By Lyn Bennett Wilson
Lillian, Bethann, and Rachel were way more than just coworkers—they were cousins and best friends. Bethann and Rachel really looked up to Lillian. She wasn’t just the oldest; she was the steady heart of Ginny’s Cookie Jar Bakery and Cafe. Lillian had just turned forty-five a week before the big bake-off, and she was feeling every bit of it today. She wasn’t old, of course, but the long days at the shop could sure make her feel that way sometimes.
Lillian was the real powerhouse of the bakery. She was tall and strong, which you have to be when you’re hauling heavy flour bags and crates of apples all day long. Her wavy brown hair was starting to show some gray, but she didn’t mind one bit. For the festival, she’d put on a little foundation to help with her freckles, but her big brown eyes and kind face didn’t really need much help to look wise and welcoming.
Dealing with a heart arrhythmia and orthostatic hypotension meant Lillian had to be incredibly organized. It wasn’t about being picky; it was just about staying healthy. If she didn’t plan out her moves, the stress of a rush would really take a toll on her body.
While Bethann drove the van toward the House of History, Lillian leaned back and rested. She used those last few minutes to stay still and let her heart rate settle while the others handled the driving. The crisp fall air was cooling down, and seeing the little waterfalls along the road—made from melting snow—always made her feel at home. In Applefield, with family who knew exactly when to take the wheel so she could rest, Lillian felt like she was right where she belonged.
Rachel and Bethann were fraternal twins born just 2 minutes apart. They looked enough alike to be sisters but no one would guess they were twins. Rachel had pretty auburn hair and green eyes, while Bethann had thick dark hair and beautiful blue eyes with a bit of an olive undertone. Bethann was a tall, strong former college bowler, while Rachel was a bit shorter and a track runner. Both of them dreamed of running Ginny’s Cookie Jar together someday! The one thing all three women shared was a great smile—the kind that lights up a whole room when they’re happy.
The morning was full of excitement! Lillian absolutely loved these competitions, especially getting to show off how her gluten-free treats could be just as tasty as the regular kind. Still, she found the “people” part a bit tough. She was much happier in the kitchen, so she let Bethann and Rachel handle the customers while her baking did the talking.
At 7:00 am sharp, they finished their coffee. The drive would take about an hour. Lillian stood up, put her cup in the sink, and brushed off her apron. She loved her high-tech, wrinkle-proof apron, but she hated leaving her shop. She loved all the familiar sounds there—the hum of the fridge, the whoosh of the gas oven, and the steady thud of the big mixer.
Suddenly, their dog Punkin gave a low bark at something outside. Across the street, a truck door slammed shut. If you stepped into the kitchen (where Lillian usually only lets a few people go to keep things gluten-free!), you’d hear the girls chatting about the Schlagel family bakery.
The Schlagels had been a fixture in the village forever. There was Bob II, his wife, and their son, Bob III. Lillian’s Aunt Ginny had never married, but the Schlagels always looked after her and the shop while keeping up a friendly rivalry. Lillian and “Bobby” (as everyone called him) had gone to school together, and she knew his bakery would be at the competition today along with twenty-nine others.
Rachel started teasing Lillian about Bob III, since everyone knew he’d had a crush on her since junior high! Lillian just joked back, telling her to “hush and get to work,” but a tiny flash of sadness crossed her face when she turned away. It was just a reflex, really. She told the girls to do one last wipe-down while they waited for her friend Tracy to pick up Punkin.
In the locker room, that sadness stuck around for a second. Lillian really wished Aunt Ginny could see how much the bakery had grown while still staying true to the basics. Bethann walked in, saw her, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be a great day,” she promised.
Lillian smiled, they touched up their makeup, and headed out to meet Tracy. “Good luck, Lili! Tell Bob hi for me!” Tracy joked as she took the dog. The Schlagels weren’t really “competition” since they did old-school wheat breads, and Bob III was a bit too arrogant for Lillian’s taste anyway. For a lot of reasons, she just wasn’t looking for romance right now.
After a quick check of the van, Lillian handed the keys to Bethann. The three of them set off on the 45-minute trip to the festival grounds. The fall air was crisp, the leaves were turning beautiful shades of red and orange, and the melting snow was making little waterfalls all along the hills. It was Lillian’s favorite time of year—perfect for baking with all the fresh harvest fruits!
When they arrived, the place was already buzzing with cars, vendors, and even some Revolutionary War reenactors. To help Lillian out, Bethann did all the driving so “Aunt Lil” could save her energy. Between her heart issues and the way her blood pressure would drop when she stood up, she really needed that quiet time before the bake-off chaos started. As they pulled in, Lillian took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and grabbed her clipboard. She had every single second of the day planned out!
Luckily, the county had a great team to organize everything. Rachel went to grab their armbands while Lillian and Bethann started unloading. Their booth theme was a total throwback to Aunt Ginny’s first bake-off in the 50s! They had bobby socks, silk scarves, and even Ginny’s old baker’s hat. They even hung a picture of Aunt Ginny on the wall and made a cake that looked like an old record. It looked amazing!
Right as they were finishing up, Bob III—or “Three,” as Lillian called him—showed up. He’d become a bit of a snob lately, always talking about himself. Just as the opening cannon went off, Lillian took her spot behind the table. The grounds were beautiful, with a string quartet playing and a gentle breeze blowing. It was a perfect 62 degrees out!
Lillian brought a little stool to sit on so she wouldn’t get too overstimulated or dizzy. Her cousins were super protective of her, but they let her do her thing unless she really needed help. Across the way, the Schlagels had a fancy European-style booth. Their Lebkuchen cookies smelled incredible! Lillian knew they were the ones to beat, even if “Three” was a bit full of himself.
In the middle of the rush, Lillian took a second to just smell everything—cinnamon, apples, lemon… and wait, was that men’s cologne? She opened her eyes to find Three standing there in a giant chef’s hat.
“I brought you guys a present!” he said with a big grin. He pulled out some t-shirts from a school where he’d just given a seminar. They said “Lillian” and had the number “3” on the back. It was… a lot. Lillian tried her best to be polite, while Bethann had to run to the van just so she wouldn’t burst out laughing!
Then, it was time for the judging. Lillian stood up straight, feeling a bit nervous. The judges tasted her apple pie cookies and gingerbread people, and they seemed to really like them! But once they left, Lillian went a bit pale. Bethann and Rachel hopped right in to give her a hug and cover for her while she sat back down. They’d seen her faint before, and they weren’t taking any chances today!
After lunch, things got really busy. Lillian loved answering everyone’s questions about gluten-free baking. By the time the day was winding down, she was exhausted but happy. Finally, the Mayor stepped up to the mic.
“In twenty years, I’ve never seen a tie!” he shouted. “The winners are Bob’s Best Bakery AND Ginny’s Cookie Jar!”
Lillian was in total shock! Her cousins hugged her tight as she walked up to the stage. It was a huge win—a whole year’s worth of free flour! Lillian dedicated the win to Aunt Ginny, and even “Three” seemed humbled for a moment.
As they stepped off the stage, Bob pulled Lillian aside. He looked her right in the eye and said, “I couldn’t imagine sharing this with anyone more talented.” He even admitted he’d admired her for years! He was actually blushing! He told her he’d give her a hug if he wasn’t covered in wheat flour (which would be bad for her celiac), and she just grinned.
“Coffee tomorrow?” he asked. “Absolutely!” Lillian shouted back. My shop at 9:00 am. It’s on me!”
LogoSophia Magazine 