As Lucy pulled open the bakery's heavy wooden door, she spotted Maggie, the bakery owner, bustling about behind the counter, rolling out dough and chuckling to herself. Lucy loved this place—its cozy atmosphere, the tempting scent of freshly baked goodies wafting through the air. There was just something about small towns like this one that made her want to solve a mystery. Or was it the pastries that set her detective instincts ablaze? She couldn't be quite sure. "Mornin', Maggie," Lucy called, dropping her coat onto a nearby hook and pulling off her gloves. "Anything new in the dessert department?" "Hello, Luce," Maggie replied, setting a batch of cookies onto a rack. "Just the usual, but I did whip up a new cinnamon roll recipe for tomorrow." Lucy's mouth watered at the sound of the rolls. "Sounds wonderful. Mind if I sample some later?" Maggie shook her head, grinning. "You're my favorite customer. You can have as many samples as you like." The bakery fell silent, apart from the low hum of the oven and the clinking of dishes. Lucy and Maggie stood side by side, enjoying the peacefulness. It was moments like these that Lucy treasured—time spent with her friend and colleague, discussing their ideas for new stories and savoring the simple pleasures of small town life. "Do you ever get tired of baking?" Lucy asked, breaking the silence. "I mean, it must get monotonous after a while." Maggie laughed softly. "Never. Each dough is unique, each batch of pastries brings something new. And the looks on people's faces when they try something I've baked—that's why I do it." Lucy smiled. She understood that feeling of creating something from scratch and seeing others enjoy it. It was a big part of why she wrote novels, after all. As she leaned against the counter, savoring the warm atmosphere of the bakery, Lucy knew that she had stumbled upon a truly special place. And she knew, deep down, that the quiet charm of this small town bakery would find its way into one of her novels someday. For now, though, she was content to bask in its warmth and enjoy the company of her dear friend, Maggie.