Page 36 of Bridge to Home

“I’m serious. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Maybe then you can hide the fact you’re a million miles away from your injured wife.”

“You’re being ridiculous. I’ll let you go.”

“When…” Harlow started to ask him how long he was going to wait before letting the studio know there was a chance that she wouldn’t be able to honor her contract, at least to the extent they expected. It was too late. He’d already hung up.

She stared at the phone. It had been an awful call. One of the worst they’d ever had. Most of their married life had been all sunshine and lollipops. Travel. The best of everything. Beautiful homes, from coast to coast. All the toys Robert could dream of…or dream up.

Harlow sucked in a shaky breath, closing her eyes as a tear leaked out of the corner. Not once during the call had Robert told her that he loved her.

Chapter 14

“You’re awfully quiet.” David released the dock lines and pushed the sailboat out into open water. “Are you sure you’re up to a boat ride? We can go another day.”

“No. I’m feeling a little better.”Physically,she silently added. Her heart, on the other hand, felt as if it had been ripped from her chest, tossed on the ground and stomped on. She was beginning to believe Robert didn’t love her. If he did, he would be there, would help care for her like a loving husband who had taken the vows for better or worse seriously.

“Don’t worry about the physical therapy,” her father said. “You’ll do fine. You’re a Wynn and tough as nails.”

“It’s not that.” Harlow absentmindedly scratched Mort’s ears. “I talked to Robert.”

Her father’s head shot up, giving her his full attention. “Did he finally get you out of the movie deal?”

“No. In fact, he talked them into giving me an extension. I have a few extra weeks.”

“What?” David roared. “You can’t work.”

“I’ve tried telling him there’s a chance I won’t be able to handle the grueling pace. Robert is in denial.”

“He’s also MIA.”

Harlow swallowed hard and lowered her head, not wanting her father to see the tears welling up. “He thinks I should avoid going out in public. He said it looks bad.”

David’s eyes flashed with anger. “What kind of garbage is that? Instead of being with you, he’s halfway across the country issuing orders. Sign this.Don’t go out in public. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sent you a list of what you can and cannot eat.”

“In his defense, I was the one who left California.”

“It’s not much of a defense.”

“Agreed. I’m thinking…hoping he eventually comes around and realizes I’m not exaggerating.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath. What he’s doing is showing you his true colors.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Harlow whispered.

“I’m sorry.” David’s tone softened. “I didn’t mean to make matters worse. A scenic cruise around the island is just what the doctor ordered. I’ll show you what’s new since you left.”

“New? You mean there’s new stuff to see on Mackinac Island?” The island had remained the same for decades, long before Harlow’s grandparents arrived and staked a claim to apristine piece of property which would eventually be home to one of the island’s finest resorts.

Wynn Harbor Inn and the property was in the top five privately owned parcels as far as acreage, making it a desirable chunk of land. Passed down to Harlow’s father, her parents had carried on the family’s legacy, easily becoming a highly sought-after vacation destination.

A sudden thought popped into her head. “Do you think they’ll ever allow cars and trucks on the island?”

“It’s been considered once or twice but met with strong resistance,” David said. “Allowing emergency and city worker vehicles out of necessity and snowmobiles in the winter is all we’ll ever have, thank goodness.”

“Motorized vehicles would ruin the charm.” Harlow grew quiet, remembering the story she’d heard in grade school, how the first “horseless carriage” arrived on the island via ferry back in 1898. It was promptly banned after a harrowingencounter between a horse and motorized vehicle. “You mentioned new stuff. I can’t wait to see what’s changed, although I hope it’s not much.”

“To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I took Winnie all the way around the island, so maybe we’re both in for a surprise or two.”

Mort, who was sporting a spiffy tangerine orange life vest, stuck his head over the side of the boat and peered into the water.

---