Read Highness (The Lonely Heart Series) for Free Online Page B

challenge. “Well, since we’re going completely rebel, we might as well go to Mississippi Rebel.”
    Richard shuddered at the thought.  “Alright.”  He threw up a hand. “I did read an article about them in the New York Times .  They’re becoming more progressive. I think that they finally abolished slavery.”
    Michael snickered. “This sounds like something I’ll actually enjoy.  Living among the people.  Helping.  Teaching even.”  He rolled his shoulders and clasped his hands together.  “I’ll have Geoff do some recon work, and we can get to it.  Marvelous idea, Richard.”
    “Yes, well, I do what I can,” Richard said, proud of himself.  He had finally found something that he and his brother could agree on. Plus, he had possibly found a way to save face for his family while giving his brother an opportunity to see the world for what it really was.  When this was all done, he was certain that Michael would come back to London and beg Thalia to take him back. 
    Problem solved.
     

 
    Chapter 4
    St. Benedict Hospital
    Acute In-Patient Rehabilitation Center
     
    Guided by her best friend, Bree, who had come back home from Dallas to help her get on her feet for a few days, Hope was carefully escorted from her private restroom back to her hospital bed.  She made her journey in complete silence, but with a lot less distress than the many times before, where she had fallen, banged her legs and feet or simply sat on the floor and cried.
    Despite the feeling of defeat eking at her very core, she kept her head up and eyes dry, ignoring the dull nagging pain that still reminded her that she was only six weeks out of a horrific car accident. 
    Noting her progress, Dr. Netters observed her from the corner and wrote on his clipboard before clearing his throat, making his presence known.
    “How are you today, Hope?” the impeccably groomed doctor asked, stepping closer to her.
    Hope’s head moved toward his voice. “Better,” she lied.
    “Much better from what the nurses tell me,” Dr. Netters added with a sympathetic smile.
    “I’m glad to know that I meet their approval.  Does this mean what I think it means?” Hope asked, pushing back on the bed and letting her feet swing off the edge.
    “I’m keeping my side of the bargain. You can go home today with the assistance of your best friend, but you have to do all of those things we discussed, including finding a nurse or someone who can assist you in the home until your situation changes.  I’ll be sending a case worker by to check on you soon.”
    Hope’s eye twitched. “You mean until I gain my sight back,” she quipped woefully. 
    “I want you to stay positive,” the doctor urged.  “We don’t know when your sight will come back, but we’ve seen significant improvements.  When you first came to us you couldn’t see colors, light or shadows.”  He reminded her with a careful tone.  “It’s my belief that within months, you could be back to the full eye sight that you lost.”
    Hope nodded.  “I’m praying for the same.”
    “I’m praying for a miracle,” Bree added, sitting beside her on the bed.  She rubbed her back.  “Everything is going to be okay.”
    Bree’s voice was calming to Hope.  She clung to it in the darkness. 
    “Well, let me get your discharge papers ready.  Do you have any questions for me that we haven’t covered over the last six weeks?” the doctor asked.
    Hope nodded no.  “Thank you for helping me.”
    Dr. Netters was a professional man, but he couldn’t help extending a hand and placing it over Hope’s. She reminded him so much of his girls when they were younger.  “Stay positive, my dear.  You’re stronger than you think,” he said, winking at Bree. 
    “Thanks, doctor,” Bree said, as she watched him walk out of the hospital room and close the door behind him.  Bree shook her head.  “I wish he wasn’t married,” she said under her breath.  “He’d be a great