Page 5 of Love's Harvest
“For heaven’s sake, why?”asked Hazel, giving her a steady look.
“Because of my husband,” Sarah said quietly.“But I don’t want to talk about it.Not ever.”
Hazel held up a hand at the firmness in Sarah’s voice.“Okay, I won’t.”
“Thanks,” said Sarah.She’d discussed the situation with a counselor, but she didn’t want to talk about it outside that room.It hurt too much.
CHAPTER TWO
When Sarah and Hazel stepped inside Jake’s, they were greeted with the hum of conversation and the sound of sports games blaring from the televisions placed around the wood-paneled interior.
In the back corner of the main room, two large tables were usually reserved for the locals.Sarah and her friends made use of those tables, especially in the summer when it was the place to connect with other young adults.Even though many of the group were either married or engaged, it was still a spot where people liked to meet.
In many ways, Lilac Lake had become a young peoples’ town.Friends Sarah had gone to high school with now served as leaders in local government positions, owned stores and other businesses, and took part in daily life here.
Sarah wavedto Damon Pritchard, the new part owner of Jake’s, behind the bar.His uncle, Jake Pritchard, had retired and left half the business to Damon and half to his son, Jake Jr., JayJay.Like his cousin, Damon had butterscotch hair, blue eyes, and an easy grin.Sarah wasn’t able to back it up with actual numbers, but she swore that since the two young men were operating the bar, business had doubled.At least with female customers.
As they approached the corner tables, Sarah was delighted to see all three Gilford sisters with their significant others.The oldest of the three, Whitney, was there with her husband, Nick Woodruff, the chief of police, awaiting the birth of their second child.Dani, the other sister who lived in town, was married to Brad Collister and worked with him at The Meadows upscale housing development, along with Aaron.Taylor, the author, was married to Cooper Walker, an editor in a New York publishing house.
“Hello, everyone,” said Sarah, beaming at the sisters.“I’m so glad to see you.”She gave each woman a quick hug and greeted their spouses.
“It’s always nice to see your beautiful smiling face,” said Whitney.“I was thinking about you earlier and how much fun we all had during the summers.”
“Yes, those were such special times for me,” Sarah said, forcing herself to continue smiling.There was no going back to those days.
While Hazel was talking to Taylor about her latest book, Sarah took a seat next to Whitney.
Aaron approached the group and caught Sarah’s eye before quickly sitting in the empty chair beside her.
She told herself that the warmth coursing through her was from the walk from her house to the bar, not from the look he was giving her.
Aaron’s dark gaze rested on her, and he said quietly, “Nice to see you here.How are the girls?”
“Active as ever,” she said.
“My offer to take them apple picking is still on,” he said.“This is a perfect time of year to be outdoors with them.”
“Thanks.Maybe we can work something out for Sunday.I’ll be at the store all day on Saturday.”Though she’d decided not to get too close to Aaron, she could never deny her children the chance for him to teach them about the outdoors he knew and loved.They’d missed so much by lacking a man’s presence in their lives, except for their busy grandfather.When the girls’ father was suffering through a bout of depression, he’d wanted nothing to do with them.
Soon, the number of occupants at the tables grew.
Ross Roberts, the ex-baseball star and part owner of the Lilac Lake Inn, arrived with a woman Sarah hadn’t met before.
“Hey, everyone.This is Tessa Thorne, the new social director at the Lilac Lake Inn.I thought she should meet the people in our group, people about her same age.”
Tessa was tall and thin with long blond hair.Though she was attractive, there was a manner about her that held back warmth.
Sarah was among the first to greet her, then said to Ross, “Where’s Melissa?”
“My wife is meeting with a publisher in New York about the cookbook she’s proposing,” Ross said proudly.He turned to Cooper.“Thanks to you, Coop, for helping her find the right publishing house for her idea.”
Cooper gave him a look of appreciation.“I can’t wait to try some of those recipes.They all sound fabulous.”
“And easy,” said Ross.“Melissa hopes that will be the appeal of the book.”
Poppy Browning, owner of the Wild Flower Boutique, arrived with a dentist in town, Dirk McArthur, and his wife, Samantha.
“Guess it’s a full house,” said Dani.“My sisters and I hope you’ll all come to our party on Saturday.”
