While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad Page B

Kathleen like an olive branch. “Clearly Miss O’Grady is an accomplished cook. I believe she can handle the recipe for the sauce allemande while I prepare the graham muffins.”
    Kathleen beamed and set to work. Even when Charlotte called over her shoulder to remember to measure each ingredient, Kathleen simply smiled and nodded.
    After Charlotte had the graham muffins in the oven, Kathleen announced she was done. Charlotte tasted the sauce. “Excellent, Miss O’Grady. Thank you for your help.”
    Only one more thing to do and the meal would be complete. Charlotte added cream to the lima bean soup and tasted it. Good grief, how did it get so salty? Wait a minute. How had she been so stupid? She’d left Kathleen at the stove alone. Perspiration beaded on her forehead. She couldn’t possibly serve soup like this.
    “Is something wrong?” Kathleen’s sugary voice rang out.
    How could she quickly fix this? Charlotte spotted a bowl of potatoes Molly had picked up for tomorrow’s demonstration on the work surface. She grabbed one and started peeling it.
    “No, there’s no problem.” She returned the sugary smile to Kathleen. “The soup is a little saltier than I like. Does anyone know the trick to fix that?”
    An older woman in a lavender hat raised her hand. “You add potatoes.”
    “Yes, ma’am. You are absolutely correct.” Charlotte cut the potato into chunks and dropped it into the soup. By the time she’d removed the muffins and drizzled the sauce allemande over the fish, the potatoes had cooked and removed the saltiness.
    She swept her arms toward the prepared food. “I believe our feast is ready for sampling.”
    Thank goodness the women had been instructed to bring their own forks! As they took turns coming up to the worktable to sample the goods, she answered their questions. Slowly the women trickled out of the hardware store with promises to return tomorrow.
    Mr. Johnson joined her by the stove. “Well done, Miss Gregory, but be sure to sell the stoves and not just the food.” He glanced at the table. “They didn’t leave us much to eat.”
    “Never seen anything like it. Like pigs at the trough.” Molly began to gather the empty plates. “I sure learned a thing or two, but smelling all that good food means now I’m starving.”
    “To be honest, I’m glad the first day is done.” She glanced at Kathleen, who seemed to be prolonging her exit. “I’m sure it will be easier the next time.”
    Wiggling her fingers, Kathleen waved goodbye with a smug chuckle. “See you tomorrow, Charlotte.”
    Then again, maybe tomorrow would be even worse.

12
    Like turtles basking in the sun, upturned rowboats lay on wooden racks along the edge of Raspberry Island. Joel jogged toward the Minnesota Boat Club’s storage area and spotted his rowing partner, Dr. Knute Ostberg. Thinking about something other than the hospital or the way his discussion with Charlotte ended the other day was exactly what he needed. Nothing but hard work, a good friend, and lots of Minnesota sunshine.
    “You beat me here.” He joined Knute in lifting the boat off the rack. They carried it down to the end of the dock and set it in the water.
    “Let’s face it. I’m better at leaving when my shift is over.” Knute climbed in the narrow boat and slid his oar into the oarlock. “And I was smart enough not to take a job as an assistant superintendent.”
    “Smart enough, huh?” Joel chuckled. Knute just didn’t understand why the administrative position meant so much to him. How could he? Knute’s father was one of the most respected men in the city, whereas Joel had spent half his life defending his father.
    After easing into the spot behind Knute, Joel clipped his oar in place, slid his shoes into the foot plate, and strapped them in. “Ready?”
    Without another word, the two of them worked in tandem to ease away from the dock and rowed toward the buoy that marked the beginning of their practice run. Spring had brought