Chapter 16
“Before we assist Harlow, we need sustenance.” Peyton ran to the back, returning moments later carrying a charcuterie board filled with savory treats shaped like Santa, his bright red hat comprising of plump, juicy strawberries, his beard made from mozzarella balls with hints of red pepper flakes and fresh basil.
A swirl of pepperoni, green olives, grapes and cubes of sharp cheddar cheese formed Santa’s suit.
“How adorable,” Eryn said. “Where did you get this?”
“I made it,” Peyton beamed. “I found a picture on the internet and figured this would be perfect for our impromptu gathering.”
“Great minds think alike.” Abby Stokely, who had recently opened Island Time Catering, held up a Christmas platter with a snowman-shaped cheese ball sitting in the center. She placed it on the table, along with packets of crackers wrapped in green cellophane.
“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” Harlow said.
“It’s no trouble.” Peyton waved dismissively. “I love tinkering. It’s even more fun during the holidays.”
“Ditto for me,” Abby said. “It’s a labor of love.”
The friends loaded their holiday plates with food and gathered in the back.
Meg was the first to bring up the reason for their get-together. “Your text sounded urgent. Let me guess…you want to celebrate the divorce finally going through.”
“I already did with Dad, Aunt Birdie and Eryn with bubbly and dinner, but I like the idea.” Harlow swiped at her brow. “I’m finally free of my ex. Well, partially free. He’s still my manager for the next ten months, but that’s not why I asked for us to meet.”
“The original Lighthouse Lane offer fell through, yours was accepted and you need help with renovation ideas,” Noelle said.
“I wish.”
Abby popped a strawberry into her mouth. “Have you found out who CClifton is?”
“Not yet.” Harlow told them what Caleb had said, how he didn’t believe it was the owners of Clifton Manor. “According to Caleb, they’re getting ready to put their place up for sale and move to Arizona.”
“Asa and Trish Clifton,” Eryn said. “Which only leaves one other person…Cheyenne.”
“If it is her, something tells me she doesn’t actually want the place,” Lottie said.
“I agree.” Peyton nibbled her mozzarella ball. “I’ve been giving it some thought. She must’ve heard you were interested and put in an offer to annoy you.”
“But why? I haven’t done anything to her.”
“Caleb and Cheyenne have been seen around town together. It’s no secret she has a thing for him. The fact you’ve moved back here is enough to send her into a tailspin,” Eryn said.
“What a terrible thing to do.”
“She isn’t a nice person and has been chasing after Caleb for months,” Abby said. “If she thinks there’s a chance you and Caleb might get back together, I wouldn’t put it past her to pull a stunt or two.”
Harlow made a timeout with her hands. “We aren’t getting back together. I’m newly divorced and have zero interest in a relationship with a man, now or in the near future.”
“I don’t blame you.” Lottie patted her arm. “We’re merely throwing theories out about who CClifton LLC might be. For all we know, it could be a relative of Asa and Trish’s.”
Peyton rubbed her palms together. “If we’re not celebrating you locking up Lighthouse Lane, what do you need help with?”
“Robert. My ex is on the island.” Harlow filled them in about David and Lottie having dinner at Clifton Manor and seeing Cheyenne and Robert together. “Robert and I had lunch today, and he was acting oddly.”
“Acting oddly?” Eryn echoed.
“Mackinac Island isn’t my ex’s speed. He’s more of a New York City, LA or Miami kind of guy. He mentioned he’ll be here for a day or so. I think he’s up to something.”
“With Cheyenne?” Meg asked.
“Possibly. Anyway, I was hoping that with all of us working together, we could figure out why he’s suddenly interested in Mackinac Island.”
Abby whooped loudly. “A spy mission.”
“I like it,” Meg said. “Spying on your ex sounds exciting.”
“It might be nothing,” Harlow warned. “Like I said, Mackinac is too laid-back for Robert which leads me to believe something is making him want to hang around.”
“Or someone,” Lottie said. “Based on what I know about Robert and Cheyenne, it sounds like a match made in heaven.”
“Maybe he’s working on his next protégé,” Peyton theorized.
Harlow had also considered the possibility. Jillian was long gone, having left Robert high and dry for greener pastures, aka Charles Zenwith, a big name producer who had recently taken her under his wing.
With the clock ticking on Harlow and Robert’s manager’s agreement coming to an end, he had to be scrambling to find her replacement.
Cheyenne could be the ticket…his next project.
She was young and beautiful. From all Harlow had heard, the woman was conniving, ruthless, snarky… one hundred percent Hollywood material.
To sum it up, Cheyenne would fit right in with the crowd…and Robert.
“Wouldn’t that be something?” she murmured. “Robert on the hunt for his next big starlet.”
“Cheyenne fits the bill,” Meg said. “She’s rude, snooty and thinks she’s all that and a bag of chips.”
“We need a plan,” Eryn said. “Where is Robert staying?”
“As luck would have it, Clifton Manor.”
“How long did you say he would be here?” Abby asked.
“He was vague. It could be only one night, or a couple of days…who knows?”
“Time is of the essence,” Peyton said. “It’s only 4:30 now. We have plenty of time to set up surveillance for this evening.”
“I’m out,” Lottie grimaced. “He’s met David. I’m pretty sure Robert noticed the two of us at the restaurant last night.”
“Ditto for me,” Eryn said. “He knows who I am.”
Harlow counted heads. “This leaves Noelle, Peyton, Abby and Meg.”
“The most logical place to start is Clifton Manor,” Abby said.
“Right. The consensus is Robert’s interest in the island involves Cheyenne,” Harlow said.
“Poor Caleb,” Noelle tsk-tsked. “She could be cheating on him right under his nose.”
Meg waved dismissively. “No way. I know everyone keeps saying they’re dating, but I’ve seen them together. Caleb is passing time with her. He’s barely interested.”
“Since when are you a relationship expert?” Her sister playfully rolled her eyes.
“I’m good at reading body language, and Caleb’s body is not after Cheyenne’s,” Meg insisted.
A collective groan went up.
“Please!” Eryn lifted her hand. “I don’t want a visual on those two.”
“So,” Noelle said. “There are four of us. I say we split up and work in pairs. Stakeout Clifton Manor and Cheyenne’s apartment first.”
“While the other two remain on standby, ready to roll,” Peyton finished her sentence. “I suggest Noelle and I take the first shift with Meg and Abby ready to spring into action.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Harlow lifted her hand and slapped palms with her pals. “You guys are the best.”
“We haven’t done anything yet,” Noelle said.
“It could end up being a big nothingburger,” Eryn warned.
“Robert isn’t hanging around for the heck of it. He’s up to something.”
“If he is, we’ll find out soon enough,” Abby said. “Is he a night owl or an early bird?”
“Meaning, does he like to stay out late at night, clubbing or bar hopping?” Harlow shook her head. “He’s typically early to bed, early to rise.”
“Which means if we start monitoring Cheyenne’s apartment at six, we’ll know in a few hours if anything happens,” Noelle said.
“Yep. If Robert is up to something, he’ll do it sooner rather than later.”
“And we’ll be right there watching to see who he’s doing it with,” Peyton promised.