CHAPTER THIRTY
The next afternoon, while she was meeting with Tom and Evie Jeffries, who owned the sporting goods store in Concord and with whom she’d partnered for clothing at the Sports Center, she hoped Jed was doing fine with Lucy.
When she arrived to stay with Jed at the house, Lucy had brought a box full of puzzles, games, and other things to keep them occupied.
After the business portion of the meeting ended, Evie took Hazel aside. “I understand you and Mike Dawson are together. I’m very happy for you. He’s a great guy, and I think you’ll make a good team going forward.”
“I hope so,” said Hazel. Recalling the past couple of days, she realized that most of the work of raising kids would go to the mother.
###
On the way home, Hazel got a phone call from Lisa, telling her they’d be back tomorrow. “How’s it going with Jed?”
“It’s going well,” said Hazel. “But he’s attached to you, Lisa. You’ve done so much for him.”
“He’s very much a part of our family. I didn’t want to have to leave him behind. But now that I know the issue is settled, I’m anxious to move. Joe and I are going ahead and adopting baby Simon and Harry. If we ever get the chance, we’ll adopt Jed too.”
“What’s holding up your adopting him?” Hazel asked.
“Getting the parental releases,” said Lisa. “We’ll start a fresh search for them in Pennsylvania.”
Hazel heard the excitement in Lisa’s voice and felt a sting of disappointment. She’d envisioned her future with Mike and Jed. But now she knew she’d have to wait for her future to unfold in its own way.
###
That night, Mike and Hazel told Jed he could have anything he wanted for his last meal with them. He grinned. “Chicken wings. They’re Joe’s favorites. Mine, too.”
“Then that’s what we’ll have,” said Hazel. “The Chicken Licken restaurant has the best. We’ll order those, a salad, and what do you want for dessert?”
Jed’s face lit up. “I want their Apple pockets.”
“Okay, I’ll go get it,” said Mike. “Want to ride with me, Jed?”
Jed beamed at Mike. “Yes.”
After they left, Hazel searched through her teacher's items and found some paper hats to wear. She wanted Jed to remember his stay here.
The guys returned, carrying packages that emanated wonderful aromas.
“What’s this?” asked Mike, picking up one of the hats and putting it on his head.
“Me, too,” Jed said, putting on a hat of his own.
Hazel placed one on her head and said, “Okay, let’s serve up.”
The three of them sat around the kitchen table chatting about a tennis game Jed had played, giving Hazel a glimpse of what having a family might be like.
They finished their meal, and the three of them sat out on the deck. The day's heat had gone, and the birds in the trees were calling out to one another.
“What will you remember most about your stay with us?” Hazel asked Jed.
“Throwing up,” said Jed. “I didn’t like that.”
“Oh, no. I hope you had some happy times here,” said Hazel, mortified that’s how he’d think of his time with them.
“Oh, yes. I played tennis and went to the movies and read a book with you,” said Jed. “Those parts were fun.”
“I’m glad,” said Hazel, grinning at him.
“You know, if it’s all right with Lisa and Joe, you might be able to come to tennis camp and stay with us next summer,” said Mike. “We’ve talked to them about it.”
“Really?” said Jed. “I want to be number one at tennis someday.”
“It’ll take lots of practice to get there, but I believe you have the talent to do it,” said Mike. “I’ll help in any way I can.”
Jed and Mike exchanged long looks, and Hazel was proud of Mike for his commitment to the boy who worshipped him. She knew Mike would follow through.
When it was time to tuck Jed in for the night, both Mike and Hazel made sure he was comfortable. He’d had a bath, had read a book with Hazel, had a last drink of water, and lay in bed staring up at them.
“’ Night, sport,” said Mike. “See you in the morning. For your last day here, you can join the kids in tennis camp.”
“Really?” said Jed.
“We want you to have fun. Lisa will return before suppertime.” Hazel leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “You’ll have lots to tell her. Have a good night’s sleep.”
Hazel and Mike left the room, keeping the door ajar, and slipped out to the deck for some quiet time alone.
“The day after tomorrow, I’m heading south to Florida to take care of some problems and ship some of my things up here. The interior of my house should be painted by the time I’m home, and then the delivery of furniture will begin. I want my first night in the house to be with you.”
“I’d love that. It’s such an exciting time for you.”
Mike grinned. “Growing up, I never dreamed I’d own a house like it.”
“It’s beautiful,” said Hazel. “You should be very proud.”
They smiled at one another.
“Let me tell you about my phone call with Lisa. It seems Jed’s future is pretty settled. He’ll not only live with Lisa and her family in Pennsylvania, but they hope to adopt him. They’ve already received permission to adopt the two smaller boys. It seems like such a perfect ending for them all.”
“I’m happy for them. It often doesn’t work out that way.”
Hazel heard the sadness in his voice, and her heart went out to him. He was being more open about his past, which she thought was healthy.
“It’s going to be another busy day tomorrow,” said Mike. “Are you ready for bed?”
His sexy grin sent a surge of anticipation through her. She’d been too tired to even think of making love for the past couple of nights. But maybe tonight…
“Go ahead. I’m going to wash Jed’s clothes, so they’re all set for Lisa tomorrow, and then I’ll be in.”
She tiptoed into Jed’s room and gazed at him sprawled across the bed before gathering his clothes. Then, after the washing machine was running, she hurried into her bedroom, anxious for some “Mike and me” time.
She stopped short.
Mike softly snored as he lay atop the covers in his pajama bottoms. Too tired, apparently, even to get under the covers.
So much for any sexy playtime tonight.
###
The next morning, as Jed’s clothes dried, Hazel made sure she put together a fun breakfast of pancakes with raisin eyes and strawberry grins.
Jed’s delight made getting up extra early worth it.
Because Mike had already gone to work for an early morning tennis lesson, just the two of them sat in the kitchen talking.
“Now that we know you’re moving to Pennsylvania, I thought you might like to see it on a map,” said Hazel. She lifted her cell phone and showed him a photo of the United States and pointed out where they were now and where Jed would be going.
“As you can see, you only have to go through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York to reach Pennsylvania. So, we won’t be that far away.”
“Then I can come in the summer.”
“If everything is fine with your parents,” said Hazel. “But don’t worry. I think it’ll all work out. We all want the best for you.”
“I know,” said Jed, and he caught his lip with a flush of emotion.
Hazel hugged him. “You can watch a little television while I get your things ready for camp.”
###
Later, with Jed in camp and Hazel able to work in her office, she thought of an idea for a Christmas event at the Center—a campaign to raise money for scholarships to the children’s camps. Jed wasn’t the only boy in town who could benefit from that.
While Jed was occupied at the Sports Center with other kids, Hazel left to go home to pack up Jed’s things. When it came time for Lisa to pick him up, Hazel wanted it to be a quick transition.
She was delighted that Jed was going back to Lisa’s family, and they’d work hard to adopt him.
It was a loving home. But it was hard to give up the idea of having Jed permanently after preparing herself for it.
Though she’d worked with children while teaching, she’d never attached herself to any child as much as she had with Jed.
Mike and Jed came into the house laughing about something. It was wonderful to see them like this. She knew Mike would miss Jed as much as she did.
They were sitting in the kitchen having a snack when Hazel heard the sound of a car outside. She went to the living room window and looked out. It was Lisa and Joe.
She opened the front door and waited for Lisa to leave the car. Then she went to greet her. “Jed is going to be glad to see you. He’s had a good time, but he missed you.”
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am that we finally have permission to take him with us. We’ve bought a house big enough for everyone and will move as soon as we sell our house here.”
Hazel gazed into Lisa’s smiling face, and her eyes misted. “I’m in awe of what you do as a parent. I can’t tell you how much I admire you.”
“Oh, thank you. That’s sweet of you. Don’t worry. You’ll make a fantastic mother someday.”
Arm in arm, they walked into the house. “Jed?” called Lisa.
Jed came running toward them. “You’re here!”
Hazel stepped aside while Lisa and Jed hugged.
“You didn’t leave me,” said Jed, smiling up at Lisa.
Lisa tilted Jed’s chin up so he could look directly at her. “No one is going to leave you again,” she murmured. “You’re very lucky that Hazel and Mike love you, and you can visit them. But your home is with Joe and me and the boys.”
Lisa hugged him, and Jed spent a long time hugging her back.
Mike and Hazel exchanged emotional glances.
“I have Jed’s things ready to go,” said Hazel. “Let me help you carry them to the car.”
She and Mike followed Jed and Lisa to the car. After talking to Joe, Hazel handed Jed’s things inside to him and then stood by the car with Mike.
“See you at the Sports Center later this week,” said Mike.
“Okay,” said Jed.
“Have fun at home,” Hazel said, faking a bright smile.
As the car pulled out of the driveway, Mike wrapped an arm around her.
Hazel sighed. “The house is going to seem very empty without him.”
“I know, but this will give us time before following through with fostering another child. I’ve realized I’m not ready. Not until things are settled between us.”
“I wish you didn’t have to go to Florida tomorrow,” said Hazel.
“Yes, but now that I can get into my house here, I’m anxious to get my things,” said Mike. “And tonight? I want to show a certain someone how much I love her.”
Hazel leaned against him, and they walked inside the house together and right into the bedroom.
###
Later, as they sipped glasses of wine on the deck, Hazel said, “It was heartwarming having Jed here, but I understand why people say to wait to have children until after you’ve had plenty of time together.
Still, I don’t want to give up on my dream of having many children with you.
And a dog or two. I miss my dachshund at home.
It won’t seem like a family without one. ”
The corners of Mike’s lips curved. “I love that about you.”
Their future held so many possibilities.
###
The next day, she hugged and kissed Mike and then headed to work feeling very alone. She remembered how her mother had cried when she went off to college and understood better what she must have been feeling.
Being back amid activity helped lift her spirits. And when Dani called her cell to say the gang was meeting at Jake’s that evening, she agreed to join them.
Later, as she sat with her friends at the locals’ tables, she knew why she loved Lilac Lake as much as she did. They were a friendly, caring, smart group of people.
Everyone asked after Mike, and she told them he was shipping his things from Florida to his new house and that the furniture they’d ordered would be delivered soon.
“I’m delighted to have you as a neighbor,” said Melissa. “Ross and I love having Dani and Brad there. It’s like one big family.”
The conversation turned to the upcoming tennis tournament planned at the Sports Center. Hazel knew that they'd be busy for the foreseeable future between getting Mike’s house settled and the tournament.
After she left Jake’s and went home, she received a phone call from Mike.
“How are you doing?” he asked. “Still missing me and Jed?”
“Oh, yes. I’m at loose ends. The house is empty and quiet.”
“I have a favor to ask. I’m having something delivered to you tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. Can you arrange to be there at the cabin?”
“Sure, but why would you need me to be here?”
“You’ll see,” said Mike. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
###
The next morning, Hazel checked her watch. It was five minutes past nine o’clock, and she worried that her workday would be behind if she was forced to wait for too long for Mike’s delivery.
Gage Martens’ truck pulled into the driveway.
Puzzled, she went to greet the veterinarian as he climbed out of his truck. “Morning. What are you doing here?”
He grinned. “I have something for you.”
“For me?”
“Yup. Mike called me, and we found the perfect foster dog for you. Come see.”
He opened the back door of his truck.
Hazel peered inside and clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh, she’s darling.”
“She’s a six-month-old dapple dachshund who needs a home. Unfortunately, her family couldn’t take care of her, and did very little training. But she’s bright and eager to please and, like any dachshund, is full of affection. Mike thought you’d be good for her.”
Hazel covered her face and let her tears come. She couldn’t think of anything sweeter or a better way for Mike to show his love.
“Wha … what’s her name?” Hazel finally asked shakily.
“Her name is Dottie. She’s a beautiful dog. All she needs is a loving home.”
Hazel reached for the pup and laughed when the dog covered her cheeks with kisses.
Her tail was wagging so fast that Hazel almost dropped her, but then the dog snuggled up against her, winning Hazel’s heart forever.
Hugging her tightly, Hazel said, “She’s adorable. But I’ll need to buy her a blanket and a bed and food and everything.”
“I’ve made a list of what you need,” said Gage. “I’ve checked her over and made sure she has all her shots. So, you should be set to go. The pet store outside of town will have everything you want. And you can call me with any questions you might have.”
“What about a leash?” she asked.
“I’ve got a standard one here for you to match her collar. But you’ll want to buy her a harness and a leash with a retractable line. Also, I’ve put a pamphlet in the bag for you to read.”
“Thank you, thank you,” said Hazel, her eyes glistening. It seems she was to foster and adopt after all.