Winner Bakes All by Sheryl Berk Page B

one.”
    Sadie looked over at the Connecticut Cupcake display. It was amazing: a giant spinning magnet covered in metallic silver cupcakes. The top of it shot off sparks.
    â€œWow, that is really cool,” Sadie said. “And hard to top. Let’s hope the judges agree with you, Dad.”
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    When it was time to reveal the winner, Jerry had all the bakers gather in the center of the studio. “Connecticut Cupcakes…Peace, Love, and Cupcakes, you both put up a valiant fight. One of you made a giant cupcake magnet that shoots fireworks; the other created a perfect pair that joined together with a chocolate-peanut butter kiss. In the end, only one can take home the prize. Only one can win Battle of the Bakers .”
    Sadie held her breath. Say our name! Say our name! she silently pleaded with him.
    â€œCongratulations…Connecticut Cupcake!” Chloe, Cece, and their mommy jumped up and down, screaming and hugging one another.
    Sadie felt like someone had sucked the air out of her…like when she ran over a nail with her bicycle tire. “We lost?” she said. “How could we lose?”
    â€œYou girls were amazing,” Mr. Harris said. “You’re champions in my eyes.”
    â€œThat’s really nice, Dad,” said Sadie. “But we didn’t win the $5,000. We didn’t win the Battle of the Bakers .”
    â€œIt’s okay, Sadie.” Kylie tried to comfort her. “We were still on TV—which means a lot of people saw PLC and will be ordering our cupcakes.”
    â€œReally? Would you want to order cupcakes from a losing team?” Jenna moped. “I don’t know about you, but I’d be on the phone to Connecticut Cupcake ordering a dozen of those Pretty in Pinks.”
    Juliette ran up from the audience and gave them each a hug. “Good job, girls. You really looked and acted like pros out there. I am so, so proud of you all!”
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    When Sadie got home, every muscle ached. She flopped down on her bed, not having the energy to even take off her frosting-stained apron and clothes.
    â€œYou look like you’ve been through a war,” her brother Tyler remarked.
    â€œNot a war. A battle. I can’t move.”
    â€œI saw you on TV. The cupcake you did for Mom and Dad? That was pretty cool.” It wasn’t very often that her brother paid her a compliment.
    Sadie smiled. “Thanks. I really want things to get better for our family.”
    â€œThey will,” Tyler said, patting her on the shoulder. “Money may be tight, but the Harrises put up a fight!”
    â€œI’m glad you’re getting A’s in math,” Sadie teased. “Because you are one awful poet!”
    â€œSeriously, little sis, you know it’s gonna be okay, right?” Tyler gave her arm a playful punch. “Dad says we’re just going through a rough patch. And you know he’s really good at smoothing out rough patches with sandpaper.”
    Just then, Sadie remembered: the Golden Spoon roof!
    â€œI almost forgot!” she said, jumping off her bed. She suddenly felt a second wind of energy—maybe her father had some good news. “Thanks for the pep talk!” She gave her brother a punch back.
    â€œ Ow! Take it easy! That hurt!” Tyler whined.
    â€œWimp!” Sadie giggled, and headed downstairs.
    She found her father hunched over his desk, looking over blueprints.
    â€œHey, Dad…I could sure use some good news. How’s the Golden Spoon coming?”
    â€œOh, it’s coming…slowly and surely,” he answered. “Mr. Ludwig likes to change his mind a lot, so I had to make some revisions. But I think you and your friends should put a week from Sunday on your calendar.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Sadie asked.
    â€œThe grand reopening of the Golden Spoon in Greenwich!”

Jenna thumbed through PLC’s recipe file, searching for the