Free Royal Icing by Sheryl Berk

up on a stool at the kitchen counter. “I’m actually twenty-three,” he said. “I know I look younger than my age.”
    â€œYou look twelve!” Jenna exclaimed.
    â€œHerbie just graduated from Ontario College,” Juliette told them, “With a master’s degree in electromechanical engineering.”
    Now it was Kylie’s turn to be confused. “How do you know so much about our client?” she asked her advisor.
    Juliette ruffled Herbie’s hair. “Because he’s my baby brother!”
    Kylie’s mouth fell wide open. “Your brother? Why didn’t you say so? Why the big secret?”
    â€œI’ll let Herbie tell you himself,” Juliette said, elbowing him in the ribs. “Go on! Tell them!”
    â€œI’m gonna be your new cupcake club advisor,” Herbie announced proudly.
    â€œYou’re what?” Kylie gasped. “I thought you said he has a degree in electro-whatchamacallit engineering? What do you know about baking cupcakes?”
    â€œNot much,” Herbie admitted. “But I’m a fast learner. And FYI, it’s electromechanical engineering. I build robots.”
    â€œHe’s going to be Blakely’s new robotics teacher,” Juliette added. “He’s a whiz, really. He’ll be able to help you build some amazing cupcake displays.”
    â€œAwesome!” Delaney said. “Can you build us a robot that cracks eggs? That’s my least favorite part.”
    â€œHey! That’s my job!” Sadie protested. “And it’s my favorite part.”
    Herbie laughed. “Whatever you want. I’m gonna hang out with you guys for the rest of the semester and get the hang of things. That way, when Juliette moves to London next fall or visits Rodney for a long weekend, we’ll be all good.”
    â€œAll good?” Kylie gulped. “How is a guy advising PLC all good?”
    Juliette smiled. “I thought you might say that, Kylie. But I did promise you that I would make sure you approved of my replacement.”
    Herbie unzipped his jacket to show Kylie his T-shirt. It read, “Dr. Frankenstein.”
    â€œIt’s what my friends called me in university,” he explained. “I was able to build robots out of bits of this, scraps of that. And I’m a bit of a monster-movie maniac.”
    Kylie’s eyes lit up. “Define ‘maniac.’ I’ve seen The Curse of Frankenstein twelve times.”
    â€œYeah, well I’ve seen Ghost of Frankenstein twenty-two times,” Herbie replied. “I can recite it from memory: ‘The lightning! It is good for you!’”
    Juliette put one arm around Kylie and the other around her brother. “I do believe you two will get along fabulously,” she said. “You always reminded me of my little brother, Kylie.”
    â€œWell, at least we can get along when it comes to movies,” Kylie said. “I guess we can give you a try with cupcakes too. Speaking of which…”
    She handed Herbie a box. “As requested: Cookies and Cream with R2-D2 toppers. Dig in.”
    Herbie opened the box and grinned. “Wow, you guys are really amazing. That thingamabob on top looks exactly like R2!”
    Lexi sniffed. “FYI, it’s called fondant. Not a thingamabob.”
    â€œYeah, you’ve got a lot to learn, dude,” Jenna said. “But I like your taste in cupcakes. Oreos are my fave.”
    Juliette raised a cupcake in the air. “Here’s to Peace, Love, and Cupcakes forever!” she said.
    And Kylie couldn’t argue with that!



Lavender Honey Cupcake
    Makes 12 cupcakes
    1¾ cups all-purpose flour
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1½ teaspoons dried lavender
    Â½ teaspoon salt
    Â½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
    1 cup sugar
    Â¼ cup honey
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 eggs
    2 ⁄ 3 cup milk
    Directions
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pans with