Page 42 of The Dairy Farmer's Daughter

There were several plates of jam drops and chocolate chip biscuits on display, as well as cakes and slices. Brightly coloured ribbons and certificates showed which delicacies had been awarded best in show.

"There's a men's section?" Justin pointed to the category description above an array of chocolate cakes.

"Yep. Only men can enter this category, and they get to use a packet mix."

Justin bent his head, comparing the winner's cake to the others, which all looked remarkably similar. “Do the judges get to try them all?”

“No, they are just judged on looks.”

“Too bad. That one looks really yummy."

Freya opened her mouth and closed it again, before she could say something about him entering next year.

"Here we are." She paused in front of a large glass stand. Inside it stood an intricately decorated, three-level wedding cake. A first-place ribbon sat proudly beside it.

"Greer Montgomery." Justin read the label. "She won."

Freya marvelled at her sister's latest creation. "Isn't it amazing?"

"It sure is. Kind of makes me wonder what she's doing in Maleny and not taking the world by storm."

"She did that already. She's done stints in major restaurants in Melbourne, London and Hong Kong but she came back here because she loves it and she wanted a quieter life."

"And she's happy now?"

Freya glanced around to make sure no one overheard her next comments. The pavilion was quiet though and there was no one to overhear her. "She turns thirty next year, and she is pretty keen to settle down and have a baby. She would make an amazing mother, but she just hasn't met the right guy. I mean, there aren’t many single men left in Maleny. Most of them get coupled up in high school."

"And she didn't meet anyone along the way?"

"She dated plenty, but never found the right guy."

Justin turned and caught her gaze, their eyes saying the things neither could speak aloud. That maybe they had been the lucky ones and had found their soulmate in each other.

They left and walked around to the poultry and animal displays. They were leaning on a fence, studying the cattle, when her father came over. "Hello, you two. Enjoying yourselves?"

"Sure am," Justin said as he shook Mark's hand. "Freya is showing me all that Maleny has to offer."

"Excellent. It's a great turnout this year," he said before turning to Freya. "How's our stall doing? Busy as usual?"

"Sure is. I'm glad we made more samples. Hopefully we'll have enough to last."

"Have you seen it?" Justin asked. "It looks amazing. It really draws people in.”

Freya’s cheeks warmed at his words.

“She’s been taking lots of photos and videos too, which will look great on social media."

Mark smiled broadly. "I'm sure they will. Freya has an eye for detail. I'll stop by soon, but right now I have to go and do some judging."

"Good luck," Freya called as her father walked away. She turned back to Justin and smiled. "Now, how about sideshow alley?"

Justin and Freya followed the sound of thrill-seekers and squealing children to the carnival rides and games. When she stopped in front of the Ferris wheel, he froze.

"What's wrong?" Her eyes were full of concern.

He raised his gaze, taking in the height of the wheel and the flimsy carriages that swayed from it.

"Are you afraid of heights?"

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