Page 33

Violet smiled as a big grin spread on Joe’s face. “That is good news.”

“Because you don’t have to drive me down there now?” she teased.

“No.” He shot her a warm glance. “Because you’ll be staying for a while.”

The pub was buzzing. Joe greeted every second person as they made their way through the crowd in the bar between the entry and the bistro. He reached back and took her hand so she could keep up with him, and Violet didn’t let go.

What did Emma say? Go with the flow.

Joe had rung and reserved a table and they were out on the corner overlooking the river again. A patch of mown lawn ran between the veranda and the water; half a dozen children were playing tag on the grass.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked as he held her chair out for her.

A gentleman. No one had ever done that for Violet before.

“Will we have pizza?” she asked.

“I will, but you don’t have to, if you don’t want it.”

“I do. It smells great. So, if we’re having pizza, I’ll have a red wine.”

“What sort of pizza do you like? I’ll order when I get our drinks.”

“Surprise me. I love it all.” Happiness surged through Violet as Joe smiled at her and turned to the bar. The atmosphere, the aromatic garlic fragrance permeating the room, the thought of a red wine, and most of all Joe’s company in a town she was beginning to love.

He paused and turned back to her.

“Promise me one thing?”

Violet tipped her head to the side. “Promise what?”

“Christmas last year, I brought a newcomer to town to the pub for pizza. Turned out Leah was here to get over a broken heart, but when I got back from ordering, she’d spotted her lost love across the room. I had to eat the whole pizza by myself.”

“And were you heartbroken?” Violet asked.

“No, Leah and Mark are married now. They went back to Sydney. I went to their wedding in June, and I was pleased to see how happy they were. But I really hope history doesn’t repeat itself.”

Violet sat back as Joe headed across to the bar. He was well liked, he chatted as he made his way across; he was patient and had a smile for everyone. Her heart did another little flip in her chest and she pulled herself up. She was overreacting to a nice guy, and it was only because of the bad experience she’d had with Brian.

Nothing more. There was no need to go with the flow like Emma said.

“Penny for your thoughts? Did you decide you don’t want pizza after all?” Joe put two glasses of ruby-red wine on the table and sat down. He pulled the buzzer from his shirt pocket and put it in the centre of the table. “You look worried. Our mum used to say a problem shared is a problem halved; this is more than your car worrying you, isn’t it?”

She leaned back, put her hands on the table, and stared back at him. “Do you have ESP, Joe Rossiter?” she asked with a smile; his green eyes were mischievous as he held her gaze.

“No, I just like to know what’s wrong. You looked very worried when I turned around and walked across with our drinks.”

“Joe, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“It’s what friends are for,” Joe said. “And I think we’ve already established a friendship, haven’t we, Violet?”

“We have, and I’m enjoying getting to know you better. I was just thinking about work.” It was a little white lie; she didn’t want to say she’d been thinking about him.

“You were so animated on the way into town, about their stud.” Joe reached over and put his hand on hers. “And Vi? I’m really enjoying getting to know you too, and I have no worries at all about you staying. As long as it takes to get your car fixed, you’re welcome to stay, but you already know that. I’d like to get to know you even better. Now, tell Uncle Joe what’s really on your mind.” He saw straight through her.

“Well, I won’t tell you the whole story, but I’ve left Brisbane for good, and I’m really unsure of where I want to end up.”

“Tell me more about your job. You’re a vet, but I guess an equine vet is horses only? Tell me exactly what you do.”