Page 31 of Over and Above

“At least let me help.” I came up behind him only to be given three large potatoes.

“Any good at peeling potatoes?” he asked as he set a pot of water on to boil.

“I’ve certainly peeled my share.” I grabbed a peeler and got to work over by the sink. “What are you making?”

I was asking more or less to be polite and make conversation and to avoid thinking.

“A new mashed potato dish we might debut in the fall.” Magnus looked up from deftly peeling and smashing garlic cloves. “See, you’re helping with market research.” Garlic tended to, he returned to the fridge, yanked out a package of chicken, and made a quick stop at the pantry for a container of flour. “And because man cannot live on potato alone, I’m going to bread us some chicken cutlets to go along with it.”

“Sounds great.” I would have eaten flavored cardboard, but if Magnus made it, it would be top-notch. I was also brightened by thatus.“You’re eating too?”

“We were slammed tonight, so I didn’t get much time to eat at work.” He waved a hand airily as he loaded spices and flour into a plastic food storage baggie. “Also, I know you, Captain. You’ll eat more if I join you.”

“True.” I had to work not to wince at thecaptain.Technically, I was the lead paramedic, not a captain, but I wasn’t explaining that at the moment. The last thing I wanted was to be in charge of anything right now. Instead, I turned my attention to the dogs poised steps from the stove, on high alert. “The dogs seem to be starving. But there’s chow and water in their bowls.”

“Kibble?” Magnus scoffed. “Who needs kibble? They’re hopeful some chicken might miss the pan.” He made a go-on gesture with his hands. “Go lie down.” His eyes widened as his gaze took in the two fuzzy cushions we’d lined up in the breakfast nook. “Hey. When did they get beds here?”

“I was at the warehouse store with the kids.” I used a casual tone like it was no big deal that I now kept water, kibble, and beds on hand for my temporary renter’s dogs. “Somehow, they fell into one of our carts.”

“Well, thank you.” He nodded before collecting the potatoes I’d peeled and chopped. He continued cooking, browning the chicken and stirring the bubbling potatoes as I cleaned up our prep work. It was a lovely silence, more proof of how easily we worked together.

“Your place is likely still hot even this late.” I kept my voice observational, using the weather to hide my reluctance to be alone with my thoughts after we ate. “Want to watch a stupid comedy after we eat?”

“I’d love to.” Magnus winked at me. “And my turn to pick.”

I had no clue how he’d guessed I was in no shape to make decisions, but his saucy wink gave me pause. I truly was looking to collapse on the couch, not embark on a sex fest.

“I’m…uh…that wasn’t innuendo.”

“I know.” Magnus patted me on the shoulder. “I’d love to watch a movie. Sleep has been in short supply lately, and I’m all keyed up because we had to let a server go earlier in the day.”

“That’s hard.” I was more than happy to let his bad day distract me from mine.

“Yeah. We found the source of the cash not reconciling.” He drained the potatoes with efficient movements, and I was ready with the milk and butter for him. “Newer server skimming tips. Luckily, he wasn’t particularly subtle about it, nor did he protest when confronted, but I hate letting people go.”

“I’m lucky to work with a good crew.” I watched as Magnus mashed the potatoes as if his frustration was fuel. Perhaps there was something to admitting when things were hard. “I’ve never had to fire someone, but I feel you on sometimes being the person in charge sucking.”

“Word.” He saluted me with his beer before taking a long sip. He plated our food with more of those quick movements. I liked watching him work, liked how easily he made the plates pretty with potatoes, chicken, and some sort of pan sauce over the top. Following him to the breakfast nook table, I exhaled hard as I sunk into my chair.

“We lost one tonight.” Fork poised for my first bite, the words tumbled out of me instead.

“I’m sorry.” Eyes soft, Magnus lowered his fork, a clear invitation for me to continue.

“It was a call way out in the country, up some mountain roads. Almost outside our service district. A wife called in because her husband had stomach and chest pain, and she couldn’t get him into the truck by herself.” I spoke slowly, letting the memory of the call unspool like a movie I didn’t care to watch again, yet needed to. “The guy, naturally, didn’t want to go, but after we arrived, we talked him into listening to her and coming in to get checked out. The wife was worried about appendicitis. I was worried about cardiac. We were both wrong.”

“What happened?” Magnus reached across the table to take my hand, holding it tightly.

“Abdominal aneurysm. By the time we realized what was happening, we were almost down the mountain.” The moment the inevitability of the situation hit me would be etched in that corridor of my soul devoted to feeling helpless. The scenario hadn’t been one where life flight could have been summoned or would have made a difference. It had come down to us and a race against time. “Burst before we could make the hospital doors. The guy was talking with us right up until he flatlined. Tate took it hard. He was driving and did everything right, but he’s young. Wants to save them all.”

“And you?” Magnus squeezed my hand, expression as sympathetic as I’d seen it.

“And me…” My breath caught, and a choking sound escaped my throat. “I’m old and still want to save them all.”

“I know. And I know you did the best you could.” Magnus came around the table to wrap me up in a bear hug. I collapsed into his embrace, spending several long minutes soaking up his strength.

“The food’s getting cold,” I murmured, embarrassed by how I continued to cling to him.

“Let it.” Magnus kissed the top of my head.

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