Chapter 6
Harlow could barely breathe, fighting the urge to burst into tears. It looked the same…exactly the same as it had the day she walked out the front gate for the final time.
The cozy cottages, the immaculate landscaping and array of bountiful flowers. The tightness passed when she got a good look at the lodge…where the fateful fire had started and ruthlessly taken her mother’s life.
“I’m sure you’re exhausted and ready to settle in.” David hung his daughter’s backpack on the wheelchair’s handle while the driver loaded up a small wagon with their luggage.
“I-I am a little tired.” Harlow averted her gaze away from the structure, now only a shell of what it had once been .
Eryn, sensing a shift and tenseness in Harlow and her father, rambled on about the weather, about how the tourist season was winding down, a topic the lifelong islander knew a great deal about, given the fact she’d worked her way to the top and now claimed the coveted role of being manager of Mackinac Island Hotel’s housekeeping department.
The job was a perfect fit. Eryn, a “people person,” thrived in the hospitality industry, meeting guests, managing her staff, ensuring those who visited had clean, comfortable accommodations.
David deliberately avoided taking his daughter past the rental units which had also suffered fire damage and wheeled her straight to his Victorian two-story cottage, that had been Harlow’s home growing up. “I’ll need to build some sort of ramp so you can get in and out of here by yourself. Your motorized mobility scooter should be here later today or first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I have the wheelchair. ”
“And now you’ll have choices. You can pick which mode of transportation you want to use.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Harlow braced herself for another onslaught of emotions when she reached the spacious cottage’s front porch.
The driver unloaded the bags and left after David handed him a generous tip.
Lingering in the doorway, she took it all in. Not a single furnishing or decoration had been changed. The cuckoo clock on the wall, the double tan leather recliners with an oak end table in between. Even the remote control holder and hanging cupholder on the side of her father’s chair was still there.
The small flatscreen television and hideous lime green laminated wood stand beneath it. Family photos hung on the wall, all in the same spot Ginger Wynn had hung them decades ago.
“Are you thirsty?” David asked. “I could use some water. ”
“Yes.” Harlow cleared her throat. “I would like a water.”
“Me three, Pops Wynn,” Eryn said.
“I’ll be right back.”
Eryn waited until he went into the kitchen. “Are you okay? You’re white as a ghost.”
“It’s…this was harder than I thought it would be. Everything looks the same. Not a single thing has changed.”
“By design. When you left, it was like your dad wanted time to stand still, waiting for you to come home.”
Harlow didn’t doubt for a second that what her friend said was true. Her father looked older. Tired. Sad. The passing years and circumstances had taken their toll.
He returned and handed a bottle of water to each of them. “Your room should be ready. I hired Madge Chalmers to give the place a thorough cleaning before we got here.”
“Madge, the Madge Maid in Heaven owner, is still around?”
“She’s semi-retired and only comes by every once in a while. I think she feels sorry for me. Madge can always use a little extra pocket money, so it’s a win-win.”
Harlow awkwardly unscrewed the cap on her bottle and took a dainty sip. Her broken thumb throbbed and now her head was starting to pound.
“You look like you’re in pain,” Eryn said.
“The trip tired me out more than I thought it would.”
“Let’s get you settled.” Wynn wheeled his daughter to the guest bedroom, not the bedroom Harlow had grown up in which was upstairs, but the other one, the one on the main floor Ginger reserved for special guests. It was the same size as Harlow’s childhood bedroom but with an ensuite bath.
“You didn’t have to put me in the guest room.”
“I figured the bathroom would give you some privacy. The layout will also work better for getting around in your wheelchair.”
“True.” Harlow hadn’t considered the fact navigating stairs might be tricky. Wheelchair accessible had taken on a whole new meaning. She was finally getting the hang of pushing herself off from the wheelchair and sliding onto the toilet seat. Same for the shower chair.
The first time she’d tried showering, she nearly face-planted on the bathroom floor. Vowing to manage on her own, it had taken her several tries to operate the adjustable showerhead. Which only solidified her resolve to get back on her feet ASAP.
“Thank you for showing up, for offering to let me stay here, not to mention ordering a scooter.” Harlow said the one thing that needed to be said from the moment her father and Eryn arrived at the hospital. “I don’t deserve this. I’ve treated you horribly these past few years.”
“I love you. You’re my daughter.” Her father turned away, but not before Harlow noticed tears welling up in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re home, even if it is under less than ideal circumstances.”
Eryn reluctantly consulted her watch. “I need to head to work, to check in. I’ll be back later. Is there anything you need?”
“Coffee and I’m good to go,” Harlow quipped.
“Got it.” Eryn gave her a thumbs up. “What about you Pops Wynn? Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, but thank you for the offer. I have a few errands to run myself. I need to grab the mail and pick up a delivery.” He patted his pocket. “I’ll have my cell phone with me, Harlow. Give a jingle if you need anything. ”
“I don’t think I will.” She stifled a yawn. “I’m going to rest for a bit.”
“I’ll help get you settled.” Eryn lingered in the doorway, watching Harlow’s father grab his keys off the table. Seconds later, the front door slammed. “When you’re ready, we’ll take a spin around the island for a trip down memory lane.”
“Maybe tomorrow. I need to use the bathroom and then if you could give me a hand to help me slide into bed.”
“Absolutely. Do you need help with navigating?”
Harlow ran a light hand over the wheelchair’s armrests. “The doorway seems wide enough. There’s room near the toilet for me to swing myself over without too much strain or pressure on my legs. I’ll holler if it doesn’t pan out.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Harlow wheeled herself into the bathroom, waiting for her friend to close the door behind her .
She eyed the walk-in shower. It would work perfectly for her current condition. All she needed was a portable shower chair.
It took a couple of tries before Harlow was finally able to scoot onto the seat, lifting her free-flowing skirt out of the way. As luck would have it, she had a closet full of midi dresses and had packed every single one.
Taking care of business, she scooted back to her wheelchair, washed her hands, and maneuvered her way out of the bathroom.
Eryn hurried over and helped Harlow to the bed. Using momentum, the women successfully moved her from the chair and onto the mattress. With a tuck and turn, she was soon snuggled under the soft coverlet. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have you heard from…”
“Robert? He sent me a text this morning, wanting to know where I was. He was at the house. ”
“How convenient to show up after you left,” Eryn fumed. “I can’t believe he’s acting this way.”
“You have to know Robert to understand him.” Harlow knew her defense sounded lame. Her husband had no excuse for his actions…and absence.
“On the plus side, you’re probably better off recuperating without him breathing down your neck.” Eryn tilted her head. “You seem to be taking it okay.”
“Actually, I think I’m in shock. I guess in the back of my mind, I thought he would come around. He still might.” Harlow almost mentioned Jillian, Robert’s assistant, but kept quiet.
She was beginning to suspect their relationship was more than employer / employee. Maybe Jillian was Robert’s next protégé, and he was working behind-the-scenes to launch her career. It was possible. Her husband had connections, knew people in the right places, and Jillian was beautiful .
Ditch the poor, injured wife and start again with fresh, young material. Harlow could feel her blood boil. Calm down. You have no proof. Yes, Robert is showing you how shallow and callous he is, but you knew all along he wasn’t caregiver material. Has never been interested in children or starting a family.
“I didn’t mean to upset you.” Eryn squeezed her hand. “I have my cell phone, too. I’m only a call away. Get some rest. I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks. And I owe you big time for flying to California to come get me. I’ll reimburse you for the plane tickets and your time off work.”
Eryn held a finger to her lips. “No way. I didn’t do it for the money. I did it because I love you, and I’ll echo your dad’s sentiment. I’m glad you’re home. I only wish it had been because you wanted to be here instead of feeling like you were backed into a corner and had no other choice.”
Harlow stared at the ceiling long after her friend left. Perhaps the car crash was a blessing in disguise. She had been “this close” to signing on the dotted line and buying another unneeded, unwanted property.
Her heart hurt at the thought of how Robert was treating her, placing the blame on her father, claiming he didn’t want to be around him. There was always the possibility he would have second thoughts, realize how selfish he was acting and show up on Wynn Harbor Inn’s doorstep.
A small, concerning thought crept into her mind. What if he decided to throw in the towel and call it quits?
Harlow immediately dismissed the idea. She and Robert had been through their share of ups and downs, but they were married and had taken their vows seriously—for better or for worse. He would come around, hopefully sooner rather than later. And with that thought in mind, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.