“What a great idea. I’ll start.” Meg shared how her family visited a local tree farm a week before Christmas to pick out their tree. “And then in the spring, we go back for the annual sprucing up the spruce and plant a tree to replace the one we cut down.”
“I love it,” Harlow said. “Who’s next?”
Around the table they went, sharing Christmas memories, some Harlow tucked away in the back of her mind for future reference when she had a family of her own.
During dessert, Peyton brought up the subject of Lighthouse Lane again. “The divorce went through, and you put an offer in on your dream home.”
“A backup offer. Allie Zehnder, the listing agent, helped me. I’m still waiting to hear back.” Harlow told them she’d heard the sellers were traveling and it might be a couple of days before she got confirmation.
“How solid is the first offer?” Abby asked. “Maybe it will fall through.”
Harlow crossed her fingers. “I hope so, but I’m not holding my breath.”
While the women talked, Peyton picked up her cell phone and began tapping the screen.
Noelle, curious to find out what she was up to, peered over her shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to find out who put the first offer in.”
“Peyton has all the right connections,” Eryn joked.
“Friends of friends who have friends. My reliable secret source is checking.”
The conversation picked back up with the Mackies offering renovation suggestions, all revolving around highlighting the magnificent lake views.
Tink.Peyton snatched her cell phone off the table. She tapped the top and made a choking sound.
“Uh-oh,” Harlow said. “You found out who it was.”
“I’m almost positive I know who put the offer in on Lighthouse Lane, and you’re not gonna believe who it was.”
Chapter 8
Harlow’s scalp tingled. “My ex, Robert Barbetz, has a contract on Lighthouse Lane.”
“No, but Robert is a great guess,” Peyton said. “CClifton LLC signed the contract.”
Harlow repeated the name. “Why does the name Clifton ring a bell?”
“Cheyenne Clifton. It could be Cheyenne. Her parents own Clifton Manor.”
“Caleb’s rumored girlfriend,” Harlow said. “Why would she want to purchase Lighthouse Lane?”
“To aggravate you,” Aunt Birdie guessed.
“Most of the islanders have heard you’re interested in the place. I suppose if she wanted to get under your skin, she would throw a wrench into your plans to purchase it by tying it up for who knows how long.”
“Do you think she intends to buy it? Maybe she’s looking for a place to live.” Harlow had thought about her ex’s alleged girlfriend in passing, mainly when they bumped into each other in town, which thankfully, hadn’t been often.
She had her own thoughts about Caleb and Cheyenne, but the bottom line was she had enough on her plate to worry about other than who Caleb dated, including the snooty woman. Yet she had to admit she was surprised he would be interested in her.
Granted, she was beautiful in an exotic way with long, silky jet black hair, and she had no doubt he found her attractive. Fromwhat Harlow had heard, this was where the attraction ended. Cheyenne had a reputation for being a snide, rude and arrogant woman. Her wealthy family owned the upscale hotel, and from whispered rumors Harlow had heard, they earned their money from multiple real estate investments.
So perhaps it wasn’t Cheyenne who was purchasing the property, but her family.
“Maybe Cheyenne’s parents are purchasing it,” Harlow said.
“Why call it CClifton LLC?” Abby asked. “Why would Asa and Trish Clifton be interested in the property? They already have one of the island’s premier plots of land.”
