Page 27 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

Aaron checked his watch. “Are you hungry? I’m grilling steaks for dinner, but I could use a bite to eat for a late lunch.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Sarah. Her cheeks were stinging a bit from the cold breeze that had picked up since they’d been gone.

It took a while to make it back to the house, but Sarah didn’t mind being next to Aaron, listening to him talk about plans for expanding the residential development he and Brad Collister owned.

“We want to keep the neighborhood like it is. It’s a high-end market, but that allows us to build a product that is in sync with the natural habitat around each house. People who’ve already bought there want to keep the same atmosphere.”

“Absolutely. You don’t want to ruin it by getting greedy about money,” said Sarah.

“Yes, that’s it,” said Aaron with a hint of admiration in his voice.

###

Inside the house, they hung up their outerwear and took off their boots. Then while Sarah made sandwiches, Aaron turned on the gas fireplace, which Aaron explained was fueled by the propane gas tank sunk into the ground.

“What about the stack of wood I saw by the barn?’ asked Sarah.

“That’s chopped and ready for the sugar shack,” he said walking into the kitchen.

Sarah handed him a plate. “Here’s your sandwich. Ham and Swiss on Rye. Right?”

He grinned. “You got it.”

They sat on bar stools at the kitchen island eating when the gray skies that had followed them into the woods opened up, sending snowflakes hurrying to the ground.

“Looks like it’s going to hit pretty hard. The forecast said 5 to 6 inches, but I sometimes get more up here,” said Aaron.

“It makes me feel cozy inside,” said Sarah putting their dishes in the farmer’s sink.

Aaron came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I can make you very cozy by the fire, and no one will interrupt us.”

She looked up at him and saw the glimmer in his eyes.

A bolt of longing went through her.

“Yes,” said Sarah. “I’d like that.”

As they walked to the fireplace, Sarah saw that Aaron had already placed a soft Indian design blanket on top of the large blue Oriental rug in front of the fire.

A large, long brown leather sofa sat farther back on the rug giving them space to maneuver.

They sat on the blanket and then lay down on it, face to face.

Staring into Aaron’s dark eyes, Sarah saw love there. Gentleness and shyness too. She knew no matter what happened between them she’d remember this moment because she could sense its importance.

She’d known from the way Aaron had invited her to his cabin that it meant more than a casual visit. And she wanted it to be that way. To have a few days with him alone to see if what she’d always imagined about living with him was true.

They’d grown apart and now were together again. This time with him was deeper because of their earlier separation and what each had gone through.

Aaron caressed her hair and tucked a strand of it behind her ear. “All the better to see you,” he murmured. “I thought you were hot in high school, but you’re beautiful now. Motherhood has made it so.”

“You’ve seen me, Aaron. I show those scars,” she began …

Aaron stopped her with a kiss.

She met his passion with her own, and when he helped her remove her top and sweater, he was as excited as she.

Soon they were naked on the blanket.

The twilight darkened the skies outside, and the fire flickered, sending light on his sharp, strong features. His eyes swept her body and he murmured, “Beautiful,” before he took her in his arms.

###

Later, sitting in front of the fire sipping wine, Sarah felt contentment she’d never known fill her. Aaron was a generous lover with few demands. He didn’t need them. It was as if they’d always been lovers, knew how to give one another pleasure.

Even now, just relaxing next to him, Sarah knew she was loved and protected. It was such a different feeling from what she’d gone through with Jesse’s last years that she silently whispered thank you to whoever might hear.

“You hungry?’ Aaron asked, rubbing her back. “I’m ready for dinner. I’m grilling a steak. Mary Lou sent over her famous Collister potato casserole, and David Graham’s mother baked us an apple pie.”

Sarah’s eyes widened and she couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Do you always get food provided to you?”

He gave her a sheepish look. “They like to do it. It makes them feel needed, and though I can cook, things like that are always appreciated.”

Laughing, she hugged him. “You’re so spoiled.” She loved that other people were drawn to Aaron. He was such a kind, thoughtful man.

They got up and headed to the kitchen. Sarah heard movement behind her and realized the three dogs were hungry too.

While Sarah fed the dogs, Aaron opened a bottle of merlot.

“This is a terrific red wine,” said Aaron, handing her a glass of it. “I think you’ll like it.”

She accepted the glass from him and clinked it against his. “Here’s to a happy, healthy New Year!”

“Yes,” said Aaron, settling his gaze on her. “I’m glad you’re here. It means a lot.”

“To me, too,” she said. “It’s already been fantastic.”

He winked at her, sending a warm wave of happiness through her.

As they sipped their wine and talked, they worked together to get dinner on the table. Because of the growing storm outside, Aaron decided to pan fry the beef filets and add a garlic herb butter sauce. That, scalloped potatoes, and a green salad which Sarah put together made a scrumptious meal.

When they finished, Sarah said, “I don’t think I have room for dessert. Do you want to save it for later or even for breakfast?”

“Breakfast? I like that idea,” said Aaron. “Leave the dishes.”

“No,” said Sarah. “I like to leave the kitchen clean after a meal. I’ve learned it’s better that way.”

Surprised, Aaron said, “Okay, I’ll help.”

Such simple words, but to Sarah they meant everything.

As Jesse grew worse, he wanted nothing to do with helping in the house or with the girls.

She recalled how she’d begged him to go to the doctor to adjust his medications.

But he thought it was a sign of weakness and didn’t like how the drugs made him feel.

Tears suddenly stung her eyes. She turned away so Aaron wouldn’t see.

“Hey, what’s up?” Aaron asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.

“Just a bad memory,” she said. “I’m having such a lovely time here that it hit hard.”

“C’mon, let’s go see that movie you wanted to see,” said Aaron.

“While you get it ready, I’ll finish here.” She looked out the window at the snow falling at a steady pace. “Good thing we’re well supplied. It looks pretty bad out there.”

“I don’t know about you, but I like snowstorms. It’s great being in the woods, listening to the quiet and connecting all over again to nature.”

Sarah faced him. “I love that about you. You see beauty where others don’t.”

He smiled. “I’ll go put on that movie.”