Page 4 of Birdie by the Bay (Wynn Harbor Inn #2)

“What you’ve read about me online is bad,” Harlow guessed.

Kennedy nodded.

“Really bad?”

“I’m not sure I would call it really bad, but most definitely incorrect.”

Harlow reached for her cell phone.

Kennedy stopped her. “You need positive energy today to focus on your therapy. Reading the stories will not be conducive to healing.”

“Good point.” She handed her the phone. “Hang onto this for me.”

Kennedy slid it in the side of her bag and unrolled the mats. “Let’s work on getting you back on your feet.”

For the next hour, Harlow and her physical therapist went through the paces. By the time they finished, she felt every muscle in her body, but in a good way. The massage and gentle exercises meant healing.

Harlow’s aunt sashayed down the walkway, carrying a Thermos and a small stack of plastic cups. “I figured you might be ready for a break so I whipped up a batch of smoothies.” She rattled off the ingredients. “I read online avocado smoothies were excellent for promoting healing.”

Harlow grinned as her aunt drew closer, sporting a leopard print bandana, banana yellow leggings and a cropped top with Bob Seger’s face plastered across the front. “This is the second Bob Seger shirt I’ve seen you wearing. I didn’t know you were a fan.”

“I adore him. He’s a rock and roll legend, born and bred right here in Michigan. I know the words to every hit he ever released.” To prove her point, Birdie belted out the lyrics from one of his songs. “It’s a shame he doesn’t tour anymore.”

“I’m a big fan myself,” Kennedy said.

“A fellow Michigander with excellent taste.” Birdie placed the Thermos on top of the retaining wall and held out her hand. “You must be Kennedy. I’m Aunt Birdie.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Kennedy shook her hand. “You have an interesting name.”

“Bonnie is my given name. My brother, Harlow’s father, nicknamed me Birdie years ago and it stuck.”

“Because she flits from place to place, never staying in one place for too long,” Harlow explained.

“Thank you for coming here to help Harlow,” her aunt said. “You’re a beautiful young woman with an old soul. I like you already.”

“Aunt Birdie is hanging around until I’m better. She left her cruise around the world to be with me.”

“You were on a world cruise?”

“I made it most of the way through before I found out about Harlow’s accident.” Birdie unscrewed the lid and began filling the plastic cups. “How is she doing?”

“Excellent. Having the right attitude is half the battle.”

“Harlow can do anything she sets her mind to.” Birdie handed each of them a smoothie. “My niece is a real go-getter. I’m not surprised.”

“The right mindset when people aren’t spreading vicious rumors,” Harlow sighed.

“Who is spreading rumors?”

“I don’t know. Kennedy mentioned seeing some news stories.”

“If you’re going to check it out, do it before our next session.” Kennedy handed Harlow her phone. She packed up her gear and chatted with the women while finishing her drink. “The smoothie was delicious.”

“And good for whatever ails you.” Birdie rattled off the ingredients. “All I did was throw in some frozen spinach, a ripe avocado, a banana, and coconut milk in the blender and voila!”

“I’ll have to try making my own.” Kennedy thanked her for the drink and headed out.

Aunt Birdie waited until she was gone. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, but otherwise great.” Harlow flexed her arm muscles. “I’m hoping after a couple more sessions I can ditch the scooter.”

“Doing too much too fast might backfire,” her aunt warned.

“True. What kind of salad do you want for dinner?” Harlow caught up with her aunt on the sidewalk. “Tossed, Greek or Mediterranean?”

“Surprise me.” Birdie slowed when they reached the cottage. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I was thinking about what Kennedy said.”

“You mean about the rumors? It kind of goes with the territory.” Harlow shrugged. “You wouldn’t believe the garbage and lies floating around on the internet. Trash talk is big money.”

“I’m glad you’re not letting it get under your skin.” Her aunt glanced at her watch. “I’m going to head home and start prepping dinner. Bring your appetite.”

“That and my salad.” Harlow steered herself inside the empty house. She found a note from her father sitting on the counter, explaining he was out running an errand.

Mort, who had been napping in the hall, followed her into her bedroom, keeping a watchful eye on Harlow as she stripped off her sweaty workout clothes and navigated her way into the shower.

Her father, with a little resourceful rigging, had figured out a way to lower the sprayer’s nozzle, allowing Harlow to adjust it as needed.

While she scrubbed, she thought about what Kennedy had said. Clearly, whatever was circulating was bad enough for her to mention it. And bad enough for her to confiscate Harlow’s cell phone to keep her focused.

After finishing, she towel-dried her hair. Rummaging through her closet, Harlow found a fitted denim skirt trimmed in lace that went perfectly with a frilly white blouse. Red, white, and blue cowgirl boots completed her look.

Checking her reflection one last time, Harlow wheeled herself out of the bedroom. Clanging and banging echoed from the kitchen. She followed the noise and found her father filling a baking sheet with slice and bake cookies.

“Thanks for the grocery order. They dropped off so much food, I had a hard time figuring out where to put it all.” David waved a spatula in the air. “You remembered white chocolate macadamia cookies were my favorite.”

“Of course. I hope I didn’t miss anything important.”

“Miss anything? I think you ordered one of everything,” he joked.

“I figured better safe than sorry. You never know what you might need.” Harlow squeezed past him and opened the fridge. “I promised Aunt Birdie I would bring a salad for dinner.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I know I don’t.” Harlow flicked her hair from her face. “I think she’s looking forward to hosting. Besides, it will give you a break from babysitting me.”

“I don’t need a break from you. In fact, I can’t bear the thought of you leaving again.” David quickly turned, but not before Harlow noticed the sad look in his eyes.

“But I won’t be gone for long,” she said softly. “I’ll be back after I finish filming.”

“And then what?” He slid the cookie sheet into the oven and turned the timer on. “You have your own home…homes.”

“None of which I’m particularly attached to. In fact, Robert is the one who picked them out.”

“All of them? You didn’t have a say in where you live?” her father asked incredulously.

“Of course I had a say. It’s just…” Harlow struggled to explain it in a way that didn’t make her sound like a complete idiot for letting her husband be the one to make the couple’s financial decisions.

“I work a lot of long hours and am sometimes on location for months at a time. He has more flexibility to research and find the right properties for us.”

“I see.”

Harlow could tell from her father’s tone he wasn’t buying it and now that she stood back and thought about it, she realized Robert had controlled a great deal of her life. In his defense, it had been easier for her to let him.

Something told her the dynamics of their marriage—if it survived—would need to change, regardless of what Robert thought.