Cinderella hurried to the front door. But when she opened it, she got a big surprise. The baker wasn’t standing on the doorstep. It was Madame Gilmore with the new rosebush. In all the excitement about baking the cakes, Cinderella had completely forgotten that Madame Gilmore had promised to deliver the rosebush that afternoon. But luckily the florist hadn’t forgotten!

“Hello, Madame Gilmore!” Cinderella exclaimed. “Lovely to see you again. And thank you very much for coming over so quickly!”

“I’m sorry I’m late, my dear,” the florist replied. “There was quite a commotion in town this morning. Tonight’s dessert for the fair was destroyed, but the baker has promised that there will be a delicious dessert just as good as the one he made earlier. Everyone can’t wait to see what it will be!”

Cinderella smiled to herself. “Well, I suppose we’ll just have to see what happens at the fair tonight,” she said. “Thank you again for bringing the rosebush. Let’s go out to the garden so we can plant it.”

“No, no, my dear, I know you’re very busy,” Madame Gilmore said. “Just point me in the right direction and I’ll take care of everything.”

“Of course! It’s just around the corner,” Cinderella replied gratefully. She pointed at the cobblestoned path that led to the garden.

As Cinderella walked back into the house, she heard another knock—this time coming from the back door. She hurried to answer it.

“Now surely that’s the baker,” she said as she ran back to the kitchen. “I hope Stepmother didn’t hear the second knock. I don’t want her to come downstairs until all of the cakes are gone—and the new rosebush is planted!”

Sure enough, the baker was standing at the kitchen door. He looked very nervous.

“Hello,” he said. “Is the dessert ready?”

“Yes, it is,” Cinderella replied with a smile. “Come in. I hope you’re pleased with what we’ve done. I think that it really turned out wonderful!

The baker stepped into the large kitchen. His eyes grew wide as he took in the sight: dozens of beautifully decorated cakes that almost looked too good to eat!

“How—how did you do it?” he said with a gasp. “It’s not possible . . .”

“Oh, I had a little help from some very good friends,” Cinderella said. She glanced over at Gus and winked.

“May I try one?” the baker asked, pointing to one of the cakes. “They look delicious.” He licked his lips in anticipation.

“Certainly,” Cinderella replied.

The baker took a bite of the tiny cake. “Mmm,” he said with a grin. “Scrumptious! You must share your recipe!”

“I’d be happy to,” replied Cinderella. “But right now, we need to pack up these cakes and get them to the fair!”

Cinderella and the baker carefully loaded the cakes onto silver trays. Then they carried all the trays to his wagon.

“Thank you so much,” the baker said. “Will I see you at the fair tonight? I want everyone to meet the young lady who created such wonderful desserts. You have truly saved the day!”

“Well . . . maybe,” Cinderella said slowly.

She really wanted to go back to the fair, but she hadn’t finished her chores yet, and there was still so much work to be done.

“You must come to the fair,” the baker insisted. “And bring your friends, the ones who helped you make the cakes. Thank you again!” He climbed onto the seat of the wagon and set off for the village.

“Cinderella!” Madame Gilmore called from the garden. “I’m finished planting the rosebush. It looks absolutely beautiful!”

Cinderella walked over to her. The rosebush did look perfect. “Oh, Madame Gilmore, thank you!” Cinderella cried.

“You’re very welcome, my dear,” Madame Gilmore replied.

Cinderella waved as Madame Gilmore also set off toward the village. What a busy day it had been!

Now, the sun was just starting to set. Cinderella walked back into the kitchen. All the mice were sitting on the counter, eagerly waiting for her.

“We did it,” Cinderella said happily. “Thank you for all your hard work. And Gus—thank you very much for your good ideas this afternoon. You’re going to fit in perfectly around here.”

Gus grinned up at Cinderella. “I wish we could go to the fair tonight, Cinderelly,” he said. He looked at the other mice, who nodded sadly.

“I know, Gus,” Cinderella replied. “I’d love to go to the fair, too. But I think there’s just too much work to do around here. Stepmother will never let me spend the evening at the fair when I haven’t finished my chores. And speaking of Stepmother, I should show her the new rosebush.”

Cinderella walked out of the kitchen and headed toward her stepmother’s room. Oh, I just know that she’ll love the flowers! she thought.