Page 43 of #Resort Love (Lakeview Harbor #1)

“No,” he argued lightly. “Harlow’s name isn’t on the deed, Gram. When you called the clerk’s office, Harlow’s not listed as the owner. Alan and Betty are.”

“That’s just paperwork because they bought the property when Harlow was a minor.

It goes to her when she turns thirty. Something about an inheritance because her father’s in prison.

I don’t know. Betty was yammering on about a bunch of stuff, but the bottom line is that Harlow is keeping that property for herself. ”

“Gram, I really don’t think…”

“Call them! Call them yourself and find out. I knew you wouldn’t believe me because she’s clearly got you fooled.

She knows when to turn on the charm, that one.

I’m going to text you their phone number, and maybe once you hear it for yourself, you’ll believe me.

She’s trying to keep you from getting what you want and expanding the resort.

I’ll bet she’s still holding a grudge because we wouldn’t sell. She’s deceiving you.”

Right now, he didn’t know what to believe. His grandmother wasn’t a liar.

Was Harlow?

Was it possible…?

No, he told himself. No. She had been open and honest about who she was and what she wanted from the first time she stepped foot on the resort property.

Well, when he stopped her on the road just outside the resort property.

But if she owned that piece of land, why wouldn’t she tell him?

She’s trying to keep you from getting what you want and expanding the resort.

They were over that, weren’t they?

I’ll bet she’s still holding a grudge because we wouldn’t sell.

No, they were definitely over that. And she had made a bunch of great commissions from the sales of land recently.

She’s deceiving you.

Everything in him wanted to say no—that his grandmother was mistaken, but…he couldn’t say that for sure.

“I’m sorry, Walker. I’m so sorry to have to be the one to break this news to you,” she said again, and he heard the remorse in her voice.

“For what it’s worth, I found a twenty acre lot that is semi-adjacent to the resort.

You might have to work out a small agreement with Jerry and Morgan Taylor so you can have access to a small portion of theirs so you can get to it, but if you’re interested, your grandfather and I are more than willing to put in an offer on it. ”

He couldn’t focus on what she was telling him.

“Um…what? Acres? Where?”

“I’ll have your grandfather email you the information.” She sighed. “Are you going to be okay? Is there anything I can do?”

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her she’d done enough, but she was only looking out for him because she loved him.

“Walker? Sweetie? Say something.”

And before he could stop himself, he said, “Text me Alan and Betty’s number. I want to talk to them.”

Friday. Finally.

It had been a long week, and Harlow was looking forward to seeing Walker tonight.

He must have been super busy this week because she hadn’t heard from him since Tuesday night.

They had texted a bit, but he mentioned a leak up in the main building and told her things were chaotic and he’d talk to her later.

Apparently, later meant Friday.

Although…she still hadn’t technically heard from him. Her plan was to pick up some takeout and bring it to him. Maybe she’d force him to sit and take a break. The poor guy. He was working so hard to bring the resort back to life, and she hated how he was literally pouring everything he had into it.

“Any big plans this weekend?” Swati asked as she closed her laptop.

“I’m not sure yet. I was just thinking of bringing food up to Walker. He and the guys have been swamped up at the resort.”

“Hopefully that means they’re making progress. I have to admit that I’m so curious to see what they’re doing!”

“Well, you can’t really see anything yet. There’s been a lot of demolition and they’ve had to do a lot of work on the actual grounds—you know, removing trees, cutting down shrubs, mowing overgrown grass—but they really should be getting close to the good stuff.”

“You mean like new cabins and remodeling the lodge?”

“Yup! I gave Walker the names of a couple of decorators, so I don’t even know if they have a theme or anything planned yet.

That’s the part I’m excited about. Personally, I hope they…

” Her words were cut off by the sound of someone coming through the front door, and when she turned, she couldn’t have uttered a single word if she tried.

Her grandparents.

What the hell…?

“Harlow?” Swati asked, coming to her feet. “Are you okay?” She nervously glanced at the older couple and then back to Harlow. “Do you…?”

“Hello, Harlow,” her grandmother said.

It took a moment for her to clear her throat—and her head—and respond. “Um…hi, Grandma. Grandpa.” Another pause. “What are you doing here?”

Swati quietly sat back down.

“We came to talk to you,” her grandfather said stiffly. “Is there someplace we can talk in private?”

She glanced around before stepping around her desk. “We can talk in the conference room.” Motioning to the doorway in the corner, she led the way. Inside, she asked, “Can I get you something to drink? Water? Coffee?”

“No, thank you,” her grandmother said as she sat. Once they had all taken a seat, she gave Harlow a stilted smile. “We wanted to discuss your property.”

“My what?”

“Property. You know, the land your grandfather and I had bought for you when you were a little girl.”

She looked at them both like they were crazy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her grandfather looked annoyed. “When you were born, we bought a parcel of land up near the Lakeview Harbor Resort. We told your parents it was for you when you got married. We thought it was a good investment and would provide you with a little security.”

“Um…”

“You had to know about it,” her grandmother said. “When your father went to prison, your mother tried to convince us to sign it over to her so she could sell it. She said it would help support you. She told us she had discussed it with you.”

Harlow was shaking her head. “I swear to you, I don’t know anything about this. This is literally brand new information to me.” The room started to spin. The property. Walker. She owned it? How…?

“We’ve been getting harassed by someone wanting to buy the property,” her grandfather commented.

“He’s been extremely persistent. Has anyone reached out to you about it?

Because he seemed to know that you were the actual owner of the land.

So if you didn’t know that, how did he?” His tone went from casual to accusatory, confusing her even more.

“Look, I don’t know what you want me to tell you, but I have no idea what you’re talking about!

” she said with exasperation. “I didn’t know about the property.

My mother never told me about it. I told you both when I first came to see you that she took off and I haven’t heard from her since.

Does that sound like an honest or even a good person?

You don’t think she lied because she was trying to essentially steal my inheritance?

She was a raging alcoholic thanks to your son and what he put us through!

So maybe don’t come here throwing accusations at me, okay?

If you’d like to talk to me like a rational adult and listen to what I’m telling you, then that would be great.

But if you just came here to blame me for something, then you can leave! ”

She was shaking and felt like she was going to be sick, but she was determined to stand up for herself.

“I told you we should have just sold it to him,” her grandfather said as he got to his feet. He looked at Harlow and it was like looking at a stranger. “There’s no way I’d give such an ungrateful person such a valuable gift.”

Her grandmother got to her feet and left the room without a word.

Unfortunately, her grandfather followed and asked, “Do you still have Walker Bradshaw’s number, Betty? I think we should accept his offer.”

If he said anything after that, Harlow didn’t hear it. The buzzing in her ears was too loud.

Walker? Her Walker had called her grandparents? How…? Why…?

In an instant, it all came crashing back to her—the property and his promise not to deal with her grandparents.

His desire for expansion was greater than what he felt for her.

There was a tiny part of her—the part that wasn’t completely devastated—that realized that maybe she had been unreasonable in asking him to make that promise.

And, to be fair, she had found nothing else that fit his criteria.

But for him to take matters into his own hands like this without speaking to her first felt like a major betrayal.

Major.

Tears were streaming down her face as she let out a shuddery breath. That’s how Swati and Charlene found her.

“Oh my goodness,” Charlene murmured. “Come on. Sit down. Swati? Can you please grab some water and tissues?”

“Absolutely!”

Harlow found herself sitting in a chair with her boss worriedly watching her. It wasn’t until Swati was back that she said told them what happened.

“How dare they accuse you like that!” Charlene said with disbelief. “We were here when you found out they were the owners of that land! I love you, Harlow, but you’re not a good liar or actress! I don’t believe for a minute that you knew that information.”

“I don’t understand,” she said quietly, still feeling like she was in shock. “None of it. If my mother was really going to use the sale of the property to help us…?”

“Oh, sweetie,” Charlene softly said as she grasped Harlow’s hand.

“I think you know that’s not what she was going to do.

What you said to Alan and Betty was the truth.

Don’t shift the blame.” Sitting back, she muttered a curse.

“I swear I’d like to slap the whole lot of them!

Your parents, grandparents, and Walker! What on earth was he thinking? ”

She shook her head. “I honestly don’t know, and now I’m afraid to find out.”