Page 29 of Bridge to Home

Chapter 11

Harlow slipped her sunglasses on and inched closer to the café’s front picture window, peering out. Sure enough, a group of people, a handful of them wearing press ID cards, blocked the entrance.

“I’ll clear a path.” Squaring his shoulders, David Wynn marched toward the door.

His daughter reached out and stopped him. “Hang on, Dad. As much as I’ve been dreading the idea of facing fans and paparazzi, they’re the reason I’m able to do what I do. Think of them as a million little bosses running around, watching my movies, supporting my online channel, buying the clothes I’m modeling. If not for them, I wouldn’t have a job.”

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Eryn bit her lower lip, anxiously eyeing the growing crowd.There had to be close to a dozen people now. “More are coming by the minute.”

Harlow sucked in a breath. “Neither of you has to say anything. All you have to do is slowly wheel me through the crowd.”

The server hurried over. “I am so sorry, Harlow. I didn’t spill the beans, I swear. The café’s owner suggested sneaking out the back door.”

“Our car is out front,” her father said.

“I appreciate the offer, but we’ll be all right.” Although Harlow wasn’t one hundred percent certain it was true. She was accustomed to having bodyguards at her side at all times when she was out in public. She should’ve known it wouldn’t take long for the glam news outlets to track her down.

A big burly man lumbered toward them. “Ms. Wynn. I’m Lou Klein, the owner. I heard you might have a little trouble getting to your car.”

“Or a lot of trouble.” David gripped the wheelchair’s handles. “I need someone to help meget my daughter safely to our car which is waiting out front.”

“I’m a former bouncer and am accustomed to handling rowdy groups,” Klein said. “I’ll bulldoze a path while you push through.”

“Which appears to be growing by the minute,” Harlow sighed.

“We’ll get you out of here.” The owner took the lead, pushing the door open. “Move back, folks. You need to move away from the entrance.”

The crowd parted, although not by much. Harlow gripped the armrests, praying Lou Klein would be able to get them through.

“Harlow! Harlow! Over here!” A flurry of bright lights flashed. A sea of cell phones appeared, all aimed at her face, at her father, at poor Eryn, who followed close behind.

“Show a little respect!” Klein yelled. “You gotta move back!”

Harlow felt someone touch her shoulder and then her arm. The wheelchair faltered. Someone got in David’s way and he tripped. Her father quickly recovered, inching forward slowly…slowly.

Deeply regretting her decision not to take the owner up on his offer, there was no turning back now. Harlow could see a clearing and the car. Only a few more steps. So close. If only her bodyguards were there. One thing was certain…she would not allow a repeat of this chaotic scene.

Harlow felt a tug on her hair, followed by a sharp pain. She jerked her head and discovered a teenager who couldn’t have been more than fifteen or sixteen was pulling on her hair.

“You’re pulling my hair.” Harlow frantically pushed her away.

Woop. Woop.A Mackinaw City patrol car flew into the parking lot. Harlow almost wept with relief when officers appeared and began forcing the crowd back.

Taking advantage of the distraction, David placed his daughter inside the car.

Bang. Bang.A photographer started pounding on Harlow’s window, desperate to get her to look his way so he could snap a photo.

“These people…they are crazy,” the driver gasped. “What are they doing? Are they trying to attack you?”

“They’re trying to get my attention, to take pictures. I’m so sorry,” Harlow apologized.

With an officer’s help, Eryn finally made it to the other side. She hopped in and slammed the door shut.

David joined them seconds later. In the short amount of time it took for them to exit the restaurant and reach their car, the crowd grew even larger. There had to be at least a couple of dozen people now, all pushing and shoving, fighting to get a glimpse of Harlow.

An officer gave the hood a light rap and motioned for the driver to begin pulling away.

Carving out a clearing, he wasted no time circling around and speeding off.

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