Second Chance Girl

“I like that,” Maya said immediately. “I like that a lot.”

Pallas visibly relaxed. “Me, too. I can picture exactly what I’d suggest.” She reached for a huge three-ring binder.

“I just picked up some new linens,” she said, flipping through the pages. “Here they are.” She held up a picture of a sheer table runner edged with lace.

“Those are beautiful,” Maya breathed, leaning close to her computer screen. “I love them.”

“Me, too. Great. There’s so much we can do. I’m thinking a lot of glass on the table. Maybe mirrors under clear bowls of flowers, with short, pillar candles in glass holders. Or maybe we’ll alternate clear bowls and silver bowls.”

Carol leaned close to Violet and lowered her voice. “Look at you, solving the problem.”

“I defined the wedding, nothing more.” Although Violet had to admit, she was feeling a little smug. “Pallas is used to making weddings about something.” She used her fingers to make air quotes. “Pretty is going to freak her out.”

Maya and Pallas were talking about fifty miles an hour. Carol shook her head. “I so could be cleaning stalls.”

Mathias leaned close. “You have to be the only woman on the planet who would rather clean up after cows than talk weddings.”

Violet guessed he meant the words to be teasing, but she saw her sister flush and wondered if Carol had taken it wrong. Before she could say anything, she felt an uncomfortable sensation, as if she were being watched. She glanced up and saw Ulrich standing in the hallway. He didn’t speak but when their eyes locked, he nodded politely.

“What on earth,” she began, then stopped as everyone turned to look at her. She felt herself flush, which she hated and was so Ulrich’s fault. “Um, excuse me,” she said as she came to her feet and walked into the hallway.

She stopped in front of him and put her hands on her hips. “What are you doing here?”

“I came by to have a word.”

Her attention split neatly in two. Part of her brain—the sensible part—was annoyed and wanted to tell him she had a whole bunch of words she could use and none of them would be approved for listening by anyone under the age of eighteen or with delicate sensibilities. The other part of her paused to notice how dreamy he looked with his chiseled features and dark blond hair. Oh, the suit was nice, too. Tailored, probably custom from that fancy street in London.

Her sensible half won. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “And I don’t mean on the planet or even in this country. What are you doing here, in my friend’s business? Are you following me? Stalking me? Last time you threatened me with all kinds of scary law enforcement. Now it’s my turn. Explain yourself or I’ll be on with 9-1-1 in a heartbeat.”

Ulrich’s stern mouth turned up at the left corner, as if he were trying not to smile. “I went to your shop. You’d left a note on the door saying where you were. I will admit, despite Americans claiming to speak English, we do occasionally have a bit of verbal confusion. Did I misunderstand?”

Damn him! Violet really wanted to stomp her foot, but knew that would only hand him more of a win. She settled on tossing her head.

“That note wasn’t meant for you,” she said as icily as she could, then remembered everyone in the room just behind her.

They were all watching intently, even Maya, who looked wide-eyed with interest.

“This is fun,” the bride-to-be said and waved. “Hi. I’m in China.”

Ulrich smiled. “Lovely to meet you.”

“Thank you.”

Violet grabbed his arm, which could have been a mistake. Her fingers closed around very impressive biceps. Ulrich might wear a suit, but he wasn’t a guy who sat around all day.

“Let’s take this down the hall and let them get back to their meeting,” she said.

“As you wish.”

Her body tightened as she recognized the line from the classic old movie The Princess Bride. Only Ulrich wouldn’t know anything about that. He was simply being polite to annoy her—she was sure of it.

She carefully closed the door before moving a few feet toward the stairs. She crossed her arms and glared at Ulrich.

“Yes?”

“I would like to apologize for what I said to you the other day. I was wrong to assume the worst about you. Upon further investigation, I have discovered you are exactly who you claimed to be. The mistake is mine and I take complete responsibility for it.”

Violet was careful to keep her mouth from dropping open. As apologies went, it was pretty good. Quick, to the point, with no waffling. If only the man delivering it weren’t so annoying. Or handsome.

“Great. Apology accepted. Now if that’s all...”

“It’s not.” His steady gaze locked with hers. “I’m not just saying the words, Violet. I mean it.”