“By shimmery do you mean fancy?” Aunt Birdie asked.
“Yeah. I guess the word I’m looking for is dressy.”
“Where is Caleb taking you?”
“He mentioned Wendovers on the Water.”
“Where Robert and Cheyenne went the other night?” Her aunt arched her eyebrows.
“Robert should be long gone.”
“And if he’s not?”
“If we run into him, I’ll be cordial,” Harlow said. “Mackinac Island is my home, not Robert’s, so if he’s hanging around, he’s in my territory.”
“Good point.” Birdie patted her shoulder. “What if the paparazzi follows you?”
Harlow struggled to keep a straight face. “Then I’ll remind Caleb we can’t make out in public.”
“Harlow Wynn,” her aunt gasped. “I thought you swore off men.”
She giggled. “I’m not making out with Caleb. It was a joke.”
Her aunt followed her into the living room. “Caleb is solid. I would like to see you settle down with a man of his caliber someday.”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to staying single and living happily ever after at Lighthouse Lane.”
“Never marrying again?”
“Well…maybe not for a long time.”
Tink.Harlow glanced at her phone. “He’s out front.”
“Have a good time.” Birdie motioned toward David who was sitting in his recliner. “Your father and I don’t plan on waiting up for you.”
“It’s not a date.”
“I trust Caleb with Harlow. He’ll keep her safe, and if he takes her home?” David Wynn gave a thumbs up. “I won’t go get the shotgun.”
“Stop.” Harlow made a timeout with her hands. “At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this isnota date. We’re merely two friends enjoying each other’s company.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Her father waved dismissively. “Caleb gets the green light, but don’t let a nosy, nasty reporter follow you home.”
Harlow grabbed her keys, slipped her jacket on and hurried out of the cottage. Cutting down a side path, she reached the main gate less than a minute later.
Caleb stood in front of his work truck, his hands in his jacket pockets, looking slightly nervous, or at least that was the impression Harlow got.
“Hey.” He stepped onto the curb and opened the gate. “You didn’t stand me up.”
“Did you think I would?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure. You didn’t seem like you were all that excited about having dinner with me.”
“I have a lot on my mind. Trust me, it has nothing to do with you.” Harlow waited for him to open the passenger-side door. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Walking around front, Caleb climbed behind the wheel and shifted into drive. “So, we never officially decided on where to eat, although I believe we were leaning toward Wendovers.”
“Dinner is on me,” Harlow reminded him. “I owe you for helping with the fire investigation.”
