Page 50 of Bridge to Home

“It’s okay.” Aunt Birdie knelt next to the wheelchair and grabbed her hand. “Is it true…you’ll never walk again?”

Harlow made a choking sound. “Is that what you heard?”

Birdie nodded. “They’re saying you’re paralyzed.”

“What a bunch of bull hockey,” David blustered. “The press doesn’t know what they’re talking about.”

“I have a physical therapist coming in.” Harlow pulled herself from the wheelchair, to show her Aunt Birdie the rumors were false.

Her legs started to wobble, and she sank back down.

“I’m so relieved.” Birdie wrapped her arms around Harlow and held her close. “As soon as I found out, I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

A hot tear trickled down Harlow’s cheek. So much was in her embrace. Love. Acceptance. Family. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

“Coming to see you?” Birdie pulled back, leveling her gaze so their eyes met. “My dear Harlow, I’m here to stay.”

“Here to stay?” David roared. “There’s no way you and I can live under the same roof.”

Aunt Birdie slowly stood. She squared her shoulders and faced her brother, a serene smile on her face. “I’m fully aware of that. I’ve secured temporary living arrangements.”

“How temporary?” he asked.

“Until Harlow has healed.”

A man wearing a brown work uniform appeared, clipboard in hand. “I hate to interrupt, but we needto unload your delivery. We’re blocking the street. Have you figured out where you want to put it?”

David’s brows furrowed. “Delivering what?”

“The temporary accommodations I brought over on a barge.” Birdie scooted behind Harlow’s wheelchair and pushed her down the sidewalk. “Would you like to see it?”

“More than anything.” Harlow hid her grin, noting the thunderous expression on her father’s face. Life at Wynn Harbor Inn was going to get much more exciting…and she couldn’t wait.

David sidestepped his sister and daughter, storming down the street toward the front. By the time Aunt Birdie, Harlow and the delivery driver caught up with him, he was standing in the road staring at a travel trailer, hooked up to an apparatus attached to a team of horses.

Harlow watched her father pace along the side, the tips of his ears fire engine red. “What do you intend to do with this?”

“Park it on your property. I want to be close to Harlow, to help her through this,” Birdie said.

“I’m already helping Harlow.”

“I’m sure you are. However, sometimes women need other women.” Birdie patted her niece’s shoulder. “Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

“Yes. I mean, of course.” Harlow began shaking her head.

“You don’t want me to stay?” Birdie pursed her lips.

“I would love to have you here,” Harlow said sincerely. “However, it’s up to Dad. This is his home.”

Harlow and Birdie gazed expectantly at David, who had stopped pacing and now stood…almost too calmly staring at the RV sitting alongside the curb.

“Well, David?” His sister finally spoke. “Are you going to kick me to the curb?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, you’re already there.”

“You know what I mean. Are you going to deny me access to my niece?”

“Of course not.” David threw his hands up in defeat. “You can unload it around back. I may live to regret this, but go ahead and put Birdie’s trailer over by the bay.”

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