Page 71 of Love's Harvest
“Oh, right.That will work.Aaron said you’d been staying with him for the holiday weekend,” said Emmett.He gave Aaron a steady look.“I’m your doctor and I expect you to follow my instructions.I know that you’re normally an active man, but rest is extremely important for a healthy recovery.Understood?”
“Yes, I get it.I’ll do as you say if it means I can get better sooner.”Aaron returned Emmett’s steady gaze.
“We used to think it was important for someone not to sleep so much following an injury like this, but that has changed.We want our patients to give the body time to heal,” said Emmett.
“We’ll go back to the cabin, and then tomorrow Aaron can temporarily move in with me,” said Sarah.Earlier, Aaron and Sarah had talked about when Aaron would be able to spend the night at her house, and though this wasn’t the way she wanted, having him there might be a test for the girls.
Emmett shook hands with Aaron.“Let me know if either of you has any concerns.For now, give your body a rest and let it heal.”
When they returned to the waiting area, Crystal was there with paperwork for Aaron to sign.Since the sale of the Lilac Lake Café, she’d worked hard to help Emmett set up the clinic and remained a true partner in her husband’s business.
As they left the office, Sarah took hold of Aaron’s hand and was both surprised and pleased that he allowed her to lead him to her car.Sarah knew then how much Aaron had suffered from the injury.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Back at the cabin, the sun was making its way to the horizon ending the brightness of earlier.Sarah let the dogs outside.Though they raced out the door, they soon came back in to be with Aaron, aware something was wrong.
Aaron lay on the couch gently rubbing their ears, and they found places to sit nearby.Even Luke joined the watchful group of canines.
Sarah cleaned up the breakfast and lunch dishes and then checked to see what she’d brought for dinner.She’d ordered a lot of meals from the Lilac Lake Café and was now pleased she’d splurged.She wanted this last night at the cabin to be special.
While Aaron slept, Sarah read one of her favorite author’s new books, frequently checking to see that Aaron was alright.
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Later, Sarah served supper on the coffee table in the living room so they could eat in front of the fire.
“I was going to serve champagne tonight,” said Aaron.“We’ll have that another time.”
“Hot tea tastes nice on an evening like this,” said Sarah.“The important thing is for you to get better.You gave me a fright.”
“I’m sure I did,” said Aaron.“It happened so fast I couldn’t move out of the way.I’m sorry to ruin our time together like this.”
“How do you feel about having to move in with me for a few days?Does that add any pressure on you?I don’t want you to make more of it than just a friend helping a friend,” said Sarah.She held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
“Yes, that will keep us both comfortable around the girls,” said Aaron.
Sarah sighed, more confused than ever about their relationship.
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The next morning, Sarah called her mother, who was watching the girls, and told her about Aaron’s accident and that he was staying with her on Dr.Chambers’ orders.
Her mother said, “Isn’t that a little premature?Having him spend nights with you with the girls there?”
Sarah held back her temper.She’d gone through hell in the last two days, and she wasn’t going to worry what her neighbors may or may not think about it.
“Mom, this isn’t the fifties, where things like that were important.Nothing inappropriate will take place in front of the girls.They like Aaron, and this will give Aaron and me an unexpected opportunity to see how things go with us all together.”
“I understand,” said her mother.“Is Aaron going to be alright?Was it horrible?”
“Seeing him lying face down in the snow was terrible,” admitted Sarah.“That’s why I feel it’s important for me to see that he heals well.As Dr.Chambers said, this is an entirely different story with a different outcome for me than I had with Jesse.I need to do this.”
“I’m here to help as much as I can, but I’ll be busy getting ready for the winter move to Florida.”
“Yes, I know,” said Sarah.“Lucy and Millie are willing to help during the day.And don’t forget we have our meeting with the lawyer to go over the arrangement with Dani.She and I have been busy all week preparing a year-end inventory check, which will help with the evaluation of the business.Wyatt and April have been helping and will do extra work for us.They’re anxious to earn the money.”
“You have a lot on your plate, right now.But I’m sure you can handle it.”
