Recipe for Trouble by Sheryl Berk Page A

is…2,556 cupcakes. Not to mention the thousand cupcakes we promised Ms. Fontina for the Blakely Valentine’s Day party and a thousand for the Golden Spoon.”
    Lexi was very quiet. She was focused on sketching a pink peony she planned to pipe on two dozen chocolate-cherry cupcakes.
    â€œI think we need help,” Kylie replied. “Even with us working all day today and tomorrow, we’ll never be able to bake and frost all these cupcakes. Maybe I could call my friend Delaney from Camp Chicopee—”
    Lexi suddenly snapped to attention. “What? You want to ask Delaney to help us? She doesn’t know how to bake cupcakes!”
    â€œWell, we’ll teach her,” Sadie said, carefully measuring a teaspoon of baking powder and adding it to the mixing bowl. “None of us knew how to bake when we started out last year.”
    Jenna nodded. “Lex, you can’t possibly decorate 5,000 cupcakes all by yourself. You need extra hands—we all do.”
    Lexi was not happy but gave in. “Fine. But if she messes up, I’m saying TYS—told ya so!”
    â€¢ • •
    A half hour later, Kylie’s doorbell rang. “That’s Delaney!” she said racing to get the door.
    â€œGreat,” Lexi grumbled under her breath. She could hear lots of happy squeals as Kylie reunited with her camp friend.
    â€œThey sure sound happy to see each other!” Sadie said.
    Kylie brought Delaney into the kitchen to meet PLC. “Jenna, Sadie, Lexi, this is Delaney Noonan.”
    Lexi glanced up to get a look at the girl Kylie had raved about. She didn’t seem anything special: she had long blond hair and braces and wore jeggings and a sweatshirt with a peace sign on it.
    â€œShe looks a little like you, Lexi!” Sadie whispered.
    â€œI don’t see it!” Lexi sniffed, but she thought the same thing.
    Jenna handed Delaney an apron and set her up scooping the batter into the wrapper-lined pans.
    â€œKeep it really neat and no more than two-thirds full,” Jenna instructed.
    â€œYes, sir!” Delaney joked.
    Jenna kept a close eye on her. “Not bad, not bad at all!” she said, pleased. “Delaney, you may have a future in cupcakes!”
    Kylie smiled. “TYS! Delaney’s great at everything she does—remember Color War?”
    â€œOMG, how could I forget! That swimming relay was insane. But we came in first with my butterfly stroke and your backstroke. Go Blue! ”
    Lexi fumed. “Let’s try her out on piping.” She knew a beginner could never master a pastry bag and tip the first time. She handed Delaney a bag filled with passion-fruit buttercream.
    â€œDo it like this,” she commanded, demonstrating a perfect swirl with a peak in the center.
    â€œI think I got it,” Delaney replied. She held the bag in her hand and squeezed it expertly with the palm of her hand. It took her seconds to duplicate Lexi’s swirl.
    â€œWow! Impressive!” Jenna whistled. “Delaney, you’re a natural.”
    â€œHere,” said Lexi, shoving a dozen more in front of her. “Make yourself useful.” Delaney topped two dozen white chocolate raspberry cupcakes with a vanilla cream cheese frosting, then piped dark chocolate buttercream on three dozen devil’s food cupcakes. Kylie showed her how to cut shapes out of fondant with tiny cookie cutters.
    â€œLike this?” Delaney asked, holding up a perfect red heart.
    â€œExactly!” said Kylie. “You rock!”
    Lexi hated that Delaney could handle whatever they threw at her—and was so cheerful about it. She and Kylie sang Lady Gaga songs as they worked.
    â€œThis is so much fun!” Delaney exclaimed, putting red lips on some mascarpone whipped frosting. “You’re so lucky to have this awesome cupcake club.”
    â€œMaybe you could join PLC?” Kylie suggested. Lexi saw that one coming!
    â€œReally?”