CHAPTER TWO
Hazel decided to walk to Jake’s Bar and Grill on Main Street just a few blocks away. This was another pleasure of living in a small town.
She headed out. As she strolled along the sidewalk, she admired the colorful flowers people had planted in their front yards, placed in pots by the front door, or in baskets hanging from hooks on the front porch.
Some of the houses flew the American flag, giving a real small-town feel to the setting.
On Main Street, she studied the cluster of intriguing shops and enticing restaurants. The town took pride in keeping to its reputation of being postcard-pretty.
The shops displayed different-colored awnings, many of them purple. Beside each door, at least one pot held flowers. The decorative lampposts along the street held baskets of petunias and other summer flowers.
She passed Pages Bookstore, Poppy Browning’s Wild Flower Boutique, Petals Flower Shop, and other retail establishments whose windows held interesting displays. Across the street, Bullard’s Hardware Store filled the entire corner.
Jake’s sat midway down Main Street and was where Hazel and her friends gathered at least a couple times a week to relax and catch up on the latest news. Two tables were usually reserved for them in the back corner, where they had some privacy from the tourists who came to Lilac Lake year-round.
Tonight, Hazel was one of the last people to arrive. She greeted everyone and placed an order for a cold beer and a chicken Caesar salad, catching the waitress before she left the table.
“How is everyone?” she asked brightly.
“The real question is how are you doing?” asked Whitney, one of the three Gilford sisters whose grandmother used to own the Lilac Lake Inn. “I heard from a neighbor that you won’t be teaching at the elementary school next year.”
“Nothing is secret for long in this town,” grumbled Hazel.
“But I suppose it’s just as well to get the news out there.
Instead of being transferred to another school, I decided to leave teaching.
” She glanced at Ross, who grinned at her.
“I’m looking for other work. Something that will keep me here in Lilac Lake. ”
“We certainly don’t want you leaving,” said Whitney, looking wide-eyed.
Hazel held up a hand to stop such a notion. “Even though my parents want me to come home, I have no intention of leaving here. I love Lilac Lake.”
“I’m relieved,” said Dani Collister, Whitney’s sister. “We need a touch of southern girl here.” It had taken them a while to get used to Hazel’s drawl, which appeared pronounced when she was especially flustered.
“Okay, y’all, I do declare all y’all are sweet as pah,” said Hazel with exaggeration.
Everyone laughed.
Hazel’s food came, and she sat quietly enjoying it and the conversation around her. Misty was telling everyone about fixing up the cabin where David lived. “We know that we’ll eventually move into his parents’ house by the lake, but the cabin is perfect for us now.”
“It’s not luxurious like Aaron’s cabin,” said David, “but it’s comfortable.”
Hazel turned to Sarah, Aaron Collister’s fiancée. “How are things going with you and the girls living there?”
“It’s a perfect place for all of us, including the dogs. Sometime this summer, we hope to have a party there,” said Sarah, looking to Aaron for approval. “We’ll have to see.”
“That sounds wonderful,” said Hazel, hoping she would still be living in Lilac Lake. She glanced at Ross, and he winked at her.
Conversation turned to Melissa’s cookbook, and Hazel relaxed. Everyone in town knew what a creative chef Melissa had been at her parents’ restaurant before it burned down. Hazel could well imagine how outstanding the cookbook would be.
“How’s the hardware store doing?” Hazel asked Dani. She’d recently bought a share of the business and was working with Sarah, whose parents had started the store years ago.
“It’s very exciting,” said Dani. “I’m dealing with the construction and renovation areas of the store while Sarah is handling gifts and housewares.”
Brad put his arm around Dani. “I like to see you settled and doing what you want.”
Watching them, Hazel felt a ping of envy. She knew she didn’t need a man to make her happy, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t like a special one in her life.
###
A few days later, Hazel was sitting in her classroom correcting math papers when Nolan Deere knocked on her door and entered the room.
“Ms. Belmont, it seems there’s been an increase in enrollment. I’ve received many calls from your students' parents requesting you to teach their siblings. I’d like you to remain at our school.” He stood beside her desk, looking down at her with an unpleasant expression.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Hazel, both delighted and furious with his request. She hadn’t heard from Ross and wondered whether Mike would be willing to hire her. He already knew she was never going to be a groupie of his.
“Just say yes, and we’ll forget the whole … firing thing … misunderstanding … happened,” said Nolan.
Wait a minute! Firing thing? “Well, now that I’ve had a moment to think about it, I’ll say thanks, but no thanks. I have other plans.”
“Other plans? But it’s only been a couple of days …”
“Enough for me to decide to make those changes I was forced to consider,” said Hazel, calmly but firmly. “Now, I’m pleased to explore other opportunities.”
“Like what?” Nolan sneered.
“That’s really none of your concern,” Hazel said, forcing herself to hold her temper in check.
“All right. You’ve had your chance,” said Nolan. He turned on his heel and left the room in a huff.
Hazel watched him go and then sat back in her chair, satisfied. Some days were full of surprises. She just hoped bad news from Ross wouldn’t ruin her decision.
###
On the way out of school, Hazel met up with Misty.
“Do you have time for a cup of coffee at my house?” Hazel asked her. “I want to make sure I haven’t been a fool because of my pride.”
Misty gave her a questioning look. “Sure. I’ve got time. It sounds important.”
They each drove to the cabins and parked in front of Hazel’s home.
Hazel unlocked her front door and waved Misty inside. “Sorry, it’s been a busy week, so it’s kind of messy. But let me get the coffee going, and we can sit outside on the deck. It’s such a perfect time of year to do that.”
“I miss my cabin here along the river,” said Misty. “But I love being with David. He’s easy-going, and we have a lot of fun. After living together for a while, it’s fantastic to know we’re compatible.”
“Nothing like seeing a roomie in the morning for several weeks to know what they’re really like,” said Hazel, fixing them each a cup of coffee.
Misty laughed. “David gets up very early for work. Sometimes, I don’t.”
They walked out to the deck and sat down.
Misty leaned forward and faced Hazel with a look of concern. “What’s going on?”
Hazel told her about Nolan’s visit to her classroom.
“He was shocked that I said no thanks after he reluctantly admitted enrollment has increased and parents have been requesting me for the next school year. I’m glad I’d already made up my mind to do something different. Even if parents want me to stay.”
“Believe me, no one else wanted you to leave,” said Misty.
“I’ve grown to dislike even the sight of Nolan Deere. He’s so insincere. He didn’t look very happy about offering me my job back.”
“He’s not an easy person to get along with,” said Misty. “I tend to stay out of his way. There’s been talk of his transferring to another school. If that happens, I can’t think of any teacher who’d miss him.”
“I’m glad it isn’t just me who can’t seem to get along with him. I like to think I can deal with most people,” said Hazel.
Misty took another sip of her coffee and set her mug down on the table between them. “You’re a fabulous teacher. It’s a shame that Nolan has made you think about leaving. But I get it, if you want to try something else. You know you can count on me for a reference.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel. “I just needed to talk to you about it to make sure I wasn’t being stupid.”
Misty laughed. “One thing you’re not is stupid. I’m sure you have some exciting times ahead. I just don’t want you to leave town.”
“Me neither,” said Hazel. “I’m dreading a call from my mother until I can safely say I’ve already got another job.”
“Has Ross offered you a job?” asked Misty.
“Not yet, but I think he will. I just hope it’s something that can give me the same benefits as teaching. Other than that, I’ll be fine. Have you made plans for the summer?”
“David and I were talking about that earlier this week. I was going to take a summer course, but instead, I’m going to spend time with his mother, learning about the business end of the landscaping company.
While the staff is busy working outside, I can take over the indoor plant business they have, taking care of plants in offices and professional buildings in the entire region. ”
“I’m afraid I’d kill all the plants,” said Hazel.
“I’m learning a lot about them. Each variety of plant has certain requirements. Believe me, I’m still checking my notes,” Misty admitted.
“You and David make such a sweet couple. Thanks for listening to me.”
“Anytime,” said Misty, checking her watch. “I’ve got to be going, but I’m always here to support you.”
They hugged, and Hazel showed Misty out, then returned to the deck to collect the mugs. She hoped by the time the gang met at Jake’s over the weekend, Ross would have good news for her.