Page 20 of Wynns of Change (Wynn Harbor Inn #3)

Ting, ting, ting. As soon as Harlow’s plane touched down, she turned her phone’s airplane mode off and the texts started rolling in.

The first and most urgent was from Nigel Beckworth, asking Harlow to call him at her earliest convenience. With only her carry-on, she made it through Mackinac Island’s small terminal and onto the curb within minutes.

She promptly dialed his number.

“Good afternoon, Harlow. How was your trip to the West Coast?”

“A whirlwind. I finished my retakes, had brunch with the director and am contemplating my next big project.” Harlow told him about running into Robert at the Malibu house. Sparing him the details, she expressed her concern he might drag his feet.

“Drag his feet?”

“And drag my name through the mud,” Harlow said. “It didn’t go well.”

“Dragging your name through the mud would be to his detriment, considering he plans to enforce his manager’s agreement,” Nigel reminded her.

“Until the very last minute,” she sighed.

“You won’t have to worry about it. He and his attorney signed off on the papers.”

At first, she thought she’d heard him wrong. “Robert signed off?”

“I received a copy first thing this morning.”

She whooped loudly. “I’m shocked, but also thrilled.”

“So am I.” Nigel briefly filled her in on the next step. If all went as planned, Harlow and Robert’s divorce would go through within a matter of weeks, by year’s end at the latest. Being stuck with her soon-to-be ex for another twelve months was an entirely different story.

But Harlow would take all the wins she could get, and this was a biggie. “Thank you, Nigel. This is good news, great news.”

“Congratulations. It’s refreshing to see the good guy, or in this case, the good gal, win.” Before hanging up, her attorney promised to stay in touch.

Harlow continued scrolling through her texts. A daily one from her father, wishing her smooth travels. A message from Eryn, checking in with her after talking to Harlow late last night and telling her bestie about tricking Robert.

She also noticed a group text from the Mackies, a reminder about their next get-together, this time back at Noelle’s flower shop.

Nigel’s news gave Harlow the green light to celebrate. During the flights home, she jotted down plans to host a special dinner for those who had stuck by her these past few months, from the moment she woke up in the hospital.

She started to put her phone away when she noticed one last text. It was from Caleb Jackson, asking her to call him. Harlow found a quiet spot and dialed his number.

“Hey, Harlow.” Caleb’s voice, low and husky, sent shivers down her spine. It was the same voice she’d heard when they were a couple, talking late into the night, sharing their hopes and dreams…before he shattered hers by breaking her heart.

Knock it off, she silently scolded herself. “Hi, Caleb. You sent me a message.”

“I have an update about the fire investigator.”

“Awesome. I hope it’s good news. I’m on a roll,” she joked.

“With good news?”

“I just landed, returning from a quick trip to California, knocking off a few things on my to-do list,” she said. “I have other good news, but I won’t bore you with the details.”

“It may be good news. I figured it would be best to talk in person. Do you have time to swing by? I’m at my house on my lunch break.” Caleb gave her his address, near the center of town where the locals lived.

“I’m waiting for my ride to show up and will swing by in a few.” Harlow ended the call at the same time her ride arrived. She set her bag in the back and gave the driver Caleb’s address.

Tink. Harlow’s phone chimed again. This time, it was a message from her bank. After the shenanigans Robert had pulled, paying for Jillian’s rent without her approval, she’d spoken with the bank’s manager and set up automated notifications of any transactions over a specific dollar amount.

The new text was confirmation that a large sum of money had been deposited in their business bank account. She clicked on the link and opened the tab. The money for A City of Glass had been deposited. Although Harlow was accustomed to big payouts, all those zeroes still took her breath away.

This money meant much more than a paycheck.

It would allow the couple to divide their assets and still leave each of them with a sizeable chunk of change.

If they sold the properties at close to the listing price, the sales would put even more cash in their pockets.

In other words, Harlow would be set financially for a very long time.

She clicked away and tracked down the listing for Lighthouse Lane, relieved to discover it was still available, which meant she was one step closer to purchasing the property.

Harlow needed to be ready to pull the trigger, to make her offer as attractive as possible. On the flip side, the property needed work. Her father was much more knowledgeable about repairs and would be able to give her a realistic estimate of what needed to be done.

She sent him a quick text, letting him know she had landed and was running an errand.

“We’re here.” The driver, an islander her father knew on a first name basis, helped her down. “I’m driving right past Wynn Harbor Inn. Would you like me to drop your suitcase off inside the gate?”

“That’s so sweet of you to offer.” Harlow hesitated.

“I don’t mind.”

“That would be great.” She thanked him and handed him a generous tip before making her way down the narrow walkway. Caleb’s house was quintessential Mackinac Island. Clapboard siding, wraparound porch. An American flag hung from the porch post.

She climbed the steps and rang the doorbell. A muffled thunk echoed from within. The door flew open, and Caleb appeared, not in uniform but casual attire. Jeans and a button-down shirt with the top button undone.

He’d gotten a haircut since she’d last seen him. His wavy brown hair framed his face and curled in ringlets around the nape of his neck. Harlow had always loved Caleb’s hair. So soft, unlike his voice and mannerisms, strong and confident.

She clenched her jaw, forcing the thoughts about how he looked from her head and pasted a smile on her face. “Hey, Caleb.”

“Hey, Harlow.” He held the door wider. “Come on in.”

“Thanks.” She stepped across the threshold. The aroma of garlic mingled with grilled meat wafted in the air, reminding her she had skipped the airplane’s meager meal offering, deciding to save her appetite for tastier dishes she deemed more calorie-worthy. “It smells good in here.”

“I grilled an extra burger. Would you like one?”

“I didn’t mean to hint around.” Harlow patted her stomach. “I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll pass. You’re not working today?”

“I’m attending an afternoon off-site meeting, so I’m allowed to wear what I want.” He led her into the dining room and to an open laptop on the table.

Harlow noticed several deer mounts, along with a bear mount hanging on the walls. She’d forgotten how much Caleb loved hunting and fishing.

“I spoke to Jim Cook, the regional fire investigator.” Caleb handed her a sheet of paper. “I figured you might like to take a look at his credentials.”

Harlow studied the sheet, filled with terms and descriptions she couldn’t make heads or tails of. “I don’t understand the technical terms, but if you believe he would be a good fit for what we need, I trust your judgment.”

“He’s one of the best in his field, but he’s not cheap.”

“I understand, and I’m not looking for cheap. I’m looking for someone who knows his stuff and can help us.”

“Do you want me to go ahead and schedule an initial visit?” Caleb threw out a consultation fee, which sounded reasonable to Harlow.

“Yes. Please.”

“You got it.” He reached for his mouse, his brows knitting as he focused on the task at hand.

Harlow remembered the expression so well and it made her heart pitter patter. She looked away, focusing on something other than Caleb’s closeness.

“Done. If you’re flexible, I think he’ll be able to swing by here fairly quickly.”

“Thank you, Caleb. I owe you one.”

His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Hmmm. I like the sounds of that.”

Her cheeks turned a tinge of pink. “Don’t get too excited. I can burn toast. The only thing I’m even remotely good at is acting or strolling down a runway.”

“Or selling one of your designer dresses or accessories,” he teased. “I’ve seen your face splashed across a fashion magazine or two.”

Crossing her arms, she tilted her head. “I didn’t know you were into fashionista wear.”

“I’m not, but in case your father hasn’t mentioned it…you’re a celebrity around these parts. It’s been fun keeping tabs on your success.” Caleb sobered. “I’m glad to see you’re back on your feet. So I guess this means you’ll be hightailing it out of here before long.”

“Not necessarily. I have my eye on a property. Lighthouse Lane.”

Caleb perked up. “Lighthouse Lane is a cool place. So you’re coming back to Mackinac Island for good?”

“Maybe. Dad plans to renovate the inn and open it back up. He might need a hand, at least when I’m free.”

“And your husband…he’s okay with moving here?”

“We’re divorcing. It…didn’t work out.”

“You’re right. I remember you mentioning it before. I’m sorry.” Caleb seemed genuinely apologetic. “I didn’t mean to bring up a bad situation.”

“You didn’t…haven’t. Looking back, I should’ve realized we were polar opposites. Marrying Robert was a mistake and one I won’t make again.” Harlow pointedly changed the subject. “I should get going. I’ve taken enough of your time. Eryn texted a few minutes ago. She’s waiting for me at the house.”

“Tell Eryn I said hello.”

“I will.”

Caleb escorted Harlow to the door. “Good luck with Lighthouse Lane. So if you can’t cook, maybe we could go out to dinner and catch up,” he hinted.

Their eyes met, and Harlow’s heart skipped a beat. It was almost as if she was transported back in time. Easy conversations. How Caleb made her feel.

“Yes. I-I would like that.”

His soft smile faded. Caleb stared over her shoulder. She didn’t need to look to know someone was standing behind her.

Harlow turned to find a woman close to her age strolling along the sidewalk.

She was pretty in an exotic sort of way, with jet black hair, long and silky.

Her skin was creamy white with high cheekbones and perfectly arched eyebrows above piercing blue eyes.

Harlow’s first thought was she looked like a porcelain doll.

“Cheyenne.” Caleb eased past Harlow.

“Hey, Cale. I stopped by the station and was told you were home eating lunch.” The woman’s eyes flicked from one to the other and then promptly traveled from the top of Harlow’s head to the tips of her toes. Assessing. Judging. Scrutinizing.

Harlow knew the look well. She’d witnessed it plenty of times. Snobbish, snooty wives of the producers and directors, movers and shakers as well as colleagues giving her the once-over.

What Cheyenne saw was a woman dressed for travel…comfy stretch pants, a lightweight top, wearing sneakers with her long blond locks pulled back in a ponytail…and not a drop of makeup.

“I’m working on a small project. Have you met Harlow Wynn?” Caleb introduced them.

Harlow extended her hand.

The woman reluctantly shook it. “I thought you were on location somewhere out of the country.”

“I’ve wrapped up filming and am home for a while now.”

Cheyenne’s eyes narrowed. “Home? I heard you were staying at Wynn Harbor Inn.”

“My father’s place. I grew up here and have always considered Mackinac Island home.”

“But you’re leaving soon,” she insisted.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Harlow, in no mood for the woman’s interrogation, turned to Caleb. “Thanks again. We’ll talk soon.”

“You got it.” Harlow strolled down the sidewalk. She didn’t have to look back to know the woman was watching her. Cheyenne, a woman the Mackies had mentioned as being unfriendly and downright rude, seemed very familiar with Caleb.

She waited until she was a block away to call for a ride.

Marty arrived a short time later. “Hey, Harlow.” He hopped down and gave her a hand up. “I thought you were out of town.”

“I just got back.”

During the carriage ride, Harlow and Marty chatted, catching up on what she’d missed the past couple of days. All the while, Cheyenne’s flawless face lingered in her mind. Women’s intuition told Harlow she and Caleb were more than just friends.

Before she knew it, they had arrived at Wynn Harbor Inn. Harlow handed Marty the taxi fare, along with a generous tip. “Thanks for the lift.”

“My pleasure. Welcome home. We missed you.” Marty gave her a friendly wave goodbye, his words echoing in Harlow’s ear. Home. It felt good. It felt right, especially after spending a few nights at the Malibu house.

The trip gave her a chance to compare the two, although there really wasn’t any comparison. Dollar-wise, the Malibu property blew any house on Mackinac Island away, but emotionally, her heart was drawn to the one place a hundred Malibu mansions couldn’t begin to compete with.

Stepping through the gate, Harlow heard someone calling her name.

She spun around. It was Eryn hurrying along, dragging Harlow’s carry-on behind her. “Are you missing a suitcase?”

“The driver who picked me up at the airport offered to drop it off. Thanks for grabbing it. I forgot all about it.” Harlow grabbed the handle and fell into step, filling her friend in on her meeting with Caleb and the promising news about the fire investigator. “I met Cheyenne Clifton.”

Her bestie wrinkled her nose. “And?”

“She reminds me of the Hollywood types.”

“She’s a trip,” Eryn said. “The snootiest of all snooties.”

“I got that impression,” Harlow chuckled. “She was giving me the once-over. I don’t think I measured up.”

Eryn waved dismissively. “Cheyenne doesn’t hold a candle to you. I bet she was fit to be tied when she saw you with Caleb.”

“She didn’t look happy. Are they…”

“Dating?”

“Yeah. Although it’s none of my business, I am curious.”

“I heard they are, but who knows? Caleb doesn’t broadcast details about his personal life.”

“I see.” Perhaps Harlow was overthinking his suggestion about dinner. They were friends. Merely friends. So what if he and Cheyenne were dating? She was an attractive woman. He was an attractive man. Besides, she wasn’t in the market for a boyfriend. She was still married.

Pushing the thought aside, and telling herself she couldn’t care less, Harlow linked arms with Eryn. “You know what I can’t stop thinking about?”

“How much you loved those molasses cookies we made the other night?”

“I’ve been dreaming about those cookies, no doubt.” Harlow licked her lips. “Lighthouse Lane.”

“Maybe you should contact the real estate agent and get the ball rolling.”

“I’ve been on the fence, waiting to see what Robert was going to do, but seeing how he’s signed, I was thinking I should go ahead and pull the trigger. Positive vibes, Eryn. From here on out, it’s only positive vibes.”