# The Missing Recipe The bell above the door chimed as Margaret pushed into Sweet Haven Bakery, her cardigan dusted with flour. "I need to talk to you about Saturday's competition." Eleanor looked up from arranging croissants in the display case, her silver hair pinned back with a wooden spoon. "If this is about the judges, I had nothing to do with—" "It's not that. Someone saw Patricia leaving my kitchen last night at nine o'clock. My prize-winning soufffle recipe was on the counter." Eleanor set down her tongs carefully. "You can't seriously think Patricia would steal from you. You two have been friends for thirty years." "I know what I'm saying sounds mad, but my recipe is gone. And now she's entered the same category. How else would she suddenly develop an interest in French desserts?" "Have you actually asked her about it?" Margaret's jaw tightened. "I wanted to talk to you first. You're on the competition committee. If she's cheating—" "Then we handle it properly, with evidence." Eleanor wiped her hands on her apron. "But Margaret, jumping to conclusions could destroy friendships that matter far more than any blue ribbon." Margaret stared at the croissants, then nodded slowly.