Page 35 of Love's Harvest
“These events are lifesavers for me,” Hazel said.“I’m hoping Gage will be there.He’s someone I’m interested to get to know better.”
“I like him.He was very helpful in my adopting Luke,” said Sarah.She, herself, hoped to see Aaron.Surprisingly, she hadn’t heard anything from him since they’d talked outside the café.This would be the last gathering before the town would be swept up with Halloween parties or, like her, ensuring the younger children had a wonderful time.
When Sarah and Hazel arrived at Jake’s, their regular tables were pretty crowded.Sarah realized Aaron wasn’t among them, and her heart fell.
Hazel went to sit by Gage, and Sarah found an empty chair by Blake, who was talking quietly to Poppy.She continued to look around the table.
Tessa gave her a little wave.“I had a great time with your friend, Aaron.He took me for a canoe ride on the lake like I asked him, and he saved my life.I’m not kidding.I’ll never be able to thank him enough.”
“What happened?”Sarah asked, forcing herself to speak calmly.Aaron with Tessa?
Tessa told the whole group how, after arranging for Aaron to spend the afternoon with her on the lake, she’d tried to switch places with him in the canoe and they’d tipped over.“Aaron jumped in and saved me because I wasn’t wearing a life jacket.He was my hero, truly wonderful.I’d wanted a real experience with a real native and got it.”
Sarah stared in disbelief at Tessa’s words.What had Aaron been thinking when he’d agreed to go out with her?Of all the people in the group, Tessa was the one person she didn’t trust.There was something about her that didn’t ring true.And that talk of a native?What was that all about?
Now, Tessa was announcing that she was considering buying a house in The Meadows.Did social directors make that much money?
Sarah glanced at Melissa who was subtly shaking her head.
Frowning, Sarah looked up as Aaron walked over to the group and took the only empty seat left, the one next to Tessa.
He smiled at her and then look confused when Tessa beamed at him and said, “I told everyone how you saved me.”
“What are you talking about?”asked Aaron.
“You know, after I tipped the canoe, you carried me to shore,” said Tessa.
“You could have walked to shore yourself in the shallow water, but you flailed around so much it was quicker to just carry you.The water is cold this time of year.”Though he spoke calmly, I could tell from the twitching of his left eye that he was very annoyed.Telling the truth was a basic moral code for him.
A little flustered, Tessa said, “Well, I was awfully glad you were there.”
Gage took the following moment of quiet to ask, “How’s Luke doing with you and the girls, Sarah.”
“He’s wonderful, the best dog ever,” said Sarah.
“My Dachshund, Mindy, would tell you she was the best,” said Whitney giving her a challenging look.
“How about my dog, Pirate?”teased Dani.“Aaron gave him to me from the pups he’d raised.”
The earlier tension was broken by bouts of laughter as owners shared stories of their dogs.
“Gage, the competition is fierce.You might have more adoptions to make,” said Hazel, grinning at him.
He returned her smile.“It’s always a rewarding feeling to see an animal find a forever home.”
“How about cats?”said Poppy.“My tiger is the sweetest.”
Gage looked at Sarah.“The girls might like to have some kittens.I don’t think Luke would be a problem with them.”
Sarah laughed.“One change at a time.”She couldn’t help glancing at Aaron, but he was saying something to Tessa.
Seeing them together, Sarah stood.“I’ve got to be going.I’m glad we all had a chance to get together, so I can invite you to stop by the store for the Halloween celebrations we’ll have going on.During and after the walk for the kids, we’ll be offering drinks and hors d’oeuvres for the grown-ups.”
“That sounds like fun,” said Beth Beckman.Her husband, Garth, and his family owned Beckman Lumber.They had two children who would be old enough to love seeing all the sights.
Sarah and Hazel exchanged looks and she realized Hazel was glad to have some time with Gage without having to take Sarah home.
Just as she reached the front door to Jake’s, Aaron came up behind her.“Wait.I didn’t get a chance to talk to you.May I walk you home?”
