The taxi that had dropped the women off returned.
“I see our ride back into town.” Noelle hugged Harlow. “Thanks for the sneak peek. I think it’s safe to say us Mackies are equally excited that it’s official. Harlow Wynn is here to stay.”
“Forever, hopefully.”
“We won’t let you leave.” Peyton hugged her. “Once you’re a member of the Mackies, it’s for life.”
“Thanks for coming by.”
“It will be a beautiful home,” Meg sighed.
“One I plan to share with all of you.” Harlow could feel sudden tears burn the back of her eyes, reminding her once again how her car crash had started out as one of the most frightening things that had happened to her but became one of her biggest blessings.
The Mackies piled into the wagon. With cheery waves goodbye her friends were gone.
Harlow, eager to take another look around, turned toward the house when she heard an engine revving, a rarity on an island that banned everything but emergency vehicles.
Curious to find out who it was, she stopped, watching as an official island truck slowed before pulling into the driveway. Harlow’s heart skipped a beat when she spotted Caleb Jackson, her high school sweetheart who also happened to be the island’s fire chief, climb out. “Hello, Harlow.”
“Hey, Caleb.” She couldn’t help but notice he’d cut his hair. Not short, but in a way that made the wisps caress his neck.
“I heard you were back in town. Did you get my text message?”
“No.” Harlow pulled her phone from her pocket, noticing she’d missed a message. “The Mackies just left. I gave them a tour of the place.”
“How’s it going?” He motioned to the cottage.
“It’s nothing but bare walls. Would you like to see the inside?”
“Actually, I’m here on official business.”
“Official business?” she echoed.
Caleb handed her a folded sheet of paper. “The city received a complaint about the jobsite, specifically mentioning the destruction of state property.”
Chapter 8
Caleb continued. “This isn’t under my jurisdiction, but seeing how we’re friends, I offered to be the one to hand-deliver the bad news.”
The subject line of the email caught Harlow’s attention first.Destruction of state property is a felony!
“What on earth?”
“Someone anonymously reported that you or your construction crew have maliciously and intentionally destroyed state property, specifically the trees out back.”
“This isn’t true.” Harlow’s hand shook. “The Mackies and I were just back there. We walked all the way to the property line. I can assure you my workers haven’t touched a single tree belonging to the state.”
“So you didn’t notice any damaged trees?”
“No, but then I wasn’t paying attention. Trust me, I would not cut down a tree.”
“I believe you. Unfortunately, I’ll still need to see for myself.”
“Of course.” Harlow handed the paper back. “The first question that comes to mind is, how would someone know unless they were trespassing? Who’s to say that they didn’t damage it themselves and is blaming me or my workers for it?”
“To be honest, I had the same thought.” Caleb fell into step, keeping up with Harlow’s brisk pace. “I’m sure you’re already aware that not everyone on the island is thrilled with the fact that you bought this place.”
“Including Cheyenne Clifton, I’m sure,” she mumbled. “I wasn’t paying attention, but out of curiosity, exactly when did the zoning and permit department receive this?”
