Page 20 of Wynns of Change
“How is the d-i-v-o-r-c-e going?”
“The petition has been filed. Robert’s attorney needs to respond. We’ve agreed verbally and on paper, to all the terms,” Harlow said. “He’s coming here tomorrow.”
Lottie’s eyes grew round as saucers. “Your husband is coming here?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
“I don’t know. We might have a buyer for the New York apartment. He’s flying there to clear out his belongings and asked if he could stop on the way.”
“Mackinac Island isn’t necessarily on the way.”
“I agree, but I didn’t bother stating the obvious.” Harlow told her about the binding contract and him managing her career for another year.
“Ugh.” Lottie made a sour face.
“Right? My plan is to get the divorce finalized and then work on negotiating an early termination.”
“At the risk of stating the obvious, you’re a hot commodity, Harlow. Something tells me he’ll want to hang onto you for as long as possible.”
“I imagine he will. I guess I’ll just have to take it one day at a time.”
“Good luck meeting with him. It’s a shame he waited this long to decide he wanted to see you.”
“Robert is all about Robert. I haven’t figured out his angle, but you can bet your bottom dollar this meeting will somehow benefit him. I’m just not sure how.” Harlow pointed to the bulge in Lottie’s pocket. “You have a stick poking out of your pocket.”
She removed a rusty metal rod and held it up. “I found it in the garden.”
Harlow grinned. “You’re collecting junk from the garden?”
“It might not be junk.” Lottie explained that while gardening, she’d found several interesting historically significant objects. “One was a yellow button from a soldier’s uniform. It dated back to when Fort Mackinac was originally built in 1780.”
“That’s cool,” Harlow said. “Was it worth anything?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I donated it to the fort. It’s on display in one of their cases.”
“If you keep digging and collecting, you might end up pulling a Morgan Easton.”
“What’s a Morgan Easton?”
Harlow told her about the woman finding the Shifting Sands Medallion. “The Israeli government paid her a tidy chunk of change for returning it to them.”
“I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled. I can use a tidy chunk of change.” Lottie scratched her forehead. “Is Marty picking you up for the Mackies’ get-together?”
“He is, and I can’t wait.”
“We’ve never met at Peyton’s fudge shop before. I love destination dinners. Do you remember a few years back when progressive dinner parties were all the rage. One host served appetizers, while the next soup and salad, a third dining spot offered the main entrée, and the last in the group served dessert.”
“No. You would think with all the glitz and glam Hollywood parties I’ve been to that I would’ve attended one. They sound like fun,” Harlow said.
“Let’s put it on the Mackies’ to do-list.”
“I like it. Count me in.”
The women chatted for a few more minutes until Mort grew antsy, having been properly scolded, and sat patiently waiting for Harlow to keep moving.
“I’ll see you later.” She waved goodbye and followed the pup back to the main path. They passed by the lodge and fire-damaged cottages. She thought about Brett Easton’s visit and hoped her father knew what he was doing.
