Page 72 of Love's Harvest
Sarah wished she was as confident about that as her mother.
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Sarah was relieved her mother wouldn’t return the girls until after she’d settled Aaron into the house.She was concerned about having his two dogs join Luke, but when they were led inside, all three were eager to go out to the backyard while she brought in suitcases and unpacked the groceries she’d picked up before coming home.
Her cabin had a master suite and two bedrooms, one smaller than the other that Sarah sometimes used as an office.She’d put a daybed in the office for guests, and it was in this room that Aaron took his suitcase.
“It’s comfortable,” said Sarah.“You’re free to use either the girls’ bathroom or mine.The little half-bath is also nearby.”
She went to the closet and pulled out a couple of pillows, a duvet, and a quilt.“You have your choice.”She gazed around the room and frowned.“It’s not as much space as you’re used to.”
“This is going to be just fine,” said Aaron.“I’m glad for the privacy.”
“The girls can be overwhelming at times.Feel free to let them know when you need to be by yourself.The purpose of having you here is to rest.”
Aaron pulled her to him.“You are my purpose in being here.I want to get well for you, so we can continue our relationship.So-called friends or not.”
Sarah couldn’t help the smile she felt curving her lips.“Your priority has to be your healing.I’ll wait for the other.”
His lips lowered onto hers and she felt herself going back to the evenings at the cabin when kisses were just the beginning.
“Hello?Is anyone here?”called her mother, sending Aaron and Sarah spinning apart as if they were the high school sweethearts they’d been.
“Mommy!Where’s Aaron?”called Mia.
“Hi, Mommy,” said Emily rushing into her arms while Mia hugged Aaron around his legs.
“Is Aaron going to sleep in here?”asked Emily.She went over to him.“Did you bump your head?”
He pointed to the bandage on his head.“A branch fell on it.”
“Is that why you’re sleeping here?”asked Mia, studying his head.
“You can sleep with my Teddy bear,” said Emily.
“And my doggy,” said Mia.
They both ran out of the room.
Sarah’s mother came to the doorway.“I’m sorry to hear about your injury, Aaron.If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”
“Thank you,” said Aaron.“This is a perfect set-up for me here.And Mary Lou will no doubt come for visits.I understand you and Bob are getting ready to leave for Florida.”
“Yes.With the doctor’s approval, we’ll leave mid-January.”
“I promise to keep an eye on Sarah and give her a hand whenever she needs me to,” said Aaron.
Seeing him bandaged and obviously not himself, it sounded a bit silly.But Sarah knew he’d keep his word.She walked with her mother into the kitchen.
“Care for a cup of coffee or tea?You must be tired.”
Her mother laughed.“I admit I am, but we had a lot of fun with the girls for New Year’s Eve complete with hats, noisemakers, and treats.We celebrated at ten o’clock because we were too tired to stay awake.”
“You’re such a good grandmother,” said Sarah, giving her mother a quick hug of gratitude.
Sarah fixed coffee for her mother and herself, and when she went to ask Aaron what he might like, she found him sleeping on top of the daybed, a Teddy bear and stuffed dog beside him.
Deeply touched by her daughters’ kindnesses, Sarah tiptoed out of the room and closed the door.
