Love’s Match (Lilac Lake Inn #8)

CHAPTER ONE

Feeling like a naughty child, Hazel Belmont sat in the principal’s office at the Emerson Wittner Elementary school where she taught third grade.

It couldn’t be good news. Nolan Deere wasn’t the easiest man to get along with, and she’d had her disagreements with him during the past school year in the small town of Lilac Lake.

If she was about to lose her job as she suspected, she didn’t want to lie in order to remain in New Hampshire as she wanted. Her mother had all but demanded she come home to New Orleans to marry a man chosen for her by their two conspiring mothers. A man she had no intention of marrying.

“Hazel? Mr. Deere will see you now,” said the office secretary.

Hazel stood and automatically swiped at her pants to make sure they were straightened.

Then she headed into the office where Nolan sat, a massive figure behind his desk.

His size alone wasn’t the only reason pupils tended to fall quickly in line.

He usually wore a threatening scowl. Hazel had never let that affect her, which is one reason they seemed to clash often over small details.

“Well, Ms. Belmont, we’ve made it through the school year and, overall, things have gone okay.

I’m sure you’ve heard, though, that student enrollment has gone down, and we’ll be reducing third-grade classes from three to two, which leaves me with the unpleasant task of transferring a teacher.

Because you were the last to arrive at my school, you are the teacher who will be asked to leave or be asked to teach at another school in our district. I’m sorry.”

Hazel sat quietly, her mind racing. She loved her students, but she didn’t love teaching.

It was a draining, challenging job that didn’t fulfill her as much as she thought it would.

The growing demands made upon her and the other teachers itched like a black fly bite in the spring.

She’d worked within the system, but now, thinking of being free to do something else, she knew what she must do.

“Thank you. It’s been a most interesting year, and I love my students, but I think this might be an opportunity for me to do something else.

” The minute Hazel spoke the words, she felt a huge burden lift from her shoulders.

She knew she’d done an excellent job. But it was just that.

A job. Not a profession, as it was for many teachers like her best friend, Misty Owen, who taught at the same school.

Nolan’s eyebrows shot up. “I don’t mean you weren’t an acceptable teacher. Your students love you, and the other teachers do too.”

“I know,” Hazel said, pleased that in another couple of weeks, she wouldn’t have to deal with him. Or so many mandates. Or parents who wouldn’t listen. Or endless evenings of correcting papers.

“Ms. Belmont, Hazel, we’ll be sorry to lose you,” said Nolan. “Please understand that this is an uncomfortable situation for me.”

Hazel forced a pleasant expression. As usual, Nolan was backpedaling as fast as he could lest he be charged with something unpleasant.

“May I go now?” she asked.

“Certainly, certainly,” said Nolan. “The district will send you the necessary paperwork.”

“Thank you,” Hazel said, standing.

They shook hands.

Hazel left the office, wondering if she’d made the correct choice.

But when she turned back and saw Nolan watching her, she knew she was right.

Now, she had to move quickly to come up with another job, so her mother would have no reason to continue begging her to come home to a life she didn’t want.

###

When Hazel walked outside, Misty was waiting by Hazel’s car.

“How did it go?” Misty asked her. “Was it what you thought it might be?”

“More or less. The bottom line is that I’m quitting teaching. They’re reducing the third-grade classes to two, and since I’m the last they hired, I’m the first to go.”

Misty hugged her. “I’m sorry.”

“Actually, I’m not. I know you love teaching, but I’d rather do something else. This is my chance to make that change. But I need to find another job in a hurry. If my mother thinks I’m doing nothing, I swear she’ll drag me home.”

”No one wants you to leave Lilac Lake,” said Misty firmly. “Now, let’s figure out what you can do.” She snapped her fingers. “How about working for Ross Roberts at the Sports Center? He mentioned he and Mike Dawson might be looking for someone.”

Hazel gave her an uncertain look. “What kind of work? Ross would be a dream to work for. Mike, not so much. He’s such an entitled playboy.”

“It’s worth a call,” said Misty. “It could be a real opportunity for you.” She checked her watch. “I’ve promised to meet David at his house. I’ll see you at Jake’s later tonight.”

“I miss having you live close to me, but Poppy is a special neighbor too,” said Hazel. “And, of course, I’m happy for your engagement to David.” David Graham and his father owned a successful landscaping business in town. He and Misty were a cute couple.

After Misty left, Hazel climbed into her car and drove to her cabin along the river. It sat in a small collection of renovated rental cabins spaced along the upper banks. She’d been lucky to find such a cute place to live. From there, she could walk into the center of town in a matter of minutes.

When she pulled into the small neighborhood, she waved to Sarah Miller and her two darling daughters and came to a stop in front of her cabin.

She sat in her car letting her mind settle. She adored living in Lilac Lake and vowed to be open-minded about asking Ross for a job. Many of her friends were either engaged or recently married, giving them a permanent home in this area. So far, she hadn’t met any man who was a compatible match.

Before she could lose her courage, Hazel backed out of her driveway and headed to the new Sports Center in town.

Ross Roberts and Mike Dawson were the major partners in this adventure.

Both Ross and Mike were former professional athletes—Ross in baseball and Mike in tennis.

Ross was also part-owner of the Lilac Lake Inn and was married to Melissa Hendrickson, a former local chef.

Mike had traded in the grind of competition on the pro circuit for teaching tennis both in Florida and here in New Hampshire.

The red-brick Sports Center covered a huge tract of land just outside of the center of town and offered tennis courts, a baseball field, and training facilities, pickleball courts, basketball courts inside and out, an inside Olympic-size swimming pool, and a fantastic gym.

It was unlike anything else in the region and was growing busier all the time.

Hazel got out of her car and went inside to the reception area. A male high school student was handling the front desk.

“Hi. Is Ross Roberts here?” Hazel asked hopefully.

“He’s outside checking the batting cage,” said the young man without looking up at her.

“Thanks.” Hazel wended her way through the center realizing it was a much bigger operation than she’d thought.

Outside, Ross was checking the fencing around the batting cage when Hazel found him. He looked up at her approach. “Hi, Hazel. What’s up?”

“I need to talk to you,” Hazel said. “Is this a convenient time?”

Ross walked toward her in an uneven gait. With sandy hair, blue eyes, and a boyish smile, he had been a favorite player for the NY Yankees before a knee injury from a motorcycle accident took him out of the game.

“It was time for a break anyway. What can I do for you?” he asked Hazel.

She straightened and spoke eagerly. “I’d like to talk to you about a job. Do you have an opening here?”

His gaze settled on her. “Don’t you teach at the elementary school?”

“I won’t be there after the school year ends. I’m leaving the teaching arena rather than being placed elsewhere. Though I love the kids, I’ve realized teaching isn’t what I want to do.”

Ross nodded agreeably. “I’m glad you love kids because we handle a lot of them here. Let’s go into my office to discuss this.”

They walked inside to an unpretentious office that held two desks and chairs, file cabinets, shelving for trophies and memorabilia, and some comfortable leather side chairs.

“Have a seat,” said Ross, indicating a chair in front of the desk where he sat. “Did you bring a resumé?”

“No, I didn’t. I came here on the spur of the moment at Misty’s suggestion. I don’t even know what kind of work you might be hiring for,” said Hazel, realizing how unprofessional she sounded.

“Tell me what you see as your strengths and what kind of work you do that would benefit us. And please don’t be shy about it,” said Ross.

Hazel drew a deep breath. “Okay. I’m very well organized with excellent follow-through. I worked as an Executive Assistant one summer while I was in college, and I’m good with details. I like kids and the freedom to do my job. I’m able to work without supervision.”

“Was that an issue teaching?” Ross asked. “I’ve heard the principal is difficult to get along with.”

“He certainly was with me. He found every excuse he could to criticize me. It would’ve been comical if it hadn’t become such a waste of time for everyone,” admitted Hazel.

“That’s too bad. I’ve been in a similar situation. Mike is due to arrive from Florida with a co-worker, a woman who will be teaching tennis with him. I have an idea I want to discuss with him, and then I’ll get back in touch with you. How does that sound?”

“That would be wonderful,” said Hazel. “I can be flexible and am willing to work hard at anything you need. I play tennis but haven’t played much since college when I was on the tennis team. But I might be able to help. My hours can be flexible as well.”

“Let me work on a couple of ideas. You’d want a full-time job with no summers off?”

“Yes. I’m looking for full-time work with benefits,” Hazel said.

Ross gave her an understanding look. “Got it. I’ll call you after Mike gets here, and we’ve had a chance to talk. Thanks for coming in.” He stood.

Hazel rose and shook his hand, which quickly covered her much smaller one. “How’s Melissa’s cookbook coming along?”

Ross grinned. “It’s a real chore testing recipes.”

Hazel laughed. One reason she loved Lilac Lake so much was because it was filled with such interesting people her age.

###

Back home, Hazel poured herself a glass of iced tea and took it out to the back deck, which overlooked woods and farther down, the river. She needed time to reassess herself.

Sitting in a chair, she gazed out at the woods, enjoying the sunshine on her face. She hoped she’d done the right thing by turning down a transfer to another school. She was stubborn and could be quick to act. But her gut was usually right.

The one thing she knew for sure was that she didn’t want to return to her hometown outside of New Orleans.

God knew she loved the food there, and she loved her family, but she felt more alive here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where mountains, rivers, lakes, and adventure beckoned.

It was a tight-knit town where people were comfortable in jeans, boots, and fleece jackets.

Where women didn’t use a lot of makeup, just a little lip gloss.

Hazel knew she was attractive; she’d often been told she was beautiful. But she didn’t want to think of herself in those shallow terms. Looks fade. Instead, as she’d wanted to hear from Nolan Deere, she hoped to be thought of as creative, energetic, and fun.

Her mother told her she needed to be ladylike to be able to attract a good man. But she knew that belief was an archaic thought by which her mother and grandmother had been raised. It was laughable. At least to Hazel, who was named after that same proper grandmother.

Hazel went inside. She’d acted spontaneously by going to see Ross without a resume. Time to change that.

She sat at her desk in her small office and started to type up a list of all the jobs she’d held both during and after college. Though she came from a family where money wasn’t an issue, earning it had always pleased her.

When her cell rang, Hazel picked it up. Misty.

“Hi,” said Misty. “I just want to make sure you’ll be at Jake’s. I know that Melissa and Ross will be there. Maybe you can talk to Ross about a job opportunity.”

“I have already talked to Ross,” said Hazel, “and I think there might be something at the Sports Center for me. He has to talk to Mike first, and then he’ll get in touch with me. I was very encouraged.”

“Mike should have no problem with you working there, even after a date that didn’t go anywhere.”

“He’s nice, but I have the feeling he’s a playboy. A bunch of groupies are always hanging around him in their little tennis skirts and shorts,” said Hazel.

“You’ve got to admit he’s a hottie if there ever was one. That ripped body, crooked smile, and those green eyes of his. Any woman would fall for him.”

“Yes, but he seems to play them all, going from one to the other,” said Hazel. “Even now he’s bringing a co-worker, a woman, to Lilac Lake to help with the tennis program.”

“Well, that’ll make it easy for everyone,” said Misty. “No competition from anyone here.”

“Thanks for thinking of me,” said Hazel. “I need to finish typing up my resumé before I take off for Jake’s. I’ll see you there.”

Hazel ended the call. She hoped Misty was right and working with Mike wouldn’t be a problem. There was something about him that annoyed her no end.