Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,54

– you can always see her some other time. But it’s probably going to rain later.”

“Rain?” Parthena looked out the nearest window. “But it’s sunny out.”

“Late spring out here, child, means surprise rain storms. Trust me, there’s a storm coming. I can feel it.”

“Grandpa Jefferson says he can feel the rain coming too.” She poked at her eggs. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back in time to stay dry.”

Parthena finished her breakfast, helped Ma with the dishes and played with Ebba’s children before leaving. “Here, take this with you,” Ma said as she headed for the back door.

“What is it?”

Ma handed her a small bundle. “A little lunch.”

Just then, the back door opened and in walked her parents with Savannah and Leo. “Oh, good,” Savannah said. “You’re here.”

Parthena’s eyes locked with Leo’s and she couldn’t speak. She knew she should have left earlier. Why, oh why?

“Where’s Ebba?” Savannah asked Ma.

“Upstairs, why?”

“I have an announcement to make, and I want you all to be the first to know!” She bounded out of the room and up the stairs.

Everyone watched her go. “My, she looks happy,” Ma commented. She looked at Leo and winked.

Parthena’s heart caught in her throat and her jaw trembled. So this was it. They were going to announce they were courting, or that they were going to marry. She backed toward the door, opened it …

“Parthena,” Leo said. “Don’t go.”

“I … I need to do something. Besides, I already know what you’re going to say.” She gave him a big smile. “I’m happy for you.” Before he could reply, she fled out the door.

“Parthena!” he called after her, but she was running as fast as she could. Let him think what he wanted. Let them all think what they would. She just couldn’t stay another minute. Was she being selfish? Yes, but she needed one good cry to get him out of her system, so when she returned she could congratulate them properly. She had no idea what she’d tell them, but she’d think of something. Besides, it would take all day to let everyone on the farm know, and she had told Ma she wanted to go for a walk. Now more than ever.

Before she knew it, she’d reached the meadow that led to Arlan and Samijo’s. She remembered the trail they took into the woods to the grazing area and the forest beyond that. She’d go there. It was peaceful, and if she happened to run into Clinton and some of the other men with the cattle she’d could just keep going.

Not that all the running in the world could help her now. Her heart was already shattered.

Chapter Eighteen

Leo stood on the back stoop, knowing he should run after her but not before telling the others. Her running off could be nothing, right?

Right. And tomorrow the cattle herd would sprout wings.

“What are you doing?” Savannah asked as she joined him. “Ebba came downstairs to hear our news.”

“Your cousin just ran off. I need to go after her.” He took a step.

Savannah grabbed him by the shoulders. “Let her be. I can guess what’s wrong.”

He turned around. “It’s us, isn’t it?”

“Of course, it is.”

“All the more reason I should go after her.”

Savannah looked at the barn and the woods beyond, then at the orchards. “Which way did she go?”

He pointed. “Toward Arlan’s.”

“Look, let’s at least tell Ma and Harlan, then we can inform your family.”

“But Parthena …”

“… Is fine, trust me.” She looped her arm through his and led him back into the house. “I know my cousin – she’ll mope for a while, then come back and we can tell her too.”

“Mope?”

“She needs time to think about things, process them.”

“Then one of us should tell her …”

“Congratulations!” Ebba went straight to Savannah and gave her a big hug.

“Um, not so fast,” Leo said.

Ebba’s smile faded. “What? Why wait?”

“Parthena’s just run off.” He unhitched his arm from Savannah’s and stuck his hands in his pockets. “I think it’s my fault.” He began to edge toward the door.

“No, it’s not,” Colin said. “I should have had a talk with her yesterday.”

“We both should have,” Belle said. “But how could we? No one knew yesterday.”

“Knew what?” Ma asked as she entered the kitchen.

Savannah grinned. “Leo and I have come to an understanding.”

Ma’s eyes darted to the back door. “Oh?” She walked to the nearest window. “Yep, it’s gonna rain.”

Colin joined her there. “It doesn’t look like it.”

“Look over there,” Harlan said

The three turned and looked west. “By Jove, look at