Page 54

Harlow waited on the porch, watching Vic jog down the sidewalk, calling Mort’s name.

The pup’s head shot up. He stared straight out toward the road and let out a warning growl.

“Mort must hear something.” Vic opened the gate.

The dog took off at a dead run, moving faster than Harlow had ever seen him move.Woof. Woof.

A flash of black and white skittered under the streetlight. The critter must’ve seen Mort barreling down on him and promptly scrambled up a nearby tree.

Puffing up in a menacing stance, Mort stood at the base, barking his head off.

Vic shook his head. “Are you sure Mort isn’t a hunting dog?”

“I have to say, this is the fastest I’ve ever seen him move. I’m not sure if he’s after a raccoon or a skunk.”

“I don’t think we want to find out.” Vic jogged over to the tree. He grabbed hold of Mort’s collar and coaxed him back home. “You don’t want to mess with whatever is in the tree.”

“Maybe that’s what I heard rustling in the bushes.”

“Could be. I’ll still feel better hanging out on the couch.”

Harlow’s father appeared at the bottom of the stairs, half asleep and wondering what the commotion was.

“We thought we heard something,” Harlow said. “It ended up being a raccoon or skunk. Vic’s gonna sleep on the couch, just in case.”

“You’ll find blankets in the closet.” David returned upstairs while Vic made quick work of setting up his makeshift bed.

“It was probably nothing. Are you sure you want to sleep here?” Harlow asked.

“Absolutely. Better safe than sorry.” He kicked his shoes off. “Get some rest.”

“Thanks, Vic. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Mort followed Harlow to her room, waiting for her to get ready before settling in at the foot of her bed.

She lay flat on her back, staring at the ceiling for a long time and thinking about the Magnificent Mackies. Abby, Meg, Noelle, Eryn, Lottie and the other women.

Friends through thick and thin. Women you could confide in. Lottie was right. Harlow had more than enough money to live on if she chose to step away from the rat race.

It was a thought. But not now, at least not yet. Too many loose threads needed to be addressed. Handling those threads would begin tomorrow.

Nigel Beckworth’s arrival would set the wheels in motion for changes…big changes in Harlow’s life, whether she was ready for them or not.

Chapter 21

Harlow sat on the porch waiting for Nigel Beckworth, who arrived promptly at noon the following day. As he drew closer, she realized the attorney was exactly what she’d envisioned. Tall and trim, as if he spent time in the gym. Not old, but mature.

He was all business in his tailored silk suit. Bald, except for sparse locks of hair curving around his ears. The attorney’s eyes were warm and crinkled up, which meant he smiled a lot.

“Harlow Wynn?”

“That’s me.”

Nigel extended his hand. “It’s my pleasure to meet you.”

“Same here.”

“I’ll be quite honest. I’ve been reading a few of the tattling tabloids, curious to find out about your accident. Some said you were severely hurt, while others claim you’re faking an injury. How are you doing?”

“Recovering.” Harlow briefly filled him in, explaining she was working with a physical therapist and hoped to be back on her feet soon. “I have less than a month to be on set in Vancouver.”