“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The only thing you can do now is try.”
After her aunt left, Harlow grew restless. She had her heart set on Lighthouse Lane. The divorce wasfinallyfinalized, meaning she was free, at least on a personal level.
Robert would continue to manage her career for another ten long months until the end of their contract. So far, he was handling all as he should, had snagged a super sweet deal, one Harlow was looking forward to, promising to pay a pretty penny when it was all said and done.
In the meantime, she had more than enough funds to live on…for the rest of her life if she wanted.
Harlow grabbed her jacket and ran to the garage where she found her father wrapping up his fish-cleaning project. Mort sat on the chair, closely monitoring the progress. Beams of light filtered in through the windowpane, bathing David and Mort in a soft glow.
She slipped her phone out of her pocket and snapped a photo. It was moments like this that Harlow thanked her lucky stars her father had flown to the hospital in California and convinced her to return to Mackinac Island.
Tiptoeing to the side, she accidentally bumped into the snow shovel. It clanged loudly.
David glanced over his shoulder. “Harlow. Well?” He turned, giving her his full attention. “I saw Allie leaving. How did it go?”
Harlow tipped her hand back and forth. “She’s putting the paperwork together. My offer is strong but still only a backup.”
“Who is buying it?”
“She couldn’t…wouldn’t tell me. What she did say was there were a lot of contingencies which might matter or…maybe not.”
“Not much you can do about it now,” he said. “There are other properties for sale and probably even more coming on the market this spring if this one doesn’t work out.”
“I know, and I’m trying not to get too bummed.” Harlow changed the subject. “Do you need help?”
“Mort and I are almost done.” David dumped the scraps in the garbage bin and washed his hands in the sink. “How about dinner in town?”
“Tonight?”
Her father nodded. “We can continue our earlier celebration.”
“I’m sure islanders are still digging out after the snowstorm. Do you think anything will be open?”
He waved dismissively. “We Michiganders are a hearty bunch. I would wager to say they’re all open. They would have to be for tomorrow’s big shindig.”
“Right. I almost forgot about the pet parade and festival.” Harlow brushed at the dusting of flour stuck to her blouse. “I’ll need to change.”
“Stop by your aunt’s place and ask Birdie if she wants to go with us.”
“Will do.” Harlow took off, making a beeline for her aunt’s cottage. She could see movement inside and gave the door a light rap.
Birdie appeared moments later.
Harlow burst out laughing at the sight of her aunt, or more like her face, covered in a shiny pink mask with only her eyes visible. “What in the world?”
“What?”
“Have you looked in the mirror?” she teased.
“Of course. Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.” Birdie wagged her finger. “Wait another twenty-some years and you’ll be plastering pink paste all over your face too.”
Harlow sobered. “I’m kidding. You look adorable.” She sniffed the air. “And smell like citrus.”
“Freshly squeezed lemon to tighten the pores. I’m getting ready to peel it off. Did Allie send over the contract?”
“Not yet. Dad’s wrapping up his fish cleaning and wants to take us out to dinner to celebrate.”
“Celebrate getting rid of wretched Robert?”
