The Cupcake Diaries Collection: Katie and the Cupcake Cure; Mia in the Mix; Emma on Thin Icing; Alexis and the Perfect Recipe (29 page)

When I turned up my block, I could see that Jake’s backpack was no longer in the driveway. And there was certainly no way he’d picked it up himself. One of the girls must have done it. Phew. They were home. I slowed down and sauntered up the driveway, relieved.

But Dad flung open the back door angrily. “Emma! Where is your little brother?”

Oh no! “Isn’t he . . . here?” I asked, cringing. Obviously not, since Dad was so mad.

Matt appeared in the doorway behind him, grinning through a mouthful of burnt cupcake.

“I’m going out in the car to look for them,” Dad said harshly.

“I’ll come,” I said readily.

“No, you stay here and call my cell in case they come back while I’m gone.” He dashed out and backed the car out of the garage.

“You know these things aren’t half bad if you load on the frosting,” said Matt as he helped himself to another cupcake.

“Shut up,” I said, and went to wait on the back stoop.

Twenty minutes later, which seemed like about four hours later, Jake and the girls returned. I ran in and dialed Dad’s cell as soon as I saw them coming. “Good” was all he said, and then hung up. Oh, boy. I ran back outside.

Jake was covered in ice cream, and he held two large candy bars, one in each hand. He was laughing and joking, and the girls were laughing at him. No one seemed hurt or mad or frustrated. Except me.

“What happened?” I demanded, coming down the sidewalk to meet them.

Mia rolled her eyes. “This one sure doesn’t like babysitters, do you, pal?” She ruffled Jake’s hair.

“I like you!” said Jake winningly. The girls all laughed.

“
Now
you tell us,” said Alexis.

“Where were you?” I asked, trying not to yell.

The girls explained how Jake had been upset that I wasn’t there to meet him. So he’d had a temper tantrum and taken off down the street. They’d chased him and caught him, at which point he became hysterical and demanded candy.

“He said you buy him two pieces from Camden’s
every day!” said Katie incredulously. “Is that true?”

“No, it’s not,” I said icily. I was glaring at Jake, and he ducked his head guiltily.

“Anyway, we figured we’d better bribe the kid, so we took him around . . .”

“And bought him some stuff,” finished Mia.

“Clearly,” I said.

“The cupcakes burned while he was having the temper tantrum.”

“Luckily, Katie remembered and ran back to turn them off, before they burned down the house.”

“That is lucky,” I said, thinking that would have really made Dad mad. I looked at my watch. It was 5:40. There was no way we were going to make it for pizza, but we could still make the movie. I was really mad. And really tired. Then I looked up at my friends. They had tried to help me out. It wasn’t their fault that Jake was such a pain. I just messed up with the timing. I’d just have to plan better next time, that’s all.

“Guys, I’m so sorry. Thank you for dealing. I really appreciate it.” I smiled at them. They were such good friends. And I was grateful. “But you!” I said, turning to Jake. “You are in trouble with me, mister! No candy for you next week, not on my watch!”

Jake hung his head. “Okay, sarge,” he said.

“Let’s go. Matt’s waiting for you, and we have to leave. Sorry about the cupcakes, you guys. They were looking good.”

“It’s okay,” said Mia. “How was the dog walking?” she asked.

“Good,” I said.

“How much do they pay you?” asked Alexis.

“Five bucks a walk,” I said proudly.

“Wow,” said Katie. “Pretty good, considering if you had your way, you’d have your own dog and be walking it for free.”

I smiled. “Yeah, a dog is definitely not in the budget for our family right now.” I felt badly about saying it as soon as it came out of my mouth.

Mia was quiet. We went back to the house and hustled to clean up the kitchen. Then Dad came in.

“Hey, buddy!” he said to Jake as Jake ran to greet him.

“Emma’s going to the movies with the babysitters!” said Jake.

“Not yet, she’s not,” said Dad. “Emma, may I see you in here for a minute, please?”

I felt my face get hot and put down the cupcake tin I was drying. I followed Dad into the living room. I felt my friends’ eyes on me.

“Emma,” he said quietly. “I know you’ve got a lot on your plate right now. We all do. But you have taken on way too much. When your brother is in danger because of your decisions, it’s time for you to take a look at your priorities. And it sounds like this was the second time this week there was an incident that involved dog walking.”

I put my head down, thinking of Jake and Jenner and the scooter ride the other day. “Jake wasn’t in danger, though,” I protested weakly. I knew Dad was right.

“Your primary responsibilities are to your family and to taking care of yourself. I think it’s wonderful that you are so entrepreneurial with the Cupcake Club and the dog walking. I know it’s terrific to earn your own money, and . . . well, I know you need it right now for some of the little extras we’ve cut back on. And I understand that you are trying to incorporate Jake, too, which Mom and I appreciate. But I just think you are getting stretched a little too thin right now. Do you understand?”

I nodded. Visions of expensive bridesmaid dresses swam in my head. Without the cupcakes and the dog walking, there was no way I could afford that dress.

Dad tipped my chin up to look him in the eye.
“You are a very capable young lady. You’re just like your mom—organized, energetic, and kind—and we’re proud of you. I know Jake can be a handful, but we’re all trying to get by the best we can. I just don’t want to see you make the wrong decisions or mix up your priorities.”

I nodded. I didn’t think I was making wrong decisions. I was getting things done. I was walking Jenner and doing my homework and practicing flute and contributing to the Cupcake Club and helping out as much as I could at home. I even made dinner a lot. Jake was the only thing that was a problem. I knew that was mean, but it was true.

Dad sighed. “You’re a good kid, sweetheart. And I hate to say this, but if there’s another incident with Jake . . . we’re going to have to make some hard decisions about what you can and can’t spend your time on, okay? And that includes the club and dog walking.”

“It’s okay, Dad. I understand,” I said, but I really didn’t.
I would just do better,
I thought. I didn’t want anyone to worry about me. And I could take care of myself pretty well.

Dad hugged me and patted me on the head. “Now it’s time to go.”

“I can still go to the movies?” I said, kind of surprised.

Dad laughed. “Yes, you should go have fun with your friends.”

“Thanks, Dad!” I said, and flung my arms around him. Then I ran into the kitchen.

Katie, Alexis, and Mia were waiting, having finished cleaning up the whole kitchen.

Matt smirked at me from the TV room, where he and Jake were watching
SportsCenter
. I could tell he was happy I was in trouble. And that he thought I was grounded. “Have fun, kids!” Matt said.

“We will!” I called back with a big smile on my face.

Matt looked like he couldn’t believe it. I felt good. Things were getting better already.

“The pizza’s on me,” said Dad, glaring at Matt. “You still have time, and I’ll drop you off.”

We all climbed into the minivan and off we went. I just hoped the Will Smith movie had nothing to do with cupcakes or dogs. Or brothers.

M
om was making her specialty—banana chocolate-chip pancakes—for breakfast on Saturday morning. I could smell the bananas and warm, melting chocolate all the way up in my room, even with the door closed. I lay in bed thinking about them until I could taste them. Then I couldn’t wait anymore and scrambled downstairs to the kitchen.

“Hi, Mama!” I called, using my babyish, private name for Mom. In public, of course, she was Mom. And in public I was Emma.

“Good morning, lovebug!” Mom said back, using her babyish, private name for me. Mom was already dressed in khakis and a cute lavender sweater. Her blond hair was tied back in a short,
bouncy ponytail with a pink ribbon, and she had Keds on her feet. Mom got dressed within five seconds of getting up. I only saw her in her pajamas when she was sick. People always joked that she looked like she could be my sister, but when you got close, you could see from her smile lines that she was definitely mom age.

Mom came around the island to give me a big squeeze and a kiss on top of my bed head. I hopped up on a stool, tucking my legs up under my nightie.

“Yum. Thanks, Mama, for making these.”

“I’ve been craving them myself,” Mom said. “But I’m really making them as a thank-you to all you kids. I know what a bumpy week this has been, and I really appreciate all your help. I’m very proud of you all.”

I wasn’t sure Mom should be too proud of Matt the Brat or Jake the Snake, or even me (Emma the . . . ?), but I didn’t say anything. Late last night, when everyone had come home and was relaxing in the TV room (everyone except Jake, who had been fed and bathed and put to bed at a reasonable hour by Mom), everyone agreed that Mondays and Wednesdays were Matt’s days to meet Jake, and Tuesdays and Thursdays were mine. Sam
would meet him on Fridays. Everyone was happy with the solution for now, and there was a temporary peace in our house.

“So how’s your new job?” I asked, propping my chin in my hand. “Give me all the deets.”

Mom started filling me in on all the details of the characters she worked with, and the sections of the store that she managed (cooking and fiction), and where she went on her breaks. She told me that she saw a few cookbooks that had some cupcake recipes I might like. It felt good to just be relaxing in the kitchen. I wasn’t worried about babysitting Jake or walking Jenner or how much things cost. I was just happy to be with my mom, eating pancakes. It was like it used to be.

“So today’s the day I’m going to the mall with Mia and her mom and all the CC girls to look for the dress,” I said. I wasn’t sure where I was headed with this. I had filled Mom in on the exciting junior bridesmaid news already.

“Ooh! What fun!” said Mom. She was quiet for a moment, then she bit her lip. She had that worried look on her face that she seemed to get a lot these days.

“What?” I asked, but I already pretty much knew.

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking,” said Mom.

“Are you wondering how much the dress will cost?” I asked quietly. “Because I have . . .” I gulped. “I have money saved up that I can use.”

“Oh no, sweetheart. It isn’t that at all! Really. And I don’t want you to use your savings on something like that. Not when you’ve worked so hard. That’s for the mixer! Look, we’ll just cross that bridge when we come to it, okay? You just find a pretty dress today, and then Dad and I will figure it out.”

But what if I found a dress that was too expensive? I was worried. I guess I’m a lot like Mom because the same worried look must have showed on my face. Mom wiped her hands on the worn apron she was wearing and then leaned over, putting her arms around me.

“I love you, muffin, and I don’t want to see you taking the weight of the world on your shoulders. Dad and I can make things work. Okay? It’s not all up to you. Though I appreciate your sensitivity and your work ethic, the most important thing is that you have fun at the store today and on the wedding day. The rest will fall into place, all right?”

I smiled to make her feel better, but I felt awful. I hated seeing Mom so worried. And all for a silly dress. I would just pay for the dress myself. I’d take
my cupcake and dog-walking money and use my mixer-fund money to pay for the rest. The mixer could wait. It wasn’t that bad to use the handheld one. I felt a lot better.

Mom turned back to the stove and loaded up another plate of gooey, sweet pancakes. “Hot off the press!” she said. “Enjoy!” and she handed it to me.

“Yum!”

“Now let’s talk about your trip to the bridal store today! What fun!” Mom said. “What color dress do you think you’ll buy?” Mom was excited and suddenly I was too. And we talked about colors and long or short dresses and sashes and bows, and I finished a third plate of pancakes before Matt came downstairs and yelled, “Hey, save some for me!” and Mom got up to get him some too.