Page 12 of Wynns of Change (Wynn Harbor Inn #3)
“Well?” Harlow twirled around, modeling her new outfit, one she’d purchased during a shopping trip to Vancouver’s Sinclair Centre, a premier shopping plaza.
Lottie let out a flirty whistle. “I love it. You’re cute as a button.”
“Thanks. I knew as soon as I saw it, this was a perfect Mackie night out outfit.”
David trailed behind, following his daughter and Lottie to the door. “You gals are feasting on fudge for dinner?”
“I don’t know,” Lottie said. “Peyton, who owns The Fudge Shop, insists she has a special surprise and asked us not to bring a dish to share.”
“I heard the same.” Harlow made a zipping motion across her lips. “Peyton wouldn’t give me a single hint, only reminding me I needed to be on time and to bring my appetite. What about you, Dad? Are you hanging around home tonight?”
“Birdie and I are gonna try out the new downtown seafood restaurant that opened this summer.”
“We’ll miss her for the Mackie’s night.”
“I’m sure she’ll miss you, too. She claims she has something important she wants to discuss.”
Harlow feigned surprise. “Something important? Is she moving out?”
“Who knows? Anything is possible with Birdie.”
She bounced onto the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. “We shouldn’t be too late.”
“But you never know,” Lottie added. “Once the Mackies get going, we could gab all night.”
“As long as Marty brings you home, I won’t worry.”
“Speaking of Marty, I’m sure he’s at the curb waiting for us.”
Harlow and Lottie gave Mort a pat on the head and strolled to the front of the property. Sure enough, their friend stood at the ready, waiting to give them a ride.
The women climbed in next to him, lightheartedly teasing him about his new haircut and asking him if he had a girlfriend.
They bantered back and forth, and before Harlow knew it, they had reached Peyton’s fudge shop.
He made a move to help them down. Lottie waved him away. “We’ve got this.”
“I’ll be back for you later. Have fun, ladies.”
“Thanks, Marty.” Harlow blew him a kiss. “You’re the best.”
His face turned beet red. “Right back atcha.”
The women fell into step, trekking along the sidewalk to The Fudge Shop. A sign on the door informed customers they had closed early for the evening.
Having been given specific instructions, they followed the brick pavers around to the back.
Lottie gave the door a light rap.
Peyton appeared. “Hey, Harlow, Lottie.” She hugged them both. “You’re right on time.” The last to arrive, she ushered them inside and down a narrow hall to a cozy seating area where the others sat chatting.
“I don’t smell the tantalizing aroma of your delicious fudge,” Harlow teased.
“You can have a bite for dessert.” Peyton counted heads. “It looks like everyone is here.”
Harlow glanced around. “Everyone except for Abby.”
“Who is part of the surprise.” Their hostess patted the back of a chair. “We’re in for a special treat, ladies.”
The Magnificent Mackies gathered alongside two others who weren’t a part of their group. Harlow realized one of them was the postmaster. The other was a woman who worked at the downtown visitor’s center.
“Now that we’re all here, let’s get started.” Peyton ran to the back. She returned moments later, accompanied by a trio of wait staff wearing crisp black uniforms.
Abby brought up the rear, steering a cart filled with beverages. Taped to the front was a bright blue sign with bold black letters, Island Time Catering.
Peyton clapped her hands. “I’m thrilled to introduce Mackinac Island’s newest business, Island Time Catering, owned by none other than Abby Stokely.”
Everyone began talking at once, congratulating Abby on her new endeavor. “This has been in the works for a while. I’ve always dreamed of owning my own catering business.”
“We thought we would kick it off by hiring her to host a Mackie’s party,” Noelle explained.
While her sister Meg poured drinks, Abby handed out flyers, listing the company’s themed menus, a la carte pricing and even pricing per person. “The catering company is up and running. We have everything needed for an event. Tables, chairs, tableware. I even purchased heaters for outdoor events.”
Harlow studied the list, a brilliant idea forming in the back of her mind.
As soon as the check for her latest project cleared the bank, she planned to host a dinner, her way of thanking her family and close friends for helping her through the rough patch.
A catered dinner, courtesy of another good friend, would be perfect.
The dinner party proceeded seamlessly with the staff serving a variety of prepared dishes. The guests feasted on tossed salad, sweet dinner rolls, herb crusted baked chicken, twice-baked potatoes and roasted asparagus.
Harlow, discovering she was hungrier than she realized, polished off every morsel of food on her plate. While in Vancouver, she merely picked at her meals, chalking it up to her nonstop work schedule. Looking back, she realized it was more than being busy. Harlow had been homesick.
Eryn nudged her arm. “Everything was delicious.”
“Down to the very last bite.”
Abby slipped in behind them and draped her arms around their shoulders. “Well? What’s the verdict?”
Harlow gave her a thumbs up. “This is one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. I might have a catering event for you soon.”
“Awesome,” her friend beamed. “I’m glad you’re home, Harlow. We missed you.”
Over and over again, a similar sentiment echoed. The contrast between how Harlow was treated by business colleagues and competitors versus her friends was unmistakable.
The meal ended and the extra guests, the postmaster and visitor’s center guide, left.
Abby clapped her hands. “Okay, ladies. This isn’t all about feasting and eating. We’re going to make a special dish, one that’s near and dear to my heart.”
“With a Mackinac Island theme?” Harlow asked.
“Of course.” Abby handed out the index card recipes and escorted the Mackies into the kitchen. “We’re whipping up a batch of those delicious molasses cookies I made…the ones everyone raved about.”
“And were a part of the celebratory gift bag Eryn brought to me,” Harlow said. “Those special gifts meant so much. I hope you all know I was in tears.”
“We wanted to send a little love from home,” Meg beamed. “We’re glad you liked it.”
“I loved it. Thank you all for such a sweet, thoughtful gift. A little piece of home was exactly what I needed.”
“Speaking of our globe-trotting traveling superstar, we’re all dying to know how it went,” Noelle said.
Harlow shared a few snippets and stories, giving her friends a tiny glimpse into her world. “But enough about me. Abby is the star of the day.”
“I’m open for tips and suggestions,” Abby said. “Fire away.”
While working on their cookies, the others threw out ideas about how she could get her new business venture off the ground.
The cookies finished baking. Fresh from the oven, the friends gathered at the counter, sampling the delicious treat.
“Before we forget, it’s time to share our good thing that happened,” Peyton reminded them. “I’ll start. The Detroit Lions placed a huge order for fudge.”
Eryn whooped loudly. “Do you think you can get us tickets to a home game?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Around the room they went, with each of the Mackies sharing their good thing. When it was Harlow’s turn, she told them about the idea bouncing around in her head. “I’m thinking about buying a cottage on Mackinac Island to split my time between here and California.”
“I think it’s a fabulous idea. I love it. Please…please,” Eryn begged.
The others chimed in, excitedly chattering about the thought of Harlow becoming a permanent part-time resident. Gazing around the fudge shop, her excitement grew. She could do it…definitely do it.
“Maybe you and Aunt Birdie should join forces and build a place together,” Lottie suggested.
Harlow cast her a side glance. Had her aunt shared her secret with Lottie?
“Uh-oh. Harlow has the look,” Meg teased. “Is Aunt Birdie already making plans?”
“You could say that.” Harlow hurried on. “She bought Petoskey Point.”
Eryn blinked rapidly. “Isn’t Petoskey Point the property your mom and dad bought and sold years ago?”
“Where is Petoskey Point?” Peyton asked.
Harlow rattled off the general location. “The cottage, or what’s left of it, is still there. Aunt Birdie’s tentative plan is to tear it down and rebuild from the ground up.”
“The Lighthouse Lane property just went up for sale,” Noelle said. “I think it would be perfect for you.”
“Lighthouse Lane,” Harlow repeated. “Why does the name sound familiar?”
Eryn snapped her fingers. “You know which one Noelle is talking about. We’ve biked by the place tons of times. You used to say one day you wanted to live there because you thought it was a cool place.”
Harlow’s eyes lit. “I remember now. The house sat back from the road. The lighthouse is across the street.”
“That’s the place.”
“It needs some work. I don’t think they listed it at a bargain-basement price,” Meg warned. “I don’t know what your budget is, but something tells me it would be a pricey investment.”
“Here’s the listing.” Peyton handed Harlow her phone.
She stared at the picture of the home, and a tingle ran down her spine.
Lighthouse Point was everything Harlow envisioned during those stressful, long hours in Vancouver, the mental images she visualized when she “zoned out” and returned to Mackinac, her mental escape.
This…this was the place. “I would like to see it.”
“Now?” Eryn asked.
“I mean…maybe soon.”
“Hold that thought.” Abby hurried out of the room.
She returned moments later, triumphantly waving her phone in the air.
“Lighthouse Lane is vacant. The owner has given permission, allowing certain local business owners access to view the property without the listing agent being present, which means I have the code to get in.”
“I love looking at properties.” Lottie untied her apron and set it on the counter. “Do you want to go now?”
“I’m friends with the listing agent. Not only is the property vacant, but the power is on.”
In that very moment, an overwhelming sense of teetering on the brink of a major life change washed over Harlow. Perhaps God was lining up her future, putting the pieces in place to bring her full circle, back to where she belonged. “Yes. I would very much like to see it.”