“I have. Okay, that’s going to be challenging, but I can do that. I’ll try to think of the toughest one I’ve seen them do, and flip it on its head.”

“Great.” Kelly grabbed two small buckets from the shelf—one red and one pink. “You can put the challenges in the pink bucket. And the random items in the red one. Then I’ll just blindly pick one from each bucket and go for it.”

“We only have two days.” Sara grabbed a small mixing bowl and set it next to the buckets. “I’ll put time frames in here. We’ll do an hour, ninety minutes, or unlimited.”

“Yes! That’s a great idea.” Kelly hugged Sara. “Thanks for putting up with me through all of this. I know I’m being a pain.”

“Are you kidding? If I were in your shoes, I’d be one hot mess. You’re just trying to be prepared, and I’m happy to help any way I can.” Sara grabbed a notebook and pen. “I’m going to go back out front, but I already have an idea for the first challenge. Are you ready for it?”

“I hope so.” Kelly slid the half-eaten cake to the side. “Whatever we bake that tastes good, we’ll put in the case as a special.”

“I think the customers will enjoy seeing your innovations. And they can always go next door to the cafe to get the good old standby flavors you always bake.”

“Exactly. Okay. Good.” She widened her stance and gestured to Sara. “I’m ready. Bring it on.”

Sara held up a finger. “Baked dessert. Whatever you like.”

“Easy.”

“But…” She held up two fingers. “Your dessert must include both of these ingredients. Old Bay seasoning and figs.” Holding up three fingers. “You have forty-five minutes. Go!” She dropped her arm down to her side as if starting a race.

“Do we even have any Old Bay?”

Sara laughed. “Only because I picked some up at the store today for home. It’s with my stuff. I’ll bring that for you while you raid the pantry.”

“Oh, man. Game on!” Kelly started the timer on the oven, and then raced to the stock room to gather ingredients. Hopefully the pantry on set would be close to the kitchen. Then again, she knew where everything was in her pantry. That would be a whole other challenge there. She’d eat up a good seven minutes just getting what she needed back to her kitchen here.

Kelly ran back into the kitchen with items on the rolling cart. She’d even grabbed a couple of extra things, still trying to come up with the dessert she’d make.

Racing against the clock, she shot a glance at the oven timer. She set the oven temperature to 350F. A safe temperature for just about anything.