Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,13
he trying to play matchmaker? Well, she could match with Leo herself if she wanted – she didn’t need outside help from Uncle Colin or anyone else. She glanced at Leo, who was focused on the road. What if he hadn’t wanted to dance with her? Hmm, she hadn’t thought of that before. What if it wasn’t just the setting, but her? Maybe all that talk earlier of dancing with her was just … talk.
Savannah tried not to dwell on the thought and did her best to enjoy the ride back to town instead. It would work out with Leo or it wouldn’t. She was all right either way.
Chapter Five
Parthena sat in the back of the wagon next to her father. Every time she looked at Leo and Savannah, both were staring straight ahead. They’d talked briefly, but neither had said a word the last ten minutes. They’d be back in town soon and no doubt she’d have to listen to her cousin prattle about their evening and how she “thought” Leo should have behaved. Well, she’d done her part. She’d played the Rileys’ piano to see what the man would do.
He did nothing, as it happened, but she didn’t blame him. Like her, he might be shy at times. No one thought it at first, and many who knew her didn’t see that part of her the way her parents or her big sister Adele did. Sometimes she just … ran out of things to say. Then she’d have to be alone with herself, think and ask herself questions. At times, she sensed the Lord answering, and she cherished those moments, especially since she wasn’t even praying at the time, simply contemplating life.
She smiled and glanced at the couple on the wagon seat again. Who knew what Savannah was thinking about now? But it wasn’t like her to stay quiet long. Was something wrong? Parthena couldn’t imagine what.
When they reached town the pair were still silent as the grave, and she wanted to smack them both. If they didn’t take advantage of this time together, how would they ever know if they’d suit? Was there anything she could do to help this along? Father had – he’d purposely let them sit together on the ride back – but neither took advantage of it. Savannah didn’t have a shy bone in her body, but perhaps Leo did. He spoke with them in town this morning and throughout the day, though …
“I’m certainly ready to turn in,” Father said as they pulled up in front of the hotel. He helped Mother out of the wagon. Leo helped Savannah down and came around the wagon as Parthena prepared to hop out. “Let me help you.” He held up his hands.
Without thinking she let him swing her out of the wagon and onto the ground. It was effortless for him and a part of her awed at his strength. Leo wasn’t tall like her Cooke cousins or broad like the Weaver men. He was more like Logan, their ranch foreman - compact muscle and sinew. Logan’s sons Owen, Martin and Ferris were built the same, though still taller than Leo. She recalled Arturo and Alfonso at Lucy and Max’s wedding – they had the same build Leo had now. She wondered if they’d filled out over the years.
“Sweetness, is something the matter?” Father asked.
Leo smiled and removed his hands from her waist. Good grief, had he been holding her this whole time? “Er, no, Father. Nothing.”
“Let’s retire, shall we?” Father put his hand on Leo’s shoulder. “You wish to leave at sunup?”
“Yes, sir, we do.”
“Fine, we’ll be ready.” He took Mother’s hand and headed for the hotel. “Come along, girls.”
Parthena followed, leaving Savannah behind with Leo. Let them say goodnight – she’d catch up. She heard Savannah say something quietly but couldn’t make it out. It must have been funny because Leo laughed. She wanted to turn and see the expressions on their faces, but didn’t want to disturb their private moment.
A few seconds later she heard Savannah trotting to catch up. “I’m going to sleep well tonight.”
“Really?” Parthena said. “You don’t plan on talking the whole time?”
Savannah smirked. “Very funny. And if you must know, I don’t have anything to talk about. So we’ll both be able to catch up on our rest.”
“That’s a relief.” Still, it was hard to believe her cousin didn’t have anything to say before they retired. Parthena smiled. Savannah was sure to crack and spill once they