Page 58 of Love's Harvest
They cuddled and talked in soft whispers so as not to awaken the girls.
“I want you to come to my cabin,” said Aaron.“Soon.”
“How about New Year’s Eve?I’m sure I can get my mother or Lucy to stay with the girls.”
“Perfect.I’m planning on having a house built at The Meadows someday.In the meantime, my cabin serves me well.”
“I remember going there in high school.Has it changed much?”she asked.
“You’ll see.It’s a lot more comfortable.I’ve added onto to it.”
“Well, then, I can’t wait to go.Why don’t we have the Lilac Lake Café put together a special meal for us?They’ve been advertising New Year’s Eve specials.”
“Sounds delicious,” said Aaron.“I keep the kitchen well stocked, but I don’t have any fancy foods.”
Though she was still waiting for him to say those three special words to her, Sarah stared at Aaron’s dark eyes.They told her how he felt about her.She could hardly wait for New Year’s Eve.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Christmas morning was hectic with the girls opening gifts and playing with them while still another gift waited to be opened.
Her mother and father sat in the living room watching them, delighted to be part of such excitement.On a quieter note, Sarah gave gifts she’d selected for her parents with Florida in mind.Most of them were geared toward playing golf.
As she watched her parents open them, she realized, as her mother had once said, that they all were beginning a whole new phase of their lives.It was both sad and exhilarating.
Sarah offered more coffee and food while the girls played with their new toys, and she sat with her parents in the kitchen.
“Your new necklace from Aaron is lovely,” her mother said.“It’s very tasteful.”She smiled at Sarah.“I’m really proud of all you’ve done for yourself in the past several months.The girls are content and have acclimated to life here in Lilac Lake.It’s a great place to raise children.”
“We’re thankful to have you here,” said her father.“After the holidays, we’ll work on getting things settled in the business so we’re all satisfied with it.”
“When are you driving to Florida?”Sarah asked.
“I see the doctor on the 12thof January and then we want to leave by the 15th,” said her father.
“That should give us enough time to put things in place,” said Sarah, wondering if this sense of loss is how her parents had felt before she headed off to college.
“By the way, Aaron didn’t ask for my blessing, but he assured me how serious he is about you,” Sarah’s father said to her.“It was a man-to-man gesture that I liked.”
“He’s that kind of person,” said Sarah, unable to hold back a sense of pride.
“The girls speak of him with affection,” said her mother.“You won’t do anything crazy with him while we’re away, will you?”
“By crazy, do you mean eloping?”asked Sarah, intrigued by the thought.
“That or anything else that leaves your father and me out of it,” said her mother.“We had a few reservations with your wedding to Jesse, but we’re really excited about the chance for you and Aaron to be together.”
“Deal,” Sarah said, though her mind was spinning.She didn’t recall any hesitancy about her marrying Jesse.Not really.Well, maybe.She’d just known she didn’t want to go back to Lilac Lake.Not yet, anyway.
The girls came into the kitchen.
“We want juice,” said Mia.
“Do I hear a please?”said Sarah.She got to her feet.It would soon be time to put them down for a “rest” before the party at the Collister’s.
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That afternoon, when Sarah pulled up in front of the Collister’s farmhouse, she parked in the lot near their fruit and vegetable stand and took hold of each girl’s hand.
