Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,5
out of earshot Savannah turned to her. “You can’t accept an invitation like that for Uncle Colin. Daniel will probably want to leave first thing in the morning.”
“As tired as Father and Mother are, they’ll want a day without traveling. And Mother has always wanted to see some of the other farms.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Savannah sighed.
“Besides, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Are you looking forward to having to sit in a wagon for hours on end?”
Savannah stared up the street. “No. Let’s go.” She wasn’t about to say the real reason: she just wanted to get the ride to the Weavers’ over with. She’d felt awkward around Leo earlier and wasn’t sure why, other than he looked like a Greek god. But what did that have to do with anything?
She looped her arm around Parthena’s and they continued down the street.
Leo pulled on his boots in the room he shared with Daniel, who was elsewhere. He’d overslept and wondered why no one had wakened him. It must be seven o’clock – why let him sleep in?
He went downstairs where Aunt Betsy and her daughter in-law Charlotte had coffee and breakfast waiting for him. “Good morning,” he mumbled.
Charlotte smiled. “Good morning, Leo. How did you sleep?”
“Fine, as always.” He sat and took the cup she offered. “Where’s Daniel?”
“Checking on the horses. I think he was going to speak to Sheriff Riley when the sheriff gets to town.”
Leo nodded and sipped his coffee. It was good. “And the Cookes?”
“I have no idea,” said Aunt Betsy. “We haven’t seen hide nor hair of them this morning.”
“They might be breakfasting at Hank’s,” he said.
“They might be sleeping in.” Charlotte set a plate of eggs, bacon and fried potatoes in front of him. “Eat up.”
“Thank you.” He said a quick prayer then dug into the potatoes. “I’m sure the Cookes wish to rest today.”
“As would I after that long journey,” Aunt Betsy said. “Remember when the Dunnigans came with Harrison and Sadie years ago? Granted, they were older, but they needed a few days before heading out to the farm. I wouldn’t be surprised if Colin and Belle want two days.”
Leo made a face. “Two? We can’t spare two – we need to get back.”
“If you say so, but I’d consider it for their sakes.” Aunt Betsy sat at the table with a cup of coffee. “So what do you think of Savannah?”
Leo fought the urge to sigh. “Not a lot.”
“Land sakes, you mean you don’t think she’s changed?”
“Of course, she has, as has her cousin. I’m just not thinking a lot about her.”
Aunt Betsy sipped her coffee and set it down. “They’re both beautiful.”
“It’s a shame they couldn’t have supper with us last night,” Charlotte said. “I hope Belle’s headache is better.”
Aunt Betsy laughed. “I hope no one ordered the beef stew when Colin decided to get something from Hank’s and bring it to their rooms to eat.”
Charlotte smiled. “Still, I’d like to see them today. Why don’t we invite them for lunch?”
“Good idea,” Betsy said. “We could make a nice soup.”
“I’ll fetch the ingredients.” Charlotte began to leave the room.
“Wait,” Leo said. “Why not let them decide what they want to do?”
“Oh, I suppose you’re right.” Aunt Betsy conceded. “But it would be nice to entertain them, at least for one meal.”
“Perhaps supper?” Charlotte suggested.
“Don’t make plans,” Leo insisted. “Talk to them first.”
Aunt Betsy frowned. “You sure know how to take the fun out of things, you know that?”
He smiled. “I’m just trying to allow them some time to themselves, that’s all.”
“Fine.” Aunt Betsy left the table. “I guess I’d better help Matthew open up the store.”
“Are you sure?” Charlotte said. “I can help him.”
“No, you clean up in here.”
Leo was glad for the change of subject. He didn’t want to talk about Savannah. Everyone assumed he would get calf-eyed over her. He wondered if Belle felt well enough to dine with the Quinns today. Should they take the extra time for her to feel better? But an extra day in town meant more time for folks to try and push him and Savannah together. He didn’t like it and shouldn’t stand for it, though part of him didn’t want to disappoint his family, especially his oldest sister Bella. She wanted him to marry and marry well once he was ready.
But was he? He was in no better position than Arturo when he married Rayne a few years ago. And if he did marry now, he’d have to