Page 2 of Love's Harvest
Sarah sat in her chair, picked up the coffee cup, and took a long, satisfying sip.That warmth, along with the promise of a new day, always energized her.
Her mother came into the office and handed her a bunch of invoices.“I need these checked over and then entered into the computer.I see you’re ordering more items for Halloween.”
“I’m planning for our store to be a stop on the annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Walk for the kids in town.”
“Great idea,” said her mother, smiling.Her mother was a pleasant woman who didn’t like conflict, which is one reason her parents were such a strong couple.She’d always fussed about Sarah’s weight growing up.Now, it wasn’t a problem.The energy required to work and raise her two active daughters was keeping Sarah’s weight under control.Not that Sarah cared.
Her mother sat down in a chair facing Sarah’s desk.“I heard that the Gilford women are having a party this Saturday at their Lilac Lake cottage.Will you be going?If so, I can take care of the girls.”
“Thanks.I’d like to go and see the gang.It’s very special that so many of my friends have either remained in town or returned after college.”
“No matter how things have turned out for you, I’m glad you went to college and got your business degree.Having you here is such a help to your father and me.It’s always been a dream of ours to be able to hand the business over to you someday.”
“I know,” Sarah said, taking hold of the scone.She could already feel her spirits plummet, and she needed a bit of sugar.She loved the idea of taking over the store, but she needed more time to recover from her husband’s death before she could put real energy behind it.Or into life itself.
Later, those gloomy thoughts evaporated as she dug into her work.She enjoyed dealing with numbers; they were predictable.However, she also had a creative streak, which she loved even more.
Her cell phone rang.Crystal.
Smiling, she clicked on the call.Crystal Owens, now Crystal Chambers, was married to Emmett Chambers, the GP in town, and was very sweet about checking in with her from time to time.Especially if she hadn’t joined her friends in the group of locals her age at Jake’s bar in a while.
“Hey, girlfriend, I just wanted to make sure you knew about the party on Saturday at the Lilac Lake Cottage.All three Gilford sisters will be in town, and they wanted me to make sure you could come.We know how hard it is for you sometimes to get away.”
“My mother has already promised to babysit, so I’m free to be there.Thanks so much.What’s going on with you?”
“I’m continuing to work in Emmett’s medical office, and I’m really liking it.In addition to reception and office work, I’m helping with his patients.With the opening of the Emergency Center and with the number of people, both elderly and young, needing time to discuss their problems, I’m finding it very interesting to help them come up with solutions.Nothing beyond simple, logical solutions.But Emmett is thrilled with the response he’s getting from my participation.”
“Having accessible medical help in rural areas is a problem for so many states.I’m very relieved he chose to stay in Lilac Lake,” Sarah said.
“Me, too.How are those adorable girls of yours?”Crystal asked, and Sarah noted a tinge of envy in her voice.
“They’re doing really well.They love it here.Having my parents involved in their lives has been very special.”
“And how are you doing?”Crystal asked quietly.“It’s been just over a year since you returned to Lilac Lake.”
“I’m slowly healing,” Sarah said.“Since my husband’s death, I’ve been seeing a grief counselor, and she’s helped me a lot.As much as anyone could.”She hadn’t admitted even to Crystal that she couldn’t think of herself as worthy of a man’s love again.She hadn’t been able to do enough to save her husband.
Crystal broke into the silence.“Recovering from someone’s suicide is a shattering thing for anyone to handle.Please don’t try to do it alone.”
“In this town?”joked Sarah.
Crystal laughed.“I’m so glad you haven’t lost your sense of humor.You were always such fun to be around growing up.”
“I’m trying,” Sarah said honestly.“Thanks for the call.See you Saturday.”
After they finished talking, Sarah sat for a moment, remembering her high school days when she was the one everyone wanted to include because of her upbeat, smiling, laughing manner.If only she could become that person again.
###
Sarah left the store and went to pick up the girls from preschool.She was lucky that Cherie Downes, a former kindergarten teacher in town, had decided to open a preschool, “Bright Beginnings,” for a limited number of children.Not everyone who applied for the program was accepted.Sarah had endured a long interview process about her philosophy on raising children and how much quality time she was able to spend with her girls.She’d passed with flying colors.
Mia and Emily were thrilled that Cherie’s two teenage daughters helped out from time to time.Already, the twins were fussy about what clothes they wanted to wear.Thankfully, they didn’t want to dress alike.Sarah had gone out of her way to encourage them to avoid that routine.
When Sarah arrived at Bright Beginnings, other mothers were picking up their children.Sarah waved at them but didn’t take the time to talk.She was anxious to get home.She’d left her cabin in a mess and wanted to have things in order in case Misty Owens or Hazel Belmont decided to drop by.She’d heard about the cabin for rent through Crystal’s sister, Misty, and had jumped at the opportunity.She could easily walk to the preschool and to work from there.
When she entered the building, her two little girls ran to her.
“Mommy!Mommy!”they cried together.
