Page 27 of Bridge to Home

“No problem.” Harlow was so ecstatic, she was tempted to hug the woman. Shoot, if Doctor Maddox hadn’t already left, she would’ve wanted to hug her too.

These women…doctors…were going to help Harlow walk again. After days of being in limbo, she had a plan. Something told her she would need to get her strength back as soon as possible.

Little did Harlow know she would also need to get her emotions in check to face Robert. Her husband was making plans of his own. Plans which would affect her future.

*****

David wheeled his daughter out of the examination room and into the front lobby.

Eryn sprang from her chair and hurried toward them. “How did it go?”

“It hurt like the dickens. With a lot of rest along with some physical therapy, I’ll soon be back on my feet.”

“But Harlow won’t be running marathons anytime soon,” her father warned.

“Nope. My first PT appointment is the day after tomorrow.”

“Here?” Eryn asked.

“At home. One of the physical therapists is squeezing me into her schedule. She’s agreed to come to Mackinac Island and will be at the house this Thursday.”

“Sweet.” Eryn lifted a hand, giving her bestie’s palm a victory slap. “We need to celebrate.”

“Breakfast or lunch is on me,” Harlow said. “Pick your favorite mainland restaurant.”

With their hired driver on standby, they were soon on their way to the cozy café Eryn suggested, offering an unobstructed view of the Mackinac Bridge. Before exiting the vehicle, Harlow donned her ball cap and sunglasses.

She pulled a compact from her purse and studied her reflection in the mirror. “How do I look?”

“Like someone enrolled in the witness protection plan, trying to hide their identity,” Eryn joked. “The aviator tinted-black sunglasses are a dead giveaway.”

“They’re all I have.”

David reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a pair of cheap plastic sunglasses. “I thought you might need these.”

Harlow wrinkled her nose and studied the white frames. “These look like men’s sunglasses.”

“Because they are.”

She slipped them on and studied her reflection. “They cover half my face.”

“Even better,” her father teased.

Harlow pulled them off and inspected the splotched lenses. “How do you even see?” Using the edge of her blouse, she began cleaning the lenses.

“I don’t wear them often, considering I hardly ever drive.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Eryn quipped. “I think they’re perfect. You look very un-Harlow-ish.”

The driver pulled up to the front door. Her dad sprang from the vehicle and grabbed her wheelchair from the trunk.

Still sore from the mini workout the doctor had put her through, she gritted her teeth while David helped his daughter. “You gonna be okay?”

“Doctor Maddox put me through the paces. I’ll be fine. At least I hope so.”

Eryn ran ahead to hold the door. Once inside and seated, Harlow let out a sigh of relief. The dining room was only half full. No one even glanced in their direction.

“See?” Eryn whispered. “The coast is clear. You’re completely incognito.”

---