Page 18 of Wynns of Change (Wynn Harbor Inn #3)

Harlow and her aunt made quick work of packing up her sentimental mementos and clothes.

After loading the boxes into the car, she and her aunt drove to the nearest post office to ship them to Mackinac Island.

They celebrated by dining at Harlow’s favorite Asian restaurant, one of the few things she would miss about living in Malibu.

While they ate, her aunt shared tales about some of her travels with her husband, George, before he died. “I sure do miss him.”

“He seemed like a great guy and very funny. George had a great sense of humor.”

“He was the best,” Birdie said wistfully. “What I wouldn’t give to have him back.”

Harlow squeezed her aunt’s hand. “At least you were blessed to have someone you loved as much as George.”

“You’ll find your soulmate, Harlow. Mark my words…

the day will come when adorable little rug rats will run around calling me Great Aunt Birdie.

They can visit me at Petoskey Point. We’ll go treasure hunting, explore Mackinac Island’s woods, do all the awesome and fun things cool aunts like to do,” Birdie joked.

“Have you ever thought about marrying again?”

“Yes, and no. I’m too old and set in my ways. Now, your father…I can envision him and Lottie settling down together.”

“Me too. She’s such a sweetheart.” Harlow toyed with her chopsticks. “You really think the right person is out there waiting for me?”

“Of course. Who knows? He might even be right under your nose.”

Harlow immediately thought about Caleb Jackson.

She and her former high school sweetheart were worlds apart and far from being an ideal match.

Her career was full of sacrifices. Would she eventually find someone who didn’t mind jet-setting around the world yet also enjoyed living the laid-back island life?

Maybe it wasn’t possible and merely wishful thinking on her part. Dating would be a huge undertaking…an endeavor she wasn’t looking forward to. In the back of her mind, Harlow would always wonder if the person was only interested in her because of who she was or what she had.

Dating incognito wasn’t an option. Harlow would need to find someone in a similar line of work, an equal, or a man who was unimpressed by her fame and fortune.

After the meal ended, they climbed into Harlow’s Mercedes, a car she and Robert had purchased solely for the purpose of driving around town when she wanted to keep a low profile.

She drove to her favorite spot, a small beach only the locals knew about.

She and her aunt walked along the shoreline, talking about life, about the past and future.

They lingered to watch the setting sun, a bright orange ball of fire, sinking below the ocean’s edge. Harlow closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I’ll miss this view.”

“I would too,” her aunt said. “Changes are coming. The Wynns of Change.”

A slow smile spread across Harlow’s face. “You’re right. Not only for me, but for Dad and you, too. Let’s head back. I’m ready to call it a day.”

By the time they returned home, Harlow was drained from the long day of travel and turned in early. Despite being exhausted, her mind refused to shut down.

She couldn’t stop thinking about her conversation with Selma. Thank God she’d made the trip to Malibu to find out the truth about what had happened between her husband and Jillian.

Robert wasn’t interested in salvaging his marriage because he loved her. His goal was to remain status quo, to continue reaping the benefits of his lavish lifestyle. Meanwhile, Harlow would stay on her hamster wheel, churning out movies and bringing in the big paychecks.

She thought about Lottie’s comment, how she had more than enough money to live comfortably for decades. Which brought her full circle. Harlow wanted it all. Home on the island and her flourishing career. Whether balancing both was attainable remained to be seen.

*****

Harlow was up and at the film studio early the next morning. Director Steven, who had contacted her after she scheduled the retake, was there for the filming. After finishing, he invited her to join him for brunch in the studio’s cafe.

Sticking with her usual yogurt and a cup of fresh fruit, she grabbed a tall coffee and caught up with him at the table.

“You look good, Harlow.” Steven waited for her to take a seat. “How are you feeling?”

“Great. Except for an occasional twinge of pain, I’m back to firing on all cylinders,” she joked. “I’ve been meaning to thank you for having a hand in extending my contract after my accident. It gave me time to heal.”

“No problem. I’m glad it worked out.” Steven sawed off a chunk of his omelet and took a bite. “Rumor has it you and Robert are calling it quits.”

“We are.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, it happens to the best of us. Robert wasn’t happy about me cutting Jillian from the movie.”

“Nope. I heard she’s working with Charles Zenwith now.”

“Same. He didn’t take her on because of her talent.”

“Not after what we saw during filming in Vancouver,” Harlow said. “I guess her strategy is to keep moving up the ladder.”

“What about your plans? Are you still living on Mackinac Island?”

“I am. I have my eye on a property, although I won’t be able to pull the trigger until the divorce is finalized.” Harlow mentioned an upcoming movie she was considering, one Steven was also involved in.

“I think you would be perfect for the role.”

“Thanks. It caught my eye,” Harlow said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I make the cut.”

“Me too.” Steven changed the subject and began chatting about mutual acquaintances.

Brunch ended and Harlow thanked him for inviting her to hang out.

“You’re welcome. Breakfast with you is like a breath of fresh air. You’re about as un-Hollywood/Hollywood as they come.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she laughed.

“Because it is. You have the spark, the sparkle to make movies magic. I hope the industry never turns you jaded and you lose what makes you stand out from the others, what sets you apart.”

“I’ll try to stay true to myself. Your words mean a lot, coming from one of the best directors in the biz.”

During the drive back to Malibu, Harlow thought about the conversation.

Despite Steven’s comment, she had become jaded in some ways.

The accident had forced Harlow to take a long hard look at herself and it made her realize she was heading in the wrong direction.

She hoped never to lose sight of who she was ever again.

By the time she arrived home, Aunt Birdie was packed and ready for her ride to the airport. “You gonna be okay?” she asked, as soon as they were on the road.

“I’m fine. The filming is ‘in the can,’ at least my part is.” Harlow told her aunt about brunch with Steven and their discussion about an upcoming mega movie role. “I hope I get it. He’s one of the best in the business. We work well together.”

“Did he say anything about Jillian?” Her aunt made a slicing motion across her neck. “About her getting cut?”

“Yeah. Hollywood is a tight-knit group. He already knew she was working with Zenwith.” Harlow pulled alongside the airport’s unloading zone and hopped out. She hurried around and helped her aunt with her bag. “Have fun in Phoenix.”

“I will.”

“When are you returning to Mackinac?”

“Before the holidays. The exact date is still up in the air,” Birdie said. “If you need me, you know how to reach me.”

“You betcha.” Harlow gave her a thumbs up. “Don’t worry about Dad and me. We’ll be fine.”

“I know you will. It’s Robert who concerns me.”

“If my plan works out as well as I hope it does, Robert will be on board to wrap things up ASAP.” Harlow gave her a warm hug. “We Wynns are a tough bunch.”

“Among the toughest.” Birdie thanked her for the ride before grabbing the handle of her bag and strolling inside the terminal.

Instead of heading back to the house, Harlow embarked on a sightseeing tour, not the kind tourists took, driving by celebrities’ homes to gawk or take pictures, but a tour of the places she’d lived in before hitting it big.

The dumpy little studio apartment she rented when she first arrived in California. Her second rental, a townhome on the outskirts of LA. The third, the first home she and Robert bought together.

Harlow parked across the street and studied the front.

It was a charming California rambler. A simple single-story ranch home.

They had purchased it, paying cash, after her debut mega movie project wrapped up.

During the first year, the couple made a pact not to go into debt.

If they couldn’t pay cash, they didn’t want it.

The pact only lasted until Robert saw the big checks, the big money rolling in. He started comparing their lives to the other stars. It was the beginning of him always wanting bigger and better.

The first few purchases had been fun. Never in her wildest dreams did Harlow think she could afford such high-end homes, expensive furnishings, and luxury vehicles. After a while, the fun faded, and the purchases turned into drudgery.

Not for Robert. He loved it. Loved having money at his fingertips. The memory was another reminder she and her husband weren’t on the same page. Their life’s goals, even though they had only been married for a few short years, were not aligned…not by a longshot.

A small sigh escaped her lips. Although the couple started out with a modest home and vehicles, they were happy together. The motto money can’t buy happiness was incredibly accurate. She knew tons of wealthy colleagues who were downright miserable.

Marriages and divorces within the industry were rampant. Marrying and staying married was like a needle in a haystack. Impossible to find. Yes, there were some stars who were still married after decades together, but they were few and far between.

Harlow drove aimlessly through the neighborhood she once called home. It dawned on her she was saying goodbye, goodbye to the life she had led. Her career would continue if she had anything to say about it. Buying a small place in California to use when she needed to be in LA was part of her plan.

On her way back to the house, she stopped by a fast-food restaurant to grab a bite to eat, ordering the healthiest thing she could find on the menu. Which wasn’t particularly difficult. California was filled with decent dining options.

Harlow pulled into an empty parking spot to people-watch while she ate. Looking back, she was glad Aunt Birdie had tagged along. She kept her distracted from the somber task of saying goodbye to a big part of her life.

It was over now, packing up the things that held sentimental value. Tomorrow morning, she would return the rental car to the airport, hop on a plane and head home to Mackinac Island.

Harlow briefly wondered how Robert would react when he found out she’d already been there, intentionally avoiding him. Little did her husband know he was in for an even bigger surprise.

She finished her food and threw the empty wrappers in the recycle bin. Harlow was only a few blocks away from the house when Selma called. Having learned her lesson, she pulled off the road before answering the call. “Hey, Selma.”

“Harlow. Thank God you answered. He’s back.”

“Robert?”

“Yes.” Selma’s voice lowered. “He showed up about half an hour ago. Robert is up in his room. He saw your stuff sitting on the counter and knows you’re here.”

Harlow’s heart hammered in her chest. There was no way she could avoid seeing him. Maybe her husband showing up was a good thing. She could put her plan into action. Her idea about how to convince Robert their marriage was over, yet also make it seem like he was the one who was making the decision.

Hopefully, her plan wouldn’t backfire and blow up in her face.