The Series Continues!
“I can’t remember the last time I went cross-country skiing.” Harlow dug her poles into the deep snow, moving her skis forward as she struggled to keep up with Eryn’s quick pace. “Have you been training for the Olympics?”
“No.” Eryn shot a furtive glance over her shoulder. “I thought you and Robert skied at swanky places like Aspen and Breckenridge.”
“Downhill skiing—not cross-country. It’s a lot easier swooshing down the slopes than slogging through deep snow. Remind me again why we decided to do this on New Year’s Eve?” Harlow joked.
“It’s part of our New Year’s resolution to get healthier and spend more time outdoors.”
“Right. You’re right. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining because I love skiing. I guess I’m just out of shape.” Harlow slowed to a more manageable pace. “Hang on.”
Eryn stopped.
“Listen.”
“To what?”
Harlow placed her gloved hand to her ear. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing, with no one around. I figured we would run into hordes of other skiers.”
“If we'd stuck to the main trails, we would have. I stumbled upon this awesome secret trail a couple of years ago. Most islanders don’t know it exists.”
“It’s definitely off the beaten path.”
“But isn’t it pretty?” Eryn wiggled her skis to the right and gazed up at the snow-covered tree limbs.
A clump of pine trees, the branches laden with a thick layer of the white stuff, dipped down almost touching the ground.
The trail was a scene right out of a movie, except the ones Harlow had worked in were fake… artificial just like Hollywood.
Granted, the scene team made them look real, which is why they were paid the big bucks, to create a make-believe world and transport the audience to a non-existent place.
“It’s magical. Thank you for bringing me here,” Harlow said. “Maybe next time I’ll be in better shape.”
“The family Christmas party was so much fun,” Eryn said. “Judging by the look on your dad’s face, he’s over the moon excited about his new snowmobile.”
“He and Lottie are probably already back. Dad started working on our holiday feast early this morning.” Harlow had awoken to the sound of pots and pans banging and clanging. She found her father in the kitchen, the counters filled with gadgets, gizmos and ingredients.
Harlow promptly offered to help. Her father refused, insisting part of his gift to his family was preparing their special holiday dinner.
After showering and getting ready, Harlow headed into town to coordinate the delivery of the gift she had stashed at a storage building near the dock.
It was tricky planning the exact delivery time, making sure no one was around.
She considered driving it home, but then she risked her father hearing her and ruining the surprise.
Marty had saved the day and met Harlow at the pier where he hooked her father’s gift behind his wagon and towed it to Wynn Harbor Inn.
As soon as her father and Lottie took off to take a spin on his new sled, Eryn presented her bestie with one last Christmas gift—a brand spanking new set of skis and poles. Which is how the women ended up on a trail in the middle of nowhere.
“This way.” Eryn motioned her toward a path that branched off.
The women slogged through the snow, continuing their tedious trek until they reached a clearing and a small incline.
“Are we lost?” Harlow shaded her eyes, squinting against the setting sun.
“No. You’ll find out where we are in a minute.” Eryn veered to the left. Crossing over the clearing, they reached another set of towering pines. Down the trail they skied. Through the trees, Harlow glimpsed Lake Huron.
The friends crested a small hill, and there it was…the backside of Lighthouse Lane. From their vantage point, Harlow could see it all…the cozy cottage tucked into the winter setting, facing out toward the lighthouse and Lake Huron.
Her lower lip trembled, and she blinked back the sudden tears. “It’s beautiful,” she sighed.
“Merry Christmas, Harlow.”
Harlow clumsily leaned over to give her a side hug, feeling all the emotion of the past several months…
her automobile accident, being reunited with her father, returning to Mackinac Island, divorcing Robert, being welcomed into the close-knit Mackie group all mishmashed into what had been a very long second half of the year.
Lighthouse Lane, her friends, her family—Harlow had come full circle. It was a bittersweet moment, a moment where the past, present and future intertwined.
She stood mesmerized at the sight of the cozy cottage, with plumes of heat curling up from the rooftop.
One day in the not too distant future, Harlow would settle into her home surrounded by the things she loved, precious mementos of her life that held special meaning, knowing the people who were most dear to her were only a short bike ride away was the most amazing feeling.
“It’s shaping up to be a great New Year,” she finally said.
“Yes, it is,” Eryn agreed. “Right here in the most magical place on earth…Mackinac Island.”
The end.