miss fortune mystery (ff) - my sinful valentine Read Free

of time.”
I made my way to the coffee pot and poured myself a cup of Joe, took a drink, then set my mind to the task at hand. No way in the world was I going to let something as small as cooking a dinner scare me. I wasn’t afraid of anything.
Ida Bell and Gertie made themselves at home at the kitchen table to watch us.
“Don’t mind us.” Gertie grinned. “We’re just here for the show.”
I cocked a brow in her direction. “Thanks for the support.” I quipped.
Ida Bell laughed. “She’s just teasing. We’re here for you, girl. Now, get your Rachel Ray on.”
I sat my mug down and joined Ally where she was waiting for me at the opposite counter.
“The roast is fairly easy. For this we’ll need the small can of beef broth, potatoes, carrots, those spices there,” she pointed to the table, “and the roast.”
I gathered the ingredients and followed Ally’s instructions. I placed one cup of the broth, and the roast into the pot, then chopped the vegetables and placed them, along with the premeasured spices, in on top.
“Now, just put the lid on the pot and set it on low. It basically cooks itself and will be ready by the time Carter gets here tonight. You just made your first roast.” Ally beamed at me like I’d just cured some infectious disease or something. It was a small accomplishment, but I had to admit, I was pretty proud of myself.
“Let’s just hope Carter likes roast.”
“I’m sure he does.” Ida Bell replied. “But I’m sure he’d like whatever you put in front of him.” She grinned.
I rolled my eyes.
Ally laughed. “Now, on to the baking portion of this show”

Chapter Four
“Why couldn’t we have just bought those premade rolls and a boxed cake mix? Wouldn’t it have been much easier?” I asked as I tried to make sense of what Ally was telling me about yeast and rising dough and things I really didn’t have any interest in.
“Easier, yes. Tastier, no. You want to make something Carter will enjoy don’t you?”
I sighed and nodded. “I do, but that is the third batch of dough I’ve had to mix. Messing up the previous batches makes those premades look better and better. I just hope that batch rises this time.” I pointed at the bowl on the table.
“Working with yeast takes time to master.” Ida Bell said from her place at the counter.
“I think I’ve figured that out.”  I mumbled.
Because it was taking so long for me to master the art of baking bread, she and Gertie were premeasuring the ingredients for the cupcakes that way all I’d have to do was mix them together and pop them into the oven. At least, that’s how easy Ally had made it all sound.
I, of course, had my doubts.
Ally raised the corner of the towel covering the bowl holding the dough. “Well, you’re in luck. This dough looks great.”
“Finally.” I sighed.
“Grab that cookie sheet and grease it up.” She instructed.
I did as told and placed the sheet on the table.
“All you have to do now is pinch the dough off into balls, put them on the sheet, and then slip them into the oven. After that we can mix up the cupcakes and get them baking. If everything goes as planned we’ll have this meal finished with plenty of time to spare to get you all dolled up before Carter gets here.”
“Are you sure? This has taken longer than any of us expected. Do we still have time before Carter gets here?” Gertie asked as she cracked an egg into a small bowl.
“Sure. He’s not supposed to be here until seven, right Fortune?” Ally asked.
“That’s the plan.” I answered.
“That gives us a couple of hours. The roast smells fantastic, and all that’s left to be done the cupcakes and taking the rolls out of the oven.” Ida Bell said.
I finished balling up the dough, and slid the sheet into the oven. Then made my way back over to the table to clean up the mess made by preparing the rolls so I could mix the cupcakes without much clutter being around.
“Ida Bell, Gertie, will you help bring the cupcake