Hazel leaned over to hug him, and his arms wrapped around her waist.“Call me anytime you need to talk,” she said.“I hope to see you tomorrow.”
She watched him trot away and sank onto the bleachers, unaware Mike was approaching her.
She whipped around when she heard him say, “Hi, Hazel.What’s going on?”
He took a seat next to her and gave her a look of concern.
“It’s Lucinda …” She didn’t realize she was crying until Mike thumbed a tear from her cheek.“Her heart couldn’t take anymore.Lisa called to tell me Jed was taking it hard and was coming to talk to me.I met him here.”
“Aw, I’m sorry,” said Mike.“Another bad break for Jed.I heard you were at the house this morning to help Lisa.That was so nice of you.”
“I really admire Lisa.She apparently does or has done some nursing, and Jed mentioned her being a nutritionist.She must have a heart of gold to foster kids, especially kids like Lucinda.”
“Lisa and her husband are doing an exceptional job with Jed,” said Mike.
“I think if I ever marry, I’d want not only kids of my own but children who may need a home,” said Hazel.
Mike studied her but didn’t say anything.
In the silence that followed, Hazel remembered her mother’s upcoming visit.She faced Mike.“I need to talk to you about my mother’s visit.Are you going to be able to help me?You don’t have to pretend to be too serious about me.Just show enough interest that my mother will believe we’re at least dating.”
Mike’s mouth twitched with humor.“I might be able to do that.”
“I don’t know whether we should tell Tracy about the arrangement.If she finds out, she won’t be sympathetic,” said Hazel.
“Leave her to me,” said Mike.“She’ll have to deal with it.”
“I don’t want to do anything to hurt your relationship with her.I know how important you are to her.”
“How so?”Mike asked.
Hazel squirmed.She’d feel very uncomfortable telling him that Tracy liked that he was important in the tennis world and wanted to use that to help her.
“Never mind,” said Mike, frowning as Tracy called him.
While Mike headed to Tracy to talk to her, Hazel walked away, wondering how things would work out.Lying was never a goodidea, and now she had to pay for it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
After work, Hazel pulled into her driveway ready for some downtime with Elliott.He’d been asleep when she left the house that morning, and she wondered how last night with Brooks had gone, as well as his interview at Beckman Lumber.
Elliott met her at the door.“I thought I heard your car.”He handed her a glass of red wine.“Come in, sit down, and relax.I’ve picked up dinner from the Lilac Café, so you don’t have to do anything about a meal.”
“Wow!How marvelous.It’s been a rough day.”She accepted the glass of wine and walked into the kitchen and out onto the deck.The deck was her refuge at home unless the weather dictated otherwise.Tonight was pleasant after a cool front had entered the area with the promise of rain later in the evening.
“How did your meeting go at Beckman Lumber?”she asked Elliott.
Elliott’s face lit with excitement.“It went well.I can easily do the job they’re offering and still have time for other work.Craig and I are talking about opening a financial consulting business together.He has several clients, and Beckman Lumber will be my first client.I already have leads on a couple of other small businesses in the area who might be able to use my help.Rather than working for someone else, I would be working for myself.That’s a very appealing idea.”
Hazel let out a puff of satisfaction.“That’s even better than I’d hoped.”
“I can start with Beckman Lumber right away,” said Elliott.“The rest will take time to develop.But I’m very excited about it.”
“And how about Brooks?I thought I detected a note of interest there,” said Hazel.
“That, too, is something that might develop someday.He and I have a lot in common, and he’s really nice, very discreet.”
“I think I see a chance for you to move here permanently.Is this what you’re talking about?”
