Page 7 of The Double Play

“You care a lot about June, which is a good thing.” She gives me a meaningful look. “But it can also make you intense. Do you remember the nurse you made cry when June was at her last checkup?”

“She went to give her a shot without asking,” I say, anger flaring at the memory.

“That is not a reason to make someone cry.”

Debatable.

I meet my mother’s exasperated gaze.

“I will be polite, but I will also ensure she’s good enough to take care of June.”

A knock on the garage entrance makes me turn my head.

“Why is she coming that way?” I ask with a frown.

“Because your front door is obnoxious,” Mom replies like it’s obvious. “Now, you know I wouldn’t let just anyone take care of our girl. Trust me, and be nice.”

I clench my jaw. “Yes, ma’am.”

She nods once in approval before heading to the garage door and opening it.

“It’s so good to see you again, Hazel!”

“You too, Bonnie,” a soft voice replies.

My mom steps aside, and in walks a woman with long brown hair and a shy smile. She’s short, and she can’t be anywhere near thirty. I look at my mom, wondering what she was thinking bringing in someone so young. I expected to see a nanny in the traditional sense. Someone wrinkled who carries hard candy in her ‘pocketbook.' Not someone who would fit in with my friends and their wives.

“This is my son, Emmett,” my mom introduces with a sweep of her hand. There’s something sparkling in her gaze that I don’t like.

Hazel smiles up at me, having to tilt her head back to meet my gaze.

“It’s nice to meet you, Emmett. I’m Hazel James.”

She sticks out her hand. I clasp it in mine, noting how small and soft hers is before dropping it.

“Why don’t we go into the dining room and chat?” Mom suggests. “I made a pecan pie.”

“That sounds lovely,” Hazel says, and by the way her green eyes light up, she’s sincere.

We sit down at my dining room table. My mom sits next to me, while Hazel sits across from us. After pie and sweet tea are distributed, we settle in for discussion.

“I told Emmett about your prior experience with the Lawsons, as well as your education. This meeting is really just a formality. You are the best person I’ve interviewed so far,” my mom says with a smile.

I shoot her an admonishing look. “Nothing is decided yet.”

She returns my look with one of her own. “It might as well be.”

Hazel pokes at her pie across the table, not looking at us.

I turn the conversation back to Hazel. “I’d like to know more about your time at the Lawsons and why it ended if things were going as well as my mother says.”

She lifts her head. “The Lawsons were a second family to me. I love their girls very much, and Mikayla, their mother, is my closest friend. Her husband got traded, though, so they’re moving to Alabama.”

“And they didn’t invite you to come with them?” I question.

My mom kicks me under the table. I guess I’m not being as nice as she’d like.

“They did, but I turned them down. My sister is in high school here, and I wanted to be near her. Plus, I love this area. It’s my home. I wouldn’t want to leave it.”

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