Page 20 of Birdie by the Bay (Wynn Harbor Inn #2)

“You’re one of us now.” Noelle gave Harlow a warm hug. “Officially a Magnificent Mackie, if you want to join our little group.”

Harlow pressed her hand to her chest. “It would be an honor, although you might change your mind after you sample the dish I bring to the next get-together.”

“No way.” Meg shook her head. “Once you’re a member, it’s impossible to get booted out,” she joked. “Our group is open to whoever wants to join.”

“Except for Cheyenne,” Abby said.

“Cheyenne?” Harlow echoed.

“Cheyenne Clifton.” Eryn wrinkled her nose. “She’s as snooty and self-centered as they come. We invited her a while back and she started acting like a jerk.”

“By telling everyone we’re nothing but a bunch of hicks and how most of us couldn’t get a date even if we paid a guy,” Abby said.

“I like to think I can get along with everyone. Believe me, I tried befriending her.” Lottie lifted both hands, signaling defeat. “It appears Cheyenne is the exception.”

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Harlow said sarcastically. “She sounds like a real gem.”

“Her parents own Clifton Manor.” Noelle lifted her chin. “It’s where all the mega rich people stay when they come to the island.”

The Mackie craft party ended all too soon. Before Harlow knew it, she and Lottie were on the curb waiting for Marty to pick them up and take them home.

Lottie had fixed a big plate of food, leaving the few leftover sausage Wellingtons for Noelle and Leif, who had come down when the party was wrapping up to thank the Mackies for the delicious dishes.

“Well?” She waited until they were settled in the wagon and on their way. “Did you enjoy your first Mackie party?”

“I loved it. Everyone was warm and welcoming. It felt like…” Harlow struggled to find the right words, not wanting to sound like an absolute dope.

“Like you were home.” Lottie finished her sentence.

“Exactly. Does it sound weird?”

“No. Perhaps despite all the hustle and bustle of your superstar world, Mackinac Island hasn’t lost its magic, its sparkle and ability to draw you in.

” She patted her arm. “I noticed the look on your face when you talked about what was going on in your life and shared your good thing. The island is drawing you back.”

Harlow grew quiet, mulling over Lottie’s statement. It was true. She’d felt it more than once. The whisper of the wind in the trees. The gentle breeze caressing her face when she was on board Winnie. Even the soothing clip-clop of the horses’ hooves. Comforting. Peaceful.

“It is, Lottie. Unfortunately, I can’t stay.”

“Why not?”

“I have contracts. Deadlines. A career.”

“A soon-to-be ex-husband.” Lottie shifted. “Let me ask you this. I know it’s none of my business, but how much money do you have?”

“Right now?”

“This very minute. I’m not talking about real estate or future earnings. I’m talking about cold, hard cash in the bank.”

Harlow threw out a number, what she’d found while going over the various accounts to make sure Robert hadn’t cleaned them out.

“Do you know a hundred people could live off this amount for the rest of their lives?”

“A hundred people?”

“Okay. Maybe not a hundred people, but you for sure.”

“I also have a ton of debt.”

“Sell it. Sell the cars, the expensive homes. Get rid of it all, take stock and find out what’s truly important.

” Lottie snapped her fingers. “No one is immune to being replaced. The fact of the matter is if…or when you decide to call it quits, you’ll be replaced in the blink of an eye by someone shiny and new.

Have you ever heard of the band, the Eagles? ”

“Almost everyone on the planet has heard of them.”

“They wrote a song about being washed up and fading away. Even the Eagles knew they would someday be replaced. Although no one is as great as the Eagles.”

“Dad loves them too,” Harlow said. “But I get what you’re saying. I have an incredible amount of pressure, both self-inflicted and from my husband, to stay on top.”

“No one can decide but you, Harlow. All I’m saying is you’re able to make changes if you choose to do so.”

“We’re at your place, Lottie,” Marty announced.

“Already?” She grabbed her purse and hopped down. “Marty will drop you off at home and make sure you get to the house safe and sound.” She turned to go.

Harlow stopped her. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You don’t know how much tonight meant to me.”

Lottie leaned in and hugged her. “I do, dear. I could see it in your eyes. A little peace. A little joy. A little of Mackinac Island’s charm.”

Marty waited until Lottie was inside. She flicked the porch light, giving him the all clear signal before continuing on.

Only a block away was Wynn Harbor Inn’s gate. Marty hopped down. He set Harlow’s wheelchair in place and then stood at the ready to help her ease onto the seat. Because of her earlier exertion and overdoing it a bit, her legs were rubbery, and she gratefully accepted his help.

“Thank you, Marty. You’re the best.”

He hung his head, a sheepish look on his face. “I hope it’s okay to ask. My little sister found out I gave you a ride and is bugging me about getting your autograph.”

Harlow patted her pockets. “I would be happy to give you one but I’m fresh out of pens and paper.”

“I have a clipboard.” Marty handed her his clipboard. She slid the pen from the top and flipped through the pages until she found a clean sheet of paper. “What’s your sister’s name?”

“Lilly.”

“Lilly. To Lilly. You have the best brother in the world. Harlow.” She drew a heart and a smiley face.

Marty laughed out loud. “This is hilarious. Every time she starts annoying me, I’m going to remind her about what you said.”

“Because you are.” Harlow spun her wheelchair around. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Would you like me to walk you the rest of the way?”

“There’s no need.”

“Are you sure?” Marty held the gate, watching as she wheeled herself through.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine.”

“You’re welcome. Are you planning on hanging out with the Mackies again next week?”

“I hope so.” Harlow tilted her head. “I take that back. Yes. I’ll be going.”

“Then I’ll stop by and pick you up.”

“It’s a date.” Harlow waited for Marty and his horse-drawn wagon to pull away before making her way toward home. She thought about Caleb Jackson and him breaking her fall. His arms around her. Strong. Powerful. The feel of him holding her close.

Stop! Harlow forced the thought of Caleb from her mind. She had enough on her plate without throwing him into the mix. More than enough.

Rustle. Thud.

She came to a quick stop. The hair on her arms stood straight up, the feeling she got when she was being watched. “Hello?”

Silence.

“Mort, is that you?”

Regretting not taking Marty up on his offer, Harlow raced along the roadway, picking up speed when she cleared the bushes. She didn’t slow until the family cottage was in sight.

“Harlow.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Vic stepping off his porch. “I was getting ready to send a text to check on you. How did it go?”

“It was great. Actually, I had an awesome evening. What about you?”

“Your dad is a card shark. He took thirty bucks from me playing blackjack.” Vic squinted his eyes. “Lottie isn’t with you?”

“Marty, the driver, dropped her off at home.” Harlow told Vic what had happened, how she’d heard noises and sensed she was being watched. “Maybe it was my imagination.”

“I’ll check it out.” He ran inside and grabbed his gun. Moving at a quick clip, Vic disappeared into the dark night.

The minutes dragged past. Harlow glanced at her watch, her concern ticking up a notch when he didn’t return right away.

She pulled her phone from her pocket, getting ready to call him when he reappeared. “Did you see anyone?”

“No, but I heard rustling. I shined my cell phone’s flashlight into the bushes, but didn’t see anyone. I gotta say, your dad has a lot of landscaping around here.”

“Tons, which means there are plenty of hiding spots,” Harlow said.

Vic shifted his feet. “I’m not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling. I would be more comfortable staying close by you tonight.”

“All I can offer you is Dad’s couch.”

“I’ve slept on worse.” Unwilling to leave Harlow alone, even for a second, Vic wheeled her into his cottage, where he tossed his toothbrush and clean clothes into his backpack.

After packing up, they cut through the yard, reaching David’s cottage in only a few steps.

Mort met them at the door, his tail wagging and excited to see them.

“Hey, buddy.” Harlow scratched his ears, nudging him back into the house.

But Mort had a different idea. He broke free and bolted across the porch before Harlow or Vic could stop him.

“Mort,” Harlow hissed. “Get back here.”

Ignoring the command, the pup promptly lifted his leg and watered a bush. With his nose to the ground, he began sniffing around.

“I’ll go grab him.”

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.