The bell to the cupcake shop’s door jingled. A tall man entered the store. He wore a suit and his dark hair and mustache were very neatly trimmed.
Mama Tova looked up. “Oh, Mr. Kandinsky. You’re back.”
“Good day, Mama Tova,” Mr. Kandinsky said. “I hope you have had time to think about my offer.” Mr. Kandinsky ran one hand over his tie, smoothing the silk flat against his chest.
Jessie wondered what the man wanted. “No thank you, Mr. Kandinsky,” Mama Tova said. “I cannot possibly sell you my cupcake recipe.”
Benny’s eyes grew wide. “Why do you want her recipe?” he asked Mr. Kandinsky. “It’s a very big secret. She won’t even tell me what the mystery ingredient is!”
“I am the owner of BakeMart,” Mr. Kandinsky said. “We are Greenfield’s biggest bread factory.”
“I went there on a school field trip!” Henry exclaimed. “You make all kinds of bread for the grocery stores and restaurants around town.” He added, “It’s a huge factory. All silver and shiny and clean. Impressive.”
“Why, thank you,” Mr. Kandinsky said. “Our business is doing so well that it’s time for BakeMart to grow. We want to make something new.” He looked around the shop. “We think Mama Tova’s cupcakes would be a perfect BakeMart product.”
At that, Mama Tova shook her head. “No, no,” she said. “I like making my cupcakes unique and special. I don’t want my cupcakes in every grocery store and restaurant.”
“You are thinking small,” Mr. Kandinsky said. “From the moment I tasted one of your treats, I knew that you and your cupcakes could be big! Kids everywhere would be eating them fresh out of the package. We could even put your face on the wrapper.”
He took a thick stack of papers out of his jacket pocket and set them on a nearby table. “Here is a contract. You’ll see I am willing to give you a lot of money for the recipe with your secret ingredient.”
“No,” Mama Tova said firmly. She picked up the contract and handed it back to Mr. Kandinsky. “I will not give you my recipe. It’s a family secret. And I won’t sell it for all the money in the world. If you want a cupcake, come by tomorrow and get in line with everyone else.”
And with that, Mama Tova pointed to the shop door. “Good day to you, Mr. Kandinsky,” she said clearly.
Mr. Kandinsky tucked the contract back into his pocket. “You’ll be sorry, Mama Tova,” he said. “BakeMart will get a recipe better than yours. People will buy our cupcakes at every shop in town and your little store here will have to close! You’ll have no more business.”
“That’s not true!” Benny said, taking a big step forward. “Mama Tova will always have the best cupcakes. Forever!”
Mr. Kandinsky turned around and looked straight at Benny. “That sounds like a challenge,” he said. He pressed his lips together for a moment, looking thoughtful. “Thanks to this boy, I have a brilliant idea.”
Benny stepped back. He didn’t mean to give the man any ideas.
“I propose we have a contest!” Mr. Kandinsky announced. Then he called out to the crowded room. “Attention everyone! BakeMart will be having a cupcake bake-off. Bring your best cupcakes and the recipe. The prize is a thousand dollars and BakeMart will make the winning cupcakes.” He smiled so widely that the edges of his mustache rose up a little. “The contest will be held at the BakeMart factory next Saturday at noon. See you all there!”
Mr. Kandinsky left the shop, slamming the door behind him.
“Oh no,” Benny groaned. “A cupcake contest.” He covered his head with his arms. “It’s all my fault.”
“No it’s not, Benny,” Henry told his brother. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“But what if he gets a really good cupcake? And then Mama Tova will have to close her store because everyone is eating BakeMart cupcakes!” Benny peeked up at Henry through his arms.
Jessie leaned in and put an arm around Benny. Violet shook her head.
“Don’t worry, Benny,” Jessie said. “Can you imagine anyone on earth with a better cupcake than Mama Tova? You’ve eaten a whole lot of cupcakes, right? Are there any more delicious?”
Benny popped his head up. “You’re right! Her cupcakes are the best ever!”
Mama Tova didn’t look worried at all when the children said goodbye. In fact she said, “I wish Mr. Kandinsky luck. The Tova family recipe has won every cupcake contest for years. The Tovas have baked for kings and queens and princes.” Mama Tova straightened her apron.
“You know, I do feel like a king when I eat one of your cupcakes,” Benny told Mama Tova. “Know what else?”
“What?” she asked.
“I’m glad you are going to keep the secret ingredient a secret.” Benny smiled big at Mama Tova and she smiled right back at him.
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