Page 48 of Bridge to Home

Harlow digitally signed off and handed his phone back. “Again, I’m not sure if I’ll be healed enough to work full time. You know how brutal the schedule can be. They’ll expect me to work twelve or more hours each day.”

“You’ll handle it like the pro you are.” Robert tapped the screen and shoved his phone in his pocket. “Now that we have the paperwork taken care of, let’s get you packed.”

“Packed?”

“Yeah. You’re flying home with me. I’ve already arranged for a nurse to move in and care for you. I’ve also lined up a topnotch therapist who will be at the house first thing tomorrow morning.”

She cut him off. “I’m staying here.”

“Don’t fight me on this, Harlow. I never should’ve let you come here in the first place. I can do a better job of supervising your recovery in California.”

“You didn’t want to help, Robert.”

“That was before.”

“Before what?”

“Before I realized it was better for you to be home, for me to oversee your recovery.” Robertpushed past her, making his way up the steps. “I’ll pack your bags. Where’s your room?”

“Robert.” Harlow's voice grew panicked, realizing he was dead serious. “I’m not flying to California with you.”

“We’ll leave your stuff here. Your dad can send it to you.” Robert grabbed Harlow’s wheelchair and began pushing her down the walkway.

“Help! Dad!” Harlow screamed her father’s name. Robert—her own husband—was abducting her!

The front porch screen door flew open. David appeared, Glock in hand. “Let go of my daughter.”

The color drained from Robert’s face. He stared at the gun. “Th-this is my wife. She’s going home.”

“She doesn’t want to leave. You can’t take Harlow against her will.”

“She isn’t thinking straight. Harlow will change her mind when she realizes this is all for the best.”

David motioned to his daughter. “Do you want to leave?”

“No. I don’t.”

“You have your answer.” David tightened his grip on the Glock. “Leave now or I’m calling the police.”

“Harlow,” Robert said. “This is crazy. Surely you can see it’s in your best interest to come home.”

“I signed the addendum. You got what you wanted. I have a month.”

“I think it’s best if I monitor your rehabilitation and therapy.”

“So you can push me? I’m staying right here.” Harlow clenched her jaw, her eyes flashing with anger. “If you want to get a hotel room on the island and talk in the morning, when you have a clearer head, we’ll make tentative future arrangements for down the road.”

“Stay here?” Robert frowned. “I chartered a private plane. It’s waiting at the airport to take us to Detroit. We’re flying directly from there to Van Nuys.”

“You’reflying to Van Nuys,” Harlow corrected. “I guess this means you don’t plan on staying with me.”

“Jillian and I have a meeting at nine in the morning down in Long Beach. You know I’ve been negotiating the next deal, another big one. The plan is to get you settled in, and then she and I will take off.”

“You weren’t even going to spend one night at home with me?” Harlow’s voice cracked. “Not even one night?”

Robert looked away. “The trip here was last minute. I have meetings scheduled I can’t cancel.”

“I see.” She lowered her head and stared at her hands.

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