass in her hand.
Perfect.
He turned back to Violet, still working over the did-she-actually-chat-with-his-sister question. “What would you and Sara-Lynn even talk about?”
“Do you scuba dive?” Violet asked Christine, pushing him aside so he wasn’t standing between the two of them.
“No way,” she replied, her brow wrinkling. “Scuba’s way too scary.” She shuddered.
“It’s not as bad as you might imagine,” Violet said. “Leo’s bidding on a package for two. I thought if he won—”
“I already told Violet I’m taking my sister,” he insisted.
“You don’t take your sister on a romantic getaway!”
“And you don’t take your best friend, either.”
Violet gave an indignant huff, although he saw the way she lit up at being called his best friend. Leo shot her a sassy, you-can’t-tell-me-what-to-do look and changed his bid to $2000.
“What are you doing?” She yanked the pen from his grip, but he snatched it back, along with the clipboard.
“You’re interfering with fund-raising.” He looked around for one of the volunteers, who were dressed as Santa’s elves. “This woman is preventing me from bidding!”
“You’re so immature!” Violet jabbed him with a finger. “And bad with money.” She gestured to the form, where he’d outbid himself.
“It’s for charity,” he said, leaning in close, and breathing in her scent again.
They stared at each other for a long beat, her nearly-black eyes appearing almost a milk-chocolate brown as indignation flashed, then faded.
I’d take you with me.
He blinked at the unexpected thought and spun away as if he’d been shocked by Violet. He dropped the pen and clipboard and inhaled with a shudder. To find Christine staring at him, her brows lifted in amusement.
Right.
Goals.
He cleared his throat, wishing he could clear the cloud of confusion that had swarmed through his brain. He stepped toward Christine and asked, “Would you like to dance?”
Christine had said no. Politely. Firmly. Then, with a small apologetic smile directed at Violet, she had glided away.
Was it obvious that Violet had developed feelings for the man she was supposed to be helping?
She’d really messed up his chances now.
“That didn’t go very well.” She stared after Christine. “I shouldn’t have come.”
“Of course you should. She knows we’re just friends.”
“Why do you keep pursuing her, anyway? You don’t have that flicker and spark of something rare that I see with others. Like Dak and Miranda. Or Daisy-Mae and Maverick.”
Her friend was in deep with Maverick. So deep. She just hoped he loved Daisy-Mae back in the same way.
Leo was blinking at her after that outburst.
She sighed. “Right. You don’t need love because you don’t fall. Sorry, carry on.”
“I hit three things,” Leo stated.
“Hmm?”
“It’s second nature now. Words. I complimented her. I offered to lessen her burden and get her a drink. And then I also offered to spend quality time together with a dance.”
“She’s not a checklist, Leo. Love is not a checklist!” Violet whirled on him, suddenly angry. Angry for the way her heart was leading her on. Angry for the way she was falling for a man who was looking elsewhere. Angry for the way she kept having stupid moments with him where it felt like he might have an inkling of similar feelings for her.
But it just wasn’t going to happen. And that made her angry, too.
“I thought I was doing well.”
“We want genuine.”
“I’m not?”
“Why do you want to be with Christine? What do you like about her as a person?”
Leo licked his lips and dropped his hands on his hips. His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Does she make you laugh? Can you imagine bringing her home to your family? Do you want to do the same things she does on days off? Or is it all one big business plan where you don’t even care if you two can tolerate sharing the same space?”
Leo’s shoulders had sagged and Violet felt like she’d just rained on his future parade.
“I’m sorry. That was really harsh.”
“No, I appreciate the honesty. And truthfully, I don’t know why I want this anymore.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, Leo looking more and more dejected by the second.
“Come with me,” she commanded, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the ballroom doors. There was a tall table by a white-and-gold-decorated Christmas tree and the CEO of Family Zone sat alone, nursing a drink, his earlier posse gone.
Perfect.
She stopped in front of the table. “Mr. McGregor, have you met Leo Pattra? He’s one of the Dragons’ newest players. “
“Yes, I’m familiar.”
“As a former bull riding champion, he’s worked with some high-profile companies in sponsorship agreements. I thought you might like to meet him before he gets swooped up, because he literally never stops talking about Family Zone and I think you’d be a great fit.”
Leo reached forward, shaking hands. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. McGregor.”
“I believe your agent has contacted me a time or two.”
“Leo is dogged when it comes to something he wants. He has some pretty thick blinders,” Violet said, her tone dry.
Mr. McGregor chuckled. “Well, then that’s something we have in common. Why don’t you pull up a seat, if you can find one.”
Leo quickly spun, finding a chair abandoned by the wall. He placed it for Violet, then took her hand and helped her onto it.
She should have made herself scarce. The man was going to spend his few precious minutes with the CEO searching for a second chair for himself.
“He’s quite the gentleman,” Violet said, hoping to fill the awkward silence between herself and Mr. McGregor.
“You’re his girlfriend?” Mr. McGregor asked. “Or are you a new agent?”
“Friend. And, um, I’m actually the team’s mascot. I didn’t want to come alone, and had nothing to wear and so Leo said…” She’d run a hand over the skirt of her dress, realizing she could easily make Leo sound like some sort of opportunistic sugar daddy rather than the generous and sweet friend that he was. “He’s a very good friend. You’ll find him to be loyal and kind.”
Mr. McGregor studied her for a long moment and she wondered if he could tell that she was crushing on her friend. She could feel the heat in her face from not only speaking to him so confidently but also for complimenting Leo so blatantly.
“Well,” Mr. McGregor said, “it sounds as though you’re cut from the same cloth. He’s lucky to have you as a friend.”
Violet nodded, wishing the word girl was in front of that last word.
“You found one,” she said, as Leo set a tall chair beside her. Mr. McGregor was sipping his drink, watching them. Leo gently touched her back, checking in with her.“Did you want a drink?” he asked.
“No, thank you.” Violet tipped her head toward the CEO, trying to mentally message that Leo should make his case quickly. She could sense Leo”s nerves amplifying as he settled in his chair.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” Mr. McGregor asked, focusing his pale gray eyes on Leo. The man’s voice was kind, but his demeanor meant business.
“I would like to work with you,” Leo answered. “I am a clean-living man. I have experience filming commercials and representing a brand.”
“He’s convinced the Dragons’ charity team that they need to take all the sick kids to a Family Zone theme park once they’re well enough because he loves it so much and thinks they will too.” She looked at Leo meaningfully.
He chuckled and gave her a grateful smile that turned sheepish as he faced Mr. McGregor. “I think Family Zone is the best place ever. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, there’s something for everyone. And I think it would be amazing for the team to be able to send kids and their family there when they’re feeling up to it.”
“It would.”
“I grew up on a ranch, and while we had a lot in many ways, we didn’t have much for vacations. When I was thirteen, somehow my parents scraped enough together for all of us to go to Family Zone. Honestly, we were in danger of losing the ranch and I think they wanted to build some good family memories before things got hard.”
Violet gave Leo’s hand a squeeze as he blinked back emotion. He inhaled slowly and audibly, but the fine lines of pain still carved through his cheeks and forehead. That pain was still there, still fresh.
“Leo gave up college scholarships to help his family save the ranch once he was out of high school,” she said quietly, hoping she wasn’t overstepping by revealing this. But she could see how Mr. McGregor was reacting to Leo’s story, and it was good.
Leo nodded.
“It sounds like your trip means a lot to you,” the man said diplomatically.
“It’s the only family vacation I can remember us taking together.”
“Family Zone is a special place,” Violet stated.
“It’s somewhere families can create special memories that never fade. I want to share that with more people. Especially families who are going through a tough time. I know many people feel your theme parks are just fun and entertainment, but they’re more than that. I’d love to work with your company in any way that you feel would be beneficial to you. I don’t have a family of my own yet, but as you’ll see by looking into my reputation with pro rodeo, I am steady and down to earth. I feel I’m suitable as a representative for your brand. I was a good representative for my sponsors and I can give you references, sir.” Leo stood. “I would love to work with your company if you can find a place for me.”
Mr. McGregor gestured for him to sit down again, then remained quiet for a long moment, while Violet held her breath.
“Tell your agent to call me on Monday. Actually, make it Tuesday. I need to talk to my team to see what we can find for a guy like you. I came here to check out the possibility of a hockey player representing us, unsure what that might look like. But talking to you tonight… Well, I’m getting an idea.” He stood, reaching out to shake Leo’s hand again. “I appreciate you sharing your story with me.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your time.”
“And Leo?” Mr. McGregor sighed as though reluctant to do something. He fished around inside his jacket’s inner pocket. “Any chance you could make a dad look like a hero to his sixteen-year-old daughter who’s crazy about rodeo?” The man slid a postcard-sized image and marker across the table, and Leo gave a chuckle as he recognized the image of him astride a bucking Brahman bull.
“Want me to sign it?”
Mr. McGregor nodded and mentioned his daughter’s name.
“I remember this.” Leo waved the card and said to Violet, “I won one of the bigger belt buckles that day.”
“My daughter watched all of your events. A big fan. Obviously, she made me bring this in case I saw you tonight.” The older man pocketed the signed card. “Thank you.”
“And thank you, sir.”
Leo stepped away from the table, his palm on Violet’s lower back. He swiftly steered her through the large, beautifully decorated room, across the dance floor, through throngs of gossipers and out the exit at the opposite end of the room from where Mr. McGregor had been sitting.
Once out in the hallway, Leo let out a whoop and jumped into the air, punching the sky with a triumphant fist. “Did you see that?” he bellowed. “Did you hear what he said?”
Violet laughed. Leo was behaving like a wild man.
Or a man who’d just had a dream come true.
“You!” Leo stopped dancing and looked at her, his expression more joyful than she’d ever seen it. “You!” He came tearing across the red carpet and pulled her into a bear hug that lifted her from her feet. Laughing, he spun her in a circle, and she couldn’t help but join in.
“You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Violet Granger.” And then he planted a giant, happy kiss on her lips.