Chapter 16
Harlow gazed around the vacant cottage’s living room. The feather-blend overstuffed chaise lounge sitting on the side wall was one she’d proudly purchased with her hard-earned money as a teen. The bright blue floral sheer curtains she’d adored hung from the windows.
Beyond the living room was a kitchen and island with a matching set of barstools. The long counter, a creamy white, featured country blue cabinets. A yellow stand mixer, her favorite color, sat to the left of the farmhouse sink.
Cozy throw rugs dotted the hand-scraped hardwood floors. Table lamps, a wingback chair, a hodgepodge of artwork Harlow hadn’t seen in years adorned the walls. It was as if every square inch of the charming cottage was designed and decorated with her in mind. “This cottage is for me,” she finally said.
“It’s the shrine to Harlow. Your dad has kept it like this since not long after you left, hoping that…” Eryn’s voice faded.
“Hoping I would come back.” Harlow’s throat clogged. While she was jetting around the globe, acting as if she no longer had a family, no longer had a place to call home, her father had been waiting. Waiting for her. The sad reality was she might never have come back had it not been for the accident.
The tips of her ears burned as a small niggling of doubt swept over her. Was she imposing? Creating unwanted work?
The fact of the matter was Harlow had no idea what the future held. Initially, she planned to go back, but to where? To Robert? He had pretty much bailed on her. Unless they could work through the deep discord in their marriage, she would be a fool to stay with a spouse who had no problem letting someone else care for her when Harlow needed him most.
Not to mention Jillian was in the picture. Call it women’s intuition, but she was almost certain Robert’s relationship with his assistant wasn’t purely platonic.
“Do you want to check out the rest of the cottage?”
“No.” Harlow backed her scooter toward the door. “It makes me sad.”
“Me too. Even if you don’t stick around, I think it would make your dad happy if you at least spent some time here.”
“I don’t want to get his hopes up. Although, between you and me, I’ve been thinking I need a better life balance, away from the glitz and glam.”
“And spend more time with those who love you.”
“I’m in the contemplating phase. I have a lot to think about. ”
“No doubt.” Eryn waited until Harlow and her scooter cleared the threshold. She made sure the door was locked and her friend had reached the bottom of the ramp before hauling the sheet of plywood back to the main cottage. “Your physical therapist should be here anytime. I was thinking about heading out to the gate to wait for her.”
“I’ll go with you.” Harlow, becoming more at ease with operating her new set of wheels, spun around a little too fast. She popped a wheelie, yelping in surprise. “Whoa.”
“Whoa is right.” Eryn giggled. “You better be careful or you’re going to end up flat on your back.”
“Like this?” Harlow popped another wheelie. The women burst into laughter.
They were still laughing when David, accompanied by Kennedy Jameson, strolled around the bend.
“What are you two up to now?” David set a small stack of mail on the porch table .
“Harlow learned how to pop wheelies. Show them your new trick.”
Harlow repeated the wheelie move.
“You’ll become a pro just in time to retire it,” Kennedy quipped.
“I hope so. I’ll never take walking for granted again.”
Working together, David, Eryn and Kennedy unloaded the therapist’s equipment and carried it inside. Meanwhile, Harlow swapped out her clothes for loose fitting stretchy pants and a tank top before returning to the living room.
David offered Eryn and Kennedy drinks and then discreetly slipped out of the house, taking Mort, who was curious about their visitor and had begun following Kennedy around, with him.
The first half of the visit consisted of the physical therapist testing Harlow’s capabilities, thrilled to discover she was already somewhat mobile. “You’re young, which means you’ll heal quickly. Having said that, it won’t happen overnight and you’ll need plenty of rest.”
During the second half, they got down to business, with Kennedy gently massaging Harlow’s leg muscles. Despite it not being strenuous, by the time the session ended, her body ached from her hips to the tips of her toes. She popped a pain reliever to take the edge off.
“Let’s see if the gentle massage helped.”
Harlow winced, struggling to a standing position. “I think I was born with too many muscle groups.”
“The issue is they haven’t been worked in a while.” Kennedy took a step back. “I’m giving you notice right now. We’re going to have a love / hate relationship. You’ll love to hate me. Let’s do this.”
“You’re one tough cookie,” Harlow groaned. “Are you sure you weren’t a drill sergeant before becoming a physical therapist? ”
“No, and in case you haven’t already figured it out, you’ll feel worse before you feel better.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She gritted her teeth and took baby steps forward. Harlow finished the brief walk and collapsed in the wheelchair.
“That’s a wrap. If you follow my instructions and take it easy, I’m confident you’ll be strong enough to sign up for Mackinac Island’s 5k race next spring.”
“I might do that.” Harlow accompanied the woman to the door. “What about your equipment?”
Kennedy placed her hands on her hips. “If you don’t mind, I would rather leave it with you. If not, I’ll have to keep hauling stuff over on the ferry, load it on the wagons and cart it here.”
“Not at all. Thanks again for agreeing to make house calls.”
“You’re paying for it.”
“And it’s worth every penny. ”
“I’ll see you the day after tomorrow?” Kennedy asked. “Unless you’re ready to fire me already.”
“No way.” Harlow gave her a thumbs up. “Same time. Same place, or sooner if you have a cancellation.”
Eryn left not long after Kennedy. Harlow turned to head back inside when she noticed her father’s mail sitting on the table next to the rocking chair. Thinking he’d forgotten it, she set it on her lap and wheeled her way back inside.
Harlow started to place the stack on top of the counter when a return address caught her eye: Easton Holdings Company, Toronto, Ontario. She’d heard the name before.
Anyone who lived or grew up in the Great Lakes Region had heard of Easton Holdings Company. The cream-colored envelope was addressed to David Wynn, Wynn Harbor Inn. She flipped it over and discovered it wasn’t sealed .
Casting a quick glance over her shoulder, Harlow removed the single piece of paper and unfolded it. She scanned the contents, her heart plummeting when she realized what it was.