EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sixth chapter of a 12-part continuing, fictional holiday tale that is running daily through Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read it aloud to their children.

Faith stood back and surveyed the dozens of pieces of cut-out and decorated gingerbread with a worried frown.

“Three days. We only have three days until this contest and we don’t even have walls.”

Angelica smiled as she piled and organized the different sizes of gingerbread.

“We don’t have many orders for the rest of the week. There’s no reason we shouldn’t get it done.”

Faith nodded. “Positive thinking. Right.”

Angelica looked at the gingerbread thoughtfully. “I was thinking, I know we’re making the bakery, but how about we make it magical. Let’s have big shop windows so you can see inside and have a display case with mini cookies. And elves inside baking! And…”

“Santa and his reindeer on the roof with Santa smelling the cookies through the chimney!” Faith said excitedly.

“Yes!” Angelica laughed. “This is going to be great.”

Soon, the edible bakery was a recognizable structure, although they still had hours of details and decorating to do. Angelica was amazed at how well they’d managed to recreate their beloved bakery. The door, the big picture windows on the sides and front, and even the winding walkway adorned with mini fencing were all perfect.

“We’ll make it after all,” Faith said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Tomorrow we’ll work on more detailing, then it’ll chill all day Friday.”

She yawned. “I think we should take the night off instead of doing cookies. We can do them Friday. How about after Mrs. Connolly picks up her pies, we head home and I make us spaghetti and salad and s’mores for dessert?”

Angelica’s mouth watered. “That sounds like a perfect night.”

Just as they finished cleaning up, Mrs. Connolly came through the door and a cold gust of frozen air swirled around Angelica.

“Come on in Mrs. Connolly. Your pies are just coming out of the oven,” Faith said.

“They smell wonderful, Faith. I’ve been craving these caramel apple pies of yours since last Christmas!”

Faith stopped in her tracks and looked up, wide-eyed.

“Oh no. Mrs. Connolly, I had thought you ordered four pumpkin pies. I made the wrong ones, I’m so sorry! There will be no charge, and I’ll make the correct ones for you tonight. Angelica can deliver them in the morning.”

Mrs. Connolly looked confused. “Are you sure? They smell an awful lot like caramel apple.”

But Angelica was sure as well — they’d made pumpkin. She glanced at the pumpkin-battered bowls in the sink as her mom removed the pies from the oven.

“Wait, how in the world…” Angelica looked up to see her mother’s shocked face as she placed four perfect caramel apple pies on the counter. They met each other’s eyes, each positive they’d baked pumpkin pies.

Angelica glanced at the pink mixing spoon that was sitting in the sink waiting to be washed, then back to her mom. Once again, they were witnessing the spoon’s Christmas magic.

Read Part 7 of “Mixing Up Some Holiday Magic” in tomorrow’s Tribune Chronicle.