While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad Read Free Book Online Page A

of our volunteers will be around in five minutes to take your main dish in to the judges. You must have it ready to go as you’d like it served.”
    Charlotte bit her lip. Her soufflé needed every minute. The longer she left it in the oven, the better it would remain puffed, but she had to have it out before the five-minute mark.
    She watched the clock tick by. Beside her, Kathleen bustled around, placing heaping servings on three plates. Across from her, Mrs. Gustason laid a piece of golden fried chicken on each plate beside a perfect mound of mashed potatoes ladled with creamy gravy. Was Charlotte’s plan of serving the entire soufflé to the judges a mistake?
    Unable to wait another second, she opened the oven door and a gust of warm air hit her face. Using two thick towels, she removed the soufflé from the oven and set it on her work counter.
    “Time is up!” Mr. Johnson shouted. “Ladies, step away from your work area.”

7
    She’d won!
    Tremors of joy coursed through Charlotte. If she wasn’t carrying a trophy, a gift basket, and a Bissell carpet sweeper, she might skip her way to the motorcar. So much for being a queen.
    “It wouldn’t hurt you to carry the trophy a few minutes, Tessa.”
    “Be glad they aren’t going to make you carry your new gas range home.”
    The spectators and other contestants crowded the sidewalk. The gas company’s display room was more crowded than Charlotte had realized.
    “Congratulations!” The judge from the baking company fell in step beside Charlotte. “Serving your soufflé in all its golden glory was a stroke of genius. I’m so glad you didn’t put it on separate plates, and it was delicious, by the way. Chef Reisen was especially impressed.”
    A warm glow burned in Charlotte’s chest. “Thank you.”
    It seemed as if everyone—that is, everyone except Kathleen—wished Charlotte well, and she responded with a sincere thank-you to each of them.
    Tessa skipped ahead, then whirled to face her. “Aunt Sam sent her driver to pick us up. She said he’ll be on the corner. Aren’t you excited to get back and show her?”
    Charlotte stopped to reposition her goods. “If I ever get there, I will be.”
    “Need some help?” Someone stepped up beside her and reached for the trophy.
    “I can handle—” Charlotte sucked in her breath when she realized who was standing beside her. Dr. Joel Brooks gently tugged the trophy, and she released it, followed by the Bissell sweeper.
    “Thank you. Some people aren’t as inclined to lend a hand.” She looked directly at Tessa.
    Tessa shrugged. “You’re the newly crowned queen of cookery, and no one said anything about me serving in your court.”
    “Yes, congratulations are in order.” Dr. Brooks swung the trophy across his waist and bowed. “Well done, Your Highness.”
    Heat warmed Charlotte’s face and neck. How different the doctor was now from when she’d met him in his office. Why? She couldn’t place it at first, but it had to be the smile—an alarmingly dangerous smile.
    She touched her collar. “I’m simply praying this win will open a door to cook at one of the city’s fine restaurants.”
    “I saw the face of the Saint Paul Hotel’s chef when you stepped forward.” A teasing glint sparkled in Dr. Brooks’s eye. “I don’t think you’re on his list of favorite people.”
    “No, I have a feeling he’s still not interested in my services.” Charlotte laughed. “I’m just lucky he wasn’t holding a butcher knife.” They reached Aunt Sam’s automobile and the driver took her basket.
    Dr. Brooks deposited the sweeper in the backseat. “I did a little checking, and apparently the hotel’s management is watching the cleanliness of his kitchen much more closely now.”
    “You checked?”
    “For the community’s health.”
    “Of course.” Charlotte tore her gaze away from his green eyes and his alarming smile.
    Tessa hopped in the automobile and slammed her door. “Are you coming,