Page 21 of A New Chapter in Rosewood Beach

What’s to stop me from trying tennis now?Vivian thought eagerly.I’m still fit, and I bet I’ll be in even better physical condition if I start getting a lot of exercise.

“Why not now?” Vivian blurted eagerly. “Maybe I can start playing tennis now.”

Hazel’s face lit up. “You should, Mom!”

“Will you do it with me? After all, you know what you’re doing since you’ve played it before.”

“Oh gosh, me? I mean… that was so many years ago! It was fun, but I can’t say I really remember any of it. Or, I don’t think my body will really remember how to do it well.”

“You never know. It might be just like riding a bike.” Vivian shrugged brightly, optimism written all over her face.

“Okay.” Hazel laughed. “I’m down for an adventure with you anytime, Mom.”

At that moment, Samantha burst back into the room. “I’m so excited!” she exclaimed.

“About what, honey?” Hazel asked as Samantha flopped down onto the couch between Hazel and Vivian and started to help herself to a cookie.

“Everything,” Samantha replied, and Vivian and Hazel laughed.

Vivian had to admit to herself that she was starting to feel pretty excited about everything too.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Terrence strolled along the terrace of an indoor-outdoor restaurant, gazing out at the golf course that sprawled beyond it. He had just finished performing a health inspection for the restaurant, which belonged to the local sports and recreation center located on the outskirts of Rosewood Beach.

He was looking for an empty table where he could sit and finish filling out his paperwork. There wasn’t much that needed to be fixed at the restaurant, but it was a newer establishment, and he always liked to write out detailed notes for newer businesses. He liked to outline all of the things that might go wrong unexpectedly, so that the restaurant would be better equipped to handle them if they did happen.

It’s a very nice place,he thought, smiling to himself as he uncapped his favorite pen and began to write.The kind of place I’d like to return to as a guest. Clean, smells fresh, and what a view!

He paused in his work to look out over the golf course and nearby tennis courts. He’d never been one for sports, but he could certainly appreciate the sight of the well-kept facilities. The tennis courts were bustling with life as people dressed in bright colors knocked balls back and forth across the nets, andthere were several parties of people out and about on the bright green golf course as well.

It was a peaceful setting, a pleasant blend of nature and civilization, he thought as he went back to his paperwork. In a few minutes, he’d written down everything that he wanted to in impeccable, error-free cursive.

He stood up and went to find the owner, who was chatting with the hostess at the front of the restaurant. He spoke with him briefly about his findings and then handed off his signed report and notes.

He left the restaurant and made his way toward his car, which was parked in a parking lot at the bottom of the hill, near the tennis courts. He took deep breaths as he walked, delighting in the smell of the gardens that lined the cement path. Terrence had a soft spot for flowers, although he could only name a few of the species that bordered the walkway.

He had just reached his car and was about to get in when something whizzed straight toward his head. He realized that it was a neon green tennis ball, and he ducked just in time before it hit him.

“Gracious,” Terrence murmured as he watched the ball bounce to a stop after hitting the top of his car. “That was a lucky miss.”

A woman wearing a pink visor, pink and green neon leggings, and a matching pink workout top ran up to him, words of apology tumbling out of her mouth.

“I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t hit you, did I? I’m just learning how to play tennis, and I?—”

Terrence blinked in surprise when he recognized that the woman was Vivian. She seemed to recognize him at the same time, and she blushed in mortification.

“Oh,” she gasped. “Terrence, I?—”

For a moment, neither of them said anything. All Terrence could think about was the kiss that they had shared, and based on the way Vivian was still blushing furiously, he guessed that she was thinking of it as well.

“You’re taking tennis lessons?” he asked her, feeling fascinated by her colorful outfit. It suited her, he thought. He’d never seen her wear something so bright before, but it seemed to match her warm, fun personality.

“Oh, no, just spending some time with Hazel and trying to learn.” Vivian cleared her throat.

As if on cue, Hazel hurried toward them.

“Hi, Terrence!” she called, waving to him. She was also dressed in leggings and a workout top, but hers were a matching pale blue.

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