Treasured Dreams by Kendall Talbot Read Free Book Online

and raspberry. She would never tire of its exquisite taste.
    â€˜How are le mie belle signore going in the kitchen?’ Alessandro swanned up to them, draped his arms over both Rosalina’s and Ginger’s shoulders, and kissed each of them on the cheek. His long lashes lowered and his chocolate-coloured eyes softened as he turned his attention to Ginger.
    â€˜Rosa’s teaching me how to make duck risotto.’ Ginger cast Alessandro a sparkling glance and a crimson tide coloured her creamy skin. Rosalina turned away, grinning.
    â€˜Oh delizioso . I’m so hungry.’ Alessandro loved his food, which had always made him the perfect slave for Rosalina’s creative cuisine.
    â€˜How are you boys going?’ Rosalina glanced at him over her shoulder. ‘Solved all the problems of the world?’
    â€˜Some … yes. Some not quite yet.’ He laughed as he reached for the bottle of wine at her side and brought it to his nose. ‘Mmmm.’ The sound of appreciation tumbled from his throat as he poured a good splash into a glass he’d plucked off the kitchen bench.
    â€˜Here, Ginger, see how all the wine has evaporated from the rice?’ Rosalina pointed at the grains in the pot.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Now we add the duck stock, one ladleful at a time. But we must keep stirring, otherwise the grains will burn. Here, you take over.’
    The ladies swapped places, and Rosalina waddled to the bench and sat on one of the bar stools.
    â€˜Alessandro, how about you set the table? Ginger and I will have dinner ready in about twenty minutes. It’s all in here.’ Rosalina had a basket ready with cutlery, bread plates, pasta bowls, butter, and a fresh sourdough, wrapped in a tea towel that she’d taken out of the oven just ten minutes earlier.
    â€˜Oh sure.’ He gave Ginger a kiss on the cheek then, juggling the basket and his wine, he headed towards the stairs.
    â€˜I think this is ready for more stock,’ Ginger said.
    â€˜Okay. Put in another ladle.’
    â€˜You don’t want to check it?’
    â€˜No.’ Rosalina offered Ginger a reassuring smile. The young Australian needed regular encouragement when she was in the kitchen.
    â€˜Oh, okay. Cool.’
    Ginger scooped the duck stock from the saucepan and tipped it over the rice. Once she’d stirred it a couple of times, she looked over at Rosalina, and the corners of her lips curled to a smile. ‘This smells so yummy.’
    â€˜Wait till you taste it. Would you mind getting the duck meat out of the oven for me? I might as well shred it while I’m sitting here.’
    â€˜Sure.’ Ginger reached for an oven mitt and opened the door, releasing the earthy sweet aroma of the roasted duck.
    When Rosalina had made the stock earlier, she’d removed the meat from the bones but left the pieces whole as much as possible so they wouldn’t dry out. Now, as she shredded the meat with two forks, it fell apart beautifully.
    â€˜That’s all the stock into the rice now, Rosa.’
    â€˜Okay, so add the peas. And then we’ll add the duck and parmesan, and it’ll be ready.’
    â€˜Is that it?’ Ginger’s finely plucked brows raised on her forehead.
    â€˜Sure is.’
    â€˜Cool.’ Ginger’s gaze lingered on Rosalina for a moment, and Rosalina sensed she was pondering over something. Rosalina bit her tongue. She feared it was going to be another awkward conversation about her long-over relationship with Alessandro. She’d been trying to put that foolish one-night stand behind her for decades. Finally, a smile teetered on Ginger’s lips, and the younger woman turned back to the pot. ‘This was so easy. I reckon I can handle duck risotto anytime.’
    Rosalina let out a silent sigh. ‘I told you it was easy.’ She rose to her feet, hopped to the crockery cupboard, and searched for a serving bowl large enough for the risotto.