Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,8
“Dear me, you already told me. I’m so forgetful in my old age.”
“She’s been resting up since we arrived yesterday,” Colin said, “but I know she’d like to visit with you, Mrs. Riley.”
“Oh, come now, you must call me Leona. Is she at the hotel?”
Colin nodded. “You can pay her a visit if you like.”
“I’ll do that.” She lifted her skirt, went down the stairs to the street and headed for the hotel.
Colin laughed. “My, she’s not one to dally, is she?”
“No, she’s not.” Spencer leaned toward him. “Take my advice and keep any talk of weddings to a minimum. Otherwise we’ll have a storm on our hands. My mother and Betsy Quinn are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to getting a bride ready for a wedding. Heck, they’ll have everything planned before Leo thinks about courting.”
Colin laughed again. Parthena didn’t. She felt jealous and didn’t understand why. She had no interest in getting married at the moment, and didn’t want to see Savannah marry and leave the Triple-C. What would she do without her? She’d have no one to talk to, no one to share secrets with, no one to dream with. It would be horrible!
But what could she do? She couldn’t deny Savannah happiness if she found it with Leonardo Cucinotta. Just as Savannah wouldn’t get in the way of romance should she fall for someone. Not that that was likely to happen any time soon, not in Clear Creek. But she wasn’t getting any younger. At least she wasn’t in Adele’s shoes, twenty-five and still unwed. What a travesty if Father and Mother wound up with two spinsters in the house!
Parthena shuddered at the thought as her father continued to speak with Sheriff Riley.
Leo was headed down the boardwalk and stopped short. Colin and his daughter Parthena were speaking with Sheriff Riley. He thought about crossing the street, hoping to go unnoticed, but Parthena made eye contact and waved. He sighed and waved back. If he joined them, someone was bound to comment about Savannah. But if he didn’t, they’d think him rude. He continued toward them, wondering where she was – he hadn’t seen her anywhere. “Good morning,” he greeted them.
“Ah, good,” Colin replied. “Just the man I want to see. We’re going to have supper with the Rileys this evening. Does that work for you?”
“Me?”
“Yes. I’m sure you and Daniel would like to leave at first light.”
He looked at the trio, his eyes settling on Parthena. She had a nice honest face, hazel eyes like her father and, though not as curvy, was about the same height as Savannah, and a few inches shorter than him …
He cleared his throat. He was staring. “If you need another day to rest, we understand.”
“Nonsense. I know you probably want to get back to the farm, and the longer we stay in town the less time we’ll have to visit with your family.”
“True. Shall I tell Daniel we’ll leave in the morning?”
“Please do.” Colin smiled. “Right, Parthena?”
She too was staring – at him! It was the same look every female gave him, a combination of awe and curiosity. Better than some, who gazed at him the way a hungry dog eyes a piece of fried chicken right before he steals it off your plate. But still …
“Er, Parthena?” her father repeated.
“Oh, yes. Tomorrow is fine.” She forced a smile.
Leo studied her. Maybe he didn’t have the same affect on her he did most women. Good. He didn’t want her following him around. He’d been through that the last couple of dances in town, when people’s relatives attended, and it felt like a horse dragging a full wagon behind him. He nodded. “I’ll have everything ready at sunrise. Be prepared to leave then.”
“We’ll be ready,” Colin assured, glancing at the hotel down the street. “Savannah is somewhere around here. Why don’t you go find her for me?”
Parthena bit her lip and looked at the boardwalk.
“Something wrong?” Leo asked.
Her eyes met his. “No. Just wondering where my cousin has gotten to. Don’t worry, she’ll turn up.”
“Why don’t you two make sure she does?” Colin said. “She’s probably at Hank’s getting tea.”
“But Father …”
“Go on. Besides, you look like you could do with a spot of something yourself. Did you take Mrs. Ferguson up on her offer of breakfast this morning?”
She shook her head.
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Leo said in surprise.
“I … wasn’t hungry earlier.”
“Are you now?”
Her stomach rumbled in answer, and Spencer laughed as she turned