Page 30 of Love’s Harvest (Lilace Lake #3)

Back at the cabin, the sun was making its way to the horizon ending the brightness of earlier. Sarah let the dogs outside. Though they raced out the door, they soon came back in to be with Aaron, aware something was wrong.

Aaron lay on the couch gently rubbing their ears, and they found places to sit nearby. Even Luke joined the watchful group of canines.

Sarah cleaned up the breakfast and lunch dishes and then checked to see what she’d brought for dinner. She’d ordered a lot of meals from the Lilac Lake Café and was now pleased she’d splurged. She wanted this last night at the cabin to be special.

While Aaron slept, Sarah read one of her favorite author’s new books, frequently checking to see that Aaron was alright.

###

Later, Sarah served supper on the coffee table in the living room so they could eat in front of the fire.

“I was going to serve champagne tonight,” said Aaron. “We’ll have that another time.”

“Hot tea tastes nice on an evening like this,” said Sarah. “The important thing is for you to get better. You gave me a fright.”

“I’m sure I did,” said Aaron. “It happened so fast I couldn’t move out of the way. I’m sorry to ruin our time together like this.”

“How do you feel about having to move in with me for a few days? Does that add any pressure on you? I don’t want you to make more of it than just a friend helping a friend,” said Sarah. She held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

“Yes, that will keep us both comfortable around the girls,” said Aaron.

Sarah sighed, more confused than ever about their relationship.

###

The next morning, Sarah called her mother, who was watching the girls, and told her about Aaron’s accident and that he was staying with her on Dr. Chambers’ orders.

Her mother said, “Isn’t that a little premature? Having him spend nights with you with the girls there?”

Sarah held back her temper. She’d gone through hell in the last two days, and she wasn’t going to worry what her neighbors may or may not think about it.

“Mom, this isn’t the fifties, where things like that were important. Nothing inappropriate will take place in front of the girls. They like Aaron, and this will give Aaron and me an unexpected opportunity to see how things go with us all together.”

“I understand,” said her mother. “Is Aaron going to be alright? Was it horrible?”

“Seeing him lying face down in the snow was terrible,” admitted Sarah. “That’s why I feel it’s important for me to see that he heals well. As Dr. Chambers said, this is an entirely different story with a different outcome for me than I had with Jesse. I need to do this.”

“I’m here to help as much as I can, but I’ll be busy getting ready for the winter move to Florida.”

“Yes, I know,” said Sarah. “Lucy and Millie are willing to help during the day. And don’t forget we have our meeting with the lawyer to go over the arrangement with Dani.

She and I have been busy all week preparing a year-end inventory check, which will help with the evaluation of the business.

Wyatt and April have been helping and will do extra work for us. They’re anxious to earn the money.”

“You have a lot on your plate, right now. But I’m sure you can handle it.”

Sarah wished she was as confident about that as her mother.

###

Sarah was relieved her mother wouldn’t return the girls until after she’d settled Aaron into the house.

She was concerned about having his two dogs join Luke, but when they were led inside, all three were eager to go out to the backyard while she brought in suitcases and unpacked the groceries she’d picked up before coming home.

Her cabin had a master suite and two bedrooms, one smaller than the other that Sarah sometimes used as an office. She’d put a daybed in the office for guests, and it was in this room that Aaron took his suitcase.

“It’s comfortable,” said Sarah. “You’re free to use either the girls’ bathroom or mine. The little half-bath is also nearby.”

She went to the closet and pulled out a couple of pillows, a duvet, and a quilt. “You have your choice.” She gazed around the room and frowned. “It’s not as much space as you’re used to.”

“This is going to be just fine,” said Aaron. “I’m glad for the privacy.”

“The girls can be overwhelming at times. Feel free to let them know when you need to be by yourself. The purpose of having you here is to rest.”

Aaron pulled her to him. “You are my purpose in being here. I want to get well for you, so we can continue our relationship. So-called friends or not.”

Sarah couldn’t help the smile she felt curving her lips. “Your priority has to be your healing. I’ll wait for the other.”

His lips lowered onto hers and she felt herself going back to the evenings at the cabin when kisses were just the beginning.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” called her mother, sending Aaron and Sarah spinning apart as if they were the high school sweethearts they’d been.

“Mommy! Where’s Aaron?” called Mia.

“Hi, Mommy,” said Emily rushing into her arms while Mia hugged Aaron around his legs.

“Is Aaron going to sleep in here?” asked Emily. She went over to him. “Did you bump your head?”

He pointed to the bandage on his head. “A branch fell on it.”

“Is that why you’re sleeping here?” asked Mia, studying his head.

“You can sleep with my Teddy bear,” said Emily.

“And my doggy,” said Mia.

They both ran out of the room.

Sarah’s mother came to the doorway. “I’m sorry to hear about your injury, Aaron. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”

“Thank you,” said Aaron. “This is a perfect set-up for me here. And Mary Lou will no doubt come for visits. I understand you and Bob are getting ready to leave for Florida.”

“Yes. With the doctor’s approval, we’ll leave mid-January.”

“I promise to keep an eye on Sarah and give her a hand whenever she needs me to,” said Aaron.

Seeing him bandaged and obviously not himself, it sounded a bit silly. But Sarah knew he’d keep his word. She walked with her mother into the kitchen.

“Care for a cup of coffee or tea? You must be tired.”

Her mother laughed. “I admit I am, but we had a lot of fun with the girls for New Year’s Eve complete with hats, noisemakers, and treats. We celebrated at ten o’clock because we were too tired to stay awake.”

“You’re such a good grandmother,” said Sarah, giving her mother a quick hug of gratitude.

Sarah fixed coffee for her mother and herself, and when she went to ask Aaron what he might like, she found him sleeping on top of the daybed, a Teddy bear and stuffed dog beside him.

Deeply touched by her daughters’ kindnesses, Sarah tiptoed out of the room and closed the door.

###

Later, in the girls’ room, Sarah talked to them about their weekend and learned that they, as usual, had had a fun time.

“Starting tomorrow we have to get in our school routine,” said Sarah. “And then in a couple of weeks, we’ll have another routine when your grandparents go to Florida.”

“We know, Mom,” said Mia. “Mimi already invited us to visit in Florida.”

“To see the beach,” Emily added.

Sarah was surprised. It was hard keeping up with these two.

“Now that Aaron is staying with us for a few days, I want you to remember he has to get lots of rest. So, no fighting and fussing around him.”

“Is he going to be our daddy?” asked Mia, settling a gaze on Sarah.

“He’s a friend, a good friend,” said Sarah hoping to put an end to the conversation. “Guess what’s for dinner. Lasagna that Mrs. Collister made. It’s delicious.”

“Yay,” cried the girls together, their voices blending beautifully.

Satisfied that she’d reconnected with the girls, Sarah left their room and went to the kitchen to organize supper.

She saw the opened bottle of wine she’d brought from the cabin and poured herself a glass, unwilling to end what was supposed to be a romantic weekend.

If she was honest with herself, she’d even hoped Aaron might profess his love.

But that seemed a long time from happening.

She set the table for dinner and stood back gazing at it. Settings for four seemed so right. But she’d have to be careful how she handled Aaron’s presence. She didn’t want to mislead the girls in any way.

Aaron walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. “Wow! I have a headache. Where is the medicine Dr. Chambers gave me?”

“It’s right here in the cupboard. Stay there. I’ll bring it and a glass of water to you.”

“Thanks.” He gave her a weak smile. “I appreciate being here. I hope it won’t be too much trouble for you. I know you have your own life and are busy with the kids.”

Sarah got Aaron the medicine and water and brought it to him. She looked into his eyes. “I’m glad to do this for you, Aaron.”

“Okay. Things suddenly seem a little off with me crowding into your home…”

Sarah’s fingers turned ice cold. “Are you having second thought about our relationship?”

His eyes widened. “No, why would you say that?”

Sarah drew a deep breath and decided not to hold back her hurt. “When the EMTs thought I was your wife, you told them very plainly that I was just a friend. I’m not your wife, but I hope I’m more than ‘just a friend’.”

“Come here,” said Aaron, drawing her into his lap. “I didn’t really know what I was saying. You’re much more than that.”

She nestled against him, loving the solid feel of him. It would take some time before she got over the unbelievable sight of him sprawled on the ground like her dead husband, leaving her with too many uncertain feelings.

###

After an uneventful night in which Sarah, the girls, Aaron, and the dogs had an uninterrupted sleep, Sarah got up ready to get back to her usual routine.

She couldn’t allow the fact that Aaron was in the house to stop her from taking care of her business.

Not when her parents were about to leave her handling the store.

Luke left the girls’ room and followed Sarah to the kitchen where she let him out to the backyard. Soon Knight and Coal came into the kitchen, and she let them out.