CHAPTER ONE
Feeling like a naughty child, Hazel Belmont sat in the principal’s office at the Emerson Wittner Elementary school where she taught third grade.It couldn’t be good news.Nolan Deere wasn’t the easiest man to get along with, and she’d had her disagreements with him during the past school year in the small town of Lilac Lake.
If she was about to lose her job as she suspected, she didn’t want to lie in order to remain in New Hampshire as she wanted.Her mother had all but demanded she come home to New Orleans to marry a man chosen for her by their two conspiring mothers.A man she had no intention of marrying.
“Hazel?Mr.Deere will see you now,” said the office secretary.
Hazel stood and automatically swiped at her pants to make sure they were straightened.Then she headed into the office where Nolan sat, a massive figure behind his desk.His size alone wasn’t the only reason pupils tended to fall quickly in line.He usually wore a threatening scowl.Hazel had never let that affect her, which is one reason they seemed to clash often over small details.
“Well, Ms.Belmont, we’ve made it through the school year and, overall, things have gone okay.I’m sure you’ve heard, though, that student enrollment has gone down, and we’ll be reducing third-grade classes from three to two, which leaves me with the unpleasant task of transferring a teacher.Because you were the last to arrive at my school, you are the teacher who will be asked to leave or be asked to teach at another school in our district.I’m sorry.”
Hazel sat quietly, her mind racing.She loved her students, but she didn’t love teaching.It was a draining, challenging job that didn’t fulfill her as much as she thought it would.The growing demands made upon her and the other teachers itched like a black fly bite in the spring.She’d worked within the system, but now, thinking of being free to do something else, she knew what she must do.
“Thank you.It’s been a most interesting year, and I love my students, but I think this might be an opportunity for me to do something else.”The minute Hazel spoke the words, she felt a huge burden lift from her shoulders.She knew she’d done an excellent job.But it was just that.A job.Not a profession, as it was for many teachers like her best friend, Misty Owen, who taught at the same school.
Nolan’s eyebrows shot up.“I don’t mean you weren’t an acceptable teacher.Your students love you, and the other teachers do too.”
“I know,” Hazel said, pleased that in another couple of weeks, she wouldn’t have to deal with him.Or so many mandates.Or parents who wouldn’t listen.Or endless evenings of correcting papers.
“Ms.Belmont, Hazel, we’ll be sorry to lose you,” said Nolan.“Please understand that this is an uncomfortable situation for me.”
Hazel forced a pleasant expression.As usual, Nolan was backpedaling as fast as he could lest he be charged with something unpleasant.
“May I go now?”she asked.
“Certainly, certainly,” said Nolan.“The district will send you the necessary paperwork.”
“Thank you,” Hazel said, standing.
They shook hands.
Hazel left the office, wondering if she’d made the correct choice.But when she turned back and saw Nolan watching her, she knew she was right.Now, she had to move quickly to come up with another job, so her mother would have no reason to continue begging her to come home to a life she didn’t want.
###
When Hazel walked outside, Misty was waiting by Hazel’s car.
“How did it go?”Misty asked her.“Was it what you thought it might be?”
“More or less.The bottom line is that I’m quitting teaching.They’re reducing the third-grade classes to two, and since I’m the last they hired, I’m the first to go.”
Misty hugged her.“I’m sorry.”
“Actually, I’m not.I know you love teaching, but I’d rather do something else.This is my chance to make that change.But I need to find another job in a hurry.If my mother thinks I’m doing nothing, I swear she’ll drag me home.”
”No one wants you to leave Lilac Lake,” said Misty firmly.“Now, let’s figure out what you can do.”She snapped her fingers.“How about working for Ross Roberts at the Sports Center?He mentioned he and Mike Dawson might be looking for someone.”
Hazel gave her an uncertain look.“What kind of work?Ross would be a dream to work for.Mike, not so much.He’s such an entitled playboy.”
“It’s worth a call,” said Misty.“It could be a real opportunity for you.”She checked her watch.“I’ve promised to meet David at his house.I’ll see you at Jake’s later tonight.”
“I miss having you live close to me, but Poppy is a special neighbor too,” said Hazel.“And, of course, I’m happy for your engagement to David.”David Graham and his father owned a successful landscaping business in town.He and Misty were a cute couple.
After Misty left, Hazel climbed into her car and drove to her cabin along the river.It sat in a small collection of renovated rental cabins spaced along the upper banks.She’d been lucky to find such a cute place to live.From there, she could walk into the center of town in a matter of minutes.
When she pulled into the small neighborhood, she waved to Sarah Miller and her two darling daughters and came to a stop in front of her cabin.
She sat in her car letting her mind settle.She adored living in Lilac Lake and vowed to be open-minded about asking Ross for a job.Many of her friends were either engaged or recently married, giving them a permanent home in this area.So far, she hadn’t met any man who was a compatible match.
