Leonardo (Romancing the Weavers #5) - Kit Morgan Page 0,2

head that something was going on between him and Savannah Cooke. They couldn’t be further from the truth. He hadn’t seen her since she came to Nowhere with Max and Lucy and Catarina. Since then his brother Arturo and his sister Mel had married. Arturo got himself a mail-order bride and Savannah’s brother Clinton married Mel. Two of his siblings were now married to Cookes.

Arturo and Mel were still on the Weaver farm, but their older siblings Rufina, Alfonso and Lucy lived elsewhere. That alone was enough to make him think. He was barely twenty, still living with Calvin and Bella, their three sons and his youngest sibling Gabriella. The place seemed practically empty after Mel and Clinton moved out. Having only seven people in the house after being almost twice that for so many years was strange.

Daniel waved his hand in front of Leo’s face. “Have ya heard a word I said?”

Leo smacked his hand away. “Yes, I hear you. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”

Daniel laughed. “If ya don’t know, yer not as bright as I thought ya were.”

Leo glared at him.

“Don’t gimme that look. Just ‘cause you and Savannah ain’t written back and forth like the others don’t mean sparks won’t fly when she gets off that stage. Young ladies grow into women pretty fast, ya know.”

Leo covered his ears. “Please stop.”

Daniel laughed. “And what d’ya think she’s gonna do when she gets an eyeful of you?” He elbowed him in the ribs. “Ya certainly filled out in all the right places. If Bella, Rufi or Lucy were men, they’d look like ya.”

Leo rolled his eyes and turned on the wagon seat. “I don’t need to be reminded I’m short.”

Daniel laughed again. “I meant, yer a mighty handsome fella, Leo. I know ya don’t think so, but ya are. And that beard and mustache of yers makes ya look mighty dashing. Why, the last time we went to town even Mrs. Davis commented, remember?”

“She was only making conversation. She’s the postmistress – she talks to everyone.”

“Don’t matter if she runs the post office or not, she speaks her mind. What was it she said … oh, yeah.” Daniel switched to a high-pitched Southern accent. “‘Why, Leonardo, if Charlotte were your age, I think I’d have to marry her off to you.’”

Leo cringed at his imitation of Nellie Davis. She wasn’t the only matron in town to say such things – including the bit about their daughter’s age. There were no women of marriageable age in Nowhere or nearby. If he wanted a bride, he’d either have to leave the area or send away for one as Arturo had. Calvin and Bella insisted he wait and see how this visit with Colin and Belle progressed. Savannah was coming so she could visit her brother and see Harold. It was perfect. Or so everyone said.

But he hadn’t seen Savannah in so long, and the last time he got the distinct impression he was annoying her. Maybe he was and she was too polite to say so. Well, he’d soon find out.

Daniel brought the wagon to a halt in front of Quinn’s Mercantile, where Aunt Betsy was sweeping the porch steps. “Why, Daniel, Leo – so good to see you! The stage hasn’t arrived yet. You have time to put your things away, then get on down to the sheriff’s office.”

Both men jumped down, gathered their things from the wagon bed and went up the steps. “Good to see you too, Aunt Betsy.” Daniel gave her a peck on the cheek. “Ma sent a few hats along.”

“She did? That’s wonderful. Hats always sell good in the spring.” She looked at Leonardo. “I swear you get more handsome every time I see you. Give your auntie a kiss.”

Leo dutifully gave her a kiss on the cheek. She wasn’t his aunt by blood, but that made little difference – everyone considered the Weavers, Cucinottas and Quinns a single family. Including the Weavers, Cucinottas and Quinns. “Bella made a dress for you to sell as well.”

“Wonderful!” She glanced at the wagon bed and back. “Nothing from Rayne?”

“She doesn’t feel her sewing is good enough yet,” Leo told her. “Personally, I think the dresses she’s made are bellissima.”

“She’s a perfectionist like Bella and my sister Mary. How are she and Harlan doing?”

“Ma’s fine, and so’s Harlan,” Daniel said. “We’ll take these inside, then mosey on over to the sheriff’s to wait for the stage. Then we got some letters to mail.”