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

When Sarah and Hazel stepped inside Jake’s, they were greeted with the hum of conversation and the sound of sports games blaring from the televisions placed around the wood-paneled interior.

In the back corner of the main room, two large tables were usually reserved for the locals.

Sarah and her friends made use of those tables, especially in the summer when it was the place to connect with other young adults.

Even though many of the group were either married or engaged, it was still a spot where people liked to meet.

In many ways, Lilac Lake had become a young peoples’ town. Friends Sarah had gone to high school with now served as leaders in local government positions, owned stores and other businesses, and took part in daily life here.

Sarah waved to Damon Pritchard, the new part owner of Jake’s, behind the bar.

His uncle, Jake Pritchard, had retired and left half the business to Damon and half to his son, Jake Jr., JayJay.

Like his cousin, Damon had butterscotch hair, blue eyes, and an easy grin.

Sarah wasn’t able to back it up with actual numbers, but she swore that since the two young men were operating the bar, business had doubled. At least with female customers.

As they approached the corner tables, Sarah was delighted to see all three Gilford sisters with their significant others.

The oldest of the three, Whitney, was there with her husband, Nick Woodruff, the chief of police, awaiting the birth of their second child.

Dani, the other sister who lived in town, was married to Brad Collister and worked with him at The Meadows upscale housing development, along with Aaron.

Taylor, the author, was married to Cooper Walker, an editor in a New York publishing house.

“Hello, everyone,” said Sarah, beaming at the sisters. “I’m so glad to see you.” She gave each woman a quick hug and greeted their spouses.

“It’s always nice to see your beautiful smiling face,” said Whitney. “I was thinking about you earlier and how much fun we all had during the summers.”

“Yes, those were such special times for me,” Sarah said, forcing herself to continue smiling. There was no going back to those days.

While Hazel was talking to Taylor about her latest book, Sarah took a seat next to Whitney.

Aaron approached the group and caught Sarah’s eye before quickly sitting in the empty chair beside her.

She told herself that the warmth coursing through her was from the walk from her house to the bar, not from the look he was giving her.

Aaron’s dark gaze rested on her, and he said quietly, “Nice to see you here. How are the girls?”

“Active as ever,” she said.

“My offer to take them apple picking is still on,” he said. “This is a perfect time of year to be outdoors with them.”

“Thanks. Maybe we can work something out for Sunday. I’ll be at the store all day on Saturday.

” Though she’d decided not to get too close to Aaron, she could never deny her children the chance for him to teach them about the outdoors he knew and loved.

They’d missed so much by lacking a man’s presence in their lives, except for their busy grandfather.

When the girls’ father was suffering through a bout of depression, he’d wanted nothing to do with them.

Soon, the number of occupants at the tables grew.

Ross Roberts, the ex-baseball star and part owner of the Lilac Lake Inn, arrived with a woman Sarah hadn’t met before.

“Hey, everyone. This is Tessa Thorne, the new social director at the Lilac Lake Inn. I thought she should meet the people in our group, people about her same age.”

Tessa was tall and thin with long blond hair. Though she was attractive, there was a manner about her that held back warmth.

Sarah was among the first to greet her, then said to Ross, “Where’s Melissa?”

“My wife is meeting with a publisher in New York about the cookbook she’s proposing,” Ross said proudly. He turned to Cooper. “Thanks to you, Coop, for helping her find the right publishing house for her idea.”

Cooper gave him a look of appreciation. “I can’t wait to try some of those recipes. They all sound fabulous.”

“And easy,” said Ross. “Melissa hopes that will be the appeal of the book.”

Poppy Browning, owner of the Wild Flower Boutique, arrived with a dentist in town, Dirk McArthur, and his wife, Samantha.

“Guess it’s a full house,” said Dani. “My sisters and I hope you’ll all come to our party on Saturday.”

Aaron turned to Sarah. “Will you be able to make it?”

“Yes, my mother will take the girls overnight. They love having a sleepover, and I won’t have to worry about what time I get home.”

“Nice to have her help,” said Aaron. “When I come into the store, I see your office light on upstairs. I know how busy you are.”

Sarah chuckled. “My parents know exactly when I arrive and when I leave.”

Aaron gave her a steady look. “Are you happy here? At one time, you couldn’t wait to leave Lilac Lake.”

She sighed and looked away. “That seems a lifetime ago. I had to leave, go to college as my parents hoped for me.”

“Everything in its time. I had to stay in town and help Brad with the business we created in high school,” said Aaron.

“And now you’re so successful,” said Sarah. “I’m proud of both of you. The Meadows is a stunning development.”

“Thanks,” said Aaron. “I’ve kept a large, wooded lot for myself.”

From across the table, Tessa gazed at Aaron. “You’re one of the developers for The Meadows? The houses there are gorgeous. A little pricey for me, but maybe someday.”

“Are you planning to stay in Lilac Lake for some time?” Hazel asked.

“Under the right circumstances, I’d like to,” said Tessa. “I’m single and hope to meet lots of people. At my interview, Ross told me that there’s an active community of young people.” Her gaze turned again to Aaron.

Aaron was facing Hazel, and now he was asking her how her teaching job was going.

Damon left his job behind the bar and walked over to the group. “Mind if I join you?” He took a seat. “How’s everyone doing? Do you have any suggestions for the new menu? JayJay and I want to change things up a bit.”

“As long as you keep your chicken Caesar salad on the menu, I’m fine,” said Whitney.

“Yeah, and the blue cheese burgers,” said Nick, laughing as Whitney rolled her eyes at him.

“In the winter months, you’ll want to have a nice soup,” said Dani.

“And chili,” said Brad. “We working guys need something substantial.”

“Okay.” Damon turned to Tessa. “How about you? Any suggestions?”

“Apple pie,” Tessa said. “A tasty fall and winter dessert.”

Ross introduced Tessa to Damon, and they exchanged smiles.

Hazel shot Sarah a glance and let out a soft sigh.

Sarah gave Hazel a look of encouragement. She knew when the time was right, Hazel would find the perfect man for her.

###

Shortly after Sarah finished her salad, she stood. “I’m sorry, but I have to get back home. Misty is watching the girls for me, and I don’t want to be too late.”

Aaron stood. “I’ll walk you home.”

“I’m going to stay for a while longer,” said Hazel. She gave Sarah a little wink.

Flustered, Sarah said, “Are you sure you don’t want to join us?”

“No, thanks. I’m not ready to go home.”

Sarah waved to the group. “See you all on Saturday.”

Aaron followed Sarah out of the restaurant and took her elbow. “Glad you could have this time off. I meant what I said about wanting to take the girls apple picking.”

She wondered if he was lonely. Growing up, he’d always been a bit of a loner but had never been without friends.

“I know you’ve had a hard time in the past few years, but I’m hoping we can renew our friendship,” he said quietly, keeping pace beside her.

She stopped and gazed at him. “I’d like that very much. But, Aaron, I don’t want you to get too close to me. I’m not who you think I am.”

His warm gaze washed over her. “No matter who you think you are, I know what’s inside you. That’s all that matters to me.”

Sarah turned away from him, feeling unworthy of his kindness. If he’d ever seen how frustrated, how unsympathetic she’d sometimes been to her husband’s constant wars with himself and sometimes with her, he’d never want to see her again.

Aaron placed a hand on her shoulder. “The past is the past, Sarah. It’s time for a new beginning.” He forced her to face him.

Seeing his caring expression, tears filled her eyes. He was much too good for her.

Though they didn’t talk the rest of the way to her cabin, he held her hand. When they reached it, they faced one another.

“I’m not giving up on you,” Aaron said quietly, kissing her on the cheek.

The front door of the cabin opened, and Misty stood there. “Ah, I’m glad you’re back. The girls are just getting ready for bed.”

Emily and Mia came up behind her and grinned. “Aaron! I see you!” cried Mia.

“Me, too,” said Emily.

“Hello, girls,” said Aaron sweetly. “Sweet dreams.” He’d seen them enough times to have them call him by name. Mr. Collister was too formal. And Sarah thought the use of “uncle” was a little creepy.

“Thanks for walking me home,” Sarah told him. “Perhaps, we’ll see you on Sunday, weather permitting.”

“I’ll see you on Saturday regardless of the weather,” he said.

“Yes, of course,” she answered. “It should be a fun party.”

“’Night,” said Aaron, before trotting back the way they’d walked.

Sarah went inside the house and took hold of the girls’ hands. “I’ll be right back,” she said to Misty. “We have a new woman in town.”

Sarah kissed each girl and left their room to speak to Misty, who was waiting for her in the kitchen.

“A new girl in town? What’s she like?” Misty asked.

Sarah described her and said, “Ross brought her to the group gathering at Jake’s, so she could meet people her age. She seems nice, but there’s an edge to her that I can’t explain. She’s here as a single looking for someone.”

“In this group, people are always pairing up. It’ll be interesting to see what happens,” Misty said. “We need to add some more men to the group.”

“Damon and JayJay are both single. That should help. And Brooks Beckman is available.”

“And adorable,” said Misty. “I thought he’d be perfect for Hazel, but that didn’t work.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t want to pry or push, but I hope you and Aaron can finally get together. I know you and he were a couple in high school. Is there anything between you now?”

Sarah leaned against the kitchen counter and let out a long sigh. “He deserves better than me. I failed him once, and I don’t want to do it again.”

“Failed him? What do you mean?” asked Misty. “You went to college, and he stayed home to grow his business in Lilac Lake. That’s not failing him.”

“It didn’t take me long to hook up with the man who wanted to marry me. I even left college to do so. I had to finish my business degree online. If I’d waited, so many bad things might not have happened.”

“And the girls?” asked Misty gently.

“They’re the bright spots in my life. They were then, too, though I sometimes wonder if I’d been able to focus on my husband more, things might’ve ended differently.”

Misty gave her a round-eyed look. “Wow! You’re taking on way more than you have to for everything that’s happened. You don’t want to go down that path.”

“I can’t ignore what might’ve been,” Sarah said, responding to Misty in a defensive tone.

Misty hugged her. “Anytime you want to talk about it, I’m here. I’ve got to go. My day starts early.”

“Thanks for watching the girls … and everything,” said Sarah. “See you Saturday.”

“You bet. David and I’ll be there.”

After seeing Misty out, Sarah watched Misty walk away and thought how lucky she was to have a friend like her.

She closed and locked the door and went to the girls’ bedroom to watch them sleep. Mia was spread across the bed like a tossed doll. Emily, always more contained, curled up under her blanket.

She left their bedroom and went back to the kitchen to fix a hot cup of tea, hoping it would help her sleep.

But thoughts of her deceased husband kept whirling in her mind.

It had taken her a while to learn that behind the handsome man who was a ton of fun at school, there lurked a very troubled person.

Sarah sat at the kitchen table thinking of the past …

She’d been so excited to learn she was carrying twins. And then seeing them, so much alike to strangers, so distinct to her, her heart had filled with a maternal love that continued to grow. Even now, tears stung her eyes as she observed them.

While she was working in an accounting firm, the fun of being a carefree college student evaporated.

Sarah, who’d always been upbeat, kept things running smoothly at home until Jesse exploded with frustration one night and ended up weeping in despair.

That was the moment she realized she couldn’t ignore the fact that he needed outside help. By then, she was pregnant.

After the excitement of having twins had worn off and the real work of handling two infants day after day, night after night, Sarah and Jesse were too exhausted to cope with anything but survival.

Sarah’s natural ability to overcome stress kicked in, but Jesse’s depression grew worse. He started to drink, claiming Sarah wasn’t giving him the attention he needed. And then he refused to take his medicine, saying it made him feel disconnected from his surroundings.

Sarah found a new doctor for Jesse, who told her that if Jesse didn’t stop his destructive, addictive behavior, stronger actions might be needed.

When Jesse’s behavior grew worse, Sarah tried to talk to him about it. But he had pushed her away, told her she was a terrible mother, a worse wife, and he wanted out of the marriage. The entire time he was crying.

Sarah tried to go to him, talk to him, but he stormed out of the house.

Later that night, still sick to her stomach from that dreadful scene, Sarah called a neighbor to watch the twins and went looking for him. That’s when she discovered Jesse had shot himself in the head in the woods outside of town. At the same park where he’d proposed to her.

Now, although part of her recognized what people had told her about being a kind person who had tried to help, Sarah thought of herself as a failure.

It had been two and a half years since Jesse’s suicide, and only one year since she’d been back home. In those in-between months, she’d been working on herself, getting counseling and dealing with the stress of living back home, right where she’d started.