CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The next morning, Hazel drove to the Sports Center, eager for a workout with Jed. She’d thought about the sweet kiss Mike had given her and how she’d so quickly responded to her mother’s thoughts about Mike and realized she’d come to really like him.
Both of her parents had come from wealthy backgrounds, so they didn’t understand what it was like to make something of yourself from nothing.
And, Lisa’s raising foster children, one of whom was not expected to live long, would shame her mother for her easy acceptance of a life Lisa would never have.
She parked her car, headed to the courts, and was glad to see Jed waiting for her.
She waved and walked over to him. “’ Morning. How are you?”
He shrugged, and a frown furrowed his brow. “Lisa’s sad. She told me we might have to move.”
“Move? Away from here?” Hazel asked, feeling sick.
“I don’t know,” said Jed. “She was talking to someone else.”
“Oh, well, I’ll talk to Lisa. I’m sure it’s nothing for you to worry about,” said Hazel, hoping that was true.
They went onto the court and began to play.
Soon, all thoughts but those about the game disappeared as Jed gave as good as she did, keeping the ball flying over the net back and forth.
When they were through, Hazel gave Jed a high-five. “We’re getting better.”
Jed smiled and nodded. “Mike thinks so too.”
“I’ve got a busy day, but if you need me to talk to Lisa, please call me,” Hazel said to Jed.
“Okay,” he replied and trotted away.
Watching him leave, Hazel frowned. She’d sure miss Jed if he moved away, or did it mean he’d be reassigned to a different foster home? The thought sent acid to her stomach.
She went into the building to change for work. She was taking her mother to lunch at the Lilac Lake Café and then would give her a tour of the Sports Center. In the meantime, she had work to do.
###
The morning flew by as Hazel reviewed schedules for the various sports activities, posted new ones, reviewed employee schedules, and worked on marketing ideas.
When Hazel drove home to pick up her mother, she was ready for a break.
“I’ve had a lovely, lazy morning,” said her mother. “But I’m looking forward to lunch.”
“The food at the Café is excellent. My friend, Crystal, used to own it, but now she helps her husband with his medical practice.”
As they headed back into town, Hazel swung by the Grahams’ small park and explained how the family had given it to the town in memory of their daughter, David’s sister.
“Such a sweet idea,” said her mother.
“After lunch, we can stroll up and down Main Street. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of things in the shops that you’ll like,” said Hazel. “And, of course, I want to give you a tour of the Sports Center.”
“Can’t wait,” said her mother. “Of all the jobs I imagined for you, I could never envision you at a sports facility, playing and helping to teach tennis.”
“You’re going to be impressed,” said Hazel confidently. It was so much more than ordinary.
Hazel parked the car and led her mother into the café.
“Where do you want to sit? It’s pleasant enough to sit outside,” said Hazel.
“Outside will be lovely,” said her mother. “It’s so much cooler here than at home.”
As they stepped onto the patio, Hazel saw Ross Roberts sitting with one of the other owners of the Inn. She waved to him and sat down at a table not far away.
“Is that Ross Roberts, the ex-baseball star?” her mother.
“Yes, he’s married to my friend, Melissa, and is part owner of the Inn. He’s a super delightful guy,” said Hazel.
A waitress came over to hand them menus and fill their water glasses.” Nice to see you, Hazel.”
“Thanks, this is my mother, Helena Belmont,” said Hazel.
“Welcome to Lilac Lake. You’ll love it here, if even for only a visit,” the older waitress said.
“It’s delightful already,” said Hazel’s mother.
After some discussion, Hazel and her mother each ordered a chicken salad plate garnished with a summer fruit selection and iced lemonade.
As they sat eating, several other people waved to Hazel as they went in and out of the café.
“You certainly know a lot of people,” said her mother.
Hazel chuckled. “Small town living. At first, it took some getting used to, but now I love it.”
“It reminds me a little bit of home because as big as the area is, we tend to stick to our crowd,” said her mother.
“You’re busy as ever with all the social activities. How’s Dad? Still at the top of his golf game at the club?” asked Hazel.
“Oh, yes. It’s important that he has that physical activity. It keeps him from getting too restless. I can’t imagine what it will be like when the time comes for him to retire. Even though it’s at least ten years or more off, I’m all for keeping him at his job.”
“I don’t blame you,” said Hazel, chuckling. “It’s good that he has his hunting and fishing buddies, too.” Her father was a social person, as well.
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After lunch, as promised, Hazel led her mother up and down Main Street, stopping at whatever shops interested her mother.
Sometime later, they headed over to the Sports Center.
When they pulled up to the sprawling, brick-faced building, Hazel’s mother gasped. “I had no idea it was so big.”
“It has everything. An indoor and outdoor pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a baseball diamond and a baseball training facility, an indoor climbing wall, basketball courts in and out, and the normal gym and training facilities.”
As they walked inside, Hazel explained, “The vision is for year-round opportunities for sports enthusiasts to find something available right here in town. In the winter, skiers may look for a change of pace at our center. The Inn is working on special marketing with us for their guests.”
“With all the different programs, it sounds like the whole town will be part of it,” said her mother.
“Yes, the county made a deal for Ross and Mike to buy the land,” said Hazel. “They’ve come through with all they promised.”
“I’m impressed,” said her mother.
A young woman behind the welcome desk spoke to them cheerfully when they walked inside. “Welcome to the Sports Center. May I help you, Hazel?”
“I’m showing my mother the entire operation here. Thank you for asking,” said Hazel sincerely. It had taken several training sessions to make sure the young students handling the front desk understood the importance of greeting visitors.
“I’ll show you my office,” said Hazel. “It’s not fancy but is nicely laid out.”
As they headed down the hall, Craig Evans approached them. “Afternoon, Hazel.”
“Craig, meet my mother, Helena Belmont. She’s visiting me for a couple of days.”
“Yes, that’s why Elliott moved in with me,” said Craig. “Welcome to Lilac Lake, Ms. Belmont.”
“Thank you. It’s such a lovely little town. You say Elliott is staying with you? I’m hoping to meet up with him. I promised his mother I’d spend some time with him and see how he’s doing.”
Hazel and Craig exchanged knowing glances.
“I’ve already arranged for Elliott to have dinner with us one night,” said Hazel.
“Oh, that’s good then,” said Craig. “See you later. I’m off to a business appointment.” He turned to Hazel’s mother. “Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you,” her mother said. “I will.”
“Craig is the person Elliott is going into business with. He’s very agreeable and very smart. He’s started a successful financial consulting company that services a lot of the small businesses in the area,” said Hazel.
“Hmm, I see,” said her mother thoughtfully. “Are he and Elliott …
“No, they’re not together. Just friends,” said Hazel. “He’s staying with Craig because you’re in town. As you can imagine, Elliott is working through many things right now. He’s started a new business and is trying to build a consulting list of his own.”
“It sounds overwhelming,” said her mother.
“I think it is,” Hazel said, not giving away the times she’d seen Elliott second-guessing himself, torn by the disappointment he’d caused his parents. She didn’t want to speak for Elliott, so she kept quiet.
They walked into her office, and Hazel proudly showed her some of the calendars and organizational work she’d done with schedules and with the retail and second-hand shops.
“I’m very proud of you, Hazel,” said her mother, giving her a quick hug. “These are a lot of details to handle, and you’re doing a great job of it.”
“Thanks. I enjoy the work, which I think is more suitable for me than teaching. Still, I help with camp for the kids and various kids’ classes and enjoy that too.”
They walked through the rest of the facility, watching different people and groups enjoying various activities.
When they walked out to the tennis courts, an intermediate class for children was in session with Tracy. Hazel was delighted to see Jed and stopped outside the fence to watch him play. She pointed Jed out to her mother.
“He’s a cute boy,” her mother said, and waved back when Jed waved to them.
“Jed Abbott, pay attention,” shouted Tracy, turning to give Hazel and her mother dirty looks.
“My! Who is that?” said her mother.
“Tracy is one of our tennis teachers,” said Hazel, moving them along. But she, too, had noticed how rude Tracy was.
At the baseball field, Ross was standing by as a baseball player was at batting practice, taking pitches from another player.
Ross saw them and walked over. “Hi, Hazel. I assume this is your mother.”
“Yes, meet Helena Belmont. You were talking business at the Lilac Café, or we would’ve stopped by your table.”
“And by the time we were through with our business meeting, you were gone,” explained Ross. “How are you liking our little gem of a town?” he asked her mother.
“It’s lovely. Very charming. I can see why Hazel wants to stay here,” her mother said, smiling.
“She’s been a terrific addition to the Sports Center team,” said Ross. “Are you going to bring your mother to Jake’s tomorrow?”
“Yes,” said Hazel. “I want her to meet everyone.”
“Then you’ll meet my wife and the group of friends who make this home,” said Ross to her mother.
“I can’t wait,” she replied.
Mike approached them wearing tennis shorts and a green shirt that complemented his eyes. Hazel couldn’t help staring at how his clothes outlined his masculine body, accentuating his broad chest, narrow waist, and muscular frame.
“Hello,” said Mike, coming closer. He stopped and smiled at her, and Hazel thought for a frozen moment that he might hug or kiss her to keep up appearances of dating.
“Sorry, I’m all sweaty, but it’s nice to see you here,” he said, grinning at Hazel.
“Thanks, we’re headed home,” said Hazel, hoping to forestall any conversation in front of Ross.
“We’ll see you shortly,” said Hazel’s mother to him.
Ross raised his eyebrows but remained quiet as Hazel gave both men a wave of her hand and took hold of her mother’s elbow to lead her away.