“That would be great. I mean, I don’t want to waste your time,” Harlow said.
“You won’t be wasting my time. It’s my job. Between you and me, I heard a rumor you were interested.”
“So someone decided to swoop in and beat me to it?”
“I…well, it’s an interesting set of circumstances.” Allie told her she would fill her in when she got there. “Are you at the Wynn Harbor Inn?”
“I am.” Harlow told her how to find her father’s cottage.
While they were talking, Aunt Birdie appeared, quietly listening to Harlow’s end of the conversation. She waited until her niece hung up. “Allie is coming by?”
“Yeah. She’s going to help me put in a backup offer. Allie said the other offer was an interesting set of circumstances…her exact words.”
“You don’t say,” Birdie murmured. “I wonder what she means.”
“I’m not sure, but I would love to find out.”
Chapter 4
“Harlow Wynn.” A bubbly, energetic brunette stood at the front door, a wide smile on her face. She extended her hand. “I believe we’ve crossed paths in the past, but it’s nice to officially meet you.”
“Same here.” Harlow shook her hand. Her grip was strong, assured, not wimpy and limp, something she appreciated. “Thank you for making a special trip over here.”
“I have to admit, I haven’t stepped foot on this property in many moons. I heard your father is working on rebuilding the inn.”
“The…damaged structures are being taken down, which will give the construction crews a clean slate to work with as soon as the ground thaws.” Harlow motioned to her aunt, who was standing behind her. “I’m not sure if you know my Aunt Birdie.”
“Bonnie. Of course.” Allie beamed. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long,” Birdie agreed. “Please call me Birdie.”
“Birdie, it is.” Allie patted her oversized bag. “I printed off a contract. It will only take a few minutes for us to put together your offer.”
Harlow led her through the living room and into the kitchen.
“Cookies. Aren’t those absolutely precious?” Allie gushed over Harlow’s creations. “Where did you buy these?”
“I made them. Would you like to try one?”
“They’re delicious,” Birdie said. “Harlow and I sampled a candy cane while we were waiting for you.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” Allie plucked a snowman, sporting a black top hat, bright red scarf and shiny blue boots, from the plate and nibbled the edge. “He’s almost too cute to eat.”
“They’re my mom’s secret recipe, one of the few things I can actually make in the kitchen without burning it,” Harlow said. “She taught me how to frost them. I find it very therapeutic.”
“It’s a talent, for sure. If you ever give up acting, you could start your own bakery business,” Allie joked.
“I’ll keep it in mind. However, I don’t see it happening anytime soon.” Harlow offered her a seat.
Allie hopped onto the barstool, balancing her bag in one hand and a half-eaten cookie in the other. “Like I mentioned on the phone, I heard the rumor you were interested in Lighthouse Lane.”
“I fell in love with it the moment I stepped inside,” Harlow said. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to pull the trigger and put in an offer until my divorce was finalized.”
“Which has taken place?” Allie asked.
“I got a copy of it in the mail this morning.”
The woman arched her eyebrow. “You didn’t waste any time.”
