What's Cooking Read Free

thank-you, which she didn’t want to acknowledge. Instead, she drew everyone’s attention to the front, while Mitchell and Sarah dutifully wiped the counter and Lorraine salvaged what filling she could from the cookie sheet and put it back in the bag. Mrs. Finkleman wiped off her shoe, then used a toothpick to dig what she could out of the tiny holes and crevices in the leather.
    When Carolyn started the class on their second project, Mitchell stood back to watch instead of assisting with the preparation, and the remainder of the class time progressed without incident.
    Everyone cleaned up their work areas and filed out. Mitchell’s group was the last to leave, having had the most to clean up. Carolyn said her good-byes to Sarah and Lorraine and Mrs. Finkleman, but the cause of the flying filling lagged behind.
    â€œI can see there’s a trick to putting that stuff into the mushrooms. I was wondering if you could tell me what it is.”
    â€œAll you have to do is increase the pressure gradually and. . .” She let her voice trail off as Mitchell stepped closer. Had he been anyone else, she would have been fine with his proximity. But for some reason, being in the same room with this man felt much too close for her liking. Not wanting to appear nervous, she didn’t move away.
    â€œIt’s really important that I learn how to do this properly.”
    â€œYou just need a little practice. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the handout sheets.”
    â€œI’m really sorry about the mess.” His voice lowered in pitch and volume, and he reached out to swipe something off the bridge of her glasses with his index finger. “By the way, I couldn’t help noticing that little cross around your neck. It’s very nice,” he said as he lowered his hand to his side.
    Carolyn caught her breath and stepped back. She wasn’t sure what Mitchell meant by his comment, but good-looking men seldom looked at her a second time, if ever there was a first. And even for those who chose to ignore her plain features, once they got to know her better, men often ridiculed her for being “too religious.”
    If she let her imagination run wild, she could easily fantasize that Mitchell was attempting to make a pass at her. However, since he’d mentioned her gold cross, she figured he was simply doing his research so he could eliminate her from his list quickly, which was fine with her. She’d decided long ago only to date men from her church whom she already knew were Christians. It was less painful that way.
    Carolyn gulped, then swallowed hard to clear the lump in her throat. “It was a gift from my grandmother—when I was baptized a few years ago.”
    His mouth formed into a smile that made Carolyn’s heart pound. “That’s really sweet. Can I see you before next class?”
    Carolyn nodded numbly. “Sure. I’ll be here to set up half an hour before the class starts next week.”
    â€œI meant before that. Like during the week.”
    Carolyn could barely speak beyond the tightness in her throat. “Why?”
    He shuffled closer, then smiled, but his eyes held no humor. Instead, it was one of those slow, lazy smiles like she’d seen in movies—just before the tall, dark, handsome hero swept the heroine off her feet.
    â€œSo we can talk.”
    â€œSorry. I don’t think so,” she muttered, deciding it was time to rein in her imagination.
    â€œBut I’d really like to get to know you better.”
    The custodian poked his head into the room, sparing Carolyn from needing to elaborate or discuss it further.
    â€œIt’s time to go. The custodian needs to lock up the building for the night.”
    Mitchell blinked and stepped back, and his goofy grin disappeared.
    Carolyn brushed her hair off her face, straightened her glasses, crossed her arms, and cleared her throat, grateful that he apparently understood