Free Small-Town Mom by Jean C. Gordon Page A

Neal Hazard’s daughter as her regular Friday night babysitter until Autumn had left Paradox Lake to pursue an advanced degree in nursing. Then, Myles had watched the girls for her until she’d found out he was breaking the house rules and having people over when she was out. She’d more or less dropped out of the league last year.
    Jamie hummed as she let herself in the house. But now she was back bowling. A call to the bowling alley last week had verified that the league had openings in its winter-spring session that had started last week. And now that Autumn was back in town, she had offered to watch the girls.
    She kicked off her nursing clogs and traded her scrubs for a soft pair of well-washed jeans and a turquoise cotton sweater. She hummed to herself as she tied her athletic shoes. For tonight, at least, she could forget her week. Forget the messages Leah had left offering Eli’s help in installing the heat valve she’d already installed herself. Forget the call from Leah that Opal had answered when Jamie was working one evening. Opal had explained her idea about Eli taking her and Rose to the dance. Leah had thought that was a great idea and had told Opal she would talk with Eli.
    The girls’ delighted squeals of “Autumn!” let Jamie know her babysitter had arrived. She bounded down the stairs like one of the kids.
    “Hi,” she said. “Thanks again for doing this.”
    “No problem. I’ve missed these two. I’ll keep them busy. Don’t worry about a thing.”
    More likely Opal and Rose would keep Autumn busy. Jamie hesitated. “Jack is coming over to pick up Myles. I hope that isn’t a problem. Myles has a part-time job at the garage, starting today.”
    “It isn’t.” Autumn’s lips curved in a half smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “We’re still friends, more or less.” She chewed her lip. “You were great when he broke up with me before I left for grad school and I needed someone to talk to. Dad didn’t understand.”
    “I’m glad I could help.”
    “Enough of this old history rehash,” Autumn said. “He’s married and I’ve moved on. You don’t want to miss warm-up.”
    “True, it’s been a while. I can use some practice throws before the games.” Jamie got her coat and bowling bag from the front closet and bundled up to face the frigid night.
    She turned to her daughters. “You be good for Autumn.”
    “We will.”
    “They can stay up until nine. You can make them popcorn if you want.”
    “Will do. Now, go.” Autumn waved her off. “It’s not like I haven’t done this before.”
    “All right. I’m going.”
    Jamie’s stomach flip-flopped most of the twenty-minute drive to Ticonderoga. She couldn’t figure out why she was nervous. She’d bowled with these people before. She dropped her hand to her stomach. She probably should have had eaten more than the protein bar she’d grabbed for supper when she’d gotten home. The kids had already demolished the mac and cheese she’d left for Myles to heat up for them, and it had been too late to make anything else.
    The parking lot of the bowling alley was already half full when she pulled in. She got out and hauled her bowling bag from the passenger-side seat. The flutter started again.
    “Jamie, we’re over here,” Karen called and waved when she got inside.
    Several other people greeted her as she walked to lane ten.
    “Good to see you back,” Tom Hill said. “Practice will start in a minute.”
    Jamie sat and put her bowling shoes on. She placed her ball on the return rack. “Tom, I want to thank you again for giving Myles a job. He’s set his mind on buying back John’s Miata.”
    “We can use the help, and he seems willing to learn. As for the car, Jack’s looking to sell it.” He shrugged and grinned. “You know, with the baby coming and all.”
    “No, I didn’t know.”
    “That’s right. You weren’t at church,” Karen said. “He and Suzy announced it last week.”
    A pang of regret struck