Page 2 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

“They’re doing really well. They love it here. Having my parents involved in their lives has been very special.”

“And how are you doing?” Crystal asked quietly. “It’s been just over a year since you returned to Lilac Lake.”

“I’m slowly healing,” Sarah said. “Since my husband’s death, I’ve been seeing a grief counselor, and she’s helped me a lot.

As much as anyone could.” She hadn’t admitted even to Crystal that she couldn’t think of herself as worthy of a man’s love again.

She hadn’t been able to do enough to save her husband.

Crystal broke into the silence. “Recovering from someone’s suicide is a shattering thing for anyone to handle. Please don’t try to do it alone.”

“In this town?” joked Sarah.

Crystal laughed. “I’m so glad you haven’t lost your sense of humor. You were always such fun to be around growing up.”

“I’m trying,” Sarah said honestly. “Thanks for the call. See you Saturday.”

After they finished talking, Sarah sat for a moment, remembering her high school days when she was the one everyone wanted to include because of her upbeat, smiling, laughing manner. If only she could become that person again.

###

Sarah left the store and went to pick up the girls from preschool.

She was lucky that Cherie Downes, a former kindergarten teacher in town, had decided to open a preschool, “Bright Beginnings,” for a limited number of children.

Not everyone who applied for the program was accepted.

Sarah had endured a long interview process about her philosophy on raising children and how much quality time she was able to spend with her girls. She’d passed with flying colors.

Mia and Emily were thrilled that Cherie’s two teenage daughters helped out from time to time. Already, the twins were fussy about what clothes they wanted to wear. Thankfully, they didn’t want to dress alike. Sarah had gone out of her way to encourage them to avoid that routine.

When Sarah arrived at Bright Beginnings, other mothers were picking up their children.

Sarah waved at them but didn’t take the time to talk.

She was anxious to get home. She’d left her cabin in a mess and wanted to have things in order in case Misty Owens or Hazel Belmont decided to drop by.

She’d heard about the cabin for rent through Crystal’s sister, Misty, and had jumped at the opportunity.

She could easily walk to the preschool and to work from there.

When she entered the building, her two little girls ran to her.

“Mommy! Mommy!” they cried together.

Mia held up a paper with the letter “C” on it. “I colored it.”

“Me, too,” said Emily, not to be left out.

“We’ll hang them on the bulletin board,” Sarah said, accepting the artwork. She kept a bulletin board in the kitchen where their art projects rotated from one to the next.

“Mine first,” said Emily, smiling at her sister.

Mia shrugged, not taking the bait for a battle.

Sarah didn’t interfere. She let them work out as many issues as possible on their own, but kept a close eye on them so that things remained equal between them.

On the walk home, the girls chattered about their day at school. Sarah smiled, listening to them. Having been an only child, she had longed for a sister, so seeing her two girls together now brought her happiness.

###

When they entered the cabin, Sarah silently scolded herself for being such a late riser. They’d left in a hurry as usual, and things were chaotic, with beds unmade and dirty dishes in the sink.

She gave the girls a snack, quickly straightened up, and started a load of laundry.

As she worked, she glanced out the windows several times.

The woods leading to the river were filled with birds chirping happily.

She noticed a couple of squirrels running across the grass and knew they were busy storing nuts for the winter.

When Sarah had dated Aaron in high school, he’d made her aware of the wildlife around them, and she’d learned how to identify different birds from their appearance and their songs.

One reason she loved living in the woods was because of Aaron and all he’d taught her to enjoy in nature.

With leaves changing color, it was a gift.

Her parents had insisted on installing a fence in the backyard so the girls could play outside. Although Sarah wanted them to feel free, she understood the danger of the nearby river.

Sarah had talked to her counselor about this very issue. She had to be wise and practical, but she knew she couldn’t become overly protective of the girls because she hadn’t been able to help her husband deal with the depression he’d struggled with for so long.

The doorbell rang, and Sarah hurried to answer it. Living in the same group of cabins as two of her friends gave her easy opportunities to spend time with them.

She opened the door to find Misty Owens standing next to Hazel Belmont. They both taught at the local elementary school. Though she’d known Misty for years, Hazel was new to her. Originally from a town outside New Orleans, her soft, southern accent was charming.

“Come on in. I’ve put the kettle on for tea, unless you'd like something stronger. I have a nice rosé, which my mother discovered a couple of months ago.”

“Wine sounds perfect,” said Misty.

“Yeah, it’s been a tough day,” Hazel said. “I thought I’d love teaching, but it’s much harder than I’d thought.”

“It’s exhausting, but I love it,” said Misty.

Whereas Crystal was a pretty, pale blonde, her sister, Misty, had dark hair and olive skin.

Crystal had watched over Misty from a young age when their own addicted mother couldn’t.

Misty had left town and then returned after an abusive relationship.

Now, she was happily in love with David Graham, who owned Graham Landscaping in town with his father.

Hazel was athletic and active, but she couldn’t shake the southern belle impression with her slow, sugary speech, long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, and her pants and frilly blouse molding to her long-legged, model’s body.

The girls rushed over to greet them.

Tired or not, both women greeted them warmly, asking questions about their day.

Once the three adults were sitting in the kitchen, they relaxed with a glass of wine.

“Are you going to the party on Saturday?” Misty asked Sarah.

“Yes. My mother is taking the girls for me, so I can come and go as I wish.”

“It’s nice to start the fall off with a get-together,” said Hazel.

“There’s no better place to do that than at the Lilac Lake Cottage. It used to be in terrible shape, but the three Gilford sisters have turned it into a stunning place,” said Misty.

“I remember the Gilford girls when they were little. They spent every summer here so they could be here with their grandmother,” said Sarah.

“Their grandmother owned the Lilac Lake Inn for years and recently sold it to an investment group, including Ross Roberts,” Misty explained to Hazel.

“The three Gilford women inherited the cottage with the agreement to fix it up and to occupy it for at least six months of the year. That’s why Taylor stays there for as long as she can. Not a bad rule to have to follow,”

“I heard Taylor will be staying a few weeks while she’s working on a new book,” said Sarah. “Her husband, Cooper, will come from New York City as often as possible. But it gives us women a better chance of getting together with her if she’s here alone.”

“It’s so cool to think we have an author in our midst,” Hazel said.

“We have an interesting group of people our age in town,” Misty added.

“By the way, I saw Aaron Collister this morning from across the street,” said Sarah.

“The last time we were all at Jake’s together, I tried to get him interested in me,” admitted Hazel. “He’s such a sweet man.”

“But?’ asked Sarah.

“He was very polite but not interested,” said Hazel. “I hope some new people come to town because most of the decent single men are taken.”

“I thought you and Mike Dawson were interested in one another,” said Misty. Mike Dawson was a respected tennis player who’d opened the new Sports Center in town with Ross Roberts, the well-known former professional baseball player, who was also part-owner of the Lilac Lake Inn.

Hazel shook her head. “He’s got someone in Florida who works at his tennis camp.”

“Something will work out,” said Sarah. She’d never admit it to anyone, but she was glad Aaron didn’t fall for Hazel. Though nothing would come of it, she still liked how close she felt to him. But maybe that was being selfish on her part. And, heaven knew, he deserved someone much better.

After sitting and chatting for a while, Hazel said, “Anybody going to Jake’s for supper? I want to see if Gabe is working. He’s someone I could go for.”

“I’m not going,” said Misty. “I have to correct some test papers for my students. But, Sarah, if you want to go, I can correct the papers here and watch the girls for you. Now that my precious Sugar has died, I don’t have to get home to take care of a dog anymore.” Her eyes filled.

“I’m so sorry,” said Sarah, giving her a hug. “I know how much you loved her.”

“Thanks,” said Misty. “I still miss her.” She’d adopted a dog from a woman at The Woodlands assisted living facility. “But you two go ahead with your plans.”

“What do you say, Sarah?” asked Hazel. “Shall we go? We don’t have to stay late.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind, Misty? asked Sarah.

“Go, get out of the house, have fun. David already told me he won't be there.”

At first, Misty and David had seemed an unlikely match, but after seeing them together and their growing love for one another, Sarah thought they were one of the sweetest couples in town.

“Okay, then I’ll join you, Hazel. Let me make sure supper is ready. How do you like spaghetti, Misty?”

“It sounds delicious,” said Misty. “This will give me the opportunity to spend some time alone with your daughters. I love kids their age.”

“See?” said Hazel. “She’s a born teacher.”

“You’ll find it easier,” Misty told Hazel. “It takes time to learn a few of the tricks.”

Sarah went to the girls’ room to tell them about the change in plans.

“Hooray!” they cried, racing to the kitchen to find Misty.

“Guess they don’t mind at all,” said Sarah, chuckling. “Even so, I won’t be gone long.” She kissed each girl, picked up her purse, and left the house with Hazel.

Outside, Hazel turned to her. “It’ll be nice to spend some time with you.”

“For me, too,” said Sarah, wishing she’d taken time to brush her hair. Hazel always looked so put together.

“Let’s walk,” said Hazel. “I need the exercise.”

“Fine with me,” said Sarah. One benefit of being back in Lilac Lake was her ability to walk everywhere. It always made her feel healthy.

“So, what’s the deal with you and Aaron? I know he likes you,” said Hazel. “And it’s easy to see you’re attracted to him.”

“He and I were high school sweethearts. If I hadn’t gone away to college and met my husband, who knows what might have happened with us. Now, as much as I care for him, I won’t let our friendship be more than that.”

“For heaven’s sake, why?” asked Hazel, giving her a steady look.

“Because of my husband,” Sarah said quietly. “But I don’t want to talk about it. Not ever.”

Hazel held up a hand at the firmness in Sarah’s voice. “Okay, I won’t.”

“Thanks,” said Sarah. She’d discussed the situation with a counselor, but she didn’t want to talk about it outside that room. It hurt too much.