Kneading Bread
Beans and ham cooking together didn't have a delicate scent, but the smell of it drifting past Riza's nose made her mouth water. She took a deep breath, and turned her attention back to the dough in front of her, the flat, smooth texture of it stretched out on the floured counter reminding her of her childhood, when she'd helped knead bread for meals. She'd learned to stuff it with dried fruit and meats, in an attempt to stretch the meager meals in her household.
Folding the dough into thirds onto itself, Riza flattened and rolled it. She sealed the dough, and put it into the oiled loaf pan, laying a clean tea towel over the top of it and the pan she'd previously filled. Dusting her hands in the sink, she turned to Dr. Rockbell. "Is there anything else I can help you with, ma'am?"
"You can call me Pinako," she said, lifting the lid to the beans and stirring the pot. The smell of them perfumed the air in the kitchen. "And no, I can't think of anything else you can do. Relax, if you'd like."
Riza leaned her backside against the counter, folding her arms. "I'm not quite sure I know how," she admitted.
"I'm sure it will come to you," Pinako said, giving her a grin. "Go for a walk. Take the Corporal with you. The river is nice this time of year."
"Is it." Riza wasn't surprised at the twinkle in the old woman's eyes. "Well, I suppose I could take your dog for a walk. And maybe take the Corporal with me."
Pinako's grin was telling as Riza left the kitchen. She ignored it, trying to find Mustang. Not because of any matchmaking on Dr. Rockbell's part, but because they should reconnoiter.
Yeah, right.