“Time to go,” said Mike.He patted Jed on the back.“Hope you feel better, bud.Get lots of rest.”
“Yes,” said Hazel, hugging Jed.“Do as the doctor said, so you can heal faster.”
Jed nodded solemnly, his eyes swimming with tears.
###
Outside, Hazel let out a long sigh.“Let’s go somewhere where we can talk.”
“I know the perfect place,” said Mike.“The gang at Jake’s was talking about it last time we were there.”
Remembering, Hazel smiled.“I know where you mean.Let’s go.”
Mike drove into the center of town and over a couple of blocks from Main Street to the park that David Graham and his family had created in his sister’s memory.
“This is so pretty,” said Hazel, gazing at the colorful, well-maintained flower beds lining the lot.“An oasis of peace.”
Mike took hold of her hand, and they walked down the wide flagstone path to a wooden bench in the far corner.
Once they were seated, Hazel said, “I had a talk with Lisa at the Emergency Center while Jed had X-rays done.She and her husband want Jed to accompany them out of state, but there may be some difficulties they have to overcome.During that time, they might need us to help them.I didn’t tell her we’d both already started the process of becoming foster parents.But I thoughtwe should inform the authorities if we need to take Jed on for a while.”
“So, we’d be his temporary foster parents while they get the paperwork sorted and approved before he could go to Pennsylvania with them?”said Mike.
“That might be the case.It’s obvious that Jed is happy with them, and they love him.We don’t want to interfere with that.”
“I’d want to be sure Jed is okay with it,” said Mike.“His moving with his family wouldn’t necessarily mean he can’t come and stay with us for summer tennis camps.That might be one way for him to have the best of both worlds.”
“We can help him have that,” said Hazel.“And maybe this is the best way to see how we want to move forward together without the added pressure of suddenly having a ten-year-old child.”
Mike wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.“It might be smart to go ahead and have home studies done on both of our houses so the proper people have an idea of how it could all work out now and, possibly, in the future.”
Mike was right.Neither of them wanted to be forced into a permanent relationship before they were ready.“In the meantime, I have some ideas about making this next week a little easier for Jed.Lisa has already approved.”
Mike laughed when she told him.“No kid is going to dislike that.”
“We’d better get back to the Sports Center,” said Hazel.“I have to see about a proper accident report being filed, and I believe you have a class.”
“Tonight, I want to take you to Chica’s for dinner.”
“Sounds delicious,” said Hazel.“I love their Mexican food, and their margaritas are the best.”
Mike studied her and then kissed her, gently at first and then with more passion.
When they finally broke apart, Hazel gazed at him, knowing she’d found the man she’d waited for all her life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The next day Hazel delivered a gift to Jed.“Lisa and I talked about it and agreed you could have this to keep you busy while you lie on the couch.But you must follow her rules about its use.”
Jed looked up at the two women standing together and opened the package.“For me?Really?”
“Yes,” said Lisa.“But as Hazel said, there will be rules about using it.”
Jed clasped the cell phone in his hands.“I’ve never had something like this.Thank you, Hazel.”
“It’s from Mike too.And he said to tell you that in a couple of days when you’re feeling better, he’ll come get you and take you to the Sports Center to watch some tennis matches.”
“That’d be super,” said Jed, smiling at her and then the phone.“This week won’t be so bad.”
