Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,7
quiet, sweetness,” Colin said. “Is there something on your mind?”
“No, I’m just … I don’t know.”
“Worried? Is that why you’re twisting your hair?”
Parthena noted her finger next to her face. She’d been twisting a lock that had escaped its pins. She removed her hand and sighed. “Father, why do things have to change?”
“Change?”
She shrugged. “Marriage, babies, growing older.”
“Oh, dear.” He put an arm around her. “Well, that’s the nature of things. You don’t want to live with your mother and me forever, do you? Don’t you want a family of your own one day?”
“Yes, but … what if I never find anyone to love?”
“Come now, sweetness. There are plenty of young men in Clear Creek …”
“But I’m not interested in any of them.”
“Not even Bernard or Radley O’Hare?”
“Especially not the O’Hares.”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re … well, I just don’t feel anything when I’m around them.”
“You’re not attracted to either one?”
“Oh, they’re handsome enough. But don’t you have to feel something here?” She put her hand over her heart. “Didn’t you feel something more than physical attraction with Mother?”
“I dare say, I did. My, what a time that was. I would do anything to be near her. She was so … so …”
“Irresistible?”
“That she was.” He stood. “Come, walk with me to the sheriff’s office.”
She hopped off the bed and set her book down. “Should I leave the door unlocked?”
“I don’t see that it would hurt. Nowhere doesn’t seem like the place to have outlaws robbing hotel rooms.”
She smiled and followed him out. Indeed, the town was about as exciting as Clear Creek – that is to say, not at all. At least there were more people here with more outlying farms and ranches. She wouldn’t mind seeing the area. She knew there was one other farm on the way to the Weavers, and had she heard correctly that it had a winery?
They reached the sheriff’s office and found Spencer sitting out front. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Cooke.” He smiled at Parthena. “And his lovely daughter. Your youngest, as I recall?”
“That is correct,” Colin said with a smile. “We can’t wait to see Clinton. I’m here to tell you that my wife would love to accept your …”
“There you are, Mr. Cooke!”
Colin and Parthena turned in time to see an older woman fast approaching.
“Good morning, Mother,” Spencer said reluctantly.
“Ah, Mrs. Riley,” Colin said as she reached them. “Just the person I was going to ask about.”
“Oh?” She smiled, glanced at Parthena and back. “Where is your lovely wife?”
“Lying down. I’m afraid the journey here left her worse for wear. But she’s much better this morning. When Parthena relayed Spencer’s message about paying you a visit, she perked right up.”
“She did?” Mrs. Riley gushed. “How lovely!” She smiled at Parthena. “You’ll come too, won’t you, dear? Why, you could all come to supper. Tell the Weavers they’re invited too.”
“We would be delighted, as I’m sure they will be as well,” Colin said. “Indeed, we’d love to see a little more of the countryside.”
“Is there anyone else is with you?” Mrs. Riley asked.
“Harrison and Sadie’s daughter Savannah.”
“Oh, yes, lovely girl, looks just like her mother,” Mrs. Riley smiled at Parthena. “You’re lovely too, dear.”
Parthena smiled back. She was always second to Savannah in looks, it seemed. People tended to tack on a quick compliment to be polite before going back to speaking about her cousin.
“Are you hoping for a match?” Mrs. Riley asked.
“Beg pardon?” Colin said.
“Between Savannah and, say, one of the Cucinotta men?”
“Mother,” Spencer said. “There’s only one Cucinotta bachelor left on the Weaver farm and you know it.”
“Oh, so there is!” she said with a smile. “Well, I think Leonardo and Savannah would make a lovely couple. Do you need any help with the wedding? Betsy Quinn and I would love to be of service.”
Colin laughed and held up his hands. “Let’s not rush things. The young people have to spend some time with each other first. They might discover they have very little in common.”
“That would be a shame. But then Spencer and Elle had never met before they married.”
That caught Parthena’s attention. “She was a mail-order bride?”
“Yes, dear, she was,” Mrs. Riley said. “As was Clayton’s wife Summer.”
“He’s your older brother, right?” Parthena asked Spencer.
“Yes indeed. So what time would you like to head to the farm?”
Colin exchanged a look with her. “What do you think, sweetness? Should we fetch your mother and let her decide?”
“Where is your wife?” Mrs. Riley asked then tapped her head with a finger.