Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,30

with her. But he also liked Parthena, perhaps more than he should. What should he do about it? Every time he tried to get time alone with Savannah, something happened, as if the fates were against him. He’d have to tell her he was trying – then maybe he could understand his own feelings better. It was hard to tell how one felt about a person when everyone else was vying for one’s attention, including Parthena.

Was it bad he found himself attracted to both women? Maybe not, but he wanted to be fair. He also didn’t want to miss his chance at finding a good wife. They were both exceptional, smart, funny, pretty … what wasn’t to like? But this wasn’t Utah Territory – he couldn’t marry both …

“Hey, Leo!”

He turned in the saddle to see Arlan approaching. “What is it?”

“Ma wants ya back at the house. I’m here to cover for ya.”

“What? Why?”

Arlan laughed. “Mel and Bella are givin’ dancin’ lessons.”

Leo’s eyes went wide. “Oh, no …”

The man laughed harder.

“This must be Mel’s idea,” Leo lamented. Savannah or Parthena must have mentioned their time at the Rileys’, and now Mel was playing matchmaker. Terrific.

“Aw, don’t be sour,” Arlan said. “Ya never know what ya might learn about someone when ya dance with ‘em.”

Leo bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything. Arlan and the others were just trying to help, but he’d rather deal with this on his own. If only his emotions weren’t bouncing all over the place. He steered his horse toward the trail home. Maybe he was worrying about it too much. He still had time, and what was the worst that could happen? But if he didn’t want to send off for a mail-order bride, he’d have to make a choice and soon.

But he felt so torn. It was little things he noticed about both women – the way they laughed, the way they handled Harold even when he was chewing on one of them. Maybe especially then. The Cooke women each had their way of interacting with others, of seeing the world around them. Savannah would notice things Parthena didn’t and vice-versa. Maybe observing them together had been more beneficial than he thought. But it was making a hard decision more difficult.

When he reached home he unsaddled Leopold, washed up at the pump and walked to Nonna’s. He heard music coming from the parlor as he went up the back steps. Nonna had purchased a piano several years ago – he remembered what a nightmare that had been to haul back to the farm! – and some of the children were learning to play. Autumn and Sebastian were the most proficient so far, but Truly was catching up. It sounded like Sebastian playing now – he tended to rush through a piece.

Leo entered the parlor and quietly sat in the nearest chair. Mel, Gabby, Savannah, Parthena and Bella were gathered around Sebastian at the piano. The piece ended and everyone clapped.

Bella’s sons Thatcher, Hugh and Alastair reluctantly shuffled into the parlor. “Ah, there you are!” Bella said happily. “Now we can begin.”

Leo saw their unenthusiastic faces and could sympathize. “Begin what?” Not that he needed to ask – he just wanted to see how their expressions would change.

“Our dancing lessons, of course,” Bella said.

The boys groaned and cringed.

Leo snorted. “It’s not that bad.”

“Oh, yeah?” Hugh said in challenge. “Then you go first.”

“I will.” He left his chair.

The twins’ eyes popped wide. “What? You mean you want to dance?” Alastair asked.

Leo looked at Savannah and Parthena. “Why not?” He didn’t miss the sly smile Bella gave Mel. Well, he’d show them. He went straight to Savannah and bowed. “May I have this dance?”

Mel squealed in delight, then elbowed Sebastian. “Play something.”

Sebastian made a face. “Fine.” He started playing.

“Not that,” she corrected. “Play a waltz.”

Sebastian frowned, fiddled with the sheet music on the piano, then started a waltz.

Leo led Savannah to the middle of the parlor and they began to dance, sort of. He wasn’t very good by his own admission, but held his own. For some reason she tried to lead, but once he overemphasized a step or two, she stopped. They must’ve been practicing before he arrived. Had she been dancing with Parthena, Mel, or both?

“You’ve improved,” she stated with a smile.

“So have you.”

“What?”

He laughed. “As I recall, the last time we danced, we tripped over each other’s feet.”

“That’s because our dance floor was full of dirt clods.”

He smiled in remembrance.