After a week of vacation time, Katie went back to work. Melanie seemed stressed. “Welcome back, Katie. We missed you. Right, girls?” They looked and went back to chatting. “The three gals in the back have been bickering nonstop the past few days. Not sure what’s going on. It could be personal gossip leading to arguments.”
“It’s nice to know other people have problems too,” Katie said, and sat at her desk.
Melanie ignored the comment. “There haven’t been too many batches since you’ve been gone so work as long as you want and leave whenever. We’re not pressured to get anything done soon.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m running to the store, do you need anything?”
“A chocolate candy bar with nuts. Surprise me.”
“I’ll be back in a few.”
***
Katie stayed for five hours and finished all her batches. She felt safer at work with people around her instead of being alone in her apartment. The girls in the back left around noon. Fred had the day off.
Katie was on the edge. Her parents and she had tasted pain and hoped it didn’t happen again. She decided to invite Mitch over for dinner instead of freaking out at home by herself.
Mitch arrived with lasagna and a plastic grocery bag. “Master chef is here.”
“It smells amazing. What’s in the bag?”
“Dessert,” he said, and put it in the freezer.
Dinner was served with a bowl of cookie dough ice cream.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation and they heard feet running away. “I wonder who it was.” Katie went and opened the door. Nobody was there but a taped UPS box sat in front of her door. “I didn’t order anything. I bet my mom did. She likes to have a say in my clothes and what décor goes in my place.”
She heard something move around inside as she put it on the table. “I bet it’s a vase.” She grabbed a knife and opened the box. Katie pulled her head back at the smell of death.
Mitch went over to the box and lifted a piece of paper covering the contents. Ivy Muffin lay in the box, dead. “Pack your bag. You’re coming home with me.” He got a napkin and used it to put the box outside and made more phone calls.
He went into Katie’s room to check on her. “You’re not safe here until we find out who’s doing this.” He picked up a small suitcase and duffle bag and put it on her bed. “My parents know you’re coming over, and you’ll get along great with Wendy.
“Okay. I was scared last night and didn’t get any sleep.”
“I called the office and someone is coming out to remove the box. I took tonight off to take care of you.” He smiled.
Katie’s heart swelled with love and happiness. “I love you too, Mitch.” She was so glad he was sticking with her through all of the bad things that were happening and accepting her as the woman she was.
“I know.”
***
“Isn’t this the third day in a row I’ve called you as a damsel in distress? Seriously annoying.” Katie got in Mitch’s truck.
“I’m your knight in shining armor.” He patted her leg as he drove out of the parking lot. “Want to stop and get a soda? I’m thirsty.”
“Sure.”
Sodas ordered and received, they arrived at Mitch’s parents’ house a few minutes later.
They entered the house and Mitch went up the stairs. “Follow me.”
Katie felt like an intruder. She should have gone to her parents’ house instead. But then she would have been by herself and her stalker would have known it. Mitch’s room was at the end of the hall. It was a decently sized room decorated in a natural tan color. A man cave.
“Not much but all you do is sleep and get dressed, so why have it decorated.” He put her suitcase on his double bed.
A few of his diplomas and certificates were hanging above his desk and an older family picture sat on his dresser. Mitch looked to be in junior high. She giggled.
“What so funny?”
“You. I never knew guys had bad hair days.” His hair in the picture was spiked out in different directions.
“No comment.” He scooted her over and opened two bottom drawers. “These two are for you to use and I’ll show you your own spot in the bathroom. It’s the second door to your right.” Mitch pointed at the door. “Sadly, I have to share it with Wendy.”
Katie put her clothes in the drawers and Mitch shoved her empty suitcase under his bed. “Follow me.”
He led her to the bathroom and took some of his toiletries out of a drawer. “I’ll use the main floor bathroom.”
Katie put in her items and turned to Mitch as he stepped closer. “I’m a scaredy-cat. I should go to my parents’ place instead.”
“Would it be a good choice?”
“No.”
He put his hand on the side of her face. “You have nothing to worry about.” He kissed her enough to not to want to stop. The front door opening and Wendy stating her presence did.
“Hi, family. Where is this Katie I’ve been dying to meet?”
They heard her walk up the stairs as Mitch leaned against the doorframe and untucked his shirt. Katie straitened her hair and fiddled with her items in the drawer.
Wendy saw the look on Mitch’s face and grinned. “You must be Katie. Glad to finally meet you.” She held out her hand. “Mitch can’t stop talking about you.”
Katie returned the handshake and Mitch rolled his eyes.
“Well, you can’t.” Wendy smiled. “And he seems happier since meeting you.”
“Nice to meet you too, and Mitch has warned me all about you.” Both gals looked at Mitch.
“I like her already. Nice with a bite.” Wendy backed out of the bathroom. “I’m making dinner tonight. Welcome to our family abode; make yourself at home.”
“Thanks. Need any help?”
“Nope, you are our guest and will be spoiled,” she said as she headed for the kitchen.
“Always an interruption, but see, you fit right in.”
“She’s the one with a bite. I’ll beware.” Katie smiled.
“You amaze me.” He kissed her again. He held her hand as they went to the kitchen.
***
The rest of the night went smoothly. Wendy made a chicken casserole with mixed veggies and mashed potatoes. Brownies with ice cream for dessert topped it off. Katie knew Mitch wanted her to feel comfortable in his home.
Mitch made sure Katie was settled in his room and grabbed a t-shirt and sweats out of his drawer. He could tell she was tense. “Don’t worry. My parents love you and are glad to give you a temporary place to stay.” He walked over and kissed her forehead. “I’ll never let anything happen to you.”
Katie turned on the lamp sitting on the nightstand. “I’m a burden.” She went to the dresser and got her sleeping clothes out. She sat on the bed and took her shoes and socks off.
Mitch got the hint to leave, turned off the main light, and walked out the door. “Stop it, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night.” The door was almost shut when Katie called out. “Mitch?”
He stopped with his hand on the handle. “Yes?”
“Thanks. And I meant what I said earlier.” I love you.
He smiled and closed the door.
***
Mitch settled on the couch after his parents went to bed.
Wendy came and sat by him and turned on the TV. “I bet you’d prefer to be in your bed if the house was empty.” She elbowed his side.
He ignored her, grabbed the remote, and turned it to a sports station covering a football game.
“You like her.”
“She needed a safe place to sleep.”
“You wouldn’t turn our place into a safe house for every girl you’ve dated. Not even Valerie.” Wendy turned the TV back to a sitcom. “Did you tell Katie about her?”
“Yes and yes.” Mitch mumbled.
“What’s the extra yes for?”
“I like her.”
“Ha, it’s more like love. I can see the look on both your faces.” Wendy stood, went into the kitchen, and returned with a bag of chips. “When are you going to pop the question?”
“It hasn’t crossed my mind.” He shoved a handful of chips in his mouth. “Maybe once it did. But if I do, I’m sure the date would stay set and we’d be married before you even come up with a date for you and David. Why do you keep changing your mind? Don’t you want to marry him?
It took Wendy a minute before she spoke. “David’s under more pressure for wanting a commitment.”
“You’ve been together over a year.”
“I know, I know, but you remember he was married for a real short time before we dated. In fact, I met him at his own wedding. He’s my close friend and Lynne’s cousin. It was love at first sight.” She looked at her brother. “It turned out David’s wife had a drinking problem and it got out of hand. She wanted him for his money and he’s still battling her lawyers. No kids involved, but she’s saying their marriage of six months caused her mental trauma and needs a monthly deposit in her account for weekly counseling fees.”
“Not a fun situation.”
Wendy smiled and banged the coffee table. “I got it. We’re as close in age as can be without being twins. How about a double wedding? I have the perfect place big enough for both of us. You ask your precious girl and I’ll confirm with David that I’m ready to walk down the aisle.”
“You love putting the pressure on me. Maybe I don’t want to get married for years.”
“Katie would drop you like a bomb.”
“If and when I ask, I’ll see if Katie likes the idea. She might want a small wedding in a chapel, at her parents’ house, or even in the building where she works.”
“I doubt the last.”
The sitcom ended and Wendy went to bed. Mitch lay back on the couch and went over their conversation. Was he ready to take the next step? Kate lost a child less than a year ago. Was she ready to take the next step?