The Sweet Spot

19

The days leading up to the next food fair were a whirlwind of preparation. Business at Sweet Dreams Bakery had been busier than ever since winning the last fair, and now, with the prospect of defending that title, the pressure was mounting. But it wasn't just the bakery on my mind this time-it was everything. Sam's return, my complicated feelings for Oliver, and the future of both my family and my business.

I had convinced myself that everything was under control. That if I could just focus on the bakery and the competition, everything else would sort itself out. But as the day of the food fair approached, the anxiety that had been lurking beneath the surface began to rise, and I wasn't sure how to handle it.

I had been up since dawn, baking tray after tray of pastries, cakes, and tarts. The kitchen was a mess, flour dusting every surface, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon filling the air, but I couldn't stop. My hands moved on autopilot, measuring, stirring, rolling dough, while my mind spun with worry.

What if I couldn't do it this time? What if the magic that had earned me the prize at the last fair wasn't there anymore? What if everyone was expecting too much from me, and I failed to live up to it?

These thoughts circled my mind like vultures, picking at my confidence, and by mid-morning, I found myself standing in the center of the kitchen, staring at the chaos around me, feeling like I was about to break.

"Mommy?"

Elliot's soft voice broke through my thoughts, and I blinked, looking down at him. He stood in the doorway, holding Rexy, his favorite stuffed dinosaur, in one hand and looking at me with wide, concerned eyes.

"Mommy, are you okay?"

I forced a smile, though it felt shaky. "I'm fine, sweetie. Just... busy."

Elliot didn't seem convinced. He stepped closer, tilting his head as he studied my face. "You don't look fine."

I let out a sigh, setting down the whisk I'd been holding. He was right. I didn't feel fine. I felt like everything was spiraling out of control, and I didn't know how to stop it.

Kneeling down to his level, I rested my hands on his small shoulders, forcing myself to focus on him instead of the mess inside my head. "I'm just a little nervous about the food fair," I admitted. "It's a big day for the bakery, and I want to make sure everything is perfect."

Elliot's brow furrowed, and he hugged Rexy tighter. "But you're the best baker in the world, Mommy. You're gonna win again, I know it!"

His innocent confidence made my heart ache. I wished I could see things through his eyes, where everything was simple and full of possibilities. But the weight of the competition, the pressure of living up to everyone's expectations, was suffocating.

"I don't know, buddy," I said softly, brushing a hand through his unruly curls. "It's a lot of pressure."

Elliot frowned, then his face lit up with an idea. "Do you remember why you started baking, Mommy?"

The question caught me off guard. I stared at him, my mind flashing back to the early days of Sweet Dreams, when things were simpler. When it had just been me, a few dozen cupcakes, and a dream of building something for myself and Elliot. A way to support us, to create something that was ours.

"Why did I start baking?" I repeated, more to myself than to Elliot.

He nodded eagerly. "Yeah! You told me it was because you love making people happy with your treats! Like when you made cupcakes for my birthday, and everyone smiled because they were so yummy."

I blinked, surprised at how clearly Elliot had remembered that. He was right, of course. I had started Sweet Dreams not to win competitions or impress judges, but because I loved baking. I loved the way it brought people joy, the way a perfectly made cookie or cake could brighten someone's day.