Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,34

jumped. “Oh, goodness!”

Leo smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

She smoothed the front of her dress, trying to compose herself. “It’s all right.”

He looked into her eyes. “I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed our dance.”

She gulped. “All right.”

He nodded and left the parlor. As soon as he was gone, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Everything all right, child?” Ma asked.

Parthena nodded and hurried out of the room. She needed time to think, come up with a plan. Doggone it, she had to figure out a way to stay away from the man! She would give Savannah a chance if it killed her.

And she was starting to think it just might.

Leo went down the hall, through the kitchen, and ran out the back door, crossing the barnyard to the orchard toward Arlan and Samijo’s place. At this point he didn’t care where he went, he just needed to move and move fast. Maybe if he exhausted himself, he’d stop thinking about … well, what he was thinking about? It wasn’t bad, per se, just not what – who – he should be thinking about.

He reached the meadow and veered left toward the woods. He didn’t want Samijo to see him running toward their place and think something was wrong. There was, but it was his problem, not theirs. He should head straight to the creek so he could dunk his head in it. Maybe then he could think clearly. Running like a madman didn’t seem to be working. He reached the tree line and bolted into the woods. There was no trail here, just brush and trees that brought him to a stop. He bent over, rested his hands on his knees and tried to catch his breath.

He’d come so close to kissing Parthena it was ridiculous. It would’ve been a stupid thing to do, especially with everyone in the parlor.

He straightened, pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his brow. What happened? He’d been fine dancing with Savannah. They were enjoying a pleasant conversation about their respective towns. Then at the end of the dance, he found himself standing in front of Parthena, asking her to dance. He led her to the center of the parlor, took her hand and … did he actually see stars? He wasn’t sure. It was as if he was blinded save for the woman in front of him. But how could that be?

It was a strange phenomenon – no wonder he was so flustered. It was like his heart had been struck by lightning. But then he’d be dead, and whoever died from dancing with a young woman? “Obviously no one’s danced with Parthena Cooke,” he said flatly.

He leaned against a tree and realized his hands were trembling. “What’s happening to me?” Was this love? He didn’t know. Nonna told him love hit everyone differently. But how could he be in love with Parthena when he was doing his best to focus on Savannah? It didn’t make sense. Both women were attractive, smart, kind, and on and on. But there was something very different about Parthena …

What was he going to do? He still hadn’t spent enough time with Savannah to tell how he really felt about her. But what he felt for Parthena was like nothing he’d heard about, unless all the married Weavers weren’t telling him something. Maybe some of them experienced this and were too embarrassed to speak freely about it.

He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at the brilliant blue sky through the branches. “What do You think, eh? Will You answer me this time? You brought Savannah here like I asked and I thank You. But what is happening with Parthena? Why did You bring her too? Is this a test?”

He stared at the ground. What else was he to think? Arturo told him to ask the good Lord for a woman he could love. If it worked for his brother, why not him? Did the Lord not love them both? Of course He did. But when Leo prayed, he got more than he’d bargained for. So, now what should he do?

“I don’t understand.” He looked at the sky again. “I’m not slow in the head, am I? You say You won’t give us more temptation than we can stand, but this … I don’t know what this is.” He kicked at the ground and stood up straight. When it came to the Almighty, he knew to

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