Page 46 of Love's Harvest
“You’ll eat with us, won’t you?”said Sarah taking in deep breaths to inhale the smell of the dinner.
“I’d like that,” said Lucy, taking off an apron Sarah had tucked in a drawer and never worn.
“Where are the girls?”asked Sarah.
“In their rooms.I gave them each a board book to read,” said Lucy.
“How nice,” said Sarah.“Let me get them, and we’ll eat right away, unless you want to take the time for a glass of wine.”
“A glass of wine sounds lovely,” said Lucy.She held up a finger.“But I promise you I’d never drink on the job.It’s only because I’m with you that I’m doing it now.”
“Understood.I’ll say hello to the girls and then pour us each a glass.This calls for a celebration.”
Lucy laughed.“I’ll set my place at the table.”
Sarah returned to the kitchen, poured two glasses of pinot grigio, and led Lucy into the living room, where they sat on the couch facing the fire Sarah had turned on in the fireplace.
“How did you do with the girls today?Were they ready to go home with you?Any trouble?”
Lucy shook her head.“They’re lovely children.And so interesting.They really do seem to know what the other is thinking.”
“They get along well, with only a few squabbles natural for siblings,” said Sarah.“I work very hard to call them by name and treat them the way they want to be treated.Mia is more outgoing, but Emily knows what she wants.”
“Yes, I can see that,” said Lucy.
“Do you want to extend your duties to making dinner three nights a week?I think five would be too many, don’t you?”
“Yes,” said Lucy.“We’ve only discussed my working for you during the week.Now, with your parents thinking of leaving for Florida after the holidays, we could talk about the weekends.I have a friend who might be willing to share weekends with me.”
“Another woman at The Woodlands?”Sarah asked.
“Yes.She and I go to our gym class together.She misses her grandchildren and would like to earn a little money for extras.”
“Write down her information, and I will do a background check on her.”
“It’s so endearing that Genie Witner wanted to make sure I’d do a good job for you,” said Lucy.“I guess that’s how it works in a small town.”
“Lilac Lake is a very special place,” said Sarah.
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After Lucy left, Sarah drew a bath for the girls and spent some time talking to them about their day.
“How do you like Ms.Lucy?”she asked.
“She’s nice,” said Emily.“She gave us books.”
“And she read to us,” Mia said.“Now we know how to read them.”
Sarah chuckled.Mia loved memorizing words.
“Ms.Lucy will be picking you up from school every day.She may even help out over the weekends.We’ll have to see.Would you like that?”
Both girls smiled, and a small part of Sarah relaxed.She wanted to get as much organized at the store as possible before her parents left town.
A few days later, her mother called.“I know you like to meet your friends at Jake’s on Saturdays.I need a break.How about my babysitting the girls at your house so you can join them?”
“That would be wonderful,” said Sarah, delighted.“I haven’t seen my friends in a while.”
