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“I blew it.”

“I disagree. You made it perfectly clear he had better let you know where the money went.”

“Where’s the nearest cell phone store? I need to put my phone in a new account before Robert shuts it off.”

“You’re in luck. We have a phone store downtown.” David told her how to get there. “Don’t blink or you’ll go right past it. I would go with you, but I want to be here to keep an eye on the workers when they flush the hydrants.”

“And Caleb shows up. Aunt Birdie should be here in time to whip up his lunch,” Harlow said.

“You’ll be back by then.”

“I’m not having lunch with Caleb Jackson.”

“He’ll be disappointed.”

“I think you’re wrong. He’ll probably be thrilled,” Harlow said.

Vic, who stood silently listening to the exchange, chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind meeting this mystery guy who has Harlow in a tizzy.”

“I’m not in a tizzy.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “I just prefer to avoid certain people. He happens to be one of them.”

“What time is lunch?”

“Twelve thirty-ish.”

“It’ll give us plenty of time to get Harlow’s new account.” Vic clasped his hands. “I can’t wait to check the island out.”

Despite the heated exchange with Robert, Harlow was in good spirits as she and Vic made their way toward town. She took them on a small detour up the hill and past the Grand Hotel.

“This place is super cool,” Vic said. “I kinda dig not having to dodge vehicles.”

“The only dodging you’ll do on Mackinac Island is to avoid bikes, carriages, horse-drawn taxies and piles of poo,” Harlow joked.

Circling back around, they passed the fire station and community hall. Cutting down a side street, they quickly reached the main drag. If not for Harlow’s walking app letting them know they’d reached their destination, they would have gone right past the cell phone store.

Once inside, she switched the phone over to a new plan but kept her old number. Transferring her information and contacts was quick and easy, and soon she and Vic were back on the sidewalk.

“Where to, boss lady?” He spun around in a slow circle.

Harlow shaded her eyes and studied the skies. “It looks like rain, but the clouds are moving fast. I think it’s going to blow over. If you’re not in a hurry, I wouldn’t mind walking to the end of the block before heading home.”

“Not at all.”

While they walked, she pointed out various landmarks, places which had long been a part of the island’s history. “When I’m back on my feet, I want to visit Fort Mackinac.”

“That’s a pretty steep hill.” He let out a low whistle, commenting on the lush lawns and lack of high-rise buildings. “This is about as far away from Hollywood as you can get.”

“Right?” She closed her eyes and breathed in the island air. “I forgot how much I loved this place. It’s magical.”

They avoided a tandem bike threatening to wobble out of control and narrowly missed being hit by a kid who wasn’t watching where he was going seconds later.

Vic instinctively stepped closer to shield Harlow. “Instead of keeping an eye out for crazed fans, I’m going to have to keep an eye out for wild two-wheelers.”

A family with a pull-behind bike carrier cruised past. “What about renting an adult carrier? I could haul you around the island.”

Harlow tilted her head, curiously eyeing her friend. “When’s the last time you rode a bike?”

“Years. Decades. So long ago that I can’t remember.”