“I’ll get you one.Where’s the best place?”
“At Beckham’s Lumber Company.Beth Beckham has a shop there that has everything.Otherwise, Bullard’s Hardware Store has them too.”
“Okay, let’s make a stop at either place on our way home,” said her mother.
“Deal,” said Hazel.She’d pick something suitable for both the river and Mike’s new house.
“I’ve been meaning to ask how Cassandra is dealing with Elliott’s news,” said Hazel.“He has a boyfriend and seems to be very happy.”
“She’s doing a lot better.Both of his parents are.They love him, of course.”
“I know.That’s why it was so sad that Elliott never felt he could tell them the truth.It will be helpful for you and Dad to have dinner with him tonight,” said Hazel.
“Yes, he texted me this morning, and I confirmed it,” said her mother.“That will give you and Mike an evening together without us.But tomorrow, I thought it would be fun for your father to go to Jake’s.He’ll get a real taste of the town.I loved it.”
“Okay, that’s easy enough to do,” said Hazel, pleased by her mother’s enthusiasm.This visit was going so well, she hoped nothing would break this spell.
Just as they were getting in her car.Her cell phone rang.Lisa.
“Hi, Lisa, what’s up?”she asked.
“It’s Jed.Any chance you and Mike can have him stay with you next week?It’ll be for a week, maybe a day or two more, while my husband and I find a new house in Pennsylvania.Janis, next door, will stay here with the two youngest, but I thought this would be practice for you and Mike, should it come to you fostering him.”
“Sure, that won’t be a problem.My parents are in town but will leave in a few days, so we should be able to do it.”
Hazel ended the call and caught her lip.Her life was about to change in a big way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
When Hazel and her mother returned to the cabin, Mike and her father were getting ready to go to the Sports Center to play some tennis.
“How nice,” said her mother.“Do you mind if Hazel and I watch?”
“Not at all,” her father said confidently.He was talented at both golf and tennis.
Mike shrugged.“Fine with me.”
They all loaded into Mike’s car and drove to the Center.
“What do you think of Mike and Ross’s project?”Hazel asked her father.
“It’s quite an operation.Very impressive,” he answered.
“We had a lovely trip to see Mike’s new house and stopped at the Lilac Lake Inn for a delicious lunch,” said Hazel’s mother.“I am liking Lilac Lake more and more.”
“The town is very attractive,” her father said.“I had breakfast at the Café, looked around town, and walked over to the Sports Center to meet Mike for lunch.Everyone was friendly.”
As they all got out of the car, a little girl who looked to be about ten years old ran over to Mike.“Hi, Mike.I’m doing better with my serve.Want to see?”
“Sure.Come get me when it’s time for your next lesson,” said Mike.“Did Paco show you how?”
The girl nodded.“Mallory, too.”
“Okay,” said Mike, smiling at the girl before she ran off.“Paco and Mallory are our new hires,” explained Mike to her parents.“I’m glad to see the kids like them.It’s important.”
“There was one instructor here who didn’t seem very likable,” said Hazel’s mother.
Hazel didn’t dare mention Tracy’s name.
