Chapter 17
Thump. Bump.
Harlow hurriedly folded the paper and shoved it back inside the envelope. She dropped it on top of the stack only seconds before her father and Mort appeared.
“Where’s Kennedy?”
“She left.”
“How did it go?”
“Not bad. She gave my legs a gentle massage and wants me to rest. Kennedy claims I’ll be ready to run the Mackinac Island 5k by spring. She’ll be back the day after tomorrow.” Harlow watched her father make his way across the living room.
“I thought we could have a sandwich and soup for dinner. ”
“Sounds good to me.” Harlow glanced at the stack of mail. “I brought your mail in. It’s on the counter.”
“Thank you.” David picked up the pile and began flipping through it. “Nothing but junk.”
“I wasn’t trying to snoop, but I noticed an envelope on top from Easton Holdings Company.”
“Easton Holdings Company.” David shuffled through the stack again. “Ah. I see it now.”
“I’ve heard the name before. Doesn’t their company invest in commercial properties?”
“They do.”
Harlow waited for her father to elaborate. “And?”
“And what?”
“Why are they sending you a letter?”
David cleared his throat. “I wanted to wait until you were better, but I might as well spill the beans. I’m partnering with them to get this place fixed up. ”
“You’re going to let someone else swoop in and take control?” she gasped.
“They aren’t taking control. It’s a partnership.”
“I’m shocked.”
“Why?”
“Because you poured your heart and soul into Wynn Harbor Inn and now you’re letting complete strangers who know nothing about this place, take over.”
“You don’t understand.”
“What’s there to understand?” Harlow asked. “Why don’t you sell it lock, stock and barrel and walk away?”
“Because it’s home. I can’t see myself living anywhere else.”
“It sure doesn’t sound like it. It sounds like you’re selling out.”
“Why do you care? You haven’t been back here in years. ”
Harlow briefly closed her eyes. The truth hit a little too close to home. Her father had a point, one she couldn’t deny. Still, he could have given her a heads up to let her know what was happening. A little voice in her ear told her even a few weeks ago she would’ve ignored him.
David dropped the paper on the counter and placed his hand on the back of his neck. “I don’t have the funds to fix this place up and can’t get a loan. I’ve already tried. It’s too big of a project for me to take on by myself.”
“You could divide the property and sell off a few parcels,” Harlow suggested. “Keep this place and get rid of the rest. I could’ve helped you.”
“I’m not looking for a handout. Besides, I wouldn’t even consider dismantling Wynn Harbor Inn.”
“It sounds pretty close to what I envision happening seeing how you’re partnering with a big company like Easton Holdings. ”
“I’ve met with Morgan Easton, one of the owners. She’s not a shark.”
“Morgan Easton.” Harlow’s brows furrowed. “I’ve heard her name before.”
“She returned the Shifting Sands Medallion to the Israelis.”
“That’s right. It was all over the news,” Harlow said. “So, she came here, laid on the charm, and convinced you to sign on the dotted line, giving her and her family control of a prime piece of Mackinac Island real estate.”
“Not quite.”
“Why them? There are a million other people who would be interested.”
“Are there?” David asked. “Consider the circumstances. I know for a fact several investors wouldn’t touch this place with a ten-foot pole.”
“How do you know? ”
“Because after Morgan left, I contacted them. Either they don’t have the funds needed or they’re reluctant to take Wynn Harbor Inn on.”
“Because of the suspicious fire and the fact the insurance claim was denied?” Harlow asked.
“That and…” David’s shoulders sagged. “I might as well tell you the rest.”
“There’s more?”
Her father strode out of the room, returning moments later, and handed Harlow an envelope from the Mackinac Island Zoning Department.
She glanced at her father and removed the envelope’s contents. “It’s a notice of zoning violations from code enforcement.”
“Multiple violations.”
“How much…how much money are we talking about? ”
Her father rattled off a number that took Harlow’s breath away. “The amount seems excessive.”
“The fines have been accumulating over the years. The bottom line is I’m stuck. I either fix the property or sell and pay the fines,” David said. “I needed a partner…partners, someone who has the funds, who knows what they’re doing and can cut through the red tape. Hopefully, even negotiate to get the fines reduced.”
Harlow’s mind whirled. She’d been so wrapped up in her own problems, she hadn’t considered the fact there was no way her father could afford renovations.
To be honest, there was a time she would’ve thought he deserved it. Deserved to lose the property. She’d lost her mother, her home. He shouldn’t be immune to loss either.
For years, Harlow had been blinded by her own anger and resentment. She was beginning to realize she had been terribly wrong. “Surely, the zoning department will work with you and even dismiss some of the fines if they know you’re going to renovate the place.”
“With what?” Her father arched a brow. “Magic beans?”
“Do you have any idea how much it will cost to have all the work done?”
“More money than I can get my hands on now or ever. My back is to the wall, Harlow. If I didn’t partner with someone, I might as well hand it over to the government and called it a day, or sell it.”
“I still want to help. Maybe you can back out.” Harlow’s offer slipped from her lips. She wasn’t entirely sure she could help. Robert handled their finances and right now, the two weren’t exactly on the same page.
“What will your husband think?” David asked. “Something tells me he wouldn’t be interested in investing in Wynn Harbor Inn.”
“Is there a chance you can back out of the deal? ”
“I have no idea. My guess would be no.” David explained the Eastons had never pressured him to make a decision. “After finding out Easton Holdings wasn’t interested, mainly the founding member, Elizabeth Easton, I visited Morgan and presented her with an offer. Morgan and her brother Brett are partnering with me. They have both been gracious and understanding.”
Harlow grew quiet, mulling over her father’s statement. Perhaps it was best if he went through with the partnership with the Eastons. Despite making some progress as far as her mobility was concerned, her world was in limbo. Her marriage. Her future including her career. She couldn’t even predict what her life would look like six months from now.
While she’d always prided herself on being focused, driven, and goal-oriented, Harlow felt anything but. For once, it didn’t bother her. Changes were coming. When and how much? That was the question. “It looks like your mind is made up. I only hope you know what you’re doing.”