He jumps into action, and I sigh a breath of relief.
“How’s it going, Mr. S?” Bella slurs, and I manage to chuckle a little.
“I think I should be the one asking you that, Bella,” I say as I reach for her arm, checking her pulse.
She shrugs. “I’ve been worse.”
“I’m sure you have.” But I’m not sure if I believe her. Her skin is ghostly white, and she looks like she’s two seconds from passing out.
“Did you think about what I asked you, Mr. S?” Bella’s words are becoming more slurred, and I glance at the hallway, willing Tanner to hurry up.
“What’s that, Bella?”
“You know, about coming to church with us. Tanner talks about asking you a lot, but I think he’s scared.”
The whole world goes still.
“Of me?”
“Nah,” she pauses. “Well, not really. I think he’s scared he’ll lose you.”
How do I tell her I’m terrified of the same thing?
With a loud crash, the world starts moving again, and common sense takes over. I get to work, assessing her.
“Let’s get you feeling better, and then we can talk about it,” I say, putting her off.
Bella doesn’t let it drop that easily, though.
She sticks her pinky out, nearly shoving it up my nose with a lack of coordination. “Promise?”
I stare at it for a minute, unsure what to do, before I wrap my pinky around hers and say, “Promise.”
Her lips press together in a warm smile, and her eyelashes flutter closed. Fear strikes me in the gut, but I don’t panic. But Tanner does.
Tanner comes rushing back into the living room about the time Bella’s eyes flutter closed.
“What’s wrong with her? What did you do?”
I stand, trying to get him to calm down as he rushes toward her, but he keeps shoving against me.
Grabbing each of his arms, I give him a little shake to get his attention. “Tanner, calm down. Now. You’re doing her no favors right now.”
Thankfully, it’s enough, and he looks at me with tears in his eyes.
“She’s going to be fine,” I say, a little less forcefully this time. “Give me the juice, and sit beside her.”
Woodenly, he hands over the glass and does as I instruct. He grabs her hand up in his, lacing their fingers and watching her stomach move to ensure she’s breathing.
He cares about her more than he realizes.
Placing one hand gently behind Bella’s head, I lift her and call her name while placing the juice to her lips. Her eyes flutter back open, but her stare is still glazed.
“I need you to drink this, Bella.”
She groans and shakes her head, but I continue to press the cup against her mouth. Eventually, she gives in, drinking in big gulps.
When the cup is empty, I lay her head back down and sit the cupbeside me.
