He groaned, his eyes fluttering.
“Tell me what to do.” Hannah’s voice shook.
“Find Percy’s keys. They’re probably on the hook by the front door.”
She sprinted out of the room, back only a few seconds later with the keys in her hands. ?
?Now what?”
“Grab a few of the water bottles in the fridge.”
He shifted, scooping Percy into his arms. His weight was so slight as to be insubstantial, as if he were fading away already. Ryan should’ve figured it out sooner. He should’ve seen. He should’ve forced Percy to a doctor. Shoving away the guilt and thread of panic, he moved to the front door.
Hannah pulled it open, staying back a moment to nudge the dog back inside. Duke howled a protest at being left behind, but there was no place for him at the hospital. As soon as the door was shut, she skirted around him, yanking open the door to the backseat of Percy’s SUV. Ryan settled him inside, buckling him in to keep him from slumping over, and crawled in with him.
“Give me the water.”
She passed it over and he twisted off the cap, automatically pressing the bottle to Percy’s lips and tipping it back. At least half dribbled over his chin, but some of it went in. The old man’s throat worked as he swallowed.
“Good. That’s good, Percy. Keep drinking.”
“What—”
His gaze snapped to Hannah’s. “I have to stay back here with him to monitor his vitals and try to keep him awake while I force some water down him. You’ve got to drive.”
If possible, her face went paler. But she didn’t argue, hesitating only a moment before rounding the vehicle to get into the driver’s seat. She slid behind the wheel, her breathing way too fast. It wooshed in and out, a ragged, sawing sound. From the back seat, Ryan spared her a glance. She shook like a leaf. In the rearview mirror, he spotted the tears streaming down her cheeks and the edge of full-blown panic written all over her face.
Shit.
Percy’s life depended on him getting this right. Modulating his voice to soothe, he said, “Breathe, Hannah. Slow it down. In for four, out for eight.”
Hands white-knuckled on the wheel, she did as he asked.
“You’re going to put the key in the ignition and crank the vehicle. Keep breathing.”
With a jerky nod, she followed orders.
“Check your mirrors, then put the car in reverse. We’re going to head to the hospital, and you’re going to do fine. It’s a short drive, and I’m right here with you.”
Another jerky nod, a few more breaths that had him wanting to scream, then she started the car and backed into the street. He could only pray they’d be fast enough.
Chapter 11
Hannah blinked furiously against the tears that wouldn’t seem to stop. Every muscle in her body ached with tension as she gripped the steering wheel, like that was going to offer her some kind of control of the situation. With every foot of travel, she waited for the flashback or the uncontrollable shaking.
From the backseat, Ryan’s harsh voice snapped, “Come on, old man. Don’t you dare make me call Mom. You know she’ll be down here in a minute to nurse you and drive you batshit. You want to avoid that, you stay awake!”
The whip of it made her flinch, even though it wasn’t directed at her.
As if he’d noticed her reaction, he spoke again. “You’re doing great. If you haven’t already, hit the emergency flashers.”
She hadn’t even thought of that. With trembling fingers, she stabbed the button.
“There now. That’s good. Drink some more water.”
The water bottle crackled, followed by a retching sound.
“Shit. That’s okay. That’s fine. We’ll clean it up later. Try to get some more down.”