“My place,” Luke whispered to Mac because it was closest. Returning his focus to Sydney, Luke held her against him on the short ride home. When they got there, Luke freed her from the seat belt and scooped her up to walk inside. He sat on the sofa with her on his lap and kept his arms tight around her.

She clung to him, crying softly and shaking with sobs.

Looking helpless and uncertain, Mac watched over them.

Luke closed his eyes and tightened his hold on Sydney, rocking her the way he would a small child who’d had a bad dream. His poor Syd had been through a nightmare, and their close call had clearly triggered horrifying memories.

After a long while, he felt her sag against him when sleep claimed her. He stood and carried her into his bedroom, settling her into bed and waiting to be sure she would stay asleep before he pressed a kiss to her forehead and went to talk to Mac.

“What the hell happened, man?” Mac asked when Luke joined him in the kitchen.

“A near collision with an asshole who was driving too fast on the curves. Brought it all back for her.”

“Shit,” Mac muttered.

“Thanks for coming. I was afraid to let go of her for even the few minutes it would’ve taken to get here.”

“No problem at all. Do you think it would help to have Maddie talk to her? They go way back.”

“Maybe. She needs to sleep for a while.”

“What about you? You have to be freaked out. What can I do for you?”

“Can you go to her place and get her dog? He’s a golden named Buddy. She wouldn’t want him to be alone all night.”

“Will he come with me?”

“I hope so. If you call him by name, he’ll know you’re a friend.”

“Do you have her keys?”

Luke walked with Mac to the truck to get Sydney’s keys from her purse. “I’m not sure which one it is.”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“Thanks, Mac.”

Luke stood in the driveway and watched his truck disappear from view. Turning back to the house, he headed straight for the kitchen to unearth a bottle of whisky he kept for an occasional indulgence. The burn of the liquor coursing through him settled his nerves. Now if he could just do something about the trembling in his hands.

He put down the glass and walked down the hallway to the bedroom, turning the hall light on so he could check on her. She was curled up on her side in the middle of the bed, still asleep. The poor thing had worn herself out.