Chapter 22
Leo was surprised to find himself as ravenous as his brother had been at breakfast after the short walk from the church to the feast. Maria's aunts had helped her mother put out a remarkable amount of food even for the abundant meals he was used to in Transylvania. Specially cured meats, early spring greens and last year's pickles, and the usual mounds of polenta layered with cheese, covered every surface in the neat, small kitchen. He gladly took the excuse, and Brian's assistance, to eat and avoid conversation as much as he possibly could.
He'd offered to pay for at least part of the food, but Maria's relatives had politely declined. Leo suspected, and hoped, that much of the food was provided by neighbors instead of bought by one small family.
He was thinking of trying to
