her eyes. “Am I the last one up?”
“I’m afraid so, dearest,” Colin said. “But you haven’t missed a thing yet.”
“Good.” She spied Savannah with the coffee pot. “Is there any left?”
“Sure.” Savannah nodded at the hutch. “Cups and saucers are in there.”
Parthena padded over to the hutch, got what she needed and held her cup out to Savannah.
Leo watched as Savannah poured, then set the pot on the stove. Soon everyone was seated at the table. Goodness, the Cookes really did make themselves at home. Well, he wanted them to be comfortable here. He knew if something blossomed between him and Savannah, a choice would have to be made: would she come live on the Weaver farm? Could he leave it? He honestly didn’t know. One more complication.
Savannah watched Leo out of the corner of her eye through breakfast. He’d already eaten and sat with his cup, eyes flicking between her and Parthena. Sometimes he’d speak with Uncle Colin or Aunt Belle, but for the most part he kept quiet. She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. Did he want to talk to her? But she didn’t really feel like talking to anyone this morning. She was still tired from the journey here. She hoped she’d have a chance to relax today – surely she would be herself by tomorrow.
“Ma, I’d love to see what hats you’ve made,” Aunt Belle said. “I might like to purchase one or two.”
Parthena’s eyes lit up. “Could I get one?”
“Do you need another hat?” Uncle Colin asked.
Savannah tried not to giggle. She knew how this conversation would go – she’d had enough of them with her own father. She noted Leo watching with interest.
“I haven’t had a new hat since last year,” Parthena stated.
Uncle Colin’s eyebrows shot up. “What – a year?”
“You mean you haven’t noticed?”
“Men sometimes don’t, dear,” Aunt Belle said. “You’ll have to remember that.”
Leo sat up a little straighter. “How can a man not notice?”
“Don’t ask, son,” Colin said. “You won’t like where that conversation leads.”
“He’s right, Leo,” Harlan said as he sauntered into the kitchen. He kissed Ma on the cheek. “All the early chores are done.”
“Have a seat, Harlan, and I’ll fetch you some breakfast,” Ma said.
“No one’s answered me yet.” Leo looked at Savannah. “When was the last time you had a new hat?”
“About a month ago.” She grinned. “Isn’t that right, Aunt Belle? You were with me when I picked it up.”
“I was. She had Aunt Irene order it specially.”
Parthena stared at the kitchen table. “I wish I’d ordered one too.” She looked at Ma Weaver as she set a plate of food in front of Harlan. “But I’d much rather have one of yours.”
“Why, thank you, child. I’ve got plenty. You can have your pick.”
“Thank you,” Parthena smiled, satisfied.
As Ma and Aunt Belle served breakfast, Savannah watched Leo, who at the moment was watching Parthena. Did he feel sorry she hadn’t had a new hat in so long? Parthena did tend to wear things until they wore out before she got something new.
When breakfast was done, everyone drifted off to different activities. Uncle Colin and Harlan went with Leo to look at the stock, while the women planned to visit Ma’s sewing room. Just before they did, Ebba came downstairs with her children. “Esther, my goodness,” Savannah said, “you’ve grown so tall.”
Esther’s hair had also grown, plaited into a long braid that reached the small of her back. “I’m ten and a half now,” she said proudly.
“I’m nine,” said one of Ebba’s twin boys.
“Oh dear, let me see … are you Daniel Jr.?” Savannah asked.
“No, I’m Ulysses,” he said.
Savannah pointed at the other twin. “So you must be Daniel.”
“No, I’m Ulysses.”
“Boys, don’t start,” Ebba warned on a sigh. “They’re always doing this to people who haven’t seen them for a while.”
“That would be all of us,” Savannah smiled at the twins. “I can’t wait to see the other children.”
“How many sets of twins are there on the farm now,” Parthena asked.
“Let me see – Daniel and Ulysses, Alistair and Hugh, Justin and Jason …”
“They belong to Arlan and Samijo, right?” Parthena asked.
“Yes, along with Sadie and Lucy. The girls are five now.”
“That’s four sets,” Aunt Belle said. “I don’t know if I could keep them straight.”
“Five if you count Calvin and Benjamin.” Ma laughed. “I swear, sometimes they still act like children.”
Ebba giggled. “Who knows how many more twins we’ll have in the future?”
“Enough talk of twins,” Ma said. “Let’s mosey into the sewing