Chapter 5
“Hello, Harlow.” Robert coolly greeted his now ex-wife. “Thank you for taking my call.”
“No problem.” Harlow cut to the chase. “What’s up?”
“The script is being expedited. You should have it in the next day or so. It’s about the contract. I sent it over to the production team, and now they’re asking if it would be possible to move the filming date.”
“To when?”
“Four weeks earlier.”
Harlow did a mental calculation. She didn’t have any pressing engagements other than work, and considering the fact Lighthouse Lane might be off the table, she was as free as a bird. “I don’t see a problem.”
“So if I send you an addendum, I won’t have to hound you for hours to sign it and send it back?”
Harlow chuckled. “No. I’ll get it over right away.”
“Good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Harlow started to tell him goodbye, and he stopped her.
“Hey, hang on. I…uh…are you still up in the boonies?”
“If you mean at my father’s house on Mackinac Island, the answer is yes.”
“So…what’s the plan?”
“Plan for what?”
“Buying a house and having a home base here in California.”
“I’ll start looking for a studio apartment in LA, but there’s no sense in me buying it right now when all it would do is sit empty.”
“I guess this means you won’t be living on the West Coast.”
“Like I said, all I’ll need is a small studio or one bedroom, maybe an extra room for Vic.”
“You’ll be living with your father at his place?”
“No.”
“Are you buying property on the island?”
“Maybe.”
Robert made an unhappy sound. “I feel like I’m interrogating you.”
“Maybe you are,” Harlow said. “I’m curious…why do you care where I live?”
“As your manager, I think it’s imperative we keep the lines of communication open, which means I would like to know where you are. Is that too much to ask?” he added sarcastically.
“I suppose not. I have…had my eye on a place here on the island, but it’s already under contract.”
“I see.”
Harlow could tell by the tone of Robert’s voice he was pacing…pacing like he did when he was agitated or had something on his mind. It didn’t take long for her to find out which it was. “I heard you guys got hit with a blizzard.”
“It was pretty, but not for the faint of heart or someone who isn’t accustomed to snowstorms. It’s over now.”
“The roads are clear?”
“They’re snow-covered, which is perfect for the snowmobilers who come over during the winter. A lot of the local businesses have already reopened. Why the interest?”
“Because I’m heading to New York and thought I would swing by.”
“Swing by here? It’s not exactly on the way.”
“I know.”
“Is there something you need to discuss? Because we can do it over the phone.”
“I had hoped.” Robert hesitated. “I was hoping we could start over, make amends, whatever you want to call it. We need to work together, and being at odds isn’t good for either of us.”
He had a point…a valid point. The least they could do was be civil with one another. And Robert was good at what he did. He’d hammered out a lucrative deal with excellent terms, for which Harlow was grateful.
“I’m around. As far as the current weather forecast, I don’t believe there are any new storms heading our way.”
“I know it’s short notice, but I was thinking about the day after tomorrow.”
“Which would work out for me. Tomorrow is a big day. There’s a pet parade celebration and a festival downtown.”
Robert whistled loudly. “Sounds like a big deal.”
“It is, at least in this neck of the woods.”
“I’ll see you Sunday then.” He promised to forward the addendum before ending the call.
Harlow had only just set the phone down when his text arrived, both the addendum and his tentative flight information, meaning he’d planned on swinging by whether she wanted him to or not. Typical Robert behavior.
She promptly signed and returned the copy. After finishing, she hurried out of her room and found her father and aunt waiting for her in the living room.
“We were wondering if you forgot about us,” Birdie joked.
“I was talking to Robert.” Harlow briefly filled them in on the conversation. “I’ll be leaving a month early, and Robert will be here on Sunday.”
“It sounds as if you have everything under control,” her father said. “You’ll be working with him for almost another year. You might as well try to get along.”
“Agreed, and now that the divorce is final and our assets have been split, except for the real estate, which is pretty much a done deal, there’s nothing to fuss and fight over.” Harlow patted her stomach. “And on that note, I’m starving.”
Their downtown dinner was exactly what Harlow had hoped for…a nice quiet meal with her family. She even splurged and ordered a slice of Michigan cherry pie with a dollop of fresh cream for dessert.
Marty, who had dropped them off, met them after the meal and gave them a ride back home. “I’ll see all of you tomorrow for the pet parade.”
“Yes, you will.” Birdie tapped him on the shoulder. “Have you told Harlow and David about your surprise?”
“No.”
“What surprise?”
“Mort and Chance are teaming up. We’ve been hard at work coordinating their costumes,” Birdie said.
“I think it’s a great match,” David said. “Mort loves Chance.”
“I noticed,” Harlow said. “Every time Marty comes by to give us a ride, Mort is right there, waiting.”
“I never thought my horse and your dog would be friends, but then Mort and Chance are special.”
“And I can’t wait for them to take the parade’s top prize,” Birdie said. “What time will you be by to pick us up?”
Marty and Aunt Birdie discussed the logistics and timing, both agreeing they needed to be in town by eleven and ready to line up for the parade starting at noon. They reached the inn and found Mort standing on the other side of the fence.
Marty, ever the gentleman, hopped down, intent on giving the ladies a hand.
Harlow, in a hurry, scooched off the seat and lowered onto the ground. Her feet slipped.
“Whoa!” She frantically waved her arms in the air, desperately trying to regain her balance. It was too late. Her Christian Louboutin designer boots went out from under her. With arms flailing, she hit the ground, landing on her butt.
“Are you okay?”
With Marty on one side and Harlow’s father on the other, they helped her to her feet. “I would like to suggest you purchase more practical footwear,” David teased.
“But I love these boots,” she grunted.
“Save them for the Hollywood scene,” Birdie said. “I’m with your father on this one. You need more practical footwear.”
“Duly noted. Trust me, it won’t happen again.” Harlow rubbed her backside and took her father’s arm, gingerly making her way toward the sidewalk.
As soon as David opened the gate, the pup ran to the horse and stopped directly in front of him.
Chance pranced, whinnying and shaking his mane.
Mort barked loudly, performing his happy little side hop, the one that always made Harlow laugh.
“I wish I knew what they were saying,” Marty said.
She gave the horse a loving pat. “We can’t wait to see you tomorrow, Chance. And I can’t wait to see what sort of costume Aunt Birdie has come up with.”
“It’s awesome,” Marty said. “She could start her own business designing custom costumes.”
“Ah.” Aunt Birdie’s cheeks turned a tinge of pink. “It was a labor of love. Mark my words…Mort and Chance are gonna knock it out of the park.”
“See you at eleven.” Marty clicked the reins, and off they went, with Chance trotting at a steady gait down the street and out of sight.
Mort stood watching them until they were gone before turning toward the house. The others trailed behind and caught up with the pup on the front porch.
Checking her phone for the umpteenth time, Harlow discovered Allie had finally sent over the contract.
“I have the purchase agreement.” She went over it line by line, confirming it was a standard purchase agreement. Harlow paid special attention to the added items—no funding requirements, closing fast, and her request for an inspection.
She promptly digitally signed and forwarded it. Allie replied, promising she would try sending it to the seller that very evening.
Despite the early hour, it had been a long day. Tomorrow was shaping up to be equally busy, although in a good way.
She couldn’t wait to see Mort’s and Chance’s costumes. Birdie’s creative flair and imagination guaranteed the duo would most certainly have a shot at winning the pet parade prize.
And then there was Sunday, when Robert arrived. His arrival would give off an entirely different vibe; of that Harlow was certain.