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She woke exhausted early the next morning. Flipping over to check the clock, a knot settled in the pit of her stomach. Aunt Birdie and Eryn were already on the mainland, driving south to the Detroit airport where they would catch a direct flight to New York City.

By the time she dressed and rolled out of her bedroom, her aunt had texted, letting her know they were on the plane, getting ready for takeoff.

The smell of fresh coffee lured her into the kitchen. Harlow poured a cup and went in search of her father. She found him in his usual spot on the front porch, the morning newspaper in hand.

“Good morning, Harlow.”

“Hey, Dad.”

“You’re up early.” He set the paper in his lap, giving her his full attention.

“I didn’t sleep well.”

“To be honest, neither did I. Have you mentally prepared yourself for what Birdie and Eryn might find?”

“Yes. I mean I’m trying.” During the long hours of the night, Harlow contemplated her marriage. She was beginning to realize it wasn’t a deep and lasting love, but more of a business arrangement.

She couldn’t remember the last time Robert had told her he loved her or even complimented her. Their professional and personal lives revolved around their careers. Business deals, public appearances, scheduled promotional events and…spending money. Lots of money spent on a lavish lifestyle, to the point Harlow was almost embarrassed by the excess.

She absentmindedly checked her cell phone and noticed she’d missed a text message. It was from her credit card company, declining the charge for the hotel room she’d booked for Aunt Birdie and Eryn. “Now what?”

“Is something wrong?”

“The credit card charge for Aunt Birdie and Eryn’s hotel room was declined.” Harlow promptly dialed the number. She explained the situation to the company representative. “This is an American Express Gold Card with unlimited charging.”

“Which has been cancelled.”

Harlow could feel the color drain from her face. “My credit card has been cancelled?”

“Yes, ma’am. The only way to get it reinstated is to visit your local bank branch and reapply in person.”

She thanked the person on the other end of the line and hit the end call button. “My card has been cancelled. Can you do me a favor and grab my purse? I need my wallet.”

“Sure.” David sprang from the chair and hurried inside. Returning moments later, he handed it to her.

Harlow flipped open her wallet and began placing calls to check her other credit cards, only to find all but a small line of credit had been cancelled. “I have one small credit card still active.”

She set her purse on the table and tapped the screen. “I’m calling Robert to find out what’s going on.”

“Hold up.” Her father stopped her. “Do you think there’s a chance he may have put some sort of freeze on your bank accounts too?”

Harlow blinked rapidly. Would Robert do something so sneaky, so underhanded? “While I was awake last night, the thought had crossed my mind that maybe it was time for me to check out my…our finances. I haven’t done it in a while.”

“To make sure Robert hasn’t spent all of your hard-earned money?”

Harlow nodded. “I’m ashamed to admit he also controlled our bank accounts.”

“Because you were busy working,” her father pointed out. “I’ve heard horror stories about famous folks who turned their money over to a manager only to find out later it was all gone.”

“First things first. I’ll call the hotel and get the reservation straightened out.” Harlow promptly placed the call. Using another card, a card she kept for emergencies, she paid for the night’s stay. “I’m going to need my laptop.”

“The kitchen counter would work better. You can spread out.” Her father gathered up what she needed, including tracking down her laptop. “Do you need help reaching the barstool?”

“I want to try it on my own.”

Mort, who had trotted into the kitchen, worriedly watched her struggle to get from her wheelchair to the barstool. “I’m making Mort nervous,” she joked.

“He’s not the only one, although Mort’s a bit of a worrywart.”