Church Camp Chaos Read Online Free

the handle in a bicep curl.
    “Those Chocolate Dream cupcakes
are
pretty spectacular,” Mom said, looking over her shoulder toward the cake display.
    “Yeah, but I know they’re too expensive,” EJ said, studying the tiles on the floor.
    “They are too expensive; you’re right,” Mom said, sounding almost as disappointed as EJ felt. “But you know, I don’t think they’re actually special enough for your eleventh birthday, EJ.” Mom took the basket from Isaac and placed the two loaves of Italian bread and a tub of garlic butter on the counter for the cashier to ring up.
    EJ squinted at Mom, looking unsure. What could be better than chocolate cupcakes with star sprinkles?
    “What if we make our own cupcakes?” Mom suggested, a sly twinkle in her eye.
“Dessert Duels
style. EJ versus Mom.”
    Isaac spun around from where he had been poking the side of a plastic-wrapped angel food cake and watching the dent spring back to its original shape. “Like a food fight?” he asked.
    “Not throwing food but more of a food throw-down. Then the party guests could be the judges,” Mom said as she swiped her debit card through the machine. “What do you think, birthday girl?”
    EJ closed her eyes and tried to imagine the best cupcakes ever: chocolate … no, devil’s food. And cream-filled centers! With triple-fudge icing and sparkly gold flecks that reflected in the light—and multicolored star-shaped sprinkles!
    EJ opened her eyes wide and grinned. “Could I decorate my cupcakes however I want? Even better than the Chocolate Dream ones?” she asked.
    “It’s your birthday—do it up right!” Mom said.

    “Where’s my favorite set of measuring cups?”
    Chef EJ looks frantically amid the clutter of ingredients on the stainless-steel countertop for the set of red plastic measuring cups—her good luck charm during baking competitions
.
    “Right here, chef!” EJ’s kitchen assistant, Isaac, pops up from under the counter and hands her the cups
.
    “Isaac, were these on the floor?” EJ asks, inspecting the measuring cups for any sign of dirt
.
    “Yes, chef,” Isaac says matter-of-factly, “but they didn’t break the five-second rule. And it’s a scientific fact that when something falls on the floor, it doesn’t get dirty until it’s been there for at least five seconds!”
    Although the logic seems iffy to EJ, she doesn’t have time to argue. “Thank you, Isaac,” she says, picking up the recipe card to see what she needs to do next
.
    “Time to mix up the cream for the cupcake centers!” Chef EJ flashes a winning smile and a thumbs-up toward camera two just before the announcer takes
Dessert Duels
to a commercial break
.
    “Who will control this epic battle for dessert dominance? The fifteen-year cupcake veteran, Chef Tabby? Or the newbie, Chef EJ?” the deep male voice asks the unseen TV audience on the other side of the camera. “We’ll be right back after these commercial messages.”
    “EJ, you’re doing great!” Mom said, scooping vanilla cupcake batter into a cupcake pan. “I’m proud of you!”
    “Thanks, Mom.” EJ smiled, unaware that she had a streak of flour smeared across her forehead. “This is so fun. I’m sorry I’m going to have to beat you in the final judging. Who in their right mind is going to pick a vanilla cupcake over a chocolate cream-filled one?”
    “You’re right,” Mom said, licking a dab of batter off her thumb. “I stand no chance.”
    Isaac appeared between Mom and EJ. “And we’re back from commercial in three … two … one.”
    Chef EJ glances over her shoulder at the digital countdown on the wall. Four minutes and eight seconds left. Time to shift into high gear to get her cupcakes in the oven before time runs out
.
    “Eight ounces of soft cream cheese, one-quarter cup cocoa powder, and a half cup of sugar,” EJ mutters, reading off the recipe card. She quickly adds the first two ingredients to the glass mixing bowl, but when she reaches