While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad Read Free Book Online

shards.
    He took the shard from her hand, wrapped his fingers around hers, and pulled her to her feet. “Maybe it’s fine. You might as well go find out.”
    She nodded. Her head hung a bit as she walked away. Cooking clearly meant a lot to her. He grabbed the other large pieces and deposited them in a trash bin before a man with a large mustache and an official-looking badge said he’d have one of his workers come sweep up the rest.
    Joel leaned against the sink and watched Charlotte crack open the oven. A smile lit her face, relief flooding her features.
    She turned her smile in his direction. He nodded and slipped back into the crowd. The last thing he wanted to do was give her the wrong impression of why he’d come here today. Curiosity alone had propelled him to come watch the finals of this contest.
    He glanced her way again. He had to admit, she sure had a beautiful smile.
    “Ladies and gentlemen . . .” The mustached man’s voice rose over the din of the room. “Our contest ends shortly, so before they begin their final round of judging, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our esteemed judges.” Three men entered from a room on the side. “Please show your appreciation for Mr. Edward Miller, representing the Saint Paul Bread Company, Chef Geoffrey Reisen from Carling’s Restaurant, and last but certainly not least, Chef Boucher from the Saint Paul Hotel restaurant.”
    Wasn’t he the same chef with whom Charlotte had had words?
    He looked back in her section, but she was nowhere to be seen. Where was she? When he spotted her peering between tins of Baker’s Best Cocoa and Nabisco biscuits on the pantry shelf, he bit back a chuckle.
    Could the plucky Miss Gregory be hiding?

    Charlotte held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut. If Chef Boucher spotted her, her chances of winning would be over. Why did he have to be one of the judges?
    “Would you gentlemen like to say anything to our contestants?”
    “Oui.” Chef Boucher stepped forward. “All you ladies will make your husbands exceedingly happy—and possibly quite fat.”
    Laughter rippled through the crowd, but his words kicked at Charlotte. How could he say something like that? No matter how well she did today, at least in Chef Boucher’s eyes she would only be fit to serve food to her family in her own kitchen. If all the other restaurant owners and chefs felt the same way, would she ever realize her dream?
    She glanced at Tessa and recalled the day she and her sisters pledged to support one another in achieving their dreams. Since then, Hannah had been able to finish her schooling and join theranks of the few female attorneys in the country. Every time she stepped into the courtroom, she fought the prejudice of her peers.
    But Hannah had always been a fighter. Standing up to life’s injustices came easily to her. She’d often quoted their father, who once said, “If you don’t like something, then you should either be quiet about it or be willing to do something to change it.”
    Was Charlotte truly prepared to do something to change this view of women? With another look at her younger sister, she stepped out of her hiding place. Even if it meant facing Chef Boucher again, she’d fight for her dreams. She’d fight because she wanted things to change. She’d fight so Tessa wouldn’t have to fight so hard. She’d show Chef Boucher that he’d made a mistake in turning her down, and he’d soon see that someday she’d be in charge of the biggest restaurant in the city.
    Chef Boucher turned her way. Like the whipped peaks of the egg whites in her soufflé, Charlotte froze. Did he recognize her?
    Mr. Johnson returned to his place. “Now, if our judges will return to their room, our contestants can prepare their main dishes for the final round of scoring.” When Chef Boucher paused, Mr. Johnson swept his arm toward the room. After the judges had gone, he took out his pocket watch and turned to the women. “Ladies, one