Page 5 of Wynns of Change (Wynn Harbor Inn #3)

Harlow turned her cell phone’s volume up. “You have bad news?”

“I’m afraid so,” Attorney Beckworth replied. “It’s about your contract with Robert.”

“Contract with Robert?” she repeated.

“His management agreement. Do you recall the terms?”

Harlow’s mind whirled. Yes, she had an agreement with Robert, but it was merely a formality. He’d always been her manager, going back to not long after they met.

Her career was climbing at a rapid rate by the time she met Robert. During their first meeting he’d convinced her he could skyrocket her name into the stratosphere.

He’d sounded so convincing…knew all the right people…knew exactly what to say to a na?ve, inexperienced woman who had gotten a lucky break.

She bought it hook, line and sinker and in the process had fallen in love. At least she’d fallen for Robert. His end was more along the lines of a partnership with benefits, which happened to include a certificate of marriage.

Harlow never regretted her decision to hire him. He had done what he promised, turning her into a household name and one of the most sought-after A-list actresses in Hollywood, securing multi-million dollar deals.

“I don’t. This is going to make me sound like an idiot, but I never read the terms. I guess I didn’t bother because I didn’t think my husband would take advantage of me. We’re on the same team. Why would I?”

“He sent a copy of an ironclad management agreement, which is valid until next October.”

Harlow clutched her stomach, feeling as if someone had kicked her in the gut. “A year from now?”

“Twelve more months. I’ll send you a copy.”

“Yes. Please.” Harlow started to pace. “Maybe he’ll be open to cancelling it.”

“Perhaps. However, considering the amount of money involved, I would be surprised if this was the case.” The attorney suggested he could have his colleague contact Robert’s attorney, whose name sounded vaguely familiar.

“Or I could try talking to him,” she said.

“The decision is yours. How is your relationship these days?”

“Pfft.” Harlow made a fizzling sound. “It’s not great, but I’m willing to try.”

They chatted for a few more minutes before the call ended. As promised, Nigel forwarded a copy. Sure enough, she’d signed off, contractually agreeing to a two-year management term.

Mentally bracing herself, Harlow dialed her husband’s number, expecting it to go to voicemail like it always did. She was surprised when he picked up.

“Hello, Harlow,” he coolly greeted her.

Her greeting was equally frosty. Harlow skipped the small talk and got right to the point. “I spoke with my attorney. You were served the divorce papers.”

“I was. I’m having my attorney review them as we speak.”

“Perfect. As you know, my goal is to move this along as quickly as possible. I would like to go ahead and list our properties for sale.”

“I agree. I see no sense in hanging onto any of them, not that you ever cared for our homes.”

“I’ll admit, I won’t miss them, except for maybe the condo in Palm Beach.”

“Only because I was the one who picked them out,” Robert said.

“My feelings about our properties have nothing to do with who did what. The reason I’m calling is to discuss the management agreement between us.”

“Which is valid for another year,” he pointed out.

“I thought the agreement was only for one year.”

“They were, in the past. When it came up for renewal last year, we agreed to increase it to two,” Robert said.

“I don’t remember having a conversation about extending the contract. I would like it terminated.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. “Have you found another manager?”

“Does it matter? Clearly, it would be best if we cut all ties, including professionally.”

“No.”

“No? Just like that, without discussing it?”

“I’m not interested in terminating the agreement. We have one year left. After that, if you choose, you can sign on with someone else,” Robert said. “I have several potentially large deals in the works and put a lot of time and effort into negotiating them. I would be an idiot to walk away.”

Harlow’s heart plummeted. She should’ve known. Robert wouldn’t throw in the towel when lucrative contracts were on the line. There was too much money at stake. But it was possible for the couple to reach a compromise. “Maybe you and I can work out a deal.”

“Work out a deal?”

“We void the agreement and replace it with a new one where I pay you for any contracts you’re currently working on for me.”

Robert snickered. “You can’t be serious.”

“What’s wrong with that? You get paid for your time and effort. We both move on and you can find your next big star.” Like Jillian, she silently added.

“You must think I’m dumber than a box of rocks. I created your brand. If not for me, you would still be doing low budget films.”

“How do you know that?” she asked. “You keep reminding me I would be nothing without you, but I don’t believe it’s true. Not for a minute.”

“Think what you want. We have a one-year contract left. It will remain intact until the very last second,” Robert said.

“Jerk,” she mumbled under her breath.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. When the contract ends, I intend to have another manager lined up so you can start looking for your next protégé.” Harlow planned to leave it there but couldn’t stop herself.

If Robert could hurl jabs, so could she.

“You might want to find someone other than Jillian. I don’t think she’ll make the cut. ”

Robert let loose a string of expletives, peppering Harlow’s name in a few of the choice phrases. Clearly, he wasn’t thrilled with his girlfriend/assistant bombing on her first role. “Don’t you dare say a word to her. She’s bummed out and depressed as it is. This is all your fault.”

The tips of Harlow’s ears burned. “My fault?”

“You made her nervous.”

“I made her nervous?” Harlow gasped. “That’s an absurd accusation.”

“When she flubbed up, you convinced Steven to cut her from the scene.”

“I did not,” she indignantly replied. “You saw what happened. Clearly, she needs training and practice. Even Steven pointed it out.”

“I’m warning you to leave her alone.”

“You’re delusional. I have no interest in chatting with your girlfriend, even though I’m still paying half of her paycheck.” Harlow didn’t mention the fact she and Robert had also been paying for Jillian’s townhome, something she put a stop to as soon as she found out.

“Jillian is getting a raise.”

“Over my dead body,” Harlow exploded.

“You’re so dramatic. She hasn’t had a raise in over a year.”

“No raise.”

“Too late. I’ve already set it up in payroll,” he shot back. “You know how expensive it is to live out here. She’s barely scraping by.”

“Maybe because she’s paying her rent instead of us footing the bill.” Harlow braced for his reply but was met with silence. “Robert?”

Nothing. He’d hung up on her.

“Great.” Harlow tossed the phone on the bed. She flopped down and stared blankly at the ceiling, replaying their heated conversation over in her mind. Robert had made it perfectly clear he had no intention of ending their contract. She would be stuck with him for another year. Twelve long months.

On the bright side, at least he’d agreed on how to divide their assets.

Everything split right down the middle. It was almost too easy.

She quickly reminded herself that his attorney was reviewing it.

It wasn’t a done deal until they both signed.

A small niggling in the back of Harlow’s mind cautioned her not to become complacent.

She crawled under the comforter and curled up. No matter how hard she tried, her mind refused to shut down, ping-ponging from one problem to the next.

Harlow finally gave up on napping and traipsed into the bathroom to splash water on her face. She emerged and found Mort standing in front of the door, patiently waiting for her.

She gave the pup a pat on the head, grabbed her favorite pink ball cap, and tracked her father down. Harlow found him seated at his desk, staring at the computer screen.

“That was a quick nap.”

“I didn’t take a nap.” Harlow filled him in on the phone call from Nigel, giving her the bad news about the contract along with Robert’s reaction. “So I guess even if our divorce is a done deal, I’ll be stuck with him for another year,” she glumly summarized.

“Unless you convince him to change his mind.”

“How? He plans to hang on until the very last second.”

“Do you think…”

“Think what?” Harlow prompted.

“He would sabotage your career?”

“Not only would Robert be hurting me, but he would also be hurting himself.” At first thought, she immediately dismissed the idea. He was ticked about Jillian being axed from the movie and blamed her, although she had nothing to do with it.

If he was pinning his hopes on Jillian, Robert was in trouble. Harlow Wynn made the money, delivered the product, garnered the sales…on her name alone. He would be an idiot to torpedo her career.

Mort, who had cozied up against Harlow’s leg, scrambled to his feet and trotted to the door.

“Mort wants to go out. I could use some fresh air to clear my head.”

David shut the computer off and pushed his chair back. “Same here. I’ve been looking at the renovation proposals for so long my eyes are crossing.”

Grabbing a light jacket on her way out of the house, Harlow and her father took the long way around, circling the perimeter of the property.

It was only weeks ago she had boarded a plane and left the island, but it seemed much longer. The fall colors were stunning. Michigan in all its splendor.

She breathed the crisp, cool autumn air, thinking how blessed she was to be there. Her expensive properties, even her Palm Beach oceanfront condo, paled in comparison.

Father and daughter reached Wynn Harbor Inn, and Harlow slowed.

Her mother’s death and the fire were never far from her mind.

With the movie out of the way, she had some downtime and breathing room.

Downtime and free time to try to figure out what had happened that fateful night, how the fire started and her mother became trapped in the building, unable to escape.

“How is it going with getting the fines reduced?” she asked.

“Good. Brett Easton was here a couple of weeks ago. We met with the zoning department. They’re considering reducing the fines.”

“I hope they drop them all. Did you mention me possibly investing funds as well?” Before Harlow hopped on the plane to head to Vancouver, she sat down with her father for a serious conversation about Wynn Harbor Inn’s renovations.

After running the numbers, with the new project wrapped up, and even splitting assets right down the middle, Harlow would have extra cash on hand to help get the place shipshape. There was one roadblock…and it was a biggie.

“I did. Unfortunately, both Brett and Morgan wish to have the partnership remain as is. To be honest, I understand their position.”

“I guess I do too. Why add another person to the mix if you don’t need them? Thanks for asking.” Harlow hesitated. “I want to figure out what happened to Mom. I have time now.”

Their eyes met. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

“If not now, when?”

“True. We should probably do it before the place is gutted, and any clues are removed,” David said. “It won’t be easy.”

“Maybe not easy, but necessary,” she said softly. “We’re here. Do you mind if I do a little poking around?”

“Of course not, but we’ll need to be careful.” He trailed after his daughter, making his way along the cobblestone walkway to the front of the lodge, or what was left of it.

Blackened beams poked out of the ground. Shards of broken glass littered the pavement and porch. The acrid smell of smoke was long gone, but the memory of the horrific night was never far from Harlow’s mind.

She turned to her father, noticing his shoulders slumped. His eyes were filled with grief and pain. Harlow was certain her expression mirrored his. It seemed so long ago, yet at times it felt like only yesterday. “I still remember it.”

“Me too, Harlow.” David rubbed his brow. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the images, the smell, the moment our lives changed forever. All I have to do is close my eyes, and it replays in my mind, every minute of it in slow motion.”