“Sociology paper.” I glance over at my laptop to make sure no one’s swiped it before I toss his question back at him. He holds up his book so I can see the title.
“The Lost Colony of Roanoke,” I read aloud. “Is that for one of your classes?”
“No. Just a personal interest.”
Really? Wow. It’s an intriguing mystery, to be sure, how Sir Walter Raleigh’s entire colony of settlers disappeared without a trace in only a couple of years. And if I remember correctly, this all happenedbeforeJamestown. I doubt most people even know about it—only those of us who live in a southeastern coastal state.
“I haven’t been there, but I know the general story.” I don’t admit that I’ve visited the Outer Banks numerous times, but could never be bothered with Roanoke Island. “Have you gone?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you see a re-enactment? I heard they’re pretty good.”
“No. I think they only do those in the summer.”
He scoots a pile of books out of the way and invites me to join him.
I sit down, cross-legged, beside him. “Don’t they think the colonists were killed by the Native Americans?”
“That’s one of the theories.” His pensive look suggests he has other ideas.
“You don’t think so?”
He smiles. “Nothing’s ever that simple.”
The lighting is less shadowy here than in O-Chi’s kitchen. His thick, black eyelashes and perfectly imperfect teeth are clearly visible. I can even make out the subtle cleft in his chin.
Stop staring.
I make myself busy straightening his stacks of books, hoping hedoesn’t notice the color rising on my cheeks. I clear my throat. “What are the other theories?”
“Some think the settlers assimilated with the Croatan, and others say they went further inland and joined the tribes there. Then there are those like this guy,” he taps the book, “who think they all died of starvation or disease.”
“So who do you think is right?” I ask, because I can tell he has an opinion he’d like to share.
And because, oddly, I’d like to hear it.
“I don’t necessarily think the colonists all stayed together. Maybe some of them joined the Croatan, but others might’ve gone inland too.” He suddenly grins. “And maybe a couple tried to swim back to England.”
I’m so startled by his joke that I burst into a laugh, one too loud for a library mouse. I slap a hand over my mouth and glance nervously over my shoulder, afraid a stern old lady might be coming for my knuckles with a ruler.
Leo’s chuckle fades into a smile. “I’m glad you’re talking to me.”
“Why wouldn’t I talk to you?”
“Because I scared you?”
“Only a little.” Not enough to make me stay away from him, even if I probably should.
He shifts his weight and angles himself toward me, drawing me yet again into a warm little bubble. “I was hoping I’d run into you.”
“You were?” I ask, even though I’ve been expecting him to show up at the next O-Chi party, looking for me.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?”
I blush and blurt, “I have a boyfriend.”
“I know.” He gives me one of his half-smiles. “We established that already.”
