CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The next morning, instead of going to the Sports Center for practice, Hazel stayed at home with her parents while Mike left to give a tennis lesson.
“I think I’ll walk into town,” said her father.
“In that case, Hazel and I will have time for our girl talk,” said her mother. “Having coffee on the deck at this time of day is lovely.”
“Before you go, let me suggest having breakfast at the Lilac Lake Café. Their food is wonderful,” Hazel told her father.
“That sounds about perfect,” he responded. “I’m usually on the golf course at this hour, but the walk will be an interesting alternative.”
“Have fun,” said Hazel, seeing him out the door.
She returned to the kitchen, grabbed a cup of coffee, and went out to the deck to join her mother.
“What’s going on? It seems as if Dad has been prepped for the visit,” Hazel said.
“Your father and I had a very productive talk on our flight,” her mother said. “Believe it or not, it’s hard to find some time together with each of us so busy. I told him about the conversation Elliott and I had, my meeting with Mike, and the need for us to be accepting.”
“I see,” said Hazel, unable to hide her surprise.
“Your father wasn’t wrong when he said he had his future planned by his parents.
Both of us fell into those plans, and we’ve had a rewarding life together.
But after my visit here, I realized how old-fashioned that whole concept is.
You and Elliott were supposed to get married.
Why? Because it would’ve been perfect for the social status of both families. I’m ashamed to admit it.”
“I love Elliott, and if he weren’t gay, I might have married him,” said Hazel. “But I’ve known since we were kids that it would never happen. And, Mom, with Mike, I’ve finally learned what love is. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. It’s as if we click together. You know?”
“Yes, I do,” said her mother. “I see how you look at one another, the way he sometimes just touches your hand. It’s the sweetest thing ever.”
“I thought Dad was going to be difficult about Mike’s background,” Hazel said.
“As long as he knows Mike will never hurt you and will do his best to care for you, he’ll have no objection to you and Mike being together.” Her mother’s smile lit her eyes. “He’s pretty excited about playing a game with a pro like Mike.”
“Mike and I have talked about our future together, but he hasn’t proposed. Neither one of us wants to feel pressured into anything,” said Hazel, giving her mother a warning look.
“I’m glad. Now, tell me about the house Mike has bought. Is it in town?” her mother said.
“It’s outside of town some distance away. After we get dressed, I’ll take you there, and on the way back to town, we can stop at the Lilac Lake Inn for lunch.”
“I’d love that. I’ve missed our girl times,” said her mother.
“Me, too,” said Hazel, realizing she had. All her girlfriends in town had helped fill that space, but she was enjoying her mother in a new way.
###
The drive out to The Meadows allowed her mother to see the lake in its entirety.
“The scenery is beautiful,” gushed her mother. “I wonder if it’s easy to find a rental in the summertime. That way, your father and I could stay for longer without bothering you kids.”
“While we’re at the Meadows, I can introduce you to Melanie Perkins, a real estate broker.
She can tell you more about rentals. Just be careful to be discreet.
She’s the holder of every bit of news in town.
I think that’s why she’s so successful. She knows of houses coming on the market before they’re ever put there. ”
Her mother chuckled. “I promise not to mention an engagement between you and Mike.”
“Don’t say anything about us being together or she’ll not only have us engaged, she’ll have us married,” said Hazel. “Sound like someone you know?”
“Not anymore, remember?” her mother said gently but firmly.
“I’m glad I’m sharing this day with you,” Hazel said, glancing her mother’s way before returning her eyes to the road.
She drove through the entrance to The Meadows and parked in front of the sales office. “Come with me, and you can talk to Melanie.”
As soon as they stepped inside, Melanie stood behind her desk. “Ah, Hazel, is this your mother? I heard she was in town.”
Hazel couldn’t help grinning. Melanie already had the news. “Yes. This is my mom, Helena Belmont. She’d like to ask you a few questions about rentals in the area and then we’re going to drive by Mike’s new house. Any word on when the family is moving out?”
“Soon. And I understand the interior will be painted before he moves in,” said Melanie. “So, it’ll be a few more weeks before he’s ready to live there.” She offered them seats and after going through her files, she handed Hazel’s mother several sheets of paper showing rentals in the area.
“The best thing to do is rent a season ahead,” said Melanie. “These will give you an idea of the size and pricing for several rental properties in the area. Several are used as summer rentals and again for winter rentals for the ski season.”
“Thank you,” said Hazel’s mother.
“Have you seen the interior of Mike’s house yet?” asked Melanie. “The family is there now, which is why you can’t go inside unless you make an appointment.”
“No, we’re just going to drive by today,” said Hazel. “I wanted Mom to see it. That’s all.”
“Okay, then,” said Melanie, picking up her ringing phone. “See you later.”
Hazel and her mother got into her car, and she drove up the street into the upscale neighborhood.
“There’s a community boathouse and club for the residents.
It’s where a lot of people keep their canoes.
Only motorboats with small engines are allowed on the lake to keep the area quiet and not disturb the wildlife. ”
“A great idea,” said her mother.
Hazel stopped in front of the house Mike had bought. Seeing it again, knowing that one day she might live there, Hazel looked at it with fresh eyes. It was a beautiful home.
Seeing the toddler and older child playing in the front yard, Hazel wondered if that’s what it would look like when she and Mike owned it.
“It’s a lovely house. The entire neighborhood is beautiful. And look, it’s delightful to see children playing. An appealing place for growing families.”
“The ex-governor and his wife live in the woods at the far end of the development. And there’s Melissa and Ross Roberts’ house,” said Hazel.
Her mother gazed at everything with delight. “I admire your cabin on the river, but this is much better for a family.”
“I agree,” said Hazel. “But the cabin has served me well. I love being in the center of everything.”
“Yes, Lilac Lake is such a charming town.”
“Ready for lunch?” Hazel asked. “We’ll stop at the Inn. The Inn was owned by Genie Wittner, the Gilford girls’ grandmother, GG. She was forced to sell it but retained some acreage and a cottage on the property, which she has given to her granddaughters, who are friends of mine.”
“Interesting,” said her mother. “Is their grandmother still alive?”
“Oh, yes,” Hazel said, smiling. “She’s the grand dame of the area, the sweetest, most generous woman ever. She’s always doing something kind for someone. On another visit, I’ll try to arrange for you two to meet.”
“Where does she live?” her mother asked.
“She moved to The Woodlands, an assisted living facility at the edge of town. You met Brad and Aaron Collister. Their company was the main contractor for its construction.”
“I just love how everyone is connected,” said her mother.
“It took a while to get used to small-town living, but I like it now,” admitted Hazel.
She pulled into the parking lot for the Inn.
Hazel and her mother got out and stood momentarily, inhaling the smell of pine and something undefined but fresh coming from the lake.
They walked up to the front of the building, which still held some of the original fixtures and finishing touches from the original inn.
Inside, an antique reception desk made a bold statement in the contemporary lobby.
A sign pointed them in the direction of the dining room, and they headed there.
On this summer day, the dining room was crowded with hotel and regional guests alike, distinguishable by their attire.
A hostess took the information and led them to a table for two overlooking the front lawn.
Hazel made sure her mother got the best seat for a view out the window.
After a waitress had given them menus and filled their water glasses, she left.
Hazel pointed outside. “Across the lake, you’ll see a large gray house. That belongs to the Grahams. Someday, David and my friend, Misty, will live there. His parents want to retire soon.”
“How are the winters here?” asked her mother.
“They’re cold, for sure,” Hazel said. “Summer is a better time for you to visit.”
“I do enjoy warmth,” said her mother. “Now, what are you going to order?”
“I’m going to order clam chowder and a salad,” said Hazel. “Their clam chowder is fabulous summer or winter.”
“Okay, that’s what I’ll order too,” said her mother, setting down her menu on the table and gazing out the window. “Oh, look! A cardinal! How pretty.”
“We have lots of birds,” said Hazel. “I’ve been meaning to buy a bird feeder.”
“I’ll get you one. Where’s the best place?”
“At Beckham’s Lumber Company. Beth Beckham has a shop there that has everything. Otherwise, Bullard’s Hardware Store has them too.”
“Okay, let’s make a stop at either place on our way home,” said her mother.
“Deal,” said Hazel. She’d pick something suitable for both the river and Mike’s new house.
“I’ve been meaning to ask how Cassandra is dealing with Elliott’s news,” said Hazel. “He has a boyfriend and seems to be very happy.”
“She’s doing a lot better. Both of his parents are. They love him, of course.”
“I know. That’s why it was so sad that Elliott never felt he could tell them the truth. It will be helpful for you and Dad to have dinner with him tonight,” said Hazel.
“Yes, he texted me this morning, and I confirmed it,” said her mother. “That will give you and Mike an evening together without us. But tomorrow, I thought it would be fun for your father to go to Jake’s. He’ll get a real taste of the town. I loved it.”
“Okay, that’s easy enough to do,” said Hazel, pleased by her mother’s enthusiasm. This visit was going so well, she hoped nothing would break this spell.
Just as they were getting in her car. Her cell phone rang. Lisa.
“Hi, Lisa, what’s up?” she asked.
“It’s Jed. Any chance you and Mike can have him stay with you next week?
It’ll be for a week, maybe a day or two more, while my husband and I find a new house in Pennsylvania.
Janis, next door, will stay here with the two youngest, but I thought this would be practice for you and Mike, should it come to you fostering him. ”
“Sure, that won’t be a problem. My parents are in town but will leave in a few days, so we should be able to do it.”
Hazel ended the call and caught her lip. Her life was about to change in a big way.