Page 17 of Wynns of Change
“Following my heart will include being here.” Harlow changed the subject. “I’m going to track Caleb down.”
David’s eyes widened. “Caleb Jackson? Last I heard you wanted to avoid him.”
“It was Aunt Birdie’s idea. She thinks he can point us in the right direction as far as finding someone to investigate the fire.” Harlow told him she wanted it done before the site was cleared. “In case there’s something the original investigators missed. I’mhoping if we finally figure out what happened, Mom will be able to rest in peace.”
“Caleb is a good guy. He’ll help.”
“I have your approval to move forward?”
David paused, and Harlow could only imagine what was going through his mind. Digging up a painful, heartbreaking period of their lives would rip open old wounds.
As far as she was concerned, those wounds had never healed…would never completely heal until there was closure and answers.
“You have my blessing.”
Harlow sprang from her chair and hugged him. “Thank you. I know how hard this is, has been. I have a good feeling though. As long as we’re on the same page and in agreement, we’ll deal with whatever we find.”
“You’re right.” David hugged her back. “Have I told you lately how thrilled I am to have you home?”
She chuckled. “Maybe a time or two. Have I told you how the accident was a blessing in disguise and I’m almost glad I totaled my car?”
“Maybe a time or two,” he teased. “We’ll get through this, Harlow.”
“You bet, Dad.”
Later that night, long after Harlow went to bed, she lay awake, thinking about her marriage, her career, her aunt purchasing a piece of her past. A past and a new beginning, all wrapped up into a parcel of land.
Not unlike Wynn Harbor Inn. The inn’s past and future would blend into one, making the family stronger and better than ever.
*****
Harlow rolled over, slowly opening her eyes. She came chin to snout with Mort, who sat patiently waiting for her to wake up. “Hey, Mort.” She ruffled the pup’s ears. “Did you miss sleeping beside my bed while I was gone?”
He slid down onto all fours and let out a low groan.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She flung the covers back and sprang from the bed, marveling at how good she felt. No more leg pain. No more wheelchairs or struggling to get around. Never again would Harlow take her mobility for granted. And she would never allow herself to become distracted while driving down the road.
The day was shaping up to be a busy one. While she flew through her morning routine, Harlow mentally ticked off her to-do list. Check in with Nigel to see if Robert and his attorney had finished going over the divorce agreement. Run into town to track Caleb down. Both were tasks she wasn’t necessarily looking forward to. At least her day would end on a high note…dinner with the Mackies.
Harlow couldn’t wait to catch up, to find out what she’d missed. Although she’d been included in several of the group texts flying back and forth, it wasn’t like being there and spending time with her friends.
First things first. She fired off a text to Nigel, asking for an update. He promptly replied he would reach out to his colleague in California and let her know.
She started to turn the phone off when a new text popped up. It was a message from Robert.We need to talk. Is now a good time to call?
“Great,” Harlow groaned, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. “Now what?”
Chapter 9
All Harlow could think of was that Robert and his attorney had an issue with the petition, although he already knew what was in it. They had briefly discussed it, or maybeshehad been the one discussing it and her husband had completely ignored what she’d said.
Harlow could second-guess the reason for his text until her head exploded. The only way to find out what his requested call was about would be to bite the bullet. “Please let this go smoothly,” she whispered under her breath as she dialed his number.
Robert promptly picked up. “Good morning, Harlow.”
“Good morning, Robert.”
“Thank you for calling me back.”
