Page 11 of Wynns of Change
On the bright side, at least he’d agreed on how to divide their assets. Everything split right down the middle. It was almost too easy. She quickly reminded herself that his attorney was reviewing it. It wasn’t a done deal until they both signed. A small niggling in the back of Harlow’s mind cautioned her not to become complacent.
She crawled under the comforter and curled up. No matter how hard she tried, her mind refused to shut down, ping-ponging from one problem to the next.
Harlow finally gave up on napping and traipsed into the bathroom to splash water on her face. She emerged and found Mort standing in front of the door, patiently waiting for her.
She gave the pup a pat on the head, grabbed her favorite pink ball cap, and tracked her father down. Harlow found him seated at his desk, staring at the computer screen.
“That was a quick nap.”
“I didn’t take a nap.” Harlow filled him in on the phone call from Nigel, giving her the bad news about the contract along with Robert’s reaction. “So I guess even if our divorce is a done deal, I’ll be stuck with him for another year,” she glumly summarized.
“Unless you convince him to change his mind.”
“How? He plans to hang on until the very last second.”
“Do you think…”
“Think what?” Harlow prompted.
“He would sabotage your career?”
“Not only would Robert be hurting me, but he would also be hurting himself.” At first thought, she immediately dismissed the idea. He was ticked about Jillian being axed from the movie and blamed her, although she had nothing to do with it.
If he was pinning his hopes on Jillian, Robert was in trouble. Harlow Wynn made the money, delivered the product, garnered the sales…on her name alone. He would be an idiot to torpedo her career.
Mort, who had cozied up against Harlow’s leg, scrambled to his feet and trotted to the door.
“Mort wants to go out. I could use some fresh air to clear my head.”
David shut the computer off and pushed his chair back. “Same here. I’ve been looking at the renovation proposals for so long my eyes are crossing.”
Grabbing a light jacket on her way out of the house, Harlow and her father took the long way around, circling the perimeter of the property.
It was only weeks ago she had boarded a plane and left the island, but it seemed much longer. The fall colors were stunning. Michigan in all its splendor.
She breathed the crisp, cool autumn air, thinking how blessed she was to be there. Her expensive properties, even her Palm Beach oceanfront condo, paled in comparison.
Father and daughter reached Wynn Harbor Inn, and Harlow slowed. Her mother’s death and the fire were never far from her mind. With the movie out of the way, she had some downtime and breathing room. Downtime and free time to try to figure outwhat had happened that fateful night, how the fire started and her mother became trapped in the building, unable to escape.
“How is it going with getting the fines reduced?” she asked.
“Good. Brett Easton was here a couple of weeks ago. We met with the zoning department. They’re considering reducing the fines.”
“I hope they drop them all. Did you mention me possibly investing funds as well?” Before Harlow hopped on the plane to head to Vancouver, she sat down with her father for a serious conversation about Wynn Harbor Inn’s renovations.
After running the numbers, with the new project wrapped up, and even splitting assets right down the middle, Harlow would have extra cash on hand to help get the place shipshape. There was one roadblock…and it was a biggie.
“I did. Unfortunately, both Brett and Morgan wish to have the partnership remain as is. To be honest, I understand their position.”
“I guess I do too. Why add another person to the mix if you don’t need them? Thanks for asking.” Harlow hesitated. “I want to figure out what happened to Mom. I have time now.”
Their eyes met. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“If not now, when?”
“True. We should probably do it before the place is gutted, and any clues are removed,” David said. “It won’t be easy.”
“Maybe not easy, but necessary,” she said softly. “We’re here. Do you mind if I do a little poking around?”
