Page 21 of Wynns of Change
Mort led her across the street to the harbor. On their way back, they stopped to say ‘hi’ to Aunt Birdie. She found her aunt sitting on the floor with a stack of clear plastic bins at her side.
“Are you moving out?” Harlow joked.
“I’m getting ready to winterize. As much as I adore Happy Camper and am snug as a bug in a rug, it will be too chilly for me to hunker down here for much longer,” her aunt said. “Now thatyou’re on the mend, I was thinking about heading to Phoenix to visit a friend and be back in time for the holidays.”
“Phoenix, Arizona? I bet it’s still warm there this time of year.”
“Nice and toasty.” Birdie pinched her thumb and index finger together. “I have a teensy bit of cabin fever and figured a trip would take care of my antsy pantsy.” She told her she would be leaving within a few days. “Your father has offered to let me bunk in the other cottage when I come back.”
“The shrine to Harlow cottage?”
“Yeah. I figured home for the holidays and then I would reassess after the New Year, maybe travel somewhere warm with a tropical vibe,” her aunt said.
“Thank you for being here for me. I still feel guilty about you cutting your cruise short.”
Birdie waved dismissively. “I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Your accident helped bring our little family back together.”
Woof.Mort let out a warning bark. He took off in hot pursuit of a squirrel.
Harlow called him back. “I better head home. Brett Easton and Dad are meeting with the zoning officials today.”
“About getting the fines reduced?”
“Or eliminated.” Harlow gave her aunt a peck on the cheek. “Hopefully, he’s as persuasive as Dad seems to think he is.”
Birdie crossed her fingers. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”
“Me too.” Harlow caught up with Mort near the road and turned toward home. Maybe Brett Easton was as awesome as her father thought he was, or maybe he realized the true valueof the Wynn Harbor Inn property and planned to swoop in and take control.
One thing was certain…she was looking forward to meeting him because she had every intention of finding out.
Chapter 10
As soon as Mort reached the cottage, he trotted ahead, nudging his way through the open gate. Harlow’s father and a man resembling the photo she’d seen online of Brett Easton stood casually chatting on the porch.
Harlow slowed her pace, catching her father’s eye as she drew closer.
“There she is now.” David Wynn beamed proudly, introducing his daughter to Brett.
She politely shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Easton. Dad has only good things to say.”
“Please, call me Brett. Your father is a great guy. I’m sure he’s told you all about our project, renovating Wynn Harbor Inn and turning it back into a premier Mackinac Island vacation destination.”
“He has. I haven’t heard all the details but I know he…we’re hopeful you’ll be able to get the code enforcement fines reduced or, better yet, removed completely.”
“That’s the goal,” Brett replied. “David mentioned you recently wrapped up a movie project in Canada.”
“Vancouver, to be exact. It will be a while before the movie makes it to the big screen, but for the most part, my job is done,” Harlow said.
Brett Easton cast her a sheepish smile. “I’ll confess I’ve been following recent releases. I’m sorry to hear about your accident.”
“I’m lucky to be alive. To be honest, it was a blessing in disguise. It brought me home again.” Harlow clasped her hands.“I’ve skimmed over the contract between you, your sister, and my father. What exactly is your goal?”
“Harlow,” David chided.
“I think it’s a legitimate question. Are you wanting this to be a forever investment or until you get your money back with interest? And I apologize if I’m coming across as rude because it isn’t my intent. I’m merely trying to figure out the angle.”
“The angle is to help rebuild this iconic property, but on a smaller scale.” Brett cleared his throat. “My sister and I will front the funds and coordinate the rebuilding. The final step is to get it up and running. When it’s once again a viable business, we’ll enter phase two of the agreement. Your father has an agreed-upon repayment structure with a reasonable rate of return. When it’s paid back, my sister Morgan and I will sign off, at which time David is free to do whatever he pleases.”
