Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [24]
I said, “If you can watch the front, there’s something I need to take care of in the classroom.”
“More monstrosities for our benefactress?” Eve had caught a glimpse of Mrs. Jorgenson’s last lumpy candle and had found no charm in it at all.
“I’ve been studying a new technique,” I said. “If you need me, just give me a yell.”
She said lightly, “I believe I’ll be able to handle anything that comes up. Go on and play.”
“Hey, this is serious stuff,” I said as I smiled at her.
I did a tandem dip with beeswax as I’d shown Mrs. Jorgenson during her last lesson, alternating between two pairs to allow one to cool while the other was being dipped. When the first set was built up to about half an inch, I let it cool a few minutes, then grabbed both candles in one hand at their bases and twisted them together. I loved the look and set the twist aside. I repeated the same twist with the second pair, but this time I over-dipped the twist, not enough to obscure the curving lines, but enough to give it all a more solid look. I trimmed both bases before the wax hardened too much, then looked in the dipping can to see if I had enough wax to try another. There wasn’t enough wax to dip another pair, but I wasn’t going to stop dipping. I had an idea, remembering a candle I’d seen in one of my dozen reference books. I quickly dipped another half-inch taper just before the remaining wax started to congeal on the surface of the water. As soon as it was cool enough, I took out a rolling pin and flattened the candle on the tabletop, leaving a rounded base so it would still fit into a stand. The next step had looked tricky in the book, but I had to try it at least once. Grabbing the base in one hand and the exposed-wick end in the other, I gave the flattened candle a twist. It was outstanding; the taper looking elegant and extremely difficult to make. I was certain Mrs. Jorgenson would be pleased.
I’d just finished my cleanup when Eve came back. She studied my experiments without comment, though I noticed her gaze did linger a little longer on the flattened taper.
I smiled and said, “You should try it; it’s lots of fun.”
She said, “I’ll stick with the traditional methods, thank you,” though I could tell she was tempted. “You have a visitor.”
“Is it somebody I’m going to be happy about seeing, or should I stay back here?”
Millie poked her head in. “Harrison Black, are you ducking me?”
“No, ma’am. I’m just hard at work.”
“You missed the taste-test yesterday afternoon.”
I’d forgotten all about Millie’s offer to share her latest and greatest recipe. “Sorry.”
“Nonsense, everyone deserves a little time off now and then. That’s why I’m closed Sundays. It gives George and me time to get reacquainted.” Millie’s husband worked more jobs than any sane man would, but the two of them were happy with their arrangement, and far be it from me to interfere.
“Something smells wonderful,” I said, looking at the basket tucked under her arm. A bright piece of gingham cloth covered the top, but it couldn’t contain the heavenly aroma coming from beneath.
“That’s why I’m here. Eve, would you like a sample?”
“I’ll have to take a rain check, I’m losing ground on my diet as it is. Harrison, I’m meeting someone for lunch, so I may be a little late this afternoon.”
“Take your time,” I said. “I owe you.”
After she was gone, Millie said, “Does our Eve have a new man in her life?”
“If she does, she hasn’t said a word to me, and I’m not about to ask.”
She laughed. “Such a big man, and a big coward, too.”
“Hey, I never denied it. Now are you going to let me have a taste, or am I going to have steal that basket from you?”
“Never let it be said I led someone to a life a crime. Here, try one and tell me what you think.”
She pulled back the cloth and I saw a batch of cranberry muffins, the bread shining like a wedding dress and the fat, crimson berries barely contained, bursting to get out. They were warm to the touch, and I took one and bit into it.