Page 18 of Love's Harvest
She left the house unsettled.April might be more in need of the job than she’d first thought.It seemed as if she was being far too sheltered by a woman who’d not kept up with the times.
CHAPTER SIX
That night, Sarah sat and watched the girls play in the bathtub.They were best buddies and had developed rules between them as to who would be in charge from time to time, sharing that privilege.
While growing up, she’d longed for a sibling.That’s why her friends in town were so important to her.It was unique for so many of the summer crowd to return to town and resume their old friendships.A lot of that had to do with Genie Wittner, the grandmother of the Gilford girls and the former owner of the Lilac Lake Inn, which had been in her family for generations.Even now, she was considered a matriarch by many of the townspeople.
What would have happened if, after college, she and Jesse had returned to Lilac Lake instead of going to South Carolina?Would the town have been able to support Jesse through his depression?Sarah had wanted more time away.But maybe that was another mistake of hers.
The girl’s playing turned into squabbles.
“Okay, time to get out and into our PJs,” said Sarah, holding onto one of the girls and then the other as they climbed out of the tub.
As she wiped each face dry, she kissed it.She’d always wanted to be a mother.And though having two at once had its challenges, Sarah would be open to more children if the right person came along.
Her thoughts immediately swerved to Aaron.He was such a kind man.The best she’d ever known.Which is why they’d remained special friends.
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The next morning, after dropping the girls off at preschool, Sarah thought about the three weeks ahead before Halloween.By then, she hoped April would be comfortable enough to wear a costume and help with the event at the store.
As she walked along the sidewalk, she admired the leaves changing colors on the trees.Lilac Lake enjoyed a busy “leaf-peeper” season, with people coming from all over to view the stunning colors of autumn leaves in New England.Afterward, the town swung into Christmas festivals before welcoming the skiers, who came to ski on nearby mountains.It was this continuity that had helped her family grow the hardware store into a major retail business in the area.
In town, she observed Poppy Browning watering the potted, colorful fall flowers in front of her store, the Wild Flower Boutique.“Good morning!”she called to her.
“Hi, Sarah.I was going to call you today to tell you that the sweater you ordered just came in.You’re going to love it.”
“Thanks.I’ll stop by later.I’m off to the café and then to work,” said Sarah continuing on her way.It was this feeling of belonging that kept her going when she was having a difficult day.
At the café Crystal had run for years, she greeted the new owner, Nettie Mancini, and stood in line to order her usual coffee.Whitney appeared with her son in a stroller.
“Guess everyone needs a morning break,” she said pleasantly.“I hope you’ll be at Jake’s on Thursday.We’re surprising Poppy for her birthday.”
“Oh, yes.I’ll be there.That’s usually my weeknight out,” Sarah said.“Can I bring anything?”
“No,” Whitney said.“Crystal is baking a cake.That’s it.”
After getting her coffee, Sarah hurried across the street to open the store.It was her day to do so.She unlocked the main door and stepped inside.The store had a distinctive smell, not an unpleasant one, but one that indicated it was filled with all kinds of items from paint to cleaning supplies, to sweet gifts.
After snapping on the lights and switching the ”Open” sign around, she climbed the stairs to her office.A print-out of yesterday’s sales was waiting on the printer.She’d use that to help determine what needed to be ordered.
Downstairs, she heard the jingle of the door and looked down through her glass window to see Aaron standing there.
Sarah automatically swiped a hand through her hair and headed down the stairs.
“Hello,” she said cheerfully.
“Hey, there.I need to pick up a few things and charge it to our account.”Aaron gave her the shy smile that always tugged at her heartstrings.
“No problem.Pick out what you need, and I’ll be glad to ring it up to your account.Need my help?”
“Did you get in a new supply of drywall nails?You were running low last time I was here.”
“They came in yesterday,” said Sarah, leading him to the aisle where they were sold.She reached up and withdrew a box of them from the shelf.Just as she turned to face him, she bumped into him reaching for a different box.
They stood a moment gazing at one another.
Sarah resisted the internal pull she felt to lean into him, and jumped back awkwardly, tripping on her own feet.
