Page 20 of Bridge to Home

She moved her legs, testing their strength. “I won’t need it. I plan on walking soon. In fact, I’m going to contact the therapist today.” Harlow gingerly squeezed the throttle. The scooter lurched forward.

Her father jumped out of the way. “Harlow is on the move.”

Mort scrambled to his feet and skittered off to the side.

She giggled. “This could be fun.”

“Or dangerous.” David motioned to the kitchen. “I have a pot roast in the crock-pot. It won’t be ready for at least another hour, which means we have plenty of time to take this baby out for a test drive.”

“We can right after I set up an appointment with the physical therapist.” Harlow made quick work of calling the specialist Doctor Ashton had recommended. The person on the other end of the line apologized, explaining the woman was booked solid and no longer accepting patients.

“I would be happy to take your name and see if Evelyn recommends someone else if you need therapy right away.”

“The sooner the better. Thank you.” Harlow rattled off her name and cell phone number.

There was silence on the other end of the line. Harlow thought they’d been disconnected. “Hello?”

“I-I’m here. Did you say your name was Harlow Wynn?”

“Yes. I was involved in a car accident and need physical therapy.”

“The Harlow Wynn?”

Harlow had heard the question multiple times, more times than she could count. “I suppose there could be another Harlow Wynn,” she joked. “As far as I know, there’s only one me.”

“W-well, Doctor Maddox might be able to squeeze you in. Can I put you on hold for a minute?”

“Sure.”

Elevator music ensued.

Her father stood watching. “What’s going on?”

“The therapist isn’t taking new patients. I think the receptionist is checking to see if she can somehow squeeze me in.”

The receptionist came back on the line. “Ms. Wynn?”

“I’m here.”

“I spoke with the doctor. She said she can meet with you tomorrow morning. It would be early, before her first regularly scheduled appointment at ten.”

“That would be wonderful. Where is your office?”

The woman gave her the address, which was on the mainland, in nearby Mackinaw City. “She can pencil you in for eight thirty.”

“I’ll be there.” Harlow promised the woman she would forward copies of the hospital’s records and thanked her before ending the call. She triumphantly waved her cell phone in the air. “There are times being a household name has itsadvantages. We have an appointment in Mackinaw City tomorrow morning at eight thirty.”

“I figured once they found out who you were, you wouldn’t have any trouble finding someone.”

“Tomorrow can’t get here soon enough.” Harlow dropped her cell phone in the scooter’s front basket. “I’m ready to roll.”

Chapter 8

Harlow cautiously steered the scooter down the makeshift ramp and onto the sidewalk.

Mort kept pace, happily trotting alongside Harlow and her father.

They veered right, meandering past the trio of rental cottages and the outdoor pool, now covered by a thick black tarp.

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