Page 111 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 78

“Applause, please, as we welcome Beth Wade from Beth’s Bakery.”

A short, plump brunette appeared on stage, waved shyly, and stood behind her bare cakes. Taking a little bow, she immediately stared at her white sneakers, avoiding all eye contact.

Reading from an index card, the host continued. “Next, we have Cheri Van Buren from Fifth Avenue Catering in New York City—and it says Branson too. That’s quite a combination. Welcome.”

Suzy, Hope, and Alex stood, whistled, and cheered as Cheri made her way to the far right of the stage. Clacking across the stage in black stilettos and wearing a white and gold Fifth Avenue Catering apron over silky black palazzo pants and a red blouse, a flushed, wide-eyed Cheri waved to her friends.

The emcee stepped toward the center of the stage. “Our third contestant is very special.” He paused as several audience members edged forward in their seats. “In fact, this particular chef flew over all the way from Europe.”

Several gasped as the host dragged out the suspense. Pausing, he said, “I wish we had a drumroll.” Everyone grew quiet and stared at both sides of the curtain awaiting the third chef.

“Seriously?” Alex stared at the ceiling. “Come on.”

“Shhh.” Suzy clasped her hands in her waist and leaned forward.

Hope swiveled her head toward both sides of the stage. “Who could it be?”

Finally the announcer said, “I can’t keep you waiting any longer. Please welcome Julio.”

A very handsome chef entered from the left side of the curtains.

Alex noticed Cheri’s mouth flew open as the European chef sauntered across the stage taking his place between the two females. He nodded to the baker from Beth’s Bakery and gave a slow wink to Cheri whose mouth stayed agape.

Alex knitted her brows as she studied the interaction. “Julio. Julio. I’ve heard that name before.”

“So have I.” Suzy scratched her head. “Wait a minute. Is that Cheri’s family chef? The one they had when she was a child? The one she had a crush on?”

Alex and Hope sucked in their breath at the same time. “I bet that’s him. Oh, my God.” Alex scooted forward in her chair. “This is going to be good.”

“Look at poor Cheri,” Hope said. “She’s a nervous wreck. Her cheeks are bright pink and she keeps wiping her hands on her apron.”

Suzy glanced from Julio to Cheri. “Being caught off guard like this may destroy her chances.”

The announcer shushed the crowd. “Folks, we’re almost ready to begin. Please remain quiet while our chefs work.” He blew a whistle. “It’s go time, bakers. Good luck.”

Heads down, each chef spun their cakes as they worked, reaching for multi-colored frosting, piping coming-into-focus creations, and concentrating on decorating their individual masterpieces. As the three worked, the audience sat transfixed in hushed silence.

Cheri’s cake consisted of four large, round tiers. She quickly decorated it with edible daisies, roses, pears, and leaves. Using sage green icing for the leaves, she piped peach, yellow, and pink flowers and added hanging dark chocolate tube branches. Working quickly, she encrusted the branches with tiny white flowers resembling dogwood blossoms. Taking a moment to check all sides, she topped her cake with two kissing lovebirds.

While she frosted her cake, Alex noticed Cheri constantly stole glances toward Julio.

“Cheri’s cake is perfection,” Suzy said. “It looks like spring. My brides will love it.”

“It reminds me of romance.” Alex flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Or how romance should be.”

“It’s stunning.” Hope turned and gawked at handsome Julio whose cake towered with five square tiers.

The audience ogled the European newcomer as he added various shades of gray. Using a tiny spreader, Julio created lines resembling stones of an historic castle, masterfully swirling green vines along the base and up the sides. He hastily added pale yellow and blue flowers trailing upward like clematis. Finally, he added windows, a brown, oval-shaped wooden door, and at the last minute, piped a tiny knight to guard the entrance.

Alex studied the European chef. “His cake is gorgeous and so is he.” Unable to take her eyes off him, she said, “I can see why Cheri had a crush on him as a teen.”

All three swiveled to watch the pastry chef from Beth’s Bakery. Her cake consisted of three large tiers. She rapidly adorned the first tier with white and gold starbursts and added edible pearls on the other two layers. The baker piped three huge white lilies stacked on top with petals draping over the cake’s edges. For the final touch, she added a majestic, deep purple lily to the middle layer. It was offset on the side like a brooch.

Suzy clasped her hands together. “Bravo. That’s breathtaking and elegant too. I’ll have to use all three of these in my weddings.” She reached into her purse for her camera, zoomed in, and took several photos. “I’ll share these on my Weddings by Suzanne Facebook page.”

“Don’t forget Instagram,” Alex said.

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