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Ember got dressed, then threw some things she might need into a tote, before leaving the house and driving to Jake’s house. He looked bad and sounded worse.
She parked behind the old truck and went onto the porch. The door was unlocked, and she went inside as Sawyer was coming down the stairs.
“We got him upstairs and into bed.”
Jacob came from his room. “What the hell’s going on out here?”
Sawyer smiled at Ember. “Go on up. He’s at the end of the hall. I’ll fill in Granddad.”
Ember went up the stairs, impressed by the lighting as she ascended the steps. She reached the landing and looked down the hall with a room on either side and one on the end with the door ajar and a light on. As she headed for it, one of the other doors opened and Sage stepped out.
“Ember? What’s going on?”
“Your dad’s sick. J.T. and Sawyer just brought him home.”
She glanced toward his bedroom door. “What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m going to check on him now.” Sage nodded and Ember continued down the hall, then went into Jake’s bedroom.
He was in the bed and J.T. was sitting next to him.
J.T. stood when Ember came into the room, then backed away from the bed. He went to the door. “I’ll be downstairs.” Sage had come into the room and he took her arm. “Come on, Little Sis. Let’s let Ember do her thing.”
Sage resisted for a moment, then let J.T. lead her out of the room.
Ember went to the bed. “So, what’s going on with you?” She took a thermometer out of her tote. “Let’s do this first, then you can tell me.” She stuck the thermometer in his mouth and she suddenly felt she was in the hospital almost six months ago, looking into Jake’s bright blue eyes. Only tonight, they weren’t so bright. They were red and watery.
The thermometer beeped, and she removed it. A hundred and three. Pretty high for an adult. She took out a bottle of Tylenol. “Okay, you’re going to need a few of these.” She took three and handed them to him along with a glass of water sitting on the nightstand. He swallowed the pills with a grimace. Then handed the glass back toher.
“When did this start?”
“A few hours ago. Late afternoon.”
“Did you spend the day in the rain?” He nodded. “How long?”
He shrugged. “Ten. Twelve hours, maybe.”
“My goodness. It’s a wonder you aren’t all sick. And the horses, too.”
He smiled. “Just the old fart, I guess.”
“You’re not old. Nor are you a fart. Now stop talking.”
He scowled. “Stop asking me questions.”
“Shhh.” She took out her stethoscope. “Can you sit? Just nod.”
He nodded, then groaned as he raised onto an elbow, before sitting up. Ember listened to his heart and then his lungs. Then she coaxed him back down to the pillows. And he pulled the blankets close around his neck as he shivered.
“You sir, have pneumonia.”
“Shit.”
“Shhh. Does Dr. Curtis make house calls?” Jake nodded. “I think you’re okay until morning. But I’m calling him first thing. I’m also staying here with you. If you start having difficulty breathing, I’m calling an ambulance.”
He shook his head. “Dr. Curtis is our ambulance. Closest hospital is an hour and a half away.”
“Then I will drive you myself. Now, stop talking.”
