Page 22 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

With the Ye Olde Christmas Faire going on in Lilac Lake, things became even busier for Sarah and the store. One afternoon, after her mother had shown her the financials for the month, Sarah said, “Mom, we need to talk honestly.”

“Yes, I think so too,” said her mother sitting back in her desk chair.

“We need to think about the future, not just this winter but going forward,” said Sarah. “You and Dad are going to be away like you planned. And I’m pleased for you. But I need more help at the store when you’re gone and beyond.”

“I agree. I’ve been wondering what we can do about it,” said her mother. “Dad and I are pretty well able to retire. We’ve bought and paid for a condo in Florida, our home here is paid off, and we have a nice retirement savings program. All those years of hard work are finally paying off.”

“After Dad’s stroke, I think you two should be able to relax and enjoy life. I’ve always known you wanted me to take over the business, and I’m pleased to do it. But I want to be able to have my own life and time with the girls.”

“Absolutely,” said her mother.

“That’s why I’d like to bring in Dani Collister as a part owner.

She can handle the hardware section of the store while I continue to do the house and garden and gift sections and oversee all the stock.

We’ll keep our staff. We can hire a bookkeeper, and you and Dad can review the monthly statements with me. Does that sound reasonable?”

“Yes, it does. Dad is anxious to get back into the store, but I’ve told him he can’t work until after our stay in Florida. He’d already promised me that.”

“I hope that being able to play golf and do some of the other things he enjoys will help him make the change more tolerable,” Sarah offered. “I don’t want him to think I’m chasing him out. I’m just trying to be reasonable about the reality of my running the store.”

“You’re absolutely right. It is important, however, that he can always feel he’s still part of the business, even if it’s only looking over daily or monthly reports. We can’t ask him simply to walk away,” said her mother.

“What about you, Mom?” Sarah asked. “Is it going to be hard to make this change?”

“Not really. I’m going to have more time with the girls, get back into quilting, and, believe it or not, I’ve promised your father I’ll learn to play golf.”

“Okay, you and Dad talk about this and come back to me with any thoughts you have, and we’ll approach Dani, who’s already said she’s interested.

Even though I have children and she and Brad are trying for some, we both are dedicated businesswomen who can help one another out and do an outstanding job for all of us. ”

Her mother sighed and turned to Sarah. “It’s another life change, but it’s a good one.

And during the summer and fall, when we’re staying here, we’ll still be able to step in occasionally and help with the girls and the store.

” She rose and gave Sarah a hug. “We’re so lucky to have you for a daughter. ”

“Thanks,” said Sarah. “I feel lucky too.”

Later, at the close of day, Sarah locked the front door and walked through the empty store making sure all was in order before slipping out of the back and getting into her car to go home.

###

Sarah used the week’s Christmas Faire to display and sell gifts she’d selected months earlier.

It was gratifying to see that she’d chosen well.

Holiday sales were an important component of annual income.

New shipments were coming in daily, and Sarah was glad to see how well April was doing entering items into the computer program.

Wyatt kept up with the task of stocking items upstairs or restocking things throughout the store.

He already was reporting to her the things he’d noticed she might want to reorder.

In addition, they had six full-time sales employees who were excellent at not just ringing up orders, but selling to their customers, many of whom they’d known for years.

###

On the fourth day of Ye Old Christmas Faire, Sarah’s local social group planned to gather at Jake’s. Every store and restaurant had been kept busy, and it was a chance to relax temporarily because the next day they’d be busy all over again.

After making sure Mia and Emily were happily settled with her mother, Sarah left for the restaurant.

She and Aaron had talked on the phone, and she was looking forward to seeing him.

When she walked into Jake’s, the place was crowded with Faire visitors filling the bar area and the cocktail tables.

Sarah wended her way through them and was delighted to see many of her crowd sitting at the two tables reserved for the locals.

She was especially glad to see Dani and Brad there. Dani was excited to become part of the store business, but Sarah hadn’t had a chance to speak to Brad. She slid into a chair beside him and spoke quietly, “I’m thrilled to have Dani on the team. I hope you are too.”

“Yes,” Brad replied. “It puts Dani’s knowledge of architecture and construction to use and will give her the flexibility she wants. I’m sure she’ll have some ideas to add to what you already do.”

Sarah chuckled. “I’m sure.” Though the store had been in business for years, it was time to grow and change it a bit.

When she saw Aaron walk over to them, Sarah lifted her purse from the chair next to her and waved him over.

He slid into the seat, wrapped his arm around her, and hugged her. “How’s the tree holding up?”

Sarah laughed. “It won’t have one needle left by the time Christmas is over.

” She’d told him earlier how the girls liked to change the ornaments around, almost like a game.

Their constant fussing was taking a toll on the tree, but Sarah saw how much creative fun they were having and let them continue.

The group was a congenial one, and they laughed over things that had happened with various visitors.

Dani told the story about a well-dressed woman who came into the store looking for a toilet plunger. She was a guest at the Lilac Lake Inn and didn’t want anyone to know it was needed. “I had to wrap it up like a gift so she could take it back to the Inn,” said Dani, chuckling.

Poppy spoke up. “I had a customer who insisted she could wear a dress that was too tight on her. In the end, I convinced her it must have been mislabeled and she needed the next size up, which was also mislabeled.”

“Did she buy the bigger one?” Dani asked.

“Yes,” said Poppy. “But I had to remove the size tag inside.”

Laughing with the others, Sarah realized she hadn’t been this happy in a long time.

Aaron turned to her. “You and the girls are coming to the Collister’s Christmas Party with me, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Sarah said. “My parents will be with the girls and me Christmas morning, so we’re able to come that afternoon. Thanks for inviting us.”

“Mary Lou would be disappointed if I hadn’t.” Aaron grinned. “She’s been able to figure me out since I first came to live with them. And she knows how I feel about you.”

“I’m excited to go. I haven’t told them yet, but I know the girls will be too.”

“The house will be crowded with people and kids. But it will make a big difference to me to have you there.”

“And I’m looking forward to having you at my house for Christmas Eve. The girls will be wild with excitement, but hopefully we can get them to bed at a decent time.”

“I hope so.” Aaron’s dark gaze focused on her, and she felt a shiver of anticipation shoot through her.

“Hey, you two! What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?” asked Tessa. “I thought I might throw a party for everyone.”

“We have plans,” said Aaron, surprising Sarah.

“Oh, okay. I guess I’ll have to come up with another idea. Everyone’s busy but me.”

“Won’t you be busy at the inn that night?” asked Sarah.

“Yes, but I’m talking late-night party,” said Tessa. “Never mind. It was a bad idea.”

Sarah felt a little sorry for Tessa, but she didn’t want to ruin any plans Aaron might have for her. She knew from the way Aaron had flexed his jaw that he didn’t care for Tessa. She also knew there must be a very strong reason for him to feel that way.

After their drinks and dinners had been eaten and the dishes cleared by the wait staff, people began to leave.

“Ready to go?” Aaron asked her.

“Sure,” said Sarah. “Want to come to my house for a while? It’s early yet, and the girls should be in bed.”

“Okay,” Aaron said, walking her to the door. “I’ll meet you there.”

Sarah got in her car and drove to her house, full of excitement. She and Aaron hadn’t spent too much alone time together. And now that she was ready to move their relationship forward, she wanted that time with him.

At home, Sarah thanked her mother for staying with the girls and ushered her out the door. She went to check on the girls and was delighted to see that they were both sound asleep.

Aaron arrived just as Sarah turned on the fireplace and then, for the first time that evening, they fully embraced and kissed.

“You feel good,” said Aaron, rubbing her back up and down as he leaned in for another kiss.

Sarah had always thought the phrase “she melted in his arms” was an exaggeration, but she now understood it was a perfect description for how she felt. They’d hugged and kissed as high school kids, but this was so much better. For Sarah, the feel, touch, and smell of him was both familiar and new.

When they pulled apart, Sarah said, “Do you want something to drink? Wine? Water? Coffee?”

“Water sounds fine,” said Aaron.

“Get comfortable in the living room and I’ll bring it to you,” Sarah said.

A few minutes later, she entered the living room and saw Aaron stretched out on the couch.

She brought the water to him, set it down on the end table, and sat beside him on edge of the couch.

“It’s nice seeing you here like this,” Sarah said. “It seems right.”

“Yeah, I feel the same way. We’ve taken a detour, but it feels right to be back together again.” He gently tugged on her arm, and she lay down beside him.

Nestled against him, Sarah lifted her face, and Aaron’s lips came down on hers. She felt a tremor go through her and realized how long it had been since she’d felt such a strong sense of need ripping its way through her. She wanted whatever he was ready to give.

###

A while later, Sarah got up off the couch and went to get a blanket to cover Aaron. As a construction worker, he worked as many long, hard hours as daylight would give him. She’d forgotten that.

When she returned to him, he smiled and tugged her down beside him.

They lay cuddled together on the couch. They didn’t speak.

Words weren’t necessary. Sarah believed Aaron loved her as much as she loved him.

The day would come when they’d tell one another.

But, for now, she was content to begin the journey of being together like this.