CHAPTER SEVEN: THE EMERGENCY MEETING
The next morning, Priya summoned the finalists to a small conference room behind the hall.
Becca arrived with her apprentice, a quiet seventeen-year-old named Maya who carried a broken sugar rose in a padded box.
The other finalists included a retired firefighter named Ron and a married couple, Sal and Donna, who specialized in sourdough pastries.
Vincent sat at the head of the table beside a woman from Magnolia Hearth’s marketing department.
Priya stood by the door with a folder of incident reports.
“We are here because several entrants have concerns about access to their equipment,” she began.
Vincent raised a hand.
“We are here to preserve the spirit of this wonderful community tradition.”
Becca folded her arms.
“My flowers were moved into a hot corridor.
”
“An unfortunate logistical mistake,” Vincent replied.
“That mistake cost me two days of work.”
“Our staff can help you remake them.”
“Your staff cannot make my flowers.”
Maya opened the padded box and showed the broken rose.
“I made this one myself,” she said.
“It took me four hours.”
Vincent looked at the flower and then away.
Ron asked why the refrigeration truck had failed inspection.
Sal wanted to know whether Magnolia Hearth employees would be allowed near the contestants’ finished dishes.
Donna asked whether judges had received company gifts.
The marketing director began writing rapidly.
Vincent kept smiling, but he had stopped looking relaxed.
“Every one of these questions will be addressed,” he said.
“Before or after the contest?” Donna asked.
Priya stepped forward.
“Before.”
She announced that the town committee had voted to place all contestant equipment under the supervision of independent volunteers.
A second refrigeration unit had been inspected, and each finalist could verify their ingredients before the doors opened.
Judges would disclose their professional connections to the sponsors.
The room grew noticeably quieter.
Vincent leaned back in his chair.
“These precautions make it sound as though the event is under suspicion.”
“It is,” Becca replied.
Priya continued.
“The ceremonial display will also be inspected before the anniversary segment.”
Vincent sat upright.
“The display belongs to the event committee.”
“Exactly,” Priya said.
“And the committee has requested access.”
The marketing director whispered something to him.
He shook his head.
Ethan watched the exchange.
He knew he could reveal the medal then and force the argument into the open.
Instead, he asked a question.
“Who decides whose names appear in the anniversary program?”
Priya consulted her notes.
“The historical committee and the families involved.”
“Has Rosa Calder’s family been invited?”
Vincent’s gaze sharpened.
“Rosa who?”
“Rosa worked on the original winning recipe with Inez.”
A silence settled over the table.
Vincent spoke carefully.
“There are many people who contribute to successful businesses.”
“That’s true,” Ethan answered.
“So why does your packaging say Inez created everything alone?”
The marketing director opened her laptop.
“The product materials were based on information supplied by the licensing committee.”
“Then the licensing committee should correct them,” Nina said from the doorway.
She had arrived early and heard the last part of the exchange.
Vincent turned to her.
“This is a meeting for contestants.”
“I am Ethan’s assistant, and the rules allow one assistant.”
Priya checked the registration sheet.
“She is registered.”
Nina took a chair.
“Inez wants Rosa’s name included.”
“Inez signed a publicity release,” Vincent said.
“That does not answer the question,” Donna replied.
Vincent looked around the table and realized nobody was ready to accept another polished answer.
He stood.
“I will consult our legal team.”
Priya did not move from the door.
“You are welcome to do that.”
“I need to make a call.”
“The meeting is finished,” Priya said.
When Vincent left, Ron let out a slow whistle.
“Well, that took the frosting off the cake.”
Maya giggled.
Becca touched the sugar rose in its box.
“I almost went home yesterday.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because Maya told me she had never seen an adult fight for a thing she made.”
Maya blushed.
“I said you shouldn’t let them ruin it.”
“Same thing,” Becca replied.
Ethan thought about the decorative oven waiting on the main stage.
He no longer felt like an isolated baker pulled into someone else’s quarrel.
He was one person in a room full of people who had decided they wanted the competition to mean something.
