Free Icing on the Cake by Sheryl Berk

“This takes complete concentration and silence.” She was delicately piping lines on each cupcake ’til the frosting on top looked like lace. “Hand me the candy pearls, Delaney,” she whispered. “Carefully!”
    â€œDon’t breathe,” Sadie instructed Kylie and Jenna. “The artist is at work.”
    Lexi frowned. “Did you see that sculptor working on that bust in the palazzo? He would not stand for any distractions.”
    â€œLike I said,” Sadie whispered. “She’s in the zone. Shhh…”
    â€œWhat can we do?” Jenna asked.
    Delaney handed her a rolling pin. “Roll fondant. My hands are killing me.”
    By 11:30 p.m., the tower was complete, all except for the giant cupcake on top.
    â€œMy eyes are closing,” Lexi groaned. “I can’t pipe one more drop line or I’ll drop.”
    â€œWe could get up early tomorrow, say six a.m., before we have to get dressed for the wedding,” Kylie suggested.
    Jenna nodded. “I think we take a break.” There were bits and pieces of gum paste stuck to her face, her hands, even her sneakers, and frosting, flour, and sugar coated her shirt and jeans. “A little more fondant, and I could be the giant cupcake on top.”

Jenna’s wake-up call rang at exactly 5 a.m.
    â€œGood morning!” said a chipper voice from the reception desk. “This is your five o’clock wake-up call.”
    â€œUgh,” Jenna yawned. “Could ya not be so happy about it?”
    â€œIt’s a beautiful day!” the woman continued. “Lots of bright sunshine and temperatures in the 90s.”
    â€œDid you say 90s?” Jenna was suddenly wide awake.
    â€œYes, we’re expecting a bit of a heat wave for April—103 degrees by noon.”
    â€œ Dios mío! ” Jenna slammed the receiver down. “We have a huge problema !”
    She raced through the suite and into the other bedroom where the girls were fast asleep. “Kylie, Sadie, Lexi, Delaney— despierta ! Wake up!”
    Kylie rubbed her eyes. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œIt’s supposed to be over 100 degrees today! Our cupcakes are gonna be soup in that sun!” Jenna said, tugging off their comforters. “We need a Plan B, fast!”
    â€œWhy didn’t you think about the cupcakes melting before?” Lexi complained.
    â€œWho knew we were gonna have a heat wave?” Jenna cried.
    â€œCalm down.” Kylie tried to be the voice of reason. “We can keep the cupcake tower indoors until dessert, in the air-conditioned lobby. Maybe set up some fans to blow on it outside when we wheel it into the garden?”
    â€œOkay, okay.” Jenna tried to steady her nerves. “Maybe that will work.”
    Delaney raised her hand. “Guys. Just one question: Didn’t we shut off all the power in the kitchen last night when we left?”
    â€œYes,” Kylie said. “We turned off all the power like we were supposed to.”
    â€œ Including the air conditioner! ” Jenna screamed. “Double dios mio!” The girls raced through the lobby, still in their pj’s, and unlocked the door to the kitchen.
    â€œIt’s like an oven in here,” Jenna said. “It must be 100 degrees!” She flipped on the light, and there was the cupcake tower, looking wilted.
    Lexi climbed the ladder and inspected each tier. “Oh, no! All the icing is mush!” she said. “It all melted.” She handed Jenna a cupcake with a sad little puddle of royal icing on top.
    â€œLet’s not panic,” Kylie said.
    Lexi nodded. “Fondant is gum paste. It will hold up better than icing. We can put a layer of buttercream under it.”
    â€œAnd we rolled out tons of it last night and put it in the fridge,” Delaney said.
    Kylie held up her cell phone. “Check this out. This is called the giant granadilla flower, and it’s