Page 37 of Love's Harvest
“It should be a fun event.April is going to be a big help.”
“She’s a lovely girl.I see such big changes in her already.And now that her father is staying in town, I think she’ll find she’ll fit in better knowing it’s permanent.”
“Yes, me, too,” said Sarah, still intrigued about some of Blake’s plans.
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In preparation for the celebration, Sarah and her father moved things around in the store to make room for visitors by expanding the check-out area.They set up two cornhole games in the front display window of the store.That’s where kids would play the game and win prizes.It would be fun for them, and entertaining for the people watching them from outside, where a refreshment stand was set up.Both the check-out area and the stand would have adult beverages as well as treats for any age.
Bullard’s Hardware store wasn’t the only store doing this.Main Street would be closed to traffic by late afternoon so all could participate.Even the tiniest of shops would have decorated windows and treats to give away.Whitney’s husband, Nick, would be on patrol with his staff, to make sure the safety of the group was assured.
Later, Sarah went home to make sure her girls were taking a nap.Hazel had offered to watch them, but Sarah knew if they didn’t rest before the event, they’d turn into cranky monsters.
At the front door, Hazel greeted her with a finger to her lips.
“They’re sleeping?”whispered Sarah, hugging Hazel.“Thank you.”She held up a brown bag.“I brought you a sandwich, your favorite chicken one, from the café.Want to sit and have lunch with me?”
“Thanks.I’d love to.”Hazel beamed at her.“Gage asked me to join him tonight for the festivities.I’m so excited.”
“Sweet,” said Sarah.“What happened after I left the group at Jake’s the other night?”
“Everyone is excited about the Halloween events.Tessa pouted because she had to work at the Inn.But she said she’d come to town as soon as she could.Most everyone else is planning on being there, including Aaron.”Hazel gave her a penetrating look.“What’s going on with him and Tessa?It all seemed weird to me.”
“I don’t think it’s serious,” said Sarah.“She really exaggerated the episode on the lake.It isn’t the only time she’s done that.Now, she’s talking about buying a home at The Meadows?”
“I don’t understand.Is she rich?”asked Hazel.“She’s got to have a story behind her.”
“I think so too, but I’m not going to worry about it.I have a feeling she’s here to look for a man.You must admit, the group of single men here may be small, but they’re all likeable.And successful, in their own way.”
“True.Maybe that blurb on social media about great towns for singles has something to do with her wanting to be here.”
“The one on Instagram?”Sarah asked.“I heard about it but never saw it.”
“Whatever the reason, I’m going to keep an eye on Tessa,” said Hazel.“Now, let me tell you about Gage.”A huge smile spread across her face.“He walked me to my car, and he kissed me .”
“And?”
“And it was nice,” said Hazel.“We agreed we’d meet up tonight for the festivities.”
“He seems like a really sweet guy,” said Sarah.“He was dating someone before he moved here.But I don’t know anything about it.”
“I intend to find out,” said Hazel.“My mother would like the idea of me dating a doctor.”
Her eyes twinkled with humor.“She doesn’t have to know all his patients are animals.”
They laughed together.
After Hazel left, Sarah went to lay down.She liked being by herself, thinking about her life, her plans, her determination to embrace thinking of herself in a completely different way.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sarah stood outside the store greeting the children and their parents.Wearing a black gown and a witch’s hat with a sprig of flowers sewn onto it, she handed the children a candy bar and invited their parents to have refreshments while April and Wyatt, dressed alike, ushered the kids who were old enough inside for games.
April and Wyatt had decided to dress as construction workers, with aprons, tool belts, baseball caps, and their store T-shirts.It was the perfect way to appear as helpers.Sarah had a suspicion her mother had helped them make that decision.
Looking at the constant stream of families walking down Main Street, Sarah was touched.The Halloween Walk, unlike the Holiday Walk and Festival, was low key, more a small town affair just for locals.She liked it that way.Christmas was a time to draw people to town to celebrate.This quieter scene brought people in town together.
Her mother came out front to take Sarah’s place so she could walk along Main Street with her girls.
