Chapter 4
David Wynn gazed at his only child, his heart plummeting at the sight of his daughter lying in the hospital bed. Bruises on her cheeks, a bandaged hand. Looking so small and fragile, unlike the images he’d seen on television. At galas, movie premieres, award shows. Skiing in Switzerland. Photos of her vacationing on some billionaire’s yacht in the Mediterranean.
David Wynn had seen them all. It was the only contact he’d had with Harlow since the fire that had taken his wife’s life, destroyed his livelihood, and caused his only child to leave Mackinac Island.
The years had dragged on. Year after year. Meanwhile, Wynn Harbor Inn, or what was left of it, slowly deteriorated. Not that it mattered. Wynn had nothing left. Nothing but clinging to the hope Harlow would one day return home .
For five long years, he waited. When he’d heard the news Harlow had been involved in a serious car crash, he immediately called Eryn Marquette, his daughter’s best friend and David’s last line of communication.
Even Eryn had difficulty cutting through the red tape, trying to figure out where Harlow had been taken. The hours leading up to this moment had been filled with worry, terror, even fearing Harlow was dead and the news hadn’t yet reported on it.
At first, Eryn told him she didn’t believe it. She told him Harlow had called her, sounding upset and wanting to talk. Both figured it had something to do with Robert.
Eryn always insisted she never could understand what Harlow saw in the man. He was nothing but an opportunist. Granted, he was attractive in a rugged sort of way, but the image he projected, how he appeared in the news stories, reminded her of a cardboard cutout, a person with little warmth or genuine personality .
As soon as she was able to confirm the story was true, Eryn, bless her heart, went straight to the Wynn property and waited with the man who had been like a second father to her. Keeping her cell phone by her side, the call Eryn had been waiting for finally came. Harlow, sounding dazed and out of it, needed her.
By then, Eryn and David Wynn had figured out she was somewhere in Malibu and had booked plane tickets. Harlow confirmed her location. Within hours, they arrived in LA, rented a car and drove straight to the hospital.
During the flight, David and Eryn agreed she would meet with Harlow first. When the time was right, he would make an appearance.
“Hello, Harlow. You look…better than I thought you would.”
She cast him a lopsided grin. “I look terrible and feel even worse, although Nurse Melanie is keeping me supplied with painkillers to take the edge off.” She watched him awkwardly cross the room and approach the side of her bed.
“Thank you…for coming to check on me.” She reached out to pat his arm, surprised when he suddenly grabbed her hand and held it. “You gave Eryn and me a good scare.”
“I scared myself. One minute I’m cruising down the highway. The next thing I know, I feel like I got hit by a freight train.”
“And your lower half?” Wynn’s bushy eyebrows formed a thick hedge, obscuring a portion of his eyes.
“Is in a great deal of pain thanks to muscle contusions. Doctor Ashton seems to think with lots of rest and possibly help from a physical therapist, I’ll be as good as new.”
“In a few months,” Eryn added. “Which is why I think Harlow should come home to heal.”
“What about your husband?” her father asked. “I believe his name is Robert. ”
“He’s not comfortable dealing with injured people.” Harlow hurried on. “He’s going to help me find the best possible home care.”
Wynn glanced around. “Where is he?”
“H-he had some other matters to attend to,” Harlow stammered. “He sent a text and should be here any time.”
Fast steps echoed outside the door. Robert appeared, his hair mussed and clearly irritated. His eyes shifted from Eryn to David Wynn. “Hello.”
David released his daughter’s hand. He squared his shoulders, giving the man in the doorway his full attention.
Harlow tightened her grip on the sheets, instinctively pulling them toward her. “Hello, Robert.”
“You have company.”
“You remember my best friend, Eryn Marquette. ”
“Yes. It’s been a while.” Robert’s expression relaxed. He extended his hand.
Eryn, a look of distrust, or perhaps disgust, on her face, reluctantly shook it. “Hello.”
David didn’t wait for an introduction. He stepped forward, hand firmly by his side. “I’m Harlow’s father, David Wynn.”
A flicker of surprise flitted across Robert’s face. “David Wynn. Sir. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Is it?” Wynn finally held out his hand, and they shook. “Where have you been?”
“Dad,” Harlow admonished.
Her father clenched his jaw, zeroing in on Robert. “My daughter has been seriously injured and you’re hardly around.”
Robert straightened his back, a defiant look on his face. “I was here earlier. In fact, I brought Harlow flowers.”
“And then you left her? ”
“Look.” Robert adjusted his stance. “I don’t have to defend myself to you. At least I’ve been a part of Harlow’s life these past years.”
Harlow could feel the tension, so thick you could almost cut it, between the men who were having a showdown right there in the hospital. “I-it’s okay. I’m going to be fine. Let’s not start slinging mud and hurling accusations.”
“As you wish, Harlow.” Her father took a step back. “But I’m only cutting you slack because my daughter has asked me to. It doesn’t excuse your behavior.”
“Dad.”
“I’ve said my piece.” Wynn turned his back and walked over to the window.
Robert stepped closer to her bed and kissed the top of her head. “You look better, babe. How are you feeling?”
“Like crap. ”
“But you’re already on the mend,” he said in a low voice. “You’ll be out of this bed and walking before we know it. The clock is ticking.”
Harlow stared at him in disbelief. Robert wasn’t there out of concern but to remind her she had a contractual agreement to fulfill. “I’m not sure what part of my accident you don’t understand. I’m in a great deal of pain and am going to have trouble getting around.”
“We need to get a second opinion. This Dr. Ashton could be a quack. I…”
David Wynn spun around. “I’ve heard about enough. You can’t be serious. Harlow will need time to heal.”
“I’ve already told her invalids and sick people aren’t my thing. I’m working on arranging the best care possible.”
“What good are you?” Wynn exploded. “This is your wife, for heaven’s sake. ”
Robert had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. He quickly recovered. “I won’t stand here and be insulted by a stranger.”
“This is my father,” Harlow reminded him.
“If he’s so concerned, maybe he should take care of you.”
Harlow’s heart pinched at her husband’s callous suggestion. The bottom line was he couldn’t care less about her injuries, other than how it affected her ability to uphold her end of the movie contract. “Maybe he will.”
Robert’s cell phone chimed. “I need to get going. I’ll call you later, when you’re alone.”
David made an unhappy sound, and Harlow could only imagine what was going through her father’s mind. He thought her husband was a jerk.
He waited until Robert was gone. “When are you being released? ”
“In a day or two. By then, I should have some help lined up.” Harlow forced a smile and met her father’s thoughtful gaze. She never could get anything past him, not when she was a child, or a teen…or even now.
“Robert is right. Why don’t you come home?” he gruffly asked. “I have more than enough room. Lottie’s always hanging around. She could help me and Eryn care for you until you’re mobile again.”
“Who is Lottie?”
“Lottie Fletcher. She’s a neighbor who has been tending to the gardens.”
“She’s there almost every day,” Eryn added. “She works part time for the Grand Hotel, tending to their gardens too.”
David heaved a heavy sigh. “For some reason, the woman has decided I need a friend, not to mention she has a hard time taking no for an answer. ”
“Lottie has a green thumb. The gardens look amazing.” Eryn turned to Harlow. “She’s also one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet and has a heart of gold.”
“We can see if she’s interested in helping if we need her to.” Wynn cleared his throat. “What do you say?”
Harlow looked away, reminding herself of the hard feelings and bad blood between father and daughter, all going back to the fire that had destroyed the lodge and killed her mother.
A fire the insurance company deemed suspicious and refused to pay out. A fire that took the life of Ginger Wynn, yet Harlow’s father managed to walk away unscathed.
So many unanswered questions about the fateful night. Faced with the thought her father might be responsible, Harlow had packed up and left Mackinac Island, vowing never to return .
No phone calls on Father’s Day. No cards sent at Christmas. To his credit, David Wynn had tried. He’d left messages, sent letters, reached out. Harlow, still blaming him for the tragedy at Wynn Harbor Inn, had ignored each and every one.
Because it hurt too much. Something deep inside her had died with her mother. Call it cowardly, but it was easier to leave than to pick through the ashes. Finally, the cards, letters and calls stopped coming. Harlow knew her father loved her. And she loved him. But she couldn’t forgive or forget.
And yet, David had flown to the other side of the country, offering his help…extending an olive branch. The proud man stood before her with a hopeful look on his face.
A twinge of guilt over how she’d treated him crept in. Would she have done the same if he had needed her? Harlow wasn’t sure. It depended on the circumstances.
If he was lying in a hospital bed, unable to care for himself, she hoped she would be compassionate enough to rush to his side. She stared at her hands, still clutching the crisp bed linen. Harlow looked up and met his gaze. Her father had aged since the last time she’d seen him. Deep creases crisscrossed his forehead. His steps were slower. His shoulders drooped.
She briefly wondered how long it had been since he’d last laughed or enjoyed a night out. Something told her it had been a very long time.
Harlow closed her eyes, thinking about the fanfare the other day at the film studio. How crowded and claustrophobic she felt. The paparazzi and press calling her name, pushing in against her, snapping picture after picture.
The star had done what she almost always did when the pressure became too much. She’d mentally gone home to Mackinac Island. Had smelled those fragrant lilacs in bloom. Meandered along Wynn Harbor Inn’s walkways. Stood on the shoreline gazing at the “Mighty Mac. ”
She could almost hear the clippety-clop of the horses’ hooves, gracefully making their way around the island, carrying visitors and islanders alike.
She could smell the fresh air of Lake Huron. Almost see the yachts docked in the historic harbor. People had come from near and far to stay at Wynn Harbor Inn. Rich Chicagoans seeking a sanctuary…a quiet space…a retreat from the hustle and bustle.
A small sigh escaped her lips. The offer was there. All Harlow had to do was accept it and she could finally go home.
“I think I’ll take you up on your offer after all. I’m ready to go home.”