Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop Read Online Free PDF Page B

must confess. I had reservations about doing the book.”
    â€œSo why did you agree?”
    â€œWe could use the money.”
    â€œReally? But the pastry shop seems to be doing so well from all the baked goods I saw in the kitchen and the lines of customers waiting to buy at the courtyard’s windows. You said so yourself earlier, and you are now taking in tourists as boarders. Surely, there must be enough income?”
    â€œWe are doing well. But the money would not be for the convent or the pastry shop. There is an organization we work with in town, and I would like to donate my share of the book’s proceeds to this organization.”
    â€œThat is very noble of you, Sorella Agata.”
    â€œIt is not out of nobleness that I am doing this. The organization does wonderful work. I would hate to see them have to close their doors after all they’ve done for the people in this village as well as the neighboring towns.”
    â€œI understand.” Claudia was about to ask what kind of work the organization did when Sorella Agata said, “If you will please excuse me now.” She turned to leave, but Claudia stopped her again.
    â€œOne more thing, Sister. Would you mind if we began our interview after I’m settled? That is, if you won’t be busy with anything else? If I hope to cover everything, including watching you prepare the recipes you’d like me to include in the book, we’ll need to get started right away. I’m sure after all the years you’ve been here your story must be a long one.”
    Sorella Agata’s eyes held a distant look as she responded. “That will be fine. Meet me in the courtyard in an hour. That should give you enough time to get settled and give me time to tie up a few things in the kitchen.”
    â€œThat’s perfect. Thank you, Sister. I’m really looking forward to hearing your story and seeing you create your recipes.”
    Sorella Agata managed a small smile. “Yes, this will be something new for me as well. I hope to learn from you, too, Claudia.”
    And with that Sorella Agata turned around and shut Claudia’s door quietly behind her.
    Claudia let out a long sigh. She had almost blown it by bringing up so soon the secret ingredient in Sorella Agata’s cassata . But she was beginning to think the nun was telling the truth about not having a secret ingredient, if only for the fact that she was a woman of God and most likely averse to lying. But she was also human. Claudia sensed there was something else about that cake that unnerved Sorella Agata other than everyone’s claiming it possessed a secret ingredient. She had to tread carefully, but Claudia was determined to find out the full story behind this mysterious cake.

2
    Biscotti all’Anice
    ANISE COOKIES
    S orella Agata poured three and a half cups of flour onto her work surface—a marble butcher block she had custom made from the local craftsman. She shaped the flour into a small mound, and then, using her index finger, she swirled a hole in the center. Cracking four eggs expertly with one hand into a wooden bowl, she beat them vigorously with a fork until they turned the same golden hue as the marigolds that sat in a vase on the convent’s kitchen window ledge. Marigolds were her favorite flowers, and she loved looking at them when she was busy working. She dropped the egg mixture into the hole she had dug in the flour before adding sugar, olive oil, and a teaspoon of anise oil. No matter how much of a rush she was in, Sorella Agata always took the time to smell the licorice scent of the anise oil. But today the oil served a dual purpose as its fragrance soothed her frayed nerves.
    Though she was meeting Claudia in under an hour, she decided to quickly make anise cookies. She would serve them to Claudia piping hot and would take pleasure in seeing the surprise on the writer’s face that the cookies had just come out of the oven.