The Bake-Off by Beth Kendrick Read Free Book Online Page B

strand of lustrous white pearls around her neck. “Good news first: We’ve officially made it to the semifinals of the Delicious Duet Dessert Championship. I got the certified letter yesterday.”
    â€œAlready?” Amy exclaimed. “It’s only been a few weeks since you entered. Aren’t there, like, a zillion entries?”
    â€œAt least.” Grammy preened. “There’s a test kitchen somewhere in California that sorts through all the entries and narrows down the pool to a hundred or so. Then they bake those recipes and select the best fifty.”
    â€œCongratulations,” Amy said. She leaned in for another hug.
    â€œCongratulations to you, too. You’re my co-entrant, after all.” Grammy didn’t hug her back this time. Instead, she tilted her head and sized up her granddaughter with a cool, appraising stare. “Now I want you to promise me something. You’re going to honor your word and go to New York for the finals, right?”
    â€œAre you kidding me?” Amy’s eyebrows shot up. “A whole week of room service and sleep? I’m there!”
    Grammy folded her arms over her mint green angora cardigan. She looked very formidable for a white-haired old lady who barely topped five foot two in heels. “No matter what crops up at home or at your job? I can count on you?”
    Amy sensed treachery and started to backpedal. “Well, I mean, I want to go. I plan to. But if Brandon or one of the twins got injured or seriously ill, I’d have to back out.”
    â€œNaturally, but barring that—barring a catastrophic emergency—you promise to go to the finals and participate?”
    â€œYe-es,” Amy said. She should have escaped back down the hall while the escaping was good. “Why?”
    Grammy nodded, then shifted back into nurturing, maternal mode. “Have a bite of pie, darling, and sign here, here, and here. I’ll send this back to the contest officials.” Grammy produced a pen and waited until Amy signed and dated the finalist forms. “Now, have I already told you about Ty and Tai?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œTy and Tai Tottenham. The husband-and-wife team from Ohio who’ve been the second-place winners in the bake-off for the last two years. I don’t know what it is about Ohio, but that state turns out more than its fair share of finalists. Maybe it’s something in the water. Anyway, as for Ty and Tai . . .” Grammy lowered her voice as if preparing to impart juicy gossip. “They’re infamous.”
    Amy couldn’t contain a laugh. “Infamous on the bake-off circuit? For what? Using margarine instead of butter? Scandal!”
    Grammy pursed her lips. “It’s no joke, young lady. Those two want the grand prize, and they’ll stop at nothing to win. Rumor has it that last year they got the goods on one of the judges and blackmailed their way to the finals.”
    Amy shoveled in another bite of pie, which tasted as delicious as it smelled. “Are you serious? That’s pathetic. I mean, it’s just brownies and cupcakes and whatever.”
    â€œJust brownies and cupcakes, she says.” Grammy Syl shook her head. “You’re in for a rude awakening if you think this is a friendly little cookie swap. The Delicious Duet attracts the most talented amateur bakers from all over the country. You need to bring your A game.”
    â€œThen it’s a good thing I’ll have you to be my mentor. When we get to New York, just point out Ty and Tai, and I’ll be sure to steer clear.”
    â€œMmm.” Grammy fiddled with her pearls again. “About New York. I won’t be going.”
    Amy froze midchew. “Why not?”
    â€œAs it happens, I have a scheduling conflict. I’m going on an Alaskan cruise. I booked the tickets with Harriet Webber ages ago, and it must have slipped my mind.”
    â€œBut you just made me promise