The Paramedic's Brother-In-Law
Chapter Fifteen
Dinner was delicious, and the conversation was lively. Meghan learned that Mitch and Rick had roomed together all through college and med school. She remembered Rick from the wedding, where he had stood as Mitch’s best man. Rick, on the other hand, was learning how spunky Meghan was.
After a couple of hours of good food and trading funny stories, Rick looked at his watch. “Ok, boys and girls, I think we need to head to your place. I have patients to see in the morning.”
Mitch also glanced at the time and stood. “Thanks for dinner, Rick. Are you coming too?”
Rick nodded. “Just for a bit.”
They headed to their vehicles and headed towards Mitch’s house. Meghan, sitting in the front passenger’s seat, could tell how nervous Mitch was: his hands held a death grip on the steering wheel and his posture was very tense. She touched his arm and he jerked.
“Sorry, Meghan. I’m… not looking forward to this.” He glanced at her before putting his eyes back on the road in front of them.
“I know, Mitch. I’m not either.”
Mitch pulled into the drive and parked, Rick parking behind him. Meghan opened her door to find Rick standing there, ready to give her a hand getting out of the car.
They all made their way to the front door. Mitch fitted his key into the lock, opened the door, and gestured for Meghan to enter in front of him. They made their way through the foyer and into the living room. Meghan stopped in the middle of the room, Mitch beside her. Rick stayed a few paces back, ready to step in if they needed him.
Meghan drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. “They did a good job.” The kitchen had been cleaned so thoroughly she might have not known something had happened if it weren’t for items on the cabinets that weren’t quite in their usual spots.
Mitch slowly walked into the kitchen, taking in the room. Rick watched him intently. After a complete circuit of the room, Mitch leaned against the cabinet and rested his head in his hands. Meghan moved into the kitchen and started rummaging in cabinets.
“Where does Kelsey keep the spices?”
Mitch looked up, bemused. “To your left, beside the fridge.”
Meghan hobbled on the crutches and started digging in the cabinet. “Good, she has some!” She pulled out a baggie with cinnamon sticks and a bottle of vanilla extract. She carried them to the counter by the stove and bent to look for a pan. Finding one, she filled it with some water, added a little vanilla extract, and dropped in a couple of cinnamon sticks. Swirling the mix with a spoon, she placed the pan on the stove, turning the burner to low.
Rick joined her by the stove. “What are you concocting, Meghan?”
She smiled at him. “It’s an old realtor’s trick to make a kitchen smell homey. Add water to a pan, and add a little vanilla extract and cinnamon sticks. You leave it simmering on low heat, and as the water gets low you just add some more. I’ve also heard of others that bake cookies or bread a few hours before a showing.”
Rick sniffed the air. “I can already smell it!”
“Yes, better than the smell of the cleaners the crew used,” Mitch said, softly.
“That was my intent,” Meghan replied. “Mitch, do you know if Kelsey has any hot cocoa packets?”
“Hot cocoa? Hmmm. Let me check the pantry.” Mitch pushed away from the counter and started rummaging in the pantry.
“Rick, will you join us? I think a comforting drink would be good about now.”
Rick shook his head. “No, thank you, Meghan. I’m going to get out of your hair and go get some sleep before work in the morning.” He leaned close. “If you need anything, let me know.” He gave a meaningful glance at Mitch’s back.
Meghan nodded. “I think we’ll be fine, but I’ll call if needed.”
Mitch joined them. “I’m not sure how old these are, but here’s what I found.” He held up two boxes. “Do you want extra marshmallows or none?”
Meghan smiled. “Oh, definitely the marshmallows! Pick out a packet for yourself.” Mitch pulled out a couple of packets from the box and set them on the counter.
Rick held out his hand. “Mitch, I’m heading out – gotta get some shut-eye before work in the morning. Call me if you need anything, no matter the time.”
Mitch shook his hand. “Will do. Thank you again, Rick.” He escorted his friend to the door and watched him get in his car and drive away. Mitch shut the door and joined Meghan in the kitchen.
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