The bell above the door jangled as Sue stepped into Buttercream's Bakery. The heavenly aroma of fresh baked bread and sugary pastries enveloped her. Behind the counter, Mabel was sweeping up crumbs and cracker dust. "You won't believe what I found in my bread today, Mabel. One of those little plastic rings. Could've broken a tooth." "I declare. Been baking bread myself for near forty years and never heard tell of puttin' jewelry in it. Why would they do that for?" "Don't rightly know. But I tell you, if I eat my loaf and pull out an engagement ring, my old man might wake up to a new bride before Lent's even begun." Mabel chuckled, the laugh warm and full. "You better tell those rabies-runnin' kids of yours I said to watch out. One of 'em swallows that thing and I'll have another mess in here to clean up, don't you worry." "Them two are worse'n stray cats. Speakin' of, you spoonin' up any cans of chunky kitten in the back room again today, Mabel?" "I righteous am. That little scraggly thing sure can pack 'em away. He's gonna be bigger'n a coyote if he keeps it up." The bell tinged again as another customer entered the shop. Mabel went to greet them with her perpetually cheerful smile and rolling, hearty laugh.