Page 6 of Wynns of Change
Harlow had given the matter some thought. She would need a home base in California, a small-ish apartment in LA, close to Hollywood, or maybe close to the water. Nothing fancy. A place she could lock and leave. One that was updated so she wouldn’t have to worry about maintenance or upkeep, yet spacious enough for her and Vic. On-site security would also be on the list, giving her added protection from overzealous fans and paparazzi.
But most important to Harlow was a place she could call home. Would it be on Mackinac Island? Her father insisted many times he had plenty of room for her at Wynn Harbor Inn, which was true, at least for now. But if he fixed the inn up and reopened it as an income property, he would need the extra cash generated by the cottage to recoup his investment. He also had partners, Brett and Morgan Easton. They would have a say in what he could or couldn’t do.
Harlow appreciated his generous offer, but her heart craved a place of her own. Not hers and Roberts, or her father’s home, but her very own.
“You have time to figure it out,” Birdie said. “I would love to see you settle down on the island, which ties into where we’re going.”
“We’re here.” Marty made a clicking sound with his teeth, gently tugging on the reins to halt the horses. He locked the brakes, hopped down, and hurried to give Birdie and Harlow a hand.
“Thanks, Marty.” Goosebumps prickled Harlow’s arms, and she got the distinct feeling she’d been there before…not cruising past on a bike or by carriage, but a sense of familiarity. “I’ve been here before.”
“You have,” Aunt Birdie confirmed. “Do you remember anything about it?”
“Maybe.” She tiptoed through the tall grass, the feeling of having been there before growing with every step she took. A flashback…a memory popped into her head, of Harlow running across the yard toward a tiny cottage in the back. “There’s a small cottage on this property.”
“There is.”
Harlow spun around. “We owned this land.”
“Your parents bought it years ago, when you were very young, before your grandparents became ill. Ginger and David sold it and moved to Wynn Harbor Inn to take over the business.” Aunt Birdie linked arms with Harlow. “Would you like to look around, to take a stroll down memory lane?”
“Look around?” It suddenly dawned on Harlow why her aunt had brought her here.
Chapter 4
“You bought this property,” Harlow guessed.
“I did.” Aunt Birdie told her she tracked down the owners and presented them with an offer they couldn’t refuse. “As I mentioned before, I’ve decided to plunk down some roots here, at least during the summer months. Your father and I aren’t getting any younger. I would like to spend time with my family before I’m too old to remember who you are.”
“Your mind is as sharp as a tack,” Harlow said. “I don’t envision you becoming forgetful anytime soon.”
“You never know. After giving it serious thought, I couldn’t think of a better place to settle down than Mackinac Island.” Aunt Birdie, with Harlow by her side, roamed the property, eventually making their way along what had once been a gravel driveway.
Cresting a small hill, Harlow could see the tippy top of the cottage she and her parents had once called home. Although it looked nothing like what she remembered. As they drew closer, she noticed entire sections of missing shingles.
The front door, or what was left of it, hung haphazardly. The doorknob was missing, and the windows were busted out. Harlow was filled with a sense of melancholy. She knew she and her parents had lived elsewhere while her grandparents were still running Wynn Harbor Inn, but the memories had long been forgotten…until now.
She inched closer. “Do you think it’s safe to go in?”
“I walked the property last week and took a peek inside. I don’t think any critters have taken up residence. Go on,” her aunt urged. “Check it out.”
Harlow guardedly eased the door open. It creaked loudly, filling the room with an eerie echo. She lingered near the threshold, gazing around. “It’s all coming back. I can even visualize where the furniture was.”
“It’s amazing what one can remember about their childhood, yet still forget what they ate for breakfast,” her aunt said.
Portions of the ceiling and roof were missing, allowing beams of light to filter in through the cracks. From where she stood, Harlow could see straight through from the dining room to the kitchen.
A handful of cupboards were still intact. Faded with age, the doors and drawers were warped from years of exposure to the elements.
Circling around, Harlow stepped into the main bedroom, what had been her parents’ room. She passed through the connecting bath, making her way to the second bedroom.
She wandered to the window. A feeling of wistfulness pinched Harlow’s heart as she gazed out through the splintered glass. A tree…a large oak tree where her father had hung a tire swing, stood tall. Spindly branches dipped down, almost touching the ground. The tree’s trunk appeared solid. Golden brown and purple leaves clung to the branches. “I can’t believe this place is still here. I even remember the trees in the backyard.”
She spun around and found her aunt thoughtfully contemplating her. “You said my parents sold this place.”
“Because Mom and Dad could no longer run Wynn Harbor Inn. They needed someone to handle the day-to-day operations.David, your father, stepped in. Ginger wasn’t thrilled. She considered this place, Petoskey Point, to be home. You were so young at the time.”
“And you bought it because you wanted it back in the family?”
