Page 36 of Wynns of Change
Harlow held the door, waiting for him to wheel his camo wagon onto the porch. “Before we head out, I need to schedule a quick trip to California to retake a minor scene. I would rather fly to the West Coast and take care of it while Robert is busy in New York.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Harlow headed to her room to swap out her clothes for fishing attire. She thought about Jillian and wondered what really went down between the two. Robert had been adamant about keeping her to the point the couple had major arguments over it. Something about the situation didn’t sit right.
Certain there was more to it than Robert’s version, Harlow dialed Jillian’s number. An automated message told her the number she was trying to reach was no longer in service.
Harlow sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the phone. Perhaps flying to California ASAP would be best. She could avoid Robert and find out what went on between him and Jillian. And figuring it out wouldn’t be difficult because she knew exactly who to ask.
Chapter 16
“I’m not sure about this whole fishing thing. I haven’t been in a dinghy in years.”
“It’s not a dinghy,” David corrected. “It’s a fishing boat.”
“Dinghy, fishing boat. It doesn’t matter. They’re the same size.” Aunt Birdie cast an anxious glance toward the shore.
The small boat started to sway, and she frantically clutched the sides. “Where are the life vests?”
“Right here.” Harlow handed her aunt a bright orange vest and helped her slip it on. “You’ll be fine. Dad’s a great fishing captain.”
“As long as he doesn’t dunk me in the water, thinking it’s funny.”
“I have a hard time believing you spent weeks on board a gigantic cruise ship, bobbing around in the ocean and now you’re afraid of a little fishing trip.”
“There’s a big difference between a cruise ship and a small boat,” Birdie insisted.
David playfully dipped his hand in the water and flicked droplets at his sister. “At fifty some degrees, you wouldn’t last long if you fell in.”
“Which means you need to be very careful not to rock the boat…literally,” she said.
“You don’t have to worry about me.” David patted Mort’s head. “This fella, on the other hand, gets a little excited when he sees a fish and has been known to dive in and try to catch it.”
Harlow wagged her finger at the pup. “No fishing without a rod,” she warned. “The water is too cold for you, too.”
“Mort knows better, but like I said, he gets excited when he sees fish.” Wearing waders clear up to his knees, David hopped out of the boat and shoved them away from shore. He climbed back in and settled on the bench seat closest to the motor.
Moving at a slow and steady pace, staying parallel to the shoreline, they skimmed across the open water, smooth as silk.
David swung the boat around in a wide circle and cut the engine. “This is the spot.”
Woof.Mort stuck his head over the side and barked loudly.
“Mort confirmed it. This is our honey hole.”
Mindful to stay in the center to keep the boat from rocking, Harlow handed out the fishing rods, hooked and baited, ready to be cast.
Birdie flicked the tip of her rod, landing it in the water a few feet away. “Your father mentioned you met with Robert earlier today. How did it go?”
“Jillian is gone, and Robert wants to reconcile.”
“I wonder why the sudden change of heart,” her aunt mused. “One day he’s ready to sign and the next he wants to get back together.”
Harlow reeled her line in and cast it out again, this time in the opposite direction. “My guess is he sees the writing on the wall. He knows that when our agreement ends, I’m moving on and not looking back.”
“He doesn’t want to lose out on the big bucks, so why not stay married, at least on paper, and continue to reap the benefits,” Birdie said.
“Exactly. He must think I’m an idiot.”
