She decided to go with something that would tickle the memories of whoever ate it. A savory twist on sweet potato pie. She went to work, encouraged by the preliminary tastes. She’d just plated the desserts and was dabbing whipped frosting stars to the top of each one when Sara got back.

Sara waved a flour sack towel in the air. “Time!” And just as she said it, the oven timer began to ping.

Kelly stepped back from the table and raised her hands in the air. “Got it!” Four dessert plates were filled with identical pastries. Picture perfect.

“Okay, let’s see how you did.” Sara lifted one of the plates and smelled it. “That Old Bay has a distinctive smell, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. I hope I got the ratios right. It’s either going to be amazing or awful.”

“Explain what you’ve brought to us today,” Sara said, doing her best Martin Schlipshel impression.

“I’ve made for you a savory twist on a fall favorite, sweet potato pie. I think the spicy Old Bay and sweetness of the sweet potato make for a light and wonderful accompaniment for summer seafood boils.”

“Nice.” She lifted a bite to her mouth, taking her time with a reaction.

“Come on already!”

“Well…” She looked to the ceiling, then took another bite before smiling broadly. “This is really good.”

“You had me going there for a minute. The batter tasted good. Let me try it.” She reached for a bite of the one Sara had set back down on the plate.

Sara smacked her away. “Get your own!”

“That’s an excellent sign,” Kelly said. “You never mind sharing with me.” She grabbed one of the other plates and held it up, taking the time to smell it and touch it, looking for any flaw. Then she sliced it in half. The pie looked moist and held its shape. Finally, she took a bite. “This is surprisingly good. Why haven’t I ever tried that before?”

“I don’t know, but it’s another keeper.”

“I’ll write it down before I forget.” Kelly grabbed for a pen and paper.

“Can you imagine how good these would be with a low country boil out on the deck in the summer? You should send a box of these to Ned and Hailey for their Bed & Breakfast housewarming in Sand Dollar Cove next weekend since you won’t be here.”

“You’ll have to take them for me. Did you see the pictures of the kitchen? I’d pay to cook there.”

“I’m sure they’d let you cook for free,” Sara teased.

“Wouldn’t it be fun to do beach theme mini cakes? Oh gosh, and we could do kind of a sweet-salty, like the margarita cupcakes or salted caramel ones. And shells, starfish, even maybe some colorful flip-flops out of fondant on the top. It would be so cute.”