Page 25 of Love's Harvest
Outside in the clear, crisp air, Sarah was satisfied she’d worn her new, warm sweater.She looked up at the stars in the sky, twinkling with messages for those who wanted them, and drew in a long breath.Fall was such a gorgeous time of year in New England.
Aaron put his arm around her, and they began their walk through town.
“It’s always so pretty,” sighed Sarah.Main Street was decorated at night with small white lights in and around the store fronts, in the potted plants and flowers, and wrapped around the decorative light poles.She chuckled.“The girls think it’s a real fairyland.”
“How are they?”Aaron asked.“No more bee stings?”
Sarah beamed at him.“They’re fine.Busy as ever.”
They approached the empty bench sitting in front of Petals, the flower shop in town, and Aaron pulled her to a stop.“Let’s sit a moment.”
They lowered themselves onto the bench and Aaron turned to her.“Growing up with my mother, I learned to wait for the things I wanted.I was taught to wait until the apples turned ripe or until the wheat was ready to harvest.That’s how I feel about us.I love you, Sarah, and I will wait until we can harvest our love together.”
Sarah’s eyes stung with tears.She fought to contain them.
He lifted her chin and kissed her.
Even as she relaxed in his arms, she felt a part of her hold back.She’d loved him as a young, naïve girl who’d jump at the chance to say she loved him back.As an adult woman who carried such awful memories and blame for them, she hesitated.
“What if I can’t move on?”she finally asked, like a weakling
“The sun and the moon will continue to rise and set, giving you time.But don’t ask me to wait too long.I’m a man who is lonely for you.”
“You know how I feel about you,” she said.“But …”
“You need to let the past go,” Aaron said gently.
Crying now, she said, “I was the first one who found Jesse in the woods at a park.I will never forget what he did to himself.Maybe because of me.”She covered her mouth at the sudden queasiness she felt.
“His spirit was sick, unable to heal,” said Aaron.“Don’t wait until it’s too late to harvest what we have together.”
“I understand.And if you want to go canoeing with Tessa, I’m sure she’d like it.”
Aaron gazed into her eyes and chuckled.“You’re a bit jealous.”
Sarah could feel her cheeks grow hot and looked away.
“C’mon, let’s get going,” said Aaron getting to his feet.
Sarah gazed up at him and knew in her heart he was right.They were meant to be together.First, she had to deal with what had happened.
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At her front door, Sarah turned to Aaron.“Do you want to come in?The girls are at my mother’s house, and we won’t have to worry about disturbing them.”
“Sure,” said Aaron.“We didn’t get much of a chance to talk at Jake’s.Tell me about the new guy, Blake.He and Poppy seemed to have hit it off.I heard him say he might be looking for work.We always need people.”
Sarah unlocked the door, and they went inside.Without the girls’ presence, it seemed so quiet.So peaceful.
Aaron walked silently behind her as she went into the kitchen and snapped on the lights.Blinking at the brightness, she didn’t notice that Aaron had come closer, and she was startled when he wrapped his arms around her.
She leaned against his chest loving the feel of him close to her.When she realized he was aroused, she stepped away.
He shot her a sad look.“Someday …”
Feeling bad about her inability to simply let go of the past, she cupped his cheek in her hand.“It isn’t fair of me to expect you not to date or see other women.I’m working on myself and my situation, but I don’t know how long it will take for me to come to terms with what happened to Jesse.”
“Just promise me you’ll keep trying,” said Aaron.He rubbed his hand through his long hair.“I think I should go.”
