CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
When Hazel and her mother returned to the cabin, Mike and her father were getting ready to go to the Sports Center to play some tennis.
“How nice,” said her mother. “Do you mind if Hazel and I watch?”
“Not at all,” her father said confidently. He was talented at both golf and tennis.
Mike shrugged. “Fine with me.”
They all loaded into Mike’s car and drove to the Center.
“What do you think of Mike and Ross’s project?” Hazel asked her father.
“It’s quite an operation. Very impressive,” he answered.
“We had a lovely trip to see Mike’s new house and stopped at the Lilac Lake Inn for a delicious lunch,” said Hazel’s mother. “I am liking Lilac Lake more and more.”
“The town is very attractive,” her father said. “I had breakfast at the Café, looked around town, and walked over to the Sports Center to meet Mike for lunch. Everyone was friendly.”
As they all got out of the car, a little girl who looked to be about ten years old ran over to Mike. “Hi, Mike. I’m doing better with my serve. Want to see?”
“Sure. Come get me when it’s time for your next lesson,” said Mike. “Did Paco show you how?”
The girl nodded. “Mallory, too.”
“Okay,” said Mike, smiling at the girl before she ran off. “Paco and Mallory are our new hires,” explained Mike to her parents. “I’m glad to see the kids like them. It’s important.”
“There was one instructor here who didn’t seem very likable,” said Hazel’s mother.
Hazel didn’t dare mention Tracy’s name.
“I know who you mean,” said Mike. “She’s no longer working for us. C’mon, Ray, let’s get ready to hit the court.”
Hazel and her mother sat on a bench outside the tennis courts to watch the match.
Hazel’s mother turned to her. “Your father likes to win.”
“Mike is very generous in giving his opponents a fair chance,” said Hazel. “When I play tennis with him, he’s very sweet about letting me have opportunities to score.”
“You were an excellent player in college,” said her mother.
“I’m even better now. I’ve learned a lot from him.” Hazel grinned and cast an admiring glance at Mike.
Her mother put an arm around her. “You’re sounding more like a woman in love every day.”
The men seemed well-matched to begin with, but then Mike took over by placing some shots that were impossible to return.
It was interesting for Hazel to see how in control Mike was without being too flashy.
She clapped and cheered for both of them, delighted to see how well Mike and her father seemed to be getting along.
After a couple of sets, the men’s match on the court was over.
“Time for me to cool off,” said her father, taking a sip of water.
“Let’s go back and relax at the house for a while before we head to Elliott’s for dinner,” said Hazel’s mother.
“Okay, excellent game, Ray,” said Mike. “If you don’t mind, I’ll drop you off at the cabin and come back here for a private lesson I couldn’t rearrange.”
‘I’ll stay here and return home with you after your lesson,” Hazel told Mike. “I need to check on a few things so I can have the afternoon off tomorrow.”
“No problem. Your father and I appreciate the time both of you are making for us,” said her mother.
###
Alone in her office, Hazel checked her messages, made sure the calendar was up to date for tomorrow’s activities, went into the store to check on sales there, and moved outside to make sure the trash cans had been emptied on schedule and went to talk to the lifeguards at the pool to be sure they were on the schedule for the rest of the week.
Morning exercise and swimming classes were filling up, and people were already asking about winter classes.
Slowly, but surely, the number of employees was rising. Keeping track of them was becoming a real issue because each one served a different purpose, a different sport at a different time.
She ran into Ross, who was supervising a junior baseball team match-up with some older kids.
“They’re looking better,” she said, stopping to say hello.
“It’s rewarding to see how much they’re growing with each game. It’s pretty low-key now, but it will be a very different scene in the winter, when we offer serious training for professionals. That’s when I’ll be super busy.”
“The Sports Center is growing very well,” said Hazel. “Paco and Mallory seem to be doing a commendable job. That’s a huge help. But I’m going to need to hire someone as my assistant soon.”
Ross gave her an approving nod. “Yes, Ma’am. Mike and I were talking about that the other day.”
“Well, I have to go,” said Hazel. “My parents are here.”
“How’s that going? What do they think of Mike?” he asked.
“So far, it’s been okay,” said Hazel. “He’s doing his thing, just being himself.”
“He’s solid,” said Mike.
“Let’s hope it keeps up. Mike just beat my father at tennis.”
Mike laughed. “That’s one way to make an impression.”
At the memory of Mike’s victorious grin, Hazel chuckled. Both her father and Mike had a lot of pride, but the match seemed to work to keep things open and friendly between them.
###
That evening, after seeing her parents off to visit Elliott, Mike wrapped an arm around Hazel and drew her close. “Alone at last.”
She leaned against him, smelling the lemony soap he’d used for a shower. “It’s important that we have this bit of breathing time away from my parents. We need to talk about a phone call from Lisa. I didn’t want to do it in front of my parents.”
Hazel filled him in on the details. “So, next week we’ll have Jed for probably a week. After talking to her, I have the feeling that Lisa and her husband will be able to keep Jed. With a foster parent shortage in each state, I can’t imagine them being denied.”
“I think you’re right,” said Mike. “I just want to make sure it happens. I’m willing to step in and take Jed if it becomes necessary.”
“Me, too,” said Hazel. “It’s something we’ve always agreed on. By the way, I was impressed seeing your house again through my mother’s eyes. It’s beautiful and in a nice neighborhood for children.”
“No matter what happens, it’s a smart investment,” said Mike, bursting Hazel’s bubble of the images she’d conjured up of the two of them living there with a family.
Hazel told herself to slow down such thinking. A lot could happen in the next couple of weeks as they took on their first foster child, if only for a week.
“Let’s skip dinner for now. I have a better idea,” Mike murmured in her ear, and all thoughts of any trouble disappeared as Hazel gazed up at him and said, “Me, too.”
###
Later, still energized from their lovemaking, Hazel put together a salad while Mike grilled some chicken breasts out on the deck.
Observing him from this vantage point, Hazel could imagine what it might be like someday.
It almost scared her that this visit with her parents was going that well and that Mike seemed at ease with them.
He’d told her he’d fight for her. Maybe this was how he was doing it.
She set places at the kitchen bar for them and went out to the deck to check on the chicken. “Everything’s ready inside. How are we doing here?”
“Almost ready,” said Mike. “I have been thinking about tomorrow. I have an early morning meeting with Ross, then I’m going to pick up Jed to see if we can get in some time for him to practice.
The doctor has given his go-ahead for Jed to run on that ankle, but we don’t want him to twist it. I’ve found a brace he can use on it.”
“My parents have a couple of morning sessions to play pickleball, and then they want to take some time on their own to look around the area. So, I’ll be at the office most of the day but will try to get out to watch you and Jed practice.”
“Then, we’re all going to Jake’s. Right?”
“Yes,” said Hazel. “I’m anxious for them to spend time with our friends.”
Mike loaded the chicken breasts onto a platter and brought it inside.
Hazel poured them each a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio and served up the salad.
As they were eating, their parents returned.
“My! You’re eating late,” said her mother.
“We had lots to talk over,” Hazel said, willing herself not to blush. Her parents didn’t need to know that she and Mike had enjoyed a sensational time of making love.
“Help yourself to chicken,” said Mike.
Hazel’s father laughed. “I’m stuffed. Elliott served us a delightful meal of lake trout.”
“Sounds delicious,” said Hazel.
“It was, and a good time was had by all,” said her mother, smiling with satisfaction. “I’m really glad that we had time with him. Aren’t you, Ray?”
Hazel’s father nodded agreeably. “It was nice to see him happy.”
“That’s all any parent wants—for their children to be happy,” said Hazel’s mother. “That’s why this visit has been such a pleasure.”
“It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow,” said Hazel. “Remember, we’re going to Jake’s for dinner.”
“I’m delighted to have the chance to meet more of your friends,” said her mother. “I’m going to sit outside for a bit, and then I’m coming to bed.”
“If you don’t mind, I’m going right to bed after I clean up the kitchen,” said Hazel. “Like I said, it’s going to be a busy day. Can I get you water, coffee, or wine?”
“Nothing for me, thanks,” said her mother.
“I’ll have a beer,” her father said. “Then, I’m going to sit with your mother. I like this cool, clean air.”
“Goodnight,” said Mike. “I’ll help Hazel with the kitchen, and then I’m going to bed. I have a very early morning meeting with Ross. It’s the only time we seem to have for them.”
Mike shook hands with her father with confidence, and she felt as if he’d come a long way.
Later, in bed, she told him so. But he shook his head. “I have a distance to go to match the kind of life you’ve had.”
“But I want a life with you, no matter what that might look like,” said Hazel, suddenly worried.
“I want you now,” said Mike playfully, leaving her with unsettled feelings even as he kissed her.