Page 10 of Bridge to Home

“Why Mellowly?”

Eryn flattened her hand and ran it in a straight line. “Because she’s super mellow. She’s also concerned about you.”

“She’s been very nice.”

A rustling near the door ensued. Melanie appeared. “Good afternoon. How was your nap?”

“Exactly what the doctor ordered.” Harlow stifled a yawn. “I’m feeling a little more human now, although every part of me still hurts except for my hair.”

“And it will for a while.” The nurse tapped the top of her iPad. “What is your pain level?”

“Tolerable, at least for right now. I don’t think I need to take anything too strong.”

“Maybe some Tylenol?” Melanie placed pills in a cup and handed it to Harlow, along with some water.

She promptly popped the pills and thanked her.

“Your friend has been by your side the entire time.”

“Except for grabbing a bite to eat,” Eryn added.

The trio chatted for several moments until the nurse finally left. Eryn’s phone chimed, and she snatched it off her lap.

Harlow craned her neck. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to figure out how many hoops we’ll have to jump through to get you on a plane and back home to Michigan.”

“I’m not…” She began shaking her head.

Eryn interrupted. “We can care for you there, much better than being left with strangers.”

“Robert isn’t a stranger.”

“Let’s be real. He isn’t a part of the plan. In fact, I would be shocked if he shows up here again.”

To be honest, the same thought had crossed Harlow’s mind. He’d made it perfectly clear hospitals and injured people weren’t his scene. Thank God Eryn was there to help her sort it out. But going home to Michigan? Nope. Wasn’t going to happen. “I can’t go back to Mackinac Island.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“You are one stubborn woman,” Eryn sighed in exasperation. “Think about how much more peaceful it would be to heal in familiar surroundings, surrounded by those who care about you, who will protect your privacy while you focus on getting better.”

She had a point. California was a fishbowl, filled with backstabbing people pretending to be friends. When word got out about her release, the paparazzi would arrive in droves, pulling out all the stops to get photos of her. Boy, would they have a field day.

Harlow could almost see the headlines, almost feel the glee of faux friends and colleagues. And when they found out Robert wasn’t the doting husband staying close by Harlow’s side and caring for his injured wife? It would make matters even worse.Poor Harlow…all washed up. Will she ever find another acting gig?

The thought of the rumor mill working overtime made her want to throw up. That and the attacks, the outright lies and fabricated, exaggerated stories.

“I won’t take no for an answer.” Eryn glanced over her shoulder. “I’m not leaving until I talk to the doctor and figure out our next step, how to get you out of here and away from crazy town.”

“You exhaust me,” Harlow groaned.

“But in a good way. I can see you’re coming around to my way of thinking.” Her friend pointedly changed the subject, bringing up stories from their teenage years, when the besties worked at Wynn Harbor Inn, the family’s resort and the Grand Hotel.

Despite not having seen each other for ages, they picked up right where they left off, joking and laughing, lifting Harlow’s spirits.

Finally, the doctor appeared. Harlow promptly gave her consent, allowing Doctor Ashton todiscuss her condition and prognosis in front of Eryn.

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