Page 15 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

Thursday evening, Sarah rode to Jake’s with Hazel.

“These events are lifesavers for me,” Hazel said. “I’m hoping Gage will be there. He’s someone I’m interested to get to know better.”

“I like him. He was very helpful in my adopting Luke,” said Sarah.

She, herself, hoped to see Aaron. Surprisingly, she hadn’t heard anything from him since they’d talked outside the café.

This would be the last gathering before the town would be swept up with Halloween parties or, like her, ensuring the younger children had a wonderful time.

When Sarah and Hazel arrived at Jake’s, their regular tables were pretty crowded. Sarah realized Aaron wasn’t among them, and her heart fell.

Hazel went to sit by Gage, and Sarah found an empty chair by Blake, who was talking quietly to Poppy. She continued to look around the table.

Tessa gave her a little wave. “I had a great time with your friend, Aaron. He took me for a canoe ride on the lake like I asked him, and he saved my life. I’m not kidding. I’ll never be able to thank him enough.”

“What happened?” Sarah asked, forcing herself to speak calmly. Aaron with Tessa?

Tessa told the whole group how, after arranging for Aaron to spend the afternoon with her on the lake, she’d tried to switch places with him in the canoe and they’d tipped over.

“Aaron jumped in and saved me because I wasn’t wearing a life jacket.

He was my hero, truly wonderful. I’d wanted a real experience with a real native and got it. ”

Sarah stared in disbelief at Tessa’s words. What had Aaron been thinking when he’d agreed to go out with her? Of all the people in the group, Tessa was the one person she didn’t trust. There was something about her that didn’t ring true. And that talk of a native? What was that all about?

Now, Tessa was announcing that she was considering buying a house in The Meadows. Did social directors make that much money?

Sarah glanced at Melissa who was subtly shaking her head.

Frowning, Sarah looked up as Aaron walked over to the group and took the only empty seat left, the one next to Tessa.

He smiled at her and then look confused when Tessa beamed at him and said, “I told everyone how you saved me.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Aaron.

“You know, after I tipped the canoe, you carried me to shore,” said Tessa.

“You could have walked to shore yourself in the shallow water, but you flailed around so much it was quicker to just carry you. The water is cold this time of year.” Though he spoke calmly, I could tell from the twitching of his left eye that he was very annoyed.

Telling the truth was a basic moral code for him.

A little flustered, Tessa said, “Well, I was awfully glad you were there.”

Gage took the following moment of quiet to ask, “How’s Luke doing with you and the girls, Sarah.”

“He’s wonderful, the best dog ever,” said Sarah.

“My Dachshund, Mindy, would tell you she was the best,” said Whitney giving her a challenging look.

“How about my dog, Pirate?” teased Dani. “Aaron gave him to me from the pups he’d raised.”

The earlier tension was broken by bouts of laughter as owners shared stories of their dogs.

“Gage, the competition is fierce. You might have more adoptions to make,” said Hazel, grinning at him.

He returned her smile. “It’s always a rewarding feeling to see an animal find a forever home.”

“How about cats?” said Poppy. “My tiger is the sweetest.”

Gage looked at Sarah. “The girls might like to have some kittens. I don’t think Luke would be a problem with them.”

Sarah laughed. “One change at a time.” She couldn’t help glancing at Aaron, but he was saying something to Tessa.

Seeing them together, Sarah stood. “I’ve got to be going.

I’m glad we all had a chance to get together, so I can invite you to stop by the store for the Halloween celebrations we’ll have going on.

During and after the walk for the kids, we’ll be offering drinks and hors d’oeuvres for the grown-ups. ”

“That sounds like fun,” said Beth Beckman. Her husband, Garth, and his family owned Beckman Lumber. They had two children who would be old enough to love seeing all the sights.

Sarah and Hazel exchanged looks and she realized Hazel was glad to have some time with Gage without having to take Sarah home.

Just as she reached the front door to Jake’s, Aaron came up behind her. “Wait. I didn’t get a chance to talk to you. May I walk you home?”

“Okay, sure. The girls have a Halloween party at school tomorrow, and I know we’ll be up early. That’s why I had to leave.”

Aaron’s dark gaze met her. “You don’t have to explain to me. C’mon. Let’s go.”

Outside, the air smelled of leaves and smoke from fireplaces and something that was uniquely the lake.

They walked down the sidewalk keeping pace with one another. As they strode together, Sarah let out a sigh. It felt right to be with him. She realized how jealous she’d felt when Tessa started talking about her date with Aaron, and turned to look at him.

He swept her hand up in his. “How are those changes going?”

“I’ve decided to go back to my grief group.”

“Khalil Gibran is famous for this quote: ‘ Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.’ I’ve always liked it. Everyone needs a dream to move towards.” He stopped and lifted her chin. “I have my dreams too.”

Sarah closed her eyes as his arms wrapped around her. She clung to him, feeling as if he was the one person who’d understood better than anyone how she’d struggled.

When they pulled apart, she reached up and tucked a strand of dark hair behind his ear. “Do you remember our times together in high school? How unique they were?

“We’re meant to be together. I knew it when we met. Who else would’ve accepted me so quickly?”

“Or me?” Sarah said. “We were an odd couple back then, so different from some of our friends. We both loved poetry and reading together and sometimes lying on the rock by the lake just listening to the sounds around us.”

“You made me realize it was okay to be different. I love the Collister family and am grateful to them. But it was you who made me feel as if I belonged here.”

Sarah studied him, her heart pounding with promise. “I heard what you were telling me the other day about changes coming from within. I want you to know I’m really trying to let the past be today’s memory and move forward.”

“That’s what I want for you,” said Aaron.

Taking hold of her hand again, they walked in silence. As usual, words weren’t necessary between them. It had always been that way.

###

The next morning, as Sarah had predicted, the girls were up early, excited to get into their costumes for the school’s Halloween celebration. Emily had chosen to be a fairy. Mia wanted to be a chef.

“Let’s eat a healthy breakfast and then you can get dressed. It’s going to be a lot of fun today, but we must get off to a good start,” said Sarah fully aware of what a sugary day it was going to be.

“Is Luke going to wear his special hat today?” asked Mia.

“No, that’s for tomorrow at the store,” said Sarah, chuckling when she noticed a look of what she thought of as relief cross Luke’s face. The dog continued to show extraordinary patience with the girls.

Finally, after getting everything in order, costumes on the girls, and packing favorite vegetable treats for school, Sarah, Luke, and the girls left the house for school in her SUV.

The drop-off spot for the girls was filled with parents and over-excited children. Teachers, dressed as assorted characters, tried to make order out of chaos.

Grinning at some of the costumes everyone wore, Sarah was delighted that her mother had made the girls their costumes. Halloween was not her favorite holiday, and the thought of creating costumes was nightmarish.

Luke waited in the car, his nose pressed to the car window, as Sarah carried her treats inside.

When she returned, he wiggled with happiness. Loving the feeling of being special, she got in the car and accepted the licks he gave her on the cheek.

###

At the store, Sarah showed photos she’d taken of Mia and Emily in costume to both her parents. “It’s such an exciting time for them. Thank you, Mom, for making their costumes. They looked adorable.”

Her mother placed an arm around Sarah. “I’m delighted that you’re back in town with the girls. It’s where you belong.”

“Thanks. I think so, too. I’ve invited all my friends to stop by tomorrow for the Halloween Walk. I told them we’d have drinks and hors d’oeuvres for the adults.”

“We’re usually not that fancy, but I’ll order some appetizers from the café. They’ve posted a sign about ordering treats. Hopefully, I’m not too late.”

“It should be a fun event. April is going to be a big help.”

“She’s a lovely girl. I see such big changes in her already. And now that her father is staying in town, I think she’ll find she’ll fit in better knowing it’s permanent.”

“Yes, me, too,” said Sarah, still intrigued about some of Blake’s plans.

###

In preparation for the celebration, Sarah and her father moved things around in the store to make room for visitors by expanding the check-out area.

They set up two cornhole games in the front display window of the store.

That’s where kids would play the game and win prizes.

It would be fun for them, and entertaining for the people watching them from outside, where a refreshment stand was set up.

Both the check-out area and the stand would have adult beverages as well as treats for any age.

Bullard’s Hardware store wasn’t the only store doing this.

Main Street would be closed to traffic by late afternoon so all could participate.

Even the tiniest of shops would have decorated windows and treats to give away.

Whitney’s husband, Nick, would be on patrol with his staff, to make sure the safety of the group was assured.

Later, Sarah went home to make sure her girls were taking a nap. Hazel had offered to watch them, but Sarah knew if they didn’t rest before the event, they’d turn into cranky monsters.

At the front door, Hazel greeted her with a finger to her lips.

“They’re sleeping?” whispered Sarah, hugging Hazel. “Thank you.” She held up a brown bag. “I brought you a sandwich, your favorite chicken one, from the café. Want to sit and have lunch with me?”

“Thanks. I’d love to.” Hazel beamed at her. “Gage asked me to join him tonight for the festivities. I’m so excited.”

“Sweet,” said Sarah. “What happened after I left the group at Jake’s the other night?”

“Everyone is excited about the Halloween events. Tessa pouted because she had to work at the Inn. But she said she’d come to town as soon as she could.

Most everyone else is planning on being there, including Aaron.

” Hazel gave her a penetrating look. “What’s going on with him and Tessa? It all seemed weird to me.”

“I don’t think it’s serious,” said Sarah. “She really exaggerated the episode on the lake. It isn’t the only time she’s done that. Now, she’s talking about buying a home at The Meadows?”

“I don’t understand. Is she rich?” asked Hazel. “She’s got to have a story behind her.”

“I think so too, but I’m not going to worry about it. I have a feeling she’s here to look for a man. You must admit, the group of single men here may be small, but they’re all likeable. And successful, in their own way.”

“True. Maybe that blurb on social media about great towns for singles has something to do with her wanting to be here.”

“The one on Instagram?” Sarah asked. “I heard about it but never saw it.”

“Whatever the reason, I’m going to keep an eye on Tessa,” said Hazel. “Now, let me tell you about Gage.” A huge smile spread across her face. “He walked me to my car, and he kissed me .”

“And?”

“And it was nice,” said Hazel. “We agreed we’d meet up tonight for the festivities.”

“He seems like a really sweet guy,” said Sarah. “He was dating someone before he moved here. But I don’t know anything about it.”

“I intend to find out,” said Hazel. “My mother would like the idea of me dating a doctor.”

Her eyes twinkled with humor. “She doesn’t have to know all his patients are animals.”

They laughed together.

After Hazel left, Sarah went to lay down. She liked being by herself, thinking about her life, her plans, her determination to embrace thinking of herself in a completely different way.