“We’ll see.I’ll be tough on you,” said Mike, grinning.
“I’ve got to go home,” said Jed.“Thanks.”
He left, and Mike turned to Hazel.“So, what’s the deal with Elliott?And why does it include me?”
Hazel filled him in on the story.“So, he’s going to stay with me for a while.I’m hoping he has a chance to talk to Craig.”
“Craig’s a good guy,” said Mike.“Smart, too.”
“What time is the doubles game tonight?”asked Hazel.
“Six o’clock.The group usually has drinks and snacks afterward.The other couple will provide them, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
“Who’s playing us?”Hazel asked.
“I’m not sure.It’s on a rotating schedule.”He winked at her.“Check the new bulletin board.”
She laughed.“Okay.I guess I’d better get to work.”
She hoped Elliott wouldn’t mind that she was playing tennis.But the opportunity to be on a team with Mike was too tempting to turn down.She just hoped she wouldn’t embarrass them both.
CHAPTER TWELVE
That evening, Hazel approached the tennis court unusually nervous.Elliott hadn’t been the least bit disappointed.Instead, he’d promised to meet Craig, and they’d both come to watch them play.
Mike was talking to a couple in their late forties.The brown-haired man with a bit of gray at his temples had a sturdy build.His wife was medium height and looked very fit in her tennis skirt and halter top.
When he noticed her, Mike waved her over.“Hazel, I want you to meet Ray and Libby Norris.They are faithful members of the Club in Florida and have recently joined the Sports Center here.”
“Yes, I thought I recognized the name,” said Hazel.
“We try to spend as much time up here during the summer when Florida is so hot,” said Ray.“But I have businesses to run in Florida, so it’s more of a transient thing.”
Mike turned to Ray and Libby.“Hazel is the new administrator at the Center, which is why everything is so well organized with many new programs.Ross and I are grateful she’s agreed to work for us.”
“We visited the Center last summer and are very impressed with all the changes,” said Libby, pushing her sunglasses atop her head and shaking Hazel’s hand.
“In addition to her job as administrator, Hazel is helping to teach young children,” said Mike.
“That’s a challenge,” said Libby.
“I was teaching third grade at a local school, but I’m finding this is a better fit for me,” said Hazel.
“A happy choice for everyone, it seems,” said Ray.“Now, let’s get to it.”
He led the way onto the court.
As Mike and Hazel went onto their side of the court together, he spoke softly to her.“Remember, if you don’t think you can get a shot mid-court, I’ll be there to back you up.If you can get it, let me know, and I’ll stay out of the way.”
She knew how much cooperation was needed to play on a doubles team.Though she and Mike hadn’t practiced, she was determined to play her best.
Libby was a stronger player than Hazel and was very agile on her feet.Ray was an excellent server, but he was a little slow to move.
Mike, of course, was a professional player who seemed to fly like magic to get to a ball and whip it across the net.
As they each played, Mike encouraged them when he could.
Hazel’s initial nervousness fled, and she settled into one of her most enjoyable games.Her body and mind seemed to remember past tournaments, and she sometimes returned a ball without much thought.
