Page 25 of Bridge to Home

“Hopefully, there isn’t a brick wall at the bottom of the hill,” Harlow joked.

Following the woman, father and daughter passed by several doors. Some opened. Someclosed. They entered a room at the end of the hall. It was large. Larger than the others and filled with an array of equipment.

“Doctor Maddox will be with you shortly.” The woman exited the room and left the door ajar.

Harlow waited until they were alone. “I guess this is where the rubber meets the road.”

“At least we’ll have a better idea what we’re up against.” David slipped his reading glasses on and inspected the equipment. “Do your best. Let her assess your condition and we’ll go from there.”

Harlow nodded.Please God. Let me walk soon, so I don’t have to be a burden to my dad and Eryn.

She continued pleading with God, promising to do whatever it took with zero complaints. She could feel her armpits grow damp. What if the doctor discovered her injuries were worse than first diagnosed and she might never walk again?

Harlow quickly pushed the thought from her mind. She would walk again. Her pain was onlytemporary. It had to be. What she wouldn’t give to go back in time, to leave the cell phone until she could safely pull off the road.

But it was too late. What was her mother’s favorite saying? There was no use crying over spilled milk. The damage was done. She needed to move forward, to dig deep and get back on her feet.

A movement caught Harlow’s eye. A woman with short black hair and traces of gray framing her face entered the room. Their eyes met. Hers a hazel brown, and she smiled. Not a wide smile that filled her entire face, but more of a guarded smile, as if she was assessing Harlow, already forming her first impression.

She extended her hand. “Harlow Wynn?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Doctor Maddox.”

Harlow took her hand. Although slender, her grasp was firm. “Thank you for fitting me in on such short notice. This is my father, David Wynn.”

David shook her hand. “I’ll echo Harlow’s thanks. We appreciate your time.”

“You’re welcome.” The doctor grabbed Harlow’s chart and briefly confirmed the pertinent information. Her accident. The records Harlow had forwarded from the hospital in Malibu.

She asked a few questions, gauging Harlow’s level of pain and discomfort, specifically asking about her mobility from her hips on down. She completed a general assessment of her condition, jotted some notes, and then set the file aside. “We can talk all day, but the best way to find our starting point is for you to show me what you can do.”

“Now?” Harlow asked.

“Now.” The doctor wheeled her over to the equipment. “We’re going to find out exactly what you can and cannot do.”

Chapter 10

Harlow leaned back in the wheelchair, every muscle in her legs screaming in agony. “That was fun.”

“Maybe not fun, but a necessity.” Doctor Maddox clicked the end of her pen and began scribbling. “I believe with focused effort, resting and not overdoing it or pushing too hard we’ll have you up and walking around within weeks. Full recovery will take a little longer. I’ll guesstimate close to six months for a complete recovery.” She outlined an ambitious plan. “If you’re in agreement, we can start next Monday.”

“Monday sounds good. I’m free as a bird,” Harlow said. “I was hoping you made house calls.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t.”

She frowned. “The ride to the mainland was a little rough, not to mention coming here will draw some unwanted attention.”

“Unwanted attention?”

“Nosy reporters, curiosity-seekers, paparazzi, fans,” her father said. “Surely, you’ve heard of Harlow Wynn.”

“I would be lying if I said I’ve never heard your name. In fact, I’ve watched several of your movies. All very good, I might add. I want you to feel comfortable. You’ll need to put in one hundred percent effort to get better without being distracted.”

“It will be rough,” Harlow predicted. “Mackinaw City isn’t exactly a major metropolis, but it is on the map, meaning people will start camping outside your office, harassing your staff, not to mention annoying your other patients.”

The doctor set her clipboard on the desk. “One of my associates makes in-home visits. If you’reinterested, I can check her schedule. She’s one of the best therapists in the area.”

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