While Love Stirs Read Online Free PDF Page B

wouldhave rotated her pans halfway through their cooking times. Her only hope now was the judges wouldn’t notice or would decide it was so delicious they didn’t care.
    One little boy apparently could no longer resist the temptation of the decadent desserts. As soon as he thrust a finger toward the chocolate cake nearest him, his mother swatted his hand away.
    Tessa slipped her hand into the crook of Charlotte’s arm. “What happens to all these cakes? Do we get to at least take yours home?”
    “Only if you buy it.” Aunt Sam joined the two of them. “They’re selling them and giving the funds to the orphanage.”
    “Oh.” Disappointment rang in Tessa’s voice. “But Charlotte, you can make one back at Aunt Sam’s for us, right?”
    “I’m a little tired today, but I promise I will soon.”
    “Look. There’s Mr. Johnson.” Tessa pointed to the rotund man as he made his way to the podium.
    He twisted his mustache as he approached the podium and took his place. He paused for the room to quiet. “Ladies and gentlemen, what an exciting first round this has been. The judges were most impressed with the diversity of the cakes baked here today, and all of our contestants should be congratulated for their efforts.”
    The crowd applauded, and then Mr. Johnson continued. “I want to remind you that only the top fifteen contestants will continue on to tomorrow’s pie round. In no particular order, I will now read those fifteen names.” He glanced at the list. “Miss Kathleen O’Grady . . .”
    Charlotte glanced at her partner from the morning, and Kathleen gave her an I-told-you-so smirk.
    Charlotte rolled her eyes, but hope rose inside her like yeasty dough in a hot oven. If these judges advanced Kathleen’s seemingly dry-as-sawdust cake into the next round, then perhaps Charlotte did indeed have a chance.
    Tessa elbowed her. “You did it!”
    “What?”
    “Didn’t you hear your name? You’re moving on.”
    Joy surged through her. At least she had a chance. Now if only she could place.
    When the next round of applause had settled, Mr. Johnson held an envelope in the air. “And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. Earning third place today is Miss Kathleen O’Grady with her sunshine cake. Second place goes to Miss Amelia Desmond with her chocolate almond cake.”
    Charlotte winced beneath Tessa’s grip, but Aunt Sam gave her an encouraging smile. Charlotte prayed she would not disappoint either of them.
    “And finally, first place today is awarded to . . .”

5
    Joel’s heart warmed as he approached Hannah Cole’s bed. Her color was high and the baby in her arms had already put on weight—despite what Charlotte Gregory thought of the poor quality of the hospital’s food. He’d be releasing Mrs. Cole tomorrow after only a week’s stay.
    Beside his patient’s bed, his own sister sat on a stool. Young but wise beyond her years, Mattie seemed to bring a special kind of healing to every patient. He might heal a patient’s body, but it was Mattie who healed their spirit. So it came as no surprise to find Mrs. Cole and Mattie laughing as if they were old friends. He’d expressed his concerns about Mrs. Cole’s occasional crying spells but was pleased to find his sister had chased them away.
    “Good morning, Mrs. Cole.” He stopped at the foot of her bed. “It’s good to see you in high spirits.”
    “I feel much better today.” She smiled at Mattie. “Your sister has been a godsend.”
    “Nurse Brooks has her moments.” He glanced at his sister and grinned. “And what, pray tell, were you discussing today?”
    “Funny you should ask.” Mattie offered him a newspaper. “Mrs. Cole’s sister, Miss Charlotte Gregory, seems to have been quite successful in the gas company’s cooking competition. She’s won three out of the five rounds so far—layer cakes, breads, and pies. Today is the final round of main dishes.”
    “Is that so?” He snapped open the paper and scanned the