CHAPTER TWENTY
Driving her mother to the airport outside Portsmouth, Hazel had mixed feelings.
The visit had gone better than expected.
But with her mother gone, where did that leave her and Mike?
Especially worrisome was the idea that her mother wanted to return to New Hampshire so her father could meet and judge Mike for himself.
Hazel told herself to stick with the “just dating idea” so it wouldn’t be so disappointing if she and Mike “broke up.”
Another cause of concern was her idea of going ahead and becoming certified to become a foster parent in New Hampshire if the need ever became real with Jed.
“You’re very quiet,” said her mother. “Is everything all right?”
“I’m sad to see you go,” said Hazel. “But I’m glad your life is so full at home. I hope you have a much better grasp of why Elliott wants to stay here. I’m excited that he’s finally becoming himself, not hiding who he is from parents who’ve always expected too much of him.”
“I agree. Elliott and I had a long talk. I’ve loved him since he was a child, and I want him to be happy. I’m sure Cassandra will understand better after we have a chance to talk.”
“That’ll be a big help to Elliott. He’s never wanted to disappoint them,” said Hazel.
She pulled into a parking spot and helped her mother inside the terminal.
They stood staring at one another, and then her mother said, “I hate goodbyes.” She wrapped her arms around Hazel and kissed her. “See you another time.”
Hazel murmured, “Love you,” and thought of Jed and others like him who might never have been as lucky to have such a loving mother.
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On her way back to town, she got a call from Mike.
“I’m on my way to The Meadows to look at the house Brad was talking about last night. Are you able to join me? I was serious when I said I needed a woman’s perspective on it. I want to see if it could be a suitable place for Jed if I should ever need to foster him.”
“I’m sure it will be fine for that, but I’m curious to see the house,” said Hazel. “I promise to be truthful.” She chuckled. “I hope you know I don’t normally deceive people. But in my mother’s case, I knew what would happen if I didn’t come up with something to keep her at bay.”
“Your mother is a very nice woman who wants the best for her daughter,” said Mike. “I admire her.”
“She really liked you,” said Hazel.
“Your mother was very pleasant to me, but make no mistake, I realize we’re from very different backgrounds. Your family has a housekeeper, belongs to a country club, and has always had a privileged life.”
“But that’s not me or my life,” countered Hazel, upset by the thought of Mike thinking he wasn’t good enough for her. He was a lot more thoughtful than most of the so-called suitable men who came from her background.
“Well, it’s a moot choice. We did a satisfying job convincing your mother she didn’t need to put so much pressure on you. What did she think of the idea of fostering Jed?”
“I haven’t mentioned it,” said Hazel. “I need to get the training and applications done before discussing it with her. But if it happens, that’s my decision. Not hers.”
She ended the call with Mike and continued driving to The Meadows, lost in thought. If she were totally honest with herself, she’d admit that she was falling for Mike. Hard. And she had no idea what to do about it.
The sign for The Meadows appeared. Hazel drove into the development and over to the reception building. Mike saw her, got out of his car, and waited for her to join him.
Inside the office, Mike talked to Melanie Perkins from Lake Realty, who was handling sales for the development. Melanie was a middle-aged woman with bright red hair who kept track of everyone in town. If you had nothing to hide, you had nothing to fear.
Now, she rose from behind her desk and hurried over to greet them with handshakes and quizzical looks. “Who do we have here? Are you Mike Dawson?”
“Yes,” said Mike. “And this is my friend, Hazel Belmont. I’m the tennis pro at the Sports Center, and Hazel is the administrator there.”
“Aw, yes. I’ve heard such positive things about the Sports Center. I’ve been meaning to apply for a swim membership,” said Melanie.
“Now is a wise time to do it,” said Hazel. “We’re filling those memberships quickly.”
Melanie looked at her and smiled. “An enthusiastic administrator. Too bad you’re not interested in real estate.”
Hazel laughed. “I’ve got my hands full with the job I have.”
“Please sit, and I’ll tell you about the house you’ll see,” said Melanie.
“It’s a great opportunity for a couple who wants to grow their family.
It has a lot of flexibility. There are four bedrooms, a small office, a small dining room, and a family great room that opens into the kitchen.
Depending on what you want, you could use the dining room for a formal living room, turn the kitchen into a larger dining area, and so on.
The small office could be turned into a nursery because it’s not far from the master suite. ”
“It all sounds fine,” said Mike.
“The fenced backyard is bigger than some others who chose to keep theirs natural with wooded lots,” said Melanie.
“I’m anxious to see it,” said Hazel.
Melanie stood. “Here are the keys. I’ve arranged for the family living there to be absent.”
Mike held the door for Hazel and then followed her outside.
“It’s bigger than I need right now, but as I told the gang last night, I’m ready to make Lilac Lake my permanent home,” said Mike.
“I like the idea that it’s flexible. Let’s see for ourselves,” said Hazel.
They walked down the road of large homes built on sizeable lots. The fifth house on the left was a contemporary-style home stained a warm brown. It had lots of glass windows that gave an openness to the house.
The front door was painted an evergreen color and held a colorful floral wreath. Beside the door sat a pot of red geraniums.
Hazel followed Mike onto the porch and waited while he unlocked the door.
Stepping inside, the entryway led to a closet on one side and a powder room on the other side.
The open space beyond the entry held a family room with a stone fireplace to the right and a dining room to the left.
The back of the house beyond the family room contained a kitchen and a laundry room.
The master bedroom suite was off to the left.
As Hazel and Mike walked through the house, Hazel commented on the quality of the finishing touches.
Though the owners had chosen different colors in different bedrooms, Hazel liked the idea of pale-gray paint on the walls throughout the main rooms. She could see herself living here.
Especially with Mike. Not that she’d ever say so.
“The master bath has everything,” said Mike, studying the oversized shower and separate spa tub.
“I love the private deck off the bedroom,” said Hazel. “A marvelous place to have coffee in the morning.”
“Let’s look upstairs,” said Mike.
They climbed the stairs and found a large bedroom with its ensuite bathroom, and another two bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between them. The wide landing at the top of the stairs was presently serving as a toy room.
“What kid wouldn’t love a house like this?
” said Mike. “What do you think? Money is not a problem. I still get funds from companies that sponsored me when I played tennis nationally, and for being part of several advertising campaigns for them and others. I’ve invested all the money and used some dividends to participate in the Sports Center ownership. ”
“I think it would be a wise investment if you could get it for a fair price. It’s a beautiful home. And we both know The Meadows is the premier housing development in the area. Even the ex-governor and his wife live here.”
They went downstairs for another look around.
As Hazel stood in the kitchen gazing out at the screened porch and beyond it to the woods, Mike came up behind her.
She turned and found herself in his arms.
Heart pounding, she gazed up at his face.
Seeing the hunger in his eyes, she put her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. She could hear the pounding of his heart and sighed with contentment.
He lifted her chin and gazed at her with a tender expression.
“I’m going to fight for you, Hazel. I want you in my life.
You’re the best person I know. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me except you.
I want to prove to you that I can make you truly happy.
I fell for you for real the first time I saw you with Jed. ”
Mike lowered his lips to hers.
Feelings she didn’t know she had exploded in a burst of desire. She’d imagined what his lips might feel and taste like, but she was unprepared for the shock of need that went through her.
When they pulled apart, she gazed at him in a daze.
“Wow,” he murmured, caressing her face in his broad hands.
She smiled at him. “Yeah, wow.”
He laughed. “Okay, let’s begin this journey of ours. Hopefully, it will be everything we both want.”
Hazel felt tears spring to her eyes. She felt lucky to have discovered Mike’s true nature. He was an exceptional man who wanted to be loved and was willing to return it to her and show it to a little boy named Jed.