Page 11 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

As soon as Sarah woke up in the morning, feeling groggy from a restless sleep, she lay in bed, planning her day. From this moment on, she was going to make her life her own. First, she needed to call her mother.

Sarah got out of bed, made herself a cup of coffee, and then picked up her phone. She was tired of listening to other people tell her what she should and should not do.

“Hi, Mom. I was wondering if you could keep the girls with you all day for me. I have a number of projects to take care of, and I can’t do them if they’re with me.”

“Of course, dear,” said her mother. “The girls have had a delightful time playing ‘dress-up.’ And I can take them to the movies this afternoon. Even if they can’t sit still for most of the show, it will be something different for them, and it will get me out of the house.”

“Thanks. You don’t know how much I appreciate it,” gushed Sarah. “You’re the best Mimi ever.”

Her mother laughed. “It’s exhausting work, but I love them so much. What are you going to be doing?"

"We’ll talk later. I’m about to leave the house now,” she fibbed. She didn’t want anyone to interfere with her day.

Sarah fixed herself a slice of wheat toast and another cup of coffee and sat down to write a list of things to get done. Just before she left the kitchen to take a shower, she made a phone call to Gage Martens, a local veterinarian.

Satisfied that she was ready to begin her day, Sarah showered and dressed, then headed out.

Her first stop was to visit Gage. He lived on a small farm outside of town and was in charge of the animal rescue center.

She’d always wanted a dog. The girls had been asking for one, and now was the time to make her move.

Jesse had refused to let her have a dog in the house.

But with her new attitude toward her life, nobody could stop her.

Gage was fairly new to town, and with his hot body, brown hair, and butterscotch eyes, he had most eligible females suddenly thinking of owning a pet.

Sarah drove into the parking lot of the animal rescue center feeling optimistic. Gage had encouraged her to think of an older dog, not a puppy, and had told her he had one in mind.

She got out of the car and headed inside. The noise of barking dogs hit her ears, and she wondered if she should’ve asked about a cat instead.

But when Gage walked into the waiting area with a golden retriever on a lease, she knew she’d been right.

“Hello,” said Gage. “Meet Luke. He’s five years old and is as easygoing as a dog can be.

His owner, a single woman, was heartbroken to have to leave him behind looking for a new home, but she’s unexpectedly moving to New York City and couldn’t take the dog with her.

I assured her I’d find a good home for him. ”

Sarah knelt on the floor and called softly to Luke to come. He, not she, would decide if he was right for them.

Gage let go of the leash and Luke ambled over to her, sniffed her hand, and then moved closer. Tearing up, Sarah said softly, “I have two little girls just waiting for someone like you. Me, too.”

He seemed to know what she was saying, swiped her cheek with his tongue, and then lay down in front of her, staring up at her with warm brown eyes.

Sarah threw her arms around his neck, and he inched closer, wagging his tail.

“He’s beautiful,” said Sarah, smiling up at Gage before rising.

Luke sat at her feet, looking up at her with a hopeful expression as he wagged his tail.

“Do you want to come home with me?” Sarah said.

Luke barked.

“Well, that’s settled then,” said Gage, pleased. “He’s chipped, neutered, housebroken, and had all his shots. I’ve checked him over carefully, and he is in perfect health and ready to go.”

“I’ll go ahead and sign papers and pay. But I need you to keep him here until later today. Is that possible? I want to get everything ready at home for him. Did his owner leave any of his favorite things here?”

Gage chuckled. “Oh, yes. He has a special blanket he sleeps on and a few favorite toys. But it wouldn’t hurt to get some things of your own to help make the transition. You told me you have a fenced yard and will make sure he gets proper exercise.”

“Oh, yes,” she said.

“One more thing, which is why I think he’s perfect for you. He was used to going to the owner’s office with her. He might want to go to work with you. Is that something you’d consider doing with him?”

“Yes,” Sarah exclaimed. “That would be fun. He’d have plenty of space there, and I’m sure the customers would like him.”

“That’s what I figured,” said Gage, giving her a satisfied grin. “He’s a beautifully trained dog, and with his personality, he should make the transition easily.”

###

After signing papers and paying the fee, Sarah patted Luke on the head. “Don’t worry, boy, I’ll be back to take you home. I know two little girls who are going to be thrilled.”

Luke whined and wagged his tail, and though Sarah wished she could take him with her, she had to make sure she and the girls were ready for him.

Her second stop was the charity store, where she dropped off the bags of items that she’d decided to get rid of. She reminded herself that it was another way to start fresh.

Then Sarah headed out to do some shopping. She had some money saved up for a weekend escape she’d promised herself, but decided this was a better way to spend it.

Later, she put the last of her shopping bags into the back of the car and headed home to put it all in place.

When she’d made the move to town, she’d sentimentally clung to furnishings and decorative items from her marriage.

Now, they, too, would be given to charity.

It was, as she repeated to herself, time for something new.

Smiling at the idea, Sarah stopped at the animal shelter and picked up Luke who happily jumped into her car. She wanted him to have time to get used to the house before the girls came home.

As she drove, she couldn’t help laughing. Luke sat up in the seat looking ahead as if he was her backseat driver.

“Ah, Luke. You’re going to be exactly what our little family needs,” she said, pulling into her driveway.

Sarah opened the back door of the car and let him out, giving him a few moments on the leash to sniff around the small front yard before leading him inside the house and then outside to the back yard.

She left the sliding glass door in the kitchen open so Luke could come and go as he wished. Then she went to the car to get her purchases.

After several trips, she was ready to begin work inside.

The first thing she did was to wash the quilt covering her bed so it could be given away, along with the two decorative matching pillows. She put the bedside lamp into a box, to be replaced with the new contemporary lamp that better matched the pale-rose linen duvet and flowery shams.

She’d splurged and bought new bath towels to match the color-scheme of the bedding, The old towels were in excellent shape and could be used in the girls’ bathroom.

In the living room, she changed a few things around, replaced other pieces like bowls that had no meaning, added baskets to hold books and other items the girls used, and put a new silk plant in a corner to dress up the room.

While she was working, Luke came inside. Sarah pulled a new dog bed out of a bag and looking at him, she said, “Shall we put this in the kitchen where you can see everything?”

He followed her as she placed it by the stationary end of the sliding-glass door. “There. You have some sunshine. What do you think?”

Luke wagged his tail and sniffed it carefully before turning around and around and lying down in it.

She got out dog dishes for him and filled one with water, putting it in an open space at the end of the counter. She watched him lick some water and then he looked up at her, wagging his tail.

“Oh, Luke. You’re going to have so much love here in your new home.” She rubbed his ears, and chuckled when he gave her a doggy smile.

She went outside with him and watched as he sniffed every corner of the yard. He went over to the swing set near the house and sniffed it too.

“The girls are going to love you,” said Sarah. “I’m going to get them now. Come. You need to wait inside until I bring them to you.”

Sarah cleaned up the mess in the living room, closed the doors to her bedroom, told Luke she’d be right back, and went to the car to pick up the girls.

###

On the way home, both girls were talking at once. “What’s the surprise? Is it big? No, it’s small, isn’t it?

“I want to see it first,” said Mia, uncharacteristically selfish.

“The surprise is for all of us to share. His name is Luke, and he’s a big dog you’ll love. He’s very friendly and very loving. You must be kind to him.”

“A dog! Really?” said Emily, bursting into tears. “We’ve always wanted a dog.”

“He’s ours?” asked Mia.

“Yes, his name is Luke. I’m telling you now so when you come into the house, you’ll allow him time to meet you. He’s lived with someone else. We’re giving him a new home. We need to be very gentle, very kind to him. Understand?”

She pulled into the driveway and looked in the rearview mirror for their agreement.

Both girls were nodding their heads, looking serious.

“Okay,” said Sarah. “Please follow me to the front door. We’ll greet him there.”

“Hurry,” said Emily tugging Sarah’s hand.

The girls stood quietly behind her as she unlocked the door. When she opened it, Luke was at the door growling softly.

When he saw her, he wiggled his tail, licked her hand, and then, eying the girls carefully, he went over to them and sniffed them.

“He’s yellow,” said Mia.

“And big,” Emily said, holding out her hand to him.

Mia patted him on the head. Then Emily.

Luke wagged his tail and pranced around them in excitement as they walked into the living room. But there was nothing threatening about him.

“Why don’t you girls sit on the floor and let him come to you?” said Sarah, content with how things were going.