Page 19 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

A couple of days later, after thanking Aaron for his continued concern, Sarah helped her father enter her parents’ house and was thrilled to see that he moved well.

A physical therapist had helped him with exercises that made mobility easier.

His usual jovial mood, however, was impaired by the constant questions he had about the store.

Sarah felt trapped between her parents’ wishes. Her father wanted information and her mother wanted him to stay away from anything to do with the store. After she got her father settled on the couch, she faced both her parents.

“I know you, Dad, are concerned about the business. There’s no need.

I’ve talked to the staff, including Wyatt and April, and they’re all willing to put more hours into the store for the holiday season.

I’ve also asked Dani Collister to step in to help us.

She’ll handle a lot of the sales you used to handle.

Things pertaining to construction. She’s thrilled to help out during this quiet time for her. ”

“What about the girls? If you’re going to be spending more time at the store, who’s going to help out with them?” asked her mother.

“I may still rely on you at night,” said Sarah.

“But GG Wittner found me a babysitter through the assisted living facility. A nice, older woman named Lucille Nordby. She’s staying at The Woodlands because her much older husband needed to be there.

She, herself, is bored and wants to get out and do something.

She’s physically able to handle the girls. ”

“Oh, my! You’ve been busy,” said her mother.

“Yes, I didn’t want you to worry about anything. That will get us through the holidays, and then we’ll make more permanent arrangements as you prepare to go to Florida,” said Sarah.

“What about the financial records?” asked her mother. “I can train someone to take over for me.”

“That person would be me,” said Sarah. “I know a lot about it but would feel better if you had time to train me thoroughly.”

“Sarah, I’m really proud of you,” said her father.

“Me, too,” added her mother. “It’s what we always wanted.”

“One step at a time,” said Sarah, aware neither of her parents were simply going to walk away from their business. But this time of recovery and subsequent trip to Florida would make it easier on all of them.

###

Sarah brought the girls over to her parents’ house so they could see their PopPop.

Watching them give him hugs and the drawings each had made brought sentimental tears to her eyes. They were very gentle with him as she’d requested.

On the way home, Mia and Emily asked a lot of questions about their grandfather being sick. Sarah kept the details simple but explained that both he and their grandmother would need lots of rest.

Later, back at the house, Sarah overheard Mia and Emily tell Luke that their PopPop needed lots of rest so he could get better. The girls loved their dog so much and wanted to keep him informed.

###

Sarah had interviewed Lucille Nordby at the assisted living facility before she introduced her to the girls. But today was the first one where Lucille would pick up Emily and Mia at their preschool, take them home, and watch them until Sarah got home from the store, which closed at six.

Ms. Lucy, as the girls called her, was important to the plans for the store’s future. Standing at five foot three, she was a bundle of energy in a well-maintained body that had enough curves to appear comforting. Her hair was dyed blond and went well with her fair coloring and still youthful face.

Anxious to see how the afternoon went, Sarah left the store in a hurry.

Luke met her at the door wagging his tail, and as she patted him, she inhaled a delicious aroma of something cooking. Chicken perhaps.

Lucy walked out of the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind. Mia said she was hungry, and I thought I’d surprise you with dinner.”

“Oh, thank you so much!” cried Sarah, giving her a hug. “I dreaded the thought of having to prepare it.”

Laughing, Lucy said, “The food at The Woodlands is very good, but I like to mess around in the kitchen. It’s something I’ve missed doing since my husband and I came to the assisted living facility.

Unfortunately, he’s living in the special memory care area for Alzheimer’s patients while I have my own room in the main building.

It was the best compromise I could think of. But it has its drawbacks.”

“You’ll eat with us, won’t you?” said Sarah taking in deep breaths to inhale the smell of the dinner.

“I’d like that,” said Lucy, taking off an apron Sarah had tucked in a drawer and never worn.

“Where are the girls?” asked Sarah.

“In their rooms. I gave them each a board book to read,” said Lucy.

“How nice,” said Sarah. “Let me get them, and we’ll eat right away, unless you want to take the time for a glass of wine.”

“A glass of wine sounds lovely,” said Lucy. She held up a finger. “But I promise you I’d never drink on the job. It’s only because I’m with you that I’m doing it now.”

“Understood. I’ll say hello to the girls and then pour us each a glass. This calls for a celebration.”

Lucy laughed. “I’ll set my place at the table.”

Sarah returned to the kitchen, poured two glasses of pinot grigio, and led Lucy into the living room, where they sat on the couch facing the fire Sarah had turned on in the fireplace.

“How did you do with the girls today? Were they ready to go home with you? Any trouble?”

Lucy shook her head. “They’re lovely children. And so interesting. They really do seem to know what the other is thinking.”

“They get along well, with only a few squabbles natural for siblings,” said Sarah. “I work very hard to call them by name and treat them the way they want to be treated. Mia is more outgoing, but Emily knows what she wants.”

“Yes, I can see that,” said Lucy.

“Do you want to extend your duties to making dinner three nights a week? I think five would be too many, don’t you?”

“Yes,” said Lucy. “We’ve only discussed my working for you during the week. Now, with your parents thinking of leaving for Florida after the holidays, we could talk about the weekends. I have a friend who might be willing to share weekends with me.”

“Another woman at The Woodlands?” Sarah asked.

“Yes. She and I go to our gym class together. She misses her grandchildren and would like to earn a little money for extras.”

“Write down her information, and I will do a background check on her.”

“It’s so endearing that Genie Witner wanted to make sure I’d do a good job for you,” said Lucy. “I guess that’s how it works in a small town.”

“Lilac Lake is a very special place,” said Sarah.

###

After Lucy left, Sarah drew a bath for the girls and spent some time talking to them about their day.

“How do you like Ms. Lucy?” she asked.

“She’s nice,” said Emily. “She gave us books.”

“And she read to us,” Mia said. “Now we know how to read them.”

Sarah chuckled. Mia loved memorizing words.

“Ms. Lucy will be picking you up from school every day. She may even help out over the weekends. We’ll have to see. Would you like that?”

Both girls smiled, and a small part of Sarah relaxed. She wanted to get as much organized at the store as possible before her parents left town.

A few days later, her mother called. “I know you like to meet your friends at Jake’s on Saturdays. I need a break. How about my babysitting the girls at your house so you can join them?”

“That would be wonderful,” said Sarah, delighted. “I haven’t seen my friends in a while.”

“Why don’t you count on me to babysit for Saturday evenings and for your grief counseling meetings? I’ve missed my girls.”

“How is it going, Mom?” Sarah asked. “I know Dad needs to have quiet, restful times as well as his physical therapy. But has his attitude changed?”

“A little,” her mother admitted. “He’s used to being in the middle of things. This recovery time is difficult for him because he feels well even though there is still some numbness in his feet. It makes him more cautious. And his patience is worn thin at times.”

“My daytime babysitter, Lucy, is terrific. I’ll try to stop by and visit Dad more often, keep him updated on the store,” said Sarah.

“That would be very helpful, dear. Oops! Gotta go! Your father is calling me.”

Sarah ended the call and sat a moment thinking of her parents. Even though they were struggling a bit, they remained optimistic about the future. That’s what had been taken away from her after Jesse’s suicide.