“We promise,” the women said together.
“What about the burgers and bacon? Who’s owning up to it? I’m sick of latrine duty,” Patch lamented.
“It’s a question for another day,” Leo said as he turned and walked back into the locker room. “Just remember, what goes around, comes around.”
Hannah and Sparky ran upstairs, still laughing, cementing Hannah’s feelings she belonged here.
She grabbed her coat and hugged Sparky. “You’ll have to tell me what the wives say when they see them. Samantha promised it washes out. Larry will be here any minute to pick me up with the bus. I’ll see you later.”
“Be careful out there. Call if you need us to come and help get the seniors on. We want them here before the storm.”
“I will,” Hannah said as she went outside.
Five minutes later, Larry rolled into the parking lot.
“Hi, Larry. Merry Christmas. Hopefully, we manage to get everyone on before the ice comes in.”
“Yeah, I hope so,” he said, unlike his usual cheery self.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing. I need a dentist appointment. My jaw has felt sore all morning,” Larry informed her. “Just my luck, it happens over the holidays. When we return to the hospital, I’ll ask Doc to take a gander at it.”
Hannah shivered. “The sooner we get everyone there, the sooner we can get you some relief.”
Larry drove down the mountain and took a right. They picked up the Hendricks and went on to the next house. Hannah jumped out and assisted the older ladies with their walkers and canes. The rain turned to ice before they reached town, slowing Larry down.
“Don’t forget to pick up Santa at the community center,” Hannah reminded him as he rubbed his shoulder. “Do you feel worse?”
“It’s all right, we only have four more stops until we’re done. Can you run in and tell Santa to get a move on?”
“Sure,” she said, waiting for him to roll to a stop. He opened the doors and she ran out to retrieve Santa.
“Hannah, Hannah,” she heard her father calling and turned around.
“I don’t have time right now, Dad. I’m working,” she told him as he and her mom approached. “Today’s the community Christmas party.”
“We know. Kassie invited us,” her mother explained. “We’re leaving the day after tomorrow and want to spend some time with you.”
“I don’t want you driving in this weather by yourselves. The mountain has some steep curves. Why don’t you follow the bus?”
“She’s right. We’ll get the car and follow behind you,” her dad agreed with her, shocking Hannah.
She found Santa and helped him adjust his beard and put on his coat. “It’s getting slick out there. We need to hurry.”
They jumped on the bus and she saw her dad pull in behind them.
Larry drove slowly as Hannah went down the aisle, checking everyone’s seatbelt. She made it nearly to the end when the bus lurched and gained speed. Hannah turned to see Larry slumped over the wheel and his foot never left the gas pedal.
People started screaming as the bus moved from one side of the road to the other, gaining speed. Hannah didn’t hesitate as she ran toward the front. She made it to the fourth seat when the bus lurched, sending her backward. She jumped up in time to see them careen over the embankment and into the lake. The bus hit with a hard sploosh. The seniors stopped screaming and peered outside to find themselves floating.
“Oh my goodness, what will we do?” one of the women said, sending the bus into chaos.
“Stop,” Hannah yelled, taking out her phone and dialing Leo. It went to voicemail. She dialed Scarlett and she didn’t pick up. She called Leo again, left a message, then dialed 911.
The dispatcher answered the call. Hannah sighed in relief. “This is Hannah Bailey with Serenity Securities. The hospital bus has crashed into Meyer’s Lake. I need all available personnel. I have a bus loaded with seniors. Call the hospital and reach Leo Armstrong,” she said before hanging up.
The bus’ front end dipped deeper in the water, making the screaming start again.
