Page 66 of Love's Harvest
He smiled.“I’ll go put on that movie.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
As interesting as the movie was, Sarah felt her eyelids closing.She couldn’t remember having such a feeling of peace.She didn’t have to worry about the girls.Luke was lying in front of the fire with Knight and Coal.And the store was closed for the holiday.
She felt rather than saw Aaron lift her off the couch and carry her to his bed.She stirred enough to take off her clothes and then climbed into the bed beneath the fluffy, warm duvet he kept there.
Sometime in the night, she awoke.When she realized where she was, she rolled over to find Aaron curled beside her.It was deliciously surprising, as if he’d appeared from one of her dreams of him.
She got out of bed to go to the bathroom and hurried back to the nest they’d made beneath the duvet.Aaron stirred enough to reach for her but then went back to sleep.
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In the early morning, Sarah got up, found her bathrobe, and padded into the kitchen, leaving Aaron in bed.
She made coffee in the kitchen and stood looking out the window at the snow that had piled onto the ground.She, too, loved the peaceful quiet following a snowstorm, the way the white snow covered so much, like frosting on a cake.
She heard Aaron come into the room and turned to find him in his pajama bottoms smiling at her.
“The princess awakens,” he said, walking over to her and giving her a hug.
She laughed.“Thanks for taking care of me last night.The food, being outdoors, everything here combined to make it impossible for me to stay awake.”
“This air has that effect on some people,” he said.“I’m going to grab some coffee and then go out and clear the driveway and other areas in case we get more snow.I’ve discovered it’s best to be prepared.”
“Sounds like a plan.I’m going to soak in the tub and hopefully do some reading.”She let Luke and the other two dogs outside.They were big enough to romp in the six or more inches of snow before being called to come back inside.
“Enjoy yourself,” said Aaron.“It will be another day of relaxation.I know you don’t have many.”
She kissed him.“Thanks.”
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Later, lying in the tub, she thought about the possibility of living here one day.She’d inspected the bedrooms upstairs and could envision the girls settled in two of them.It would be healthy for them to have their own space.
Sarah hadn’t realized Aaron lived in such luxury.He’d kept it quiet.And in all the time they’d been seeing one another, he’d never invited her to come see it.She supposed this time together was a greater test than she’d thought.
She got out of the tub, dried off and dressed in jeans and a cozy sweater.She’d save the sparkly green sweater for tonight’s New Year’s celebration.She brushed her hair, put on some makeup and sprayed a bit of her favorite perfume on her wrists and behind her ears.
When she walked into the living room, she saw that Aaron had started a fire in the fireplace.She called to him but when she heard the rumble of the tractor plowing snow outside, she realized that’s where he was.
She went to the window to check on him.With his long dark hair tied back, she could see the happiness on his face.He loved being outdoors.
She took the book she’d brought with her and went to the couch.Reading was a true luxury for her, and she intended to make use of the time she had here to enjoy it.
After a while, Aaron came inside.“It’s beautiful out there.Come see.”
She set down her book and went to him.
“Get your snow gear and hiking boots.I want to teach you to snowshoe.”
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Outside, light snow was falling, flakes floating down from the sky, making Sarah think of the snow globes the girls had received for Christmas.
She stuck her tongue out to catch a few and then picked a clear space to lie down to make a snow angel.
Laughing, Aaron threw himself down on top of her.“M-m-m, I like snow angels.A certain one in particular.”
