She saw that the size of his hand was almost as big as hers and could hold the racket easily.“Here.You take this and show me the grip you use.”
Eyes alight with excitement, he held the racket out to show her.
Hazel had him move his hand a bit and said, “Okay, stand on the other side of the net and I’ll toss some balls to you.You remember how to stand properly to hit the ball, don’t you?”
“Yes.”He trotted to the far side of the opposite court.
She threw a ball in his direction and watched as he rushed forward, easily swinging the racket and hitting the ball.
The ball was out, but it didn’t matter; Jed’s form was perfect.
Hazel tossed several more balls to Jed.Each time, the ball was returned.Not always in, and sometimes hitting the net, but his eye-hand coordination was phenomenal.
After a while, Hazel said, “We’d better pick up the balls.The Center will open shortly.But, Jed, meet me here tomorrow and every morning this week.And when the tennis pro returns next week, we’ll show him together what you can do.In the meantime, you playing here will be our secret.Okay?”
Jed moved his head up and down enthusiastically.
Hazel hurried home to change for work, but her mind stayed on the adorable boy who was extremely talented.She hoped Mike wouldn’t be upset with her, but she wanted to give Jed the chance to play at the Center, even if the cost came from her salary.
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For the next several mornings, Hazel met Jed for some private practice.Each time Hazel saw Jed play, she knew she was right.He was no ordinary player.
After meeting Jed in the mornings, Hazel remained busy on the job.She was pleased to discover she liked making posters and announcements and seemed to have a knack for putting them together in colorful displays.
Tom and Ross met over the retail operation and came to a quick agreement.The office next to the reception desk would serve as the store’s display of goods and equipment.Hazel developed purchase order sheets and instructed the reception staff on how to handle requests for orders.Evie Jeffries would make sure the displays were changed regularly.
Hazel ordered baseball hats, T-shirts, water bottles, and towels with the Center logo to be sold separately from the store’s collection.
As Hazel and Ross discussed, the more advertising the Center could do, the better the chance of attracting new customers.
Hazel also looked into special rates at the Lilac Lake Inn, and with Ross Roberts as a part-owner, an agreement was easily reached to offer discounts to Sports Center members and vice versa.
With Mike’s absence, Tracy handled group lessons.Though Hazel wasn’t included as an assistant, Tracy called on her to handle any paperwork associated with the class, including tracking who was present and who would attend the next class.Something Hazel had been told that Tracy would take care of.But Hazel didn’t complain.She had other things on her mind.
CHAPTER SIX
On Saturday, Hazel walked into Jake’s, eager to see her friends.She wasn’t the only one who was busy during the summer.New Hampshire, a summer playground, came alive in those months, with tourists coming to the various lakes in the region.Lilac Lake drew its share of people, and with its charming town, the visitors' population grew.
Even now, Hazel was forced to wend her way carefully through the bar crowd to get to the table the locals had reserved.
As she emerged, she saw Mike and Tracy talking to friends.Smiling, she greeted them and then sat with Misty and Taylor, discussing Taylor’s new book based on some of her New York experiences.
Aaron Collister and Sarah showed up.
Hazel was glad to see them, aware that with Sarah’s parents back in town for the summer, Sarah had more free time away from working at the hardware store and caring for her twin daughters.
“Where’s Whitney?And Nick?”Hazel asked the group.
“Nick is at work.As police chief, he finds the summer months super busy,” said Taylor.“And Whitney is getting close to delivering their second baby.They haven’t found out the sex yet, but Dani and I are praying it’s a little girl to spoil.”
Hazel was silent.Taylor wasn’t trying for a baby, but Dani and Brad were.So far, no success.
Everyone ordered drinks and food, and it grew quiet as people dug into their meal.
Hazel treated herself to fish and chips and reminded herself that she’d need to work extra hard at tennis the next day.Thinking of Jed, Hazel waited until Tracy left to go to the restroom and then asked Mike to meet her tomorrow at the Center before it opened.“I have something to discuss with you privately.”
“Okay,” said Mike.
