Bakers on Board by Sheryl Berk Page A

“Whatever you say.”
    The girls readied themselves at the edge of the pool as the crew gently placed the raft on the top steps leading into it. The cupcakes had all survived the long walk up from the galley with not a bit of frosting out of place. “It’s a miracle,” Lexi said, relieved. “They look perfect.” She glanced over and saw Mr. Warren—dressed as Captain Hook—giving them a thumbs-up.
    Mitchell made the announcement over the loudspeaker. “Please turn your gaze to the giant Victory pool center deck for an amazing display…”
    â€œOkay,” Lexi instructed the girls. “On the count of three, we give it a gentle push into the pool.”
    â€œOne…” Kylie said.
    â€œTwo…” Jenna continued.
    â€œThree!” they all yelled in unison.
    With a light push, the raft began to float from the steps into the shallow end of the pool.
    â€œSteady…steady…” Sadie said, crossing her fingers.
    It continued floating out into four feet, then six, then nine.
    The crowd applauded enthusiastically. But that wasn’t the end of the show. On Kylie’s nod, the crew fired a confetti cannon that exploded over the onlookers in a burst of gold and silver.
    â€œWe did it!” Delaney exclaimed. “We actually did it.”
    Just then, a gust of wind rolled across the deck. Then another. Then another.
    â€œUh-oh,” Kylie said, looking up. “Do those clouds look a little gray to you?”
    â€œNever mind the weather report.” Sadie pointed to the raft. “Our ship is about to tip!”
    The wind had caused ripples in the pool, and the raft now rocked up and down uncontrollably.
    â€œMy cupcakes! My beautiful cupcakes!” Lexi moaned as a few toppled into the pool.
    A few drops of rain landed on the deck.
    â€œIt’s nothing,” Mitchell assured the crowd. “Just a little sun shower.”
    With that, a bolt of lightning ripped across the sky and the winds began to kick up. Cupcakes were sliding off the raft and into the pool at an alarming rate.
    â€œWe have to do something,” Kylie said, panicking. “We have to get the raft back to the shallow end and pull it out before all the cupcakes drown!”
    â€œA captain always goes down with her ship,” Jenna said, kicking off her black sandals. With that, she dove into the pool and tried to keep the raft steady.
    â€œSwim it back to the steps!” Kylie called to her.
    But the more Jenna tried to kick behind the raft and move it, the more the cupcakes tipped and toppled.
    â€œWhat if you get under it?” Sadie shouted. “Like a turtle with a shell on its back?”
    Jenna nodded and ducked beneath the raft. Slowly, the PLC pirate ship “swam” its way back to the shallow end where the girls could reach it.
    â€œWhoa, you can hold your breath a really long time,” Delaney acknowledged as Jenna finally popped up and out of the water. “Impressive!”
    The guests didn’t even seem to mind that the rain was now coming down harder and faster—they were mesmerized by Jenna’s heroic show.
    â€œAll hail Mad Medina!” Delaney yelled.
    Jenna climbed out of the pool, soaked to the bone. “It was nothing,” she said.
    â€œOh, it was something!” Marisol interrupted her. “And I got lots of pictures to prove it.”
    Jenna’s curls were all matted and stuck to her face. Her eye patch was hanging around her neck, and the beautiful blouse Mami had made her was a sopping wet. “Great,” she said. “Next time, could you at least tell me to say cheese?”
    Marisol held up her camera. “Say ques o !” she teased her little sister.

Once the party moved to the grand ballroom along with the remaining cupcakes, the girls were able to finally relax.
    â€œI wouldn’t call it a total disaster,” Kylie said. She dug into a Jolly Roger raspberry and