Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,23
should hope. Otherwise your poor sister or another woman would be cooking all day.”
“Sometimes longer, with as many mouths as we have to feed. And from what Clinton said, another on the way.”
Parthena swallowed hard. This wasn’t going as planned. Her belly wasn’t growling as she’d hoped, just doing funny little flips. And why was she counting on her stomach as an excuse? She should tell Father she wanted to go back to the main house and try on dresses with Savannah. She kicked Nutmeg into a trot.
Unfortunately, Leo stayed right behind her, gentlemanly as always. But the last thing she needed to be around right now was a gentleman – especially this gentleman.
Chapter Eight
Leo and the others returned to the main house for lunch. Colin was pleased with the progress of their herds and gave Clinton and Leo some good ideas on how to move forward. Unfortunately for Leo, it was hard to concentrate on what Colin was teaching them. His mind kept wandering to Parthena, who skirted around the herd on Nutmeg, dismounting now and then to look at things, then mounting up again. He was worried she’d wander off a second time, but she didn’t.
“What’s for lunch?” Parthena asked as they entered Nonna’s kitchen. “I’m starved.”
Leo went to a pot on the stove, took off the lid and sniffed. “Beef stew.”
“I love a good stew.” She took off her coat.
Savannah and Belle came into the kitchen. “Where’s Colin?” Belle asked.
“Unsaddling the horses.” Leo took a spoon and gave the pot a stir. “He insisted on doing it.”
Belle laughed. “Of course he did. When he’s in the house he likes to be served. When he’s outdoors he wants to do all the work.” She went to a pan of biscuits ready to go into the oven. “I’d better bake these. I’m sure you’re all hungry.”
Nonna entered the kitchen. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes, it’s so pretty here.” Parthena peeked at the hall. “Is Savanah still trying on dresses?”
Nonna laughed. “I’m afraid so. I think she’s tried almost every frock we have.”
“You’re right,” Belle studied her biscuits. “She hasn’t stopped since you left.”
Parthena shook her head and left the kitchen. Leo was about to follow but stopped himself.
Nonna caught the action and looked at him mischievously. “Why, Leo, did you miss spending time with Savannah?”
Belle smiled and put the biscuits in the oven. “She was asking about you.”
He looked between the two women, then at the hall. “Is that so?” He turned toward the back door. “I’d better go wash up.”
“You’re having lunch with us?” Nonna asked.
“If that’s all right.”
“Of course it is. Besides, we all know you want to spend time with Savannah. It’s about time you got around to it.”
“Yes, spend all the time you want,” Belle said. “Otherwise, how else will you know?”
“Know what?” Savannah asked as she entered the kitchen. She sniffed the air. “That stew sure smells good.”
“I almost made sandwiches,” Nonna said. “But it’s not as warm today as I thought it would be. So stew is always nice. Thank you for all your help, Belle.”
Belle checked the coffee pot. “Think nothing of it.”
“Where’s Ebba?” Savannah wondered.
“She took the children to Arlan and Samijo’s for their lessons,” Nonna said “She’s the best teacher around here.”
Leo smiled. Ebba’s teaching methods had and still did amount to giving the younger ones lessons to do by noon and letting whoever was the oldest girl check the others’ work. Gabby had probably done that for her nephews that morning. It wasn’t that Ebba didn’t care about education – she just recognized she didn’t have the patience or the time to ride herd on all of them about it.
Savannah nodded, sat at the table and turned to Leo, who was still hovering by the door. “Parthena told me you two spent some time on a trail.”
He swallowed hard. “That’s right.” She wasn’t upset, was she? But how could he tell if she was or not? He didn’t know her well enough yet.
“She said it was pretty.”
“Yes, she did.”
“What trail?” Nonna asked.
“The one that goes from the north pasture to the creek.”
“Oh, yes, that is nice. Especially in summer.”
He nodded and watched Savannah, then noticed her aunt staring at him. “Um, would you like to go there sometime?”
“Sure. On horseback?”
“Yes, I wouldn’t make you go all that way on foot.”
She smiled. “That would be nice.”
He nodded and hurried out the back door to the pump, washed his hands and tossed some water on his face. He didn’t know why he