Page 40 of Bridge to Home

“You’ll have to help me get this contraption up the steps.”

Eryn darted across the lawn to David’s cottage. She grabbed the makeshift ramp he’d made, dragged it back to where Harlow sat waiting andwiggled it into place. “Your handy dandy ramp awaits.”

“Thanks.” As soon as her bestie was out of the way, Harlow hit the gas and sped to the top.

“You’re pretty good at getting around on your fancy set of wheels.” Eryn lifted the welcome mat, snatched the key from its hiding spot and unlocked the door. “Do you need help?”

“I think I can make it.” Harlow tapped the gas, easily clearing the threshold. She came to an abrupt stop, noting the lingering aroma of lilacs. “I smell lilacs.”

“I think your dad’s cleaning lady uses some sort of scented spray when she dusts.” Eryn eased in alongside her. “What do you think?”

“It looks…” Harlow’s voice faltered as she studied the cottage, similar in many ways to her father’s home but on a smaller scale. She hadn’t been inside in years, even before the fire.

Her breath caught in her throat when she realized the interior had been decorated in a very specific way.

Chapter 16

Harlow gazed around the vacant cottage’s living room. The feather-blend overstuffed chaise lounge sitting on the side wall was one she’d proudly purchased with her hard-earned money as a teen. The bright blue floral sheer curtains she’d adored hung from the windows.

Beyond the living room was a kitchen and island with a matching set of barstools. The long counter, a creamy white, featured country blue cabinets. A yellow stand mixer, her favorite color, sat to the left of the farmhouse sink.

Cozy throw rugs dotted the hand-scraped hardwood floors. Table lamps, a wingback chair, a hodgepodge of artwork Harlow hadn’t seen in years adorned the walls. It was as if every square inch of the charming cottage was designed and decoratedwith her in mind. “This cottage is for me,” she finally said.

“It’s the shrine to Harlow. Your dad has kept it like this since not long after you left, hoping that…” Eryn’s voice faded.

“Hoping I would come back.” Harlow’s throat clogged. While she was jetting around the globe, acting as if she no longer had a family, no longer had a place to call home, her father had been waiting. Waiting for her. The sad reality was she might never have come back had it not been for the accident.

The tips of her ears burned as a small niggling of doubt swept over her. Was she imposing? Creating unwanted work?

The fact of the matter was Harlow had no idea what the future held. Initially, she planned to go back, but to where? To Robert? He had pretty much bailed on her. Unless they could work through the deep discord in their marriage, she would be a fool to stay with a spouse who had no problem lettingsomeone else care for her when Harlow needed him most.

Not to mention Jillian was in the picture. Call it women’s intuition, but she was almost certain Robert’s relationship with his assistant wasn’t purely platonic.

“Do you want to check out the rest of the cottage?”

“No.” Harlow backed her scooter toward the door. “It makes me sad.”

“Me too. Even if you don’t stick around, I think it would make your dad happy if you at least spent some time here.”

“I don’t want to get his hopes up. Although, between you and me, I’ve been thinking I need a better life balance, away from the glitz and glam.”

“And spend more time with those who love you.”

“I’m in the contemplating phase. I have a lot to think about.”

“No doubt.” Eryn waited until Harlow and her scooter cleared the threshold. She made sure the door was locked and her friend had reached the bottom of the ramp before hauling the sheet of plywood back to the main cottage. “Your physical therapist should be here anytime. I was thinking about heading out to the gate to wait for her.”

“I’ll go with you.” Harlow, becoming more at ease with operating her new set of wheels, spun around a little too fast. She popped a wheelie, yelping in surprise. “Whoa.”

“Whoa is right.” Eryn giggled. “You better be careful or you’re going to end up flat on your back.”

“Like this?” Harlow popped another wheelie. The women burst into laughter.

They were still laughing when David, accompanied by Kennedy Jameson, strolled around the bend.

“What are you two up to now?” David set a small stack of mail on the porch table.

“Harlow learned how to pop wheelies. Show them your new trick.”

---