The festival grounds buzz with activity as I rush through the entrance at 8:57 AM. Sunlight spills across the sprawling grass, where rows of colorful vendor tents stretch out ahead, green and white banners fluttering in the breeze.
Just ahead, a line of bakers (all looking far too calm and put-together for my liking) winds across the lawn toward the registration tent, each clutching their hopes, dreams, and occasionally, a very fancy rolling pin. I spot Anne Winters, the reigning pie queen from Oakhaven, Theo Garcia whose bread has won regional awards, and several others whose skills I've admired from afar.
I take my place in line behind a woman who I don't recognize, my heart finally slowing as I realize I've made it. Just.
The registration process is a surprisingly efficient whirlwind. When it’s my turn, I step up to the table where Marjorie Jenkins, our town senior librarian and perpetual festival volunteer, sits with a clipboard.
"Name?" she asks, her pen poised, not even bothering to look up.
"Um, Elena Avery. Representing Pierre's Bakery."
Her head snaps up, eyes wide. "Oh! Elena! So sorry, honey, didn't recognize you. I'm a bit overwhelmed this morning." Marjorie shuffles through a mountain of papers and hands me a glossy folder along with a badge. "We pre-made badges for all of Lakeview's bakers," she explains, handing everything over. "The schedule of events is inside the folder, and the welcome coffee is happening now, near the stage just past those tents. That's where the final competition will take place too."
I thank her, then head toward the enticing aroma of coffee and the cheerful buzz of mingling contestants. The welcome coffee is a beloved tradition, a chance to size up the competition under the guise of friendliness, all before the flour officially starts to fly.
The stage area is filled with round tables, most already claimed by chattering groups of bakers. A veritable feast is laid out on a buffet table: coffee, tea, and a dazzling array of pastries. I grab the largest mug I can find, fill it to the brim, and snag a small plate.
As I survey the space, I notice a ripple of movement at one of the larger tables. A man with artfully tousled blond hair and an air of supreme confidence is holding court, a small crowd already gathered around him. He laughs, a charming, easy sound, and gestures with a pastry in hand. He’s definitely got that ‘big fish' vibe. I don't recognize him, but he radiates a competitive energy that's hard to miss.
"They've really upped their game this year, haven't they?" a friendly voice says from beside me, pulling me out of mythoughts. I turn to see a fellow contestant I don't recognize, a cheerful-looking woman with flour dusting her vibrant apron. "These are all from Beaumont Patisserie, can you believe it?"
I peer more closely at a delicate croissant on the buffet table. Sure enough, nestled discreetly on its perfectly laminated surface is the tiny, elegant gold 'B' emblem of Beaumont Patisserie. It's a brand so exclusive and expensive, I've mostly just drooled over their creations in glossy food magazines. Though I did try one of their éclairs once, and it was a religious experience.
"Wow," I reply, grabbing and taking a bite of a miniature pain au chocolat that melts on my tongue in a symphony of butter and dark chocolate. "How on earth did our festival swingthat?"
The woman leans in conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a stage whisper. "Word on the baking grapevine is they snagged Beaumont as a major sponsor this year. Big time stuff for Lakeview!"
"Asponsor?" I'm floored. A behemoth like Beaumont usually only graces massive city events with its presence.
"Not just sponsoring," she continues, eyes sparkling. "The big cheese himself, Beaumont Patisserie's CEO, is apparently one of the judges this year."
"No way! Does it mean he's already here?"
Before my new festival buddy can answer, a sharptap-tap-tapon a microphone slices through the chatter. Mrs. Collins, the chief festival volunteer and a woman whose floral dresses are as legendary as her organizational skills, stands on the stage.
"Good morning, everyone, and a very warm welcome to the 43rd Annual Lakeview Baking Festival! Before we officially kick off the first of five days of delicious competition and activities, I'd like to introduce our esteemed panel of judges and our dedicated fire safety officer."
She gestures behind her, where a deep red curtain rustles to life.
"First," she continues with a grin, "returning for his fifth illustrious year as a judge… the one, the only, Pastry Chef William Parker!"
A stout, rather stern-looking beta with a meticulously trimmed goatee steps forward, giving a curt, professional nod. He looks like he critiques soufflés for fun and probably alphabetizes his spice rack.
"Next, a woman whose culinary creations light up our state's dining scene, owner of 'The Wild Thyme' franchise and a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute, Pastry Chef Lisa Chen!"
A vibrant omega with a warm, infectious smile and eyes that sparkle with genuine enthusiasm waves to the crowd. She looks like she gives amazing hugs and probably bakes with sunshine.
"And our third judge, making his Lakeview debut this year, a true titan of the pastry world, CEO of the renowned Beaumont Patisserie and our incredibly generous new sponsor, please welcome… Dorian Beaumont!"
My coffee mug nearly slips from my fingers as the crowd erupts in impressed murmurs. There, standing on the platform, looking like he stepped straight off the cover of 'Successful Alphas Monthly' in a perfectly tailored suit that probably cost more than my yearly rent, is Dorian.TheDorian from last night. The same man who was half-dressed in my apartment an hour ago, the one I practicallyshovedout the door in my rush to get here.
My brain short-circuits, and I'm one shallow gasp away from breathing into the nearest paper bag.
"And finally," Mrs. Collins continues, blissfully unaware of my internal meltdown, "ensuring all your creations are spectacularandsafe, our dedicated fire safety officer for this year's festival.He’s a familiar face and hometown hero, please give a warm welcome to Lieutenant Cole Mercer of the City Fire Department, who has generously taken time from his leave to be with us!"
A man steps forward, and a collective sigh seems to ripple through the female segment of the crowd. Lieutenant Cole Mercer is… well, he’s the dictionary definition of tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome.
He's at least six foot one, with sun-kissed skin and dark hair that contrasts with his penetrating hazel eyes. His strong jawline tenses slightly as he scans the area with a gaze that seems to cut straight to your soul. Even from across the stage, there's a calm, grounding presence about him. His broad shoulders fill out his crisp uniformveryeffectively, and a faint, intriguing scar kisses his temple, only adding to his rugged, heroic appeal. He looks like he rescues kittens from trees in his spare time and could definitely carry you out of a burning building. My insides do a nervous pirouette just thinking about it.