Free Winner Bakes All by Sheryl Berk Page A

color.”
    â€œBeets,” Jenna fumed. “I hate beets!”
    But Fiero pointed out that the frosting overpowered their rose-petal-infused cake. “I cannot taste zee flowers,” he complained. “Where are zay? Did zay disappear?”
    Sadie went back to her team. “I think it’s anyone’s game,” she said. “I’m not sure who will go home first.”
    â€œI hope it’s not us,” said Lexi. “That would be really embarrassing!”
    â€œYou did an awesome job presenting, Sadie,” Kylie said. “You did your best.”
    â€œI hope my parents liked it,” she replied. “Do you think they did?”
    Kylie shrugged. “They left right after the judging.”
    â€œThey left?” Sadie gasped. “Why? Are they mad at me?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Kylie said, trying to calm her. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Maybe your dad had a work emergency. Or your brother Ty set fire to the toaster again. They just probably had to go and didn’t want to distract you.”
    Sadie hated feeling helpless. She wished she could go back and redo the entire first round—rewind the morning in instant replay mode and change everything. She had probably upset her parents and they were mad or embarrassed. But the judges were already huddled at their table, deciding who would stay and who would go.
    â€œBakers, please face the judges,” Jerry commanded.
    â€œNo matter what happens, we’re right behind you,” Kylie said, patting Sadie on the back.
    Jerry held a card in his hands. “I have here the results of Round 1,” he began. “One of you is cake royalty…but you failed to make a cupcake that could wow our judges. Benny…I’m sorry. You’re done at Battle of the Bakers .”
    Benny’s eyes grew wide. “But I’m the Cake King…”
    â€œYes, yes you are.” Jerry shook his hand. “But for now…it’s ciao !”
    â€œI don’t believe it!” Kylie exclaimed. “We made Round 2!”
    â€œIt was totally my skateboard wipeout that did it…I’m great on TV,” Jenna teased.
    â€œWhatever it was, we really have to bring it in the next round!” said Kylie.
    Their cheering section went wild: Kylie’s mom and dad waved a big poster that read, “Peace, Love, and Cupcakes is sweet!” and Lexi’s big sister, Ava, high-fived Jenna’s big sis Gabriella.
    â€œGo, PLC!” Juliette shouted from the audience. Her boyfriend, Mr. Higgins, was also there, giving them a thumbs-up.
    â€œLook! Jeremy came!” Lexi said. “That is sooooo nice!” He and his parents waved from the third row and were seated with Delaney’s mom and dad.
    Sadie combed the audience for her parents, but there was no sign of them. She didn’t have much time to worry, though. Jerry summoned her back to the stage for the next round’s instructions. And like Coach always told her, she needed to get her head in the game.
    â€œThis round calls for the opposite of your Round 1 creation. For this baking battle, turn your cupcakes upside down. You have ninety minutes! Go!”
    Sadie raced back to the kitchen. “I don’t get it. Is that some kind of riddle?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Kylie. “They’ve never done this on Battle of the Bakers before!”
    â€œWait, maybe Jenna can fall again and the cupcakes will land upside down on the judges’ laps?” Delaney suggested.
    â€œMaybe Jerry means we should reverse what we did with the first cupcake?” Sadie questioned. “Like instead of a hot chocolate cake, make a cold one…”
    â€œAnd instead of cool frosting, make it hot?” Kylie followed her train of thought.
    Jenna shook her head. “No way…it can’t be done! In ninety minutes? Not a chance!”
    â€œWhat? What can’t be done?” Delaney