Page 36 of Love's Harvest
“Okay, sure.The girls have a Halloween party at school tomorrow, and I know we’ll be up early.That’s why I had to leave.”
Aaron’s dark gaze met her.“You don’t have to explain to me.C’mon.Let’s go.”
Outside, the air smelled of leaves and smoke from fireplaces and something that was uniquely the lake.
They walked down the sidewalk keeping pace with one another.As they strode together, Sarah let out a sigh.It felt right to be with him.She realized how jealous she’d felt when Tessa started talking about her date with Aaron, and turned to look at him.
He swept her hand up in his.“How are those changes going?”
“I’ve decided to go back to my grief group.”
“Khalil Gibran is famous for this quote: ‘Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.’I’ve always liked it.Everyone needs a dream to move towards.”He stopped and lifted her chin.“I have my dreams too.”
Sarah closed her eyes as his arms wrapped around her.She clung to him, feeling as if he was the one person who’d understood better than anyone how she’d struggled.
When they pulled apart, she reached up and tucked a strand of dark hair behind his ear.“Do you remember our times together in high school?How unique they were?
“We’re meant to be together.I knew it when we met.Who else would’ve accepted me so quickly?”
“Or me?”Sarah said.“We were an odd couple back then, so different from some of our friends.We both loved poetry and reading together and sometimes lying on the rock by the lake just listening to the sounds around us.”
“You made me realize it was okay to be different.I love the Collister family and am grateful to them.But it was you who made me feel as if I belonged here.”
Sarah studied him, her heart pounding with promise.“I heard what you were telling me the other day about changes coming from within.I want you to know I’m really trying to let the past be today’s memory and move forward.”
“That’s what I want for you,” said Aaron.
Taking hold of her hand again, they walked in silence.As usual, words weren’t necessary between them.It had always been that way.
###
The next morning, as Sarah had predicted, the girls were up early, excited to get into their costumes for the school’s Halloween celebration.Emily had chosen to be a fairy.Mia wanted to be a chef.
“Let’s eat a healthy breakfast and then you can get dressed.It’s going to be a lot of fun today, but we must get off to a good start,” said Sarah fully aware of what a sugary day it was going to be.
“Is Luke going to wear his special hat today?”asked Mia.
“No, that’s for tomorrow at the store,” said Sarah, chuckling when she noticed a look of what she thought of as relief cross Luke’s face.The dog continued to show extraordinary patience with the girls.
Finally, after getting everything in order, costumes on the girls, and packing favorite vegetable treats for school, Sarah, Luke, and the girls left the house for school in her SUV.
The drop-off spot for the girls was filled with parents and over-excited children.Teachers, dressed as assorted characters, tried to make order out of chaos.
Grinning at some of the costumes everyone wore, Sarah was delighted that her mother had made the girls their costumes.Halloween was not her favorite holiday, and the thought of creating costumes was nightmarish.
Luke waited in the car, his nose pressed to the car window, as Sarah carried her treats inside.
When she returned, he wiggled with happiness.Loving the feeling of being special, she got in the car and accepted the licks he gave her on the cheek.
###
At the store, Sarah showed photos she’d taken of Mia and Emily in costume to both her parents.“It’s such an exciting time for them.Thank you, Mom, for making their costumes.They looked adorable.”
Her mother placed an arm around Sarah.“I’m delighted that you’re back in town with the girls.It’s where you belong.”
“Thanks.I think so, too.I’ve invited all my friends to stop by tomorrow for the Halloween Walk.I told them we’d have drinks and hors d’oeuvres for the adults.”
“We’re usually not that fancy, but I’ll order some appetizers from the café.They’ve posted a sign about ordering treats.Hopefully, I’m not too late.”
