Page 23 of Love's Harvest
“I’m not proposing to help your daughter find bargains here,” said Poppy.“I’ve suggested finding clothing for her at discount prices.I love fashion for all ages and think I can help your daughter find suitable clothes and show her what to look for at the same time.”
“Why would you do that?”he asked.
“Because I know what it’s like to need some help,” Poppy said kindly.“I don’t have children of my own, but I do understand the need for kids to fit in.I was like her at one time.”
Standing in black pants with a white sweater and wearing a colorful French scarf tossed casually around her neck, Poppy was the picture of an attractive professional woman.
Blake seemed to think so too as his gaze lingered on her and a smile played at his lips.
“Well, I’m sure you have a lot to talk about, logistics and all that,” Sarah said.“Blake, if you have any questions about April’s job, feel free to ask.Poppy, I’ve invited Blake to join our get together Thursday night.Make sure he comes.”
“Okay,” said Poppy, her cheeks now a bright red.
Outside the shop, I turned and looked at the two of them still facing one another, thanking my lucky stars that my intuition was right on this.They seemed very compatible.And they both needed something like this.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The next afternoon, April was smiling as she walked into Sarah’s office.“What did you say to my Dad?He’s all for my getting new clothes and an updated look.He even said I could cut my hair.I think I’ll surprise him with frosted streaks.”
“Your father came into the office to meet me, and then I took him to meet Poppy.It must have been Poppy who got him to agree to everything.He seems like a very nice man and a loving father.”
Still smiling, April shook her head.“You both are amazing.Dad apologized to me for not paying attention.He even told my grandmother to trust me to choose wisely for myself.”
“That’s a heavy burden,” Sarah told April.“It means you’re going to have to really think about things because like your grandmother believes, some young girls don’t.”I felt about one hundred years old saying this to her, but the thought of my sweet little girls becoming teenagers hit home.
“What’s this about my Dad meeting a group of people in town tonight?”
“A group of grownups my age and a little older meet at Jake’s a couple of times a week.It’s a relaxing way to see people and get the latest news about what’s happening in town.I think your father will like it.Sounds like he’s been pretty lonely.”
April let out a sad sigh.“It’s been hard having my mother gone.Her eyes welled with tears.She quickly brushed them away.“But it’s always been my father who told me over and over again that I wasn’t stupid.He explained about dyslexia so I could understand why my brain wasn’t functioning like the average person’s.Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and many others were dyslexic.Still, try to convince some of my classmates …” her voice trailed off.
“You’re proving how smart you are with this job,” Sarah said, giving her an encouraging smile.
“I’m really lucky to be here,” said April.
“Have you thought anymore about the Halloween party for kids here at the store?It’ll be a time to dress up and have some fun with them.”
“I’ll talk to my Dad about it tonight.”
“I could really use your help.Wyatt has already agreed to do it.”
April’s face lit up.“Okay, then.I’ll see what I can do.”
It occurred to Sarah that both father and daughter needed a proper introduction to life in Lilac Lake.Poppy was the perfect person to do it.
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After work Sarah hurried home, grateful for her mother’s help in getting the girls from preschool and taking them for a sleepover.At first Sarah had fought the idea of returning to Lilac Lake after such a personal tragedy.But now she was glad she had.Without the support of her family and friends, she’d be left with nothing but her guilt for a companion.
She took time for a bath before getting ready to go to Jake’s.Time alone was such a gift.
As soon as she dressed and fussed with hair and a touch of makeup, Sarah went outside to head to town.It was a short, easy walk and one she enjoyed when she was feeling ready for some fun.
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Jake’s was busy on this fall evening, and Sarah was excited to see her friends spread out at the two back-corner tables the group had claimed as their own.
She did a quick glance around the table and didn’t see Aaron, Poppy, or Blake.But Whitney and Dani were there with their spouses, along with Ross Roberts and Melissa Hendrickson, and a few other regulars.Holly and Misty, she knew, were coming later after parents’ meetings at the school.
