Page 32 of Sweet Dreams

As she put the finishing touches on a fondant Santa, Beth became aware of a commotion at the far end of the hall.

"I'm telling you, it's not fair!" a shrill voice carried over the general hubbub. "She's got a whole team helping her!"

Beth looked up to see Gina, her former employee (and the reason for her breakup with Keith), gesturing wildly at Mayor Winters.

"Now, now," the Mayor said soothingly, "everyone's playing by the same rules here. Ms. Mason's assistants are registered contestants, just like your... er, helper."

Beth followed the Mayor's gaze to see Keith lurking behind Gina, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Oh boy," Reese muttered. "Drama at three o'clock."

"Ignore them," Beth said firmly, though her hands shook slightly as she piped a delicate border on her gingerbread castle. "We've got more important things to focus on."

But Gina wasn't done. She stormed over to Beth's station, her face flushed with anger. "You think you're so special, don't you? With your fancy bakery and your foreign boyfriend. Well, I've got news for you, Beth Mason. You're going down."

Beth straightened up, meeting Gina's glare head-on. "Gina, I'm sorry you feel that way. But this is a baking competition, not a personal vendetta. Why don't we let our desserts do the talking?"

"Oh, they'll talk alright," Gina sneered. "And when I win, everyone will see what a fraud you really are."

"Is there a problem here, ladies?" Yuri's voice, cool and collected, cut through the tension.

Gina's eyes widened as she took in Yuri's imposing figure. "N-no," she stammered. "No problem at all." She scurried back to her station, dragging a bewildered-looking Keith with her.

"You, okay?" Yuri asked softly, his hand a comforting presence on Beth's back.

Beth nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm fine. Just... bringing back some not-so-great memories."

"Hey," Yuri said, gently turning her to face him. "You are talented, kind, and stronger than you know. Don't let anyone make you doubt that. Least of all them."

Beth felt a rush of affection for this man who had come to know her so well in such a short time. "Thank you," shemurmured, resisting the urge to kiss him senselessly in front of the whole town.

"Anytime, moye solnyshko," Yuri winked. "Now, go show them what a real baker can do."

Reinvigorated, Beth threw herself back into her work. The final hour ticked by in a frenzy of last-minute adjustments and near disasters narrowly averted.

"Five minutes, bakers!" Mayor Winters called out.

Beth surveyed her creation with a critical eye. The gingerbread castle stood proud and tall, its spun-sugar windows glinting in the light. The macarons were perfectly formed, their ganache filling flavored with peppermint and cocoa. The mirror-glaze lake reflected the twinkling lights strung around the hall.

"It's beautiful, Beth," Reese breathed, admiring their handiwork.

"We did it," Beth said, a note of wonder in her voice. "We actually did it."

"Was there ever any doubt?" Jessie chimed in, still scribbling furiously in her notebook. "According to my calculations, the aesthetic appeal combined with the flavor profile gives us a 78.3% chance of victory."

Reese rolled her eyes fondly. "I'll take those odds."

"Time's up!" Mayor Winters announced. "Bakers, step away from your creations!"

As the judges made their rounds, sampling each dessert with serious expressions, Beth found herself gravitating towards Yuri. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Win or lose," he murmured, "I'm so proud of you."

Beth leaned into him, drawing strength from his steady presence. "Thank you for being here," she whispered. "For everything."

The judges conferred in hushed tones, their deliberations seeming to stretch on for an eternity. Finally, Mayor Winters stepped up to the microphone, a golden envelope in hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our winners! In third place... The Daily Grind Café, with their innovative coffee-infused Yule log!"

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