Page 13 of Birdie by the Bay (Wynn Harbor Inn #2)

The first thing Aunt Birdie did when they reached the hotel room was check in with Harlow to let her know what they’d found. She lined the skincare products along the counter and set the expensive bottle of champagne next to it. After snapping a photo, she texted a copy to her niece.

“I have you on speaker and am standing next to Eryn. This is what we found.”

“Those skincare products aren’t mine and I don’t drink champagne.”

“I figured as much. It was in the fridge, along with a case of Diet Coke and some cans of beer. The skincare stuff was on the main bathroom counter.”

“I don’t use that brand of moisturizer,” Harlow said. “What about other personal items, clothes, shoes, jewelry?”

“Nothing, other than a few items in your closet, wrapped in plastic,” Eryn said. “I know you keep your clothes in bags when you aren’t around.”

“I do,” Harlow confirmed. “Robert has his own closet. Did you find his clothes inside?”

“His clothes and two suitcases, more like carry-on bags. We saw a few pairs of dress slacks and silks shirts,” Eryn said. “From the looks of things, he doesn’t plan on sticking around New York for long.”

“He never does. Robert likes to keep moving,” Harlow said. “As far as the skincare stuff, what will you do with it?”

“Toss it in the trash or maybe leave it for the hotel’s housekeeping staff. Some of this stuff hasn’t been opened.” Birdie rattled off the name brand. “Ever heard of Clé de Peau Beauté?”

“I have. The brand costs over a thousand bucks an ounce,” Harlow said.

“The glass jars are pretty, almost like works of art. Maybe we should toss the contents and keep the containers.”

“Do whatever you want with it. So…what’s the plan for the rest of your day?”

“Eryn and I are going to pop the top on the champagne and celebrate the success of our mission,” Birdie joked.

“Robert will be furious.”

“As furious as you are to find out he cancelled your credit cards and emptied one of your bank accounts?” she pointedly asked.

“True. I don’t care if he knows I’m keeping tabs on him. It’ll be good for him to stew, knowing you were there.”

“I hate to say it, but I think you’re going to have your hands full,” her aunt predicted.

“Without a doubt. Which means I need to be as prepared as possible.” Harlow thanked them for making the trip. “What time are you flying back tomorrow?”

“Early morning. We’ll be arriving in Detroit at seven, which means we should be back on the island in time for me to make lunch for that cutie Caleb Jackson.”

Harlow made an unhappy sound. “I forgot all about Caleb coming by for lunch. I’ll be sure to make myself scarce.”

“What’s wrong with having lunch with an old friend?”

“He’s not an old friend. Caleb broke my heart.”

“People make mistakes. Maybe he regrets it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Harlow said. “And don’t you dare play matchmaker. The last thing I need is another man to worry about.”

“Point taken. Back to Robert…something tells me you’re in for a battle.”

“I’ll be ready for it.” She changed the subject. “What are you doing for dinner?”

“I don’t know,” Eryn said. “Maybe we can find a decent burger joint around here.”

“No way. You deserve a nice dinner for all of your hard work.” Harlow rattled off the name of a five-star restaurant down the street from her apartment, insisting she was buying their evening meal. “What time do you want to eat? I’ll book the reservation.”

“We have a celebratory bottle of champagne to drink first, while we enjoy the city view and Eryn and I relive our adventure. How about seven?”

“Seven it is.” Harlow told her the reservation would be under her name.

“Thank you. I love you, dear, and I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be buying our dinner.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“I love you too, Aunt Birdie. Thank you for trying to help.”

“You’re welcome. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Her aunt gave her one final warning that Robert would probably call, in a fit of rage, when he found out they had been inside the apartment.

After hanging up, Birdie walked into the kitchenette and removed the bottle of bubbly from the fridge. “Find some glasses, Eryn. We’re going to toast Robert’s fury with a glass of champagne, and then we’re dining at one of New York’s finest restaurants.”

*****

Harlow stared at the photo Aunt Birdie had forwarded.

Her bathroom counter filled with skincare products and cosmetics belonging to another woman.

Based on what her aunt and Eryn had said about Robert’s bags, his trip to New York would be brief.

It was his standard MO—stay for a few days and then move on to the next place.

Instead of taking his wife when he traveled, he was taking his young, gorgeous assistant, Jillian. Had Robert somehow worked his magic and landed Jillian a part in the upcoming movie?

“Hey.”

Harlow looked up, noticing Vic, who had left to unpack, standing on the cottage porch’s bottom step. “This is a sweet place. I know it has a lot of bad memories, but I can’t imagine never wanting to step foot on Mackinac Island again.”

“I’ve done a lot of thinking since the accident.

” Harlow confided in Vic that she no longer believed her father was responsible for the fire.

“Based on the original findings, someone intentionally set the fire but it wasn’t my dad.

When I finish handling the disaster my marriage has become, I’m going to do some digging around. ”

“Good for you.” Vic eased into the empty rocking chair next to her. “This might sound weird, but the accident changed you in a good way.”

“Because I’m no longer Robert’s little robot, obediently obeying every word that comes out of his mouth and blindly doing what I’m told?”

“By design, Robert made it easy. You did all the work. He pulled in all the money, handled the finances, kept you so busy you never had time to pay attention to what he was doing.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

Vic looked away. “Would you have wanted to hear your husband was taking advantage of you, chasing everything in a skirt while you were busting your butt?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” Harlow placed a light hand on her forehead. “I was already beginning to push back. Remember the apartment in London Robert was gung-ho to buy?”

“Yeah. Don’t tell me you signed the paperwork.”

“I didn’t. The London deal was another reason we argued the day of the accident. He was pressuring me to pull the trigger and get the ball rolling. I’m glad I didn’t.”

Harlow’s father appeared, offering to order pizza, something quick and easy for dinner.

“Pizza sounds great. Thanks, Dad.”

“Why don’t you show Vic around while we wait? Mort can tag along and be your tour guide.”

Vic fluffed Mort’s ears. “I bet he knows every square inch of the place.” The pup had taken to the newcomer almost immediately. The feeling was mutual.

“And then some.” All Harlow had to do was ask Mort if he wanted to take a walk. For the most part, the pup plodded along at a slow, steady pace, but not today. He dashed to the end of the sidewalk, coming to an abrupt halt when he reached the gate.

“Hang on, buddy.”

Vic stood off to the side, watching while David tracked down Harlow’s scooter and helped her climb on. “It’s tough to see you like this. How long before you’re able to walk again?”

“My plan is to swap this out for a walker or maybe a cane after my next round of physical therapy,” Harlow said. “I signed an extension and need to be in Vancouver in a few weeks.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“You and me both. All I can do is try.” Harlow hit the gas and sped toward Mort. He scrambled out of the way, giving her the “crazy driver” look.

Vic laughed. “Mort thinks you’re a dangerous driver.”

Exiting through the gate, Harlow turned left, taking the road toward the front of the property. They passed by the cottages on their way to the lodge.

Harlow stopped, describing to Vic what the once-grand Wynn Harbor Inn had looked like. “Dad is partnering with investors, to fix the place up. If I had money, I would help.”

“Robert can’t keep the money. It belongs to both of you.”

“I have no idea what’s going through his mind. I’ll know more about what my next step needs to be as soon as I hear from the attorney.”

They continued through the gardens, circling around and reaching the path leading to the harbor. Harlow and Vic paused, waiting for bikers to pedal past before crossing to the other side.

“Your dad has a sailboat.”

“Winnie. We took her out earlier today. If you stick around, we’ll take you for a spin.” Harlow shifted. “Has the agency placed you with someone else?”

“They sent me an offer. I haven’t accepted it yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Do you want to keep working for me?” Harlow asked in a soft voice.

“Of course. We’re a team.”

“But as of right this minute, the business account is kind of in limbo.”

Their eyes met.

“Money isn’t everything, Harlow. Yeah, I need a paycheck and you’ve always been more than generous, but I felt like it went beyond an employee / employer relationship.”

“You’ve been with me through some tough times, kept me from being kidnapped. Protected me. You’re like my guardian angel.” Harlow swallowed hard, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “To be honest, I need you now more than ever.”

“Then I’m here for the long haul. My roommate can take care of the apartment while I’m gone,” Vic said. “All you have to do is give me the word.”

“Word. You’re officially rehired.”

He gave her a gentle hug. “Your focus now is to heal and get better.”

A tear leaked out of the corner of Harlow’s eye and trailed down her cheek. Her friends…her true friends were still there for her. Not for the money. Not for the prestige or the glitz and glam of Hollywood…but for their friend. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Vic knelt next to her, draping his arm across his knee. “We’ve got this, Harlow. Not employer and employee, but because we’re friends.”

“Like this.” Harlow twined her fingers together.

Her friend, confidant and protector crossed his fingers before tapping the top of hers. “Friends until the end.”

Harlow sucked in a breath. Her world was crumbling around her. Her career. Her marriage. Finding out Robert was canceling her credit cards and moving their money, but she had something even more valuable. She had family and friends rallying around.

Vic sprang to his feet. “Are you ready to continue with the tour?”

“You betcha.”

Backtracking, they passed by Aunt Birdie’s trailer. Harlow filled him in on her eccentric, quirky, yet totally supportive aunt. “I have almost everyone I need in place. You, Aunt Birdie, Dad, and Eryn.”

“Now that you’re figuring out what you’ll be up against with Robert, you can start planning your defense,” Vic said. “Don’t let him push you around.”

Ring…ring…ring.

Harlow’s cell phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s Robert. He must’ve made it back to the apartment and discovered he had visitors.” She promptly pressed the ignore button.

Harlow started to set it down. It rang again. Once again, she hit the ignore button.

During the third round, she turned the volume all the way down. “I bet he’s fit to be tied.”

“He has a nasty temper when he’s ticked,” Vic said. “Based on the number of calls, he’s probably spitting bullets right about now.”

“I’m only just getting started. Robert hasn’t seen anything yet.” She glanced at the screen. He was calling yet again, determined to get her to answer. “By the time I’m done with him, he’ll regret the day he messed with Harlow Wynn.”