Murder at the Cooking School: Book 7 of the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series Read Online Free PDF

her severe bun
with fingers whose nails were short and free of nail polish and began to speak.
    “Welcome, my new students.
In Italian the word for chef is capucuoco, but I prefer to use the word
chef. It is so much easier to pronounce. My English is good, but not perfect,
so if I make a mistake, please forgive me. For the next three days a
continental breakfast and coffee will be served in the dining room each morning
from seven to nine. Class will start at ten. At that time we will begin cooking
for lunch and dinner. We will eat lunch on the patio at 12:00. After that you
will be free until 4:00 in the afternoon. From 4:00 to 6:00 we will prepare the
rest of the evening meal. Wine will be served in the library at 6:30 followed
by dinner in the dining room. I have two assistants to help me, but I do
request that each of you volunteer to be a server for at least one meal. You
will be given recipes for everything we prepare.
    “The highlight of the day
trips will be Wednesday when we will go to Florence to the Mercato Centrale .
It is one of the most incredible markets in the world, and it is usually a high
point for the students. On Tuesday we will go to an olive grove and see how
olive oil is processed. If you prefer, you may stay here at the castleand
swim in the pool or simply relax. It is your time to do what you want, and
there will be no pressure to participate in these afternoon side trips. The
only thing I do ask, as I said earlier, is that each of you helps serve one
meal. I think that’s everything. You will be given a kitchen apron tomorrow
morning with your name on it. I would ask that you not wear rings while you’re
preparing food as we often use our hands in the preparation of the food. I will
make sure all of your hands are very clean by having one of my assistants watch
while you wash your hands,” she said laughing. “See you at ten tomorrow
morning.”
    When she was finished,
Mike stood up and said to Signora Nardo, “Thank you for an enjoyable
evening. This has been a wonderful beginning for our stay in Italy.” He turned
to Kelly and said, “We need to get some sleep before the big day.” They walked
around the table and said good night to the other guests and to Signor Nardo.
    When they were back in
their room with the door closed, Kelly turned to Mike and said, “Did you get a
chance to find out what the other people do for a living, like own fancy
restaurants or what ?”
    “Oh, Kelly, this is one of
the things I love about you. You’re worried that someone will be a better cook
than you, aren’t you? That’s adorable. Trust me; you will be the best student
in the class. I’ll go with you to class tomorrow, but after that I may explore
the countryside or walk the grounds or do nothing but lie in bed and read a
book. You know I’m not much of a cook, and I have no intention of becoming one.
I’m just happy to be in Italy with you in this remarkably beautiful place.”
    With a slight sound of
trepidation in her voice, Kelly said, “I hope you’re right. I have to admit I’m
a little nervous. What if someone asks me what I do, and I tell them I own a
coffee shop, and then I can’t cook as well as anyone. I’ve never done anything
like this.”
    “Trust me, sweetheart,
you’ll be fine. I love you,” he said, lightly kissing her and turning off the
light on the nightstand. “Sleep well, and we’ll try to keep jet lag at bay.”

CHAPTER 7
                                                                           
    “Mike, you’ve got to see this,” Kelly
said the next morning as she looked out the window. “This view is incredible,
and you can see forever. Oh, my gosh! There’s a whole covey of quail in the
vineyard. There’s a bunch of little ones walking behind their mother. It’s one
of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.”
    He walked over to the
window and joined her. “Honey, I agree. This view is