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

Fortune made them all on her own.” She bragged on me like one would a child. I admit, it felt nice having someone be proud of me, even if it was over something so miniscule.
“How about you ladies get cleaned up and I’ll get to work on this kitchen.” Carter offered.
“I can’t let you do that—
“Of course you can.” He interrupted. “Valentine’s Day is for the both of us, and if I’m going to be sharing this delicious smelling meal, I’d like to help with at least the cleanup.”
“Keep him, girl.” Gertie said with a smile. “A man who likes to do cleanup. You’re not going to find another one around here anytime soon.”
“Don’t you need to go get cleaned up?” I asked, trying to hide my embarrassment. The mention of “keeping” Carter had my cheeks burning a bright red.
“Actually,” Ally piped up, “She’s right. I think Fortune can handle the rest of this meal on her own. We didn’t get the cupcakes made, but that’s okay. I’ll bring some by for you both in the morning.” She cast a pointed look in Ida Bell and Gertie’s direction. “Let’s leave these two alone.”
“You don’t have to go.” I said as the other ladies gathered their purses. I don’t know why, but I was feeling rather nervous. This was my first Valentine’s Day with a man and I had no idea what to do, or what was expected.
“But the rolls—
“The timer will go off in about fifteen minutes. Just take them out and let them cool.”
I nodded and one of the beaters smacked against my cheek.
“Oh, would you like for me to stay and help you get those out?” Ally asked.
I seriously contemplated it for a minute before deciding against it. I was determined to do one thing on my own today if it killed me.
“No, I can get them out. If I need help, I’ll give you a call.”
“You can handle it, Fortune. I’m sure of it.” Ally laughed. “We’ll see you tomorrow.” She patted my shoulder and the three made their way to the door and left.
I wished I had as much faith in myself as Ally did. If I were on a mission in the desert or camped out in the jungle, I would, but this domestic life was something completely new to me.
“Go on and get cleaned up. I’ll have this taken care of by the time you get back down here.”
“Thanks.” I sighed. “I’ll be right back.”
Carter grabbed a broom as I jogged up the stairs.
I began to yank off my buttery, flour-covered t-shirt but it got caught on the beaters still dangling from my hair.
I pried the shirt over them, then tossed it and the rest of my clothing near the hamper, grabbed a towel from the rack, and started the shower.
I stood in front of the mirror for a moment trying to decide the best course of action. Those things were in there and I wasn’t sure they’d ever come out without cutting them out, and I was fairly certain taking my hair off to the scalp would more than shock Carter, and it would totally blow my cover were the men I was hiding from somehow see me. A buzz cut had been my preferred hair style until being shipped off to hide in Sinful. Now it was all hair extensions, makeup, and perfume.
Instead of the scissors, I grabbed a bottle of something Ally called leave-in conditioner and soaked the knotted hair with it.
It felt like it took forever to get the hair to unwind even a little, but a half of a bottle of leave-in conditioner and nearly all of my patients later, I slid the second beater free from my hair and tossed it into the sink.
“That’s the last time I try to bake anything.”
As I stepped beneath the stream of steaming hot water, I couldn’t stop the flow of questions about what was happening between Carter and myself from flooding my mind.
I really liked Carter, and after trying and failing to deny it, I had come to the conclusion that I more than liked him. I cared about him, and that was what scared me.
I cared about Carter. I’d had short, sporadic relationships in the past, but not one of them even came close to what I was