"Oh sugar cookies"

Looking around I see everyone is standing in front of their baked goods. Everyone seems to be chatting to each other and I'm just standing there awkwardly.

I'm about to introduce myself when three women walk in and I assume they are the judges. The first one has sandy blonde hair with a light curl. She's tall, thin and has the sweetest smile I've ever seen.

The other two have black hair and both are curvy like me. They are chatting away when The sandy blondes eyes me and smiles. She starts heading my way. Oh shoot, I'm not ready.

"Hello dear. I've heard all about you. You're new to town and opened up that shop on Keller. I'm Georgia Lee. The one of the judges. I'm so happy to meet you." She sticks out her hand and I shake it.

"Hi Georgia, I'm Nova Waters. I am new to town. I've been here for a week and a half and it's been so lovely. Thanks for having me in your competition." She drops my hands and the smile never leaves her face.

"I'm so glad you are here. When someone called to enter someone at the last minute I was so excited when I found out it was you that entered." My face flushes.

"I'm happy to be here." With that she nods and waves. She starts walking around and chats with the others. The other two ladies say hello and introduce themselves. Sandra and Kelly. I'll do my best to remember everyone's name.

After a few minutes Georgia walks to the center of the tent. "Okay ladies and gentlemen. We will start the competition now. Sandra, Kelly and myself will walk around and try a piece of whatever you brought in today."

The ladies all walk around and start to sample all the treats. I don't know them enough to read their faces. So I sit back and wait my turn. I'm second to last.

Georgia laughs and places her hand on an older gentleman's shoulder. She must know him well to be touching him like that. She walks over to the person next to me.

They seem to have apple pie cookies. They look really good. I hope I didn't go too simple with the cake. I didn't want to go wild and bring out the big guns at a fair.

I let out a puff of air and gave my body a little shake. Everything will be okay. Dad is watching over me and this oops of a cake came out perfect.

"Hello Nova. What do we have here? This is the only chocolate cake we have entered today." Oh god. I'm so nervous. I just stand and look at it.

"Um, today I made a layered chocolate coke cake. It has buttercream frosting." The ladies all glance at each other and I cut up three slices and hand them over.

They slowly take a bite and seem to enjoy it somewhat. Georgia looks over the cake like it's a diamond and smells it too. They finish up the last of the cake and thank me for trying my cake. "No thank you."

They make their way over to the last person and it's the older lady who was swooning over Madz and I. She made a peach pie and it smells heavenly. I'm so worried I can feel the sweat building up.

"Okay everyone, we have tried everything. We are going to go chat about everyone's wonderful baked goods. We will be back shortly to announce the winner." Georgia and her team walk away.

I place my hand on my stomach to stomp down on the nerves. Everything is okay, I'm okay and if I don't win that's okay. Because I'm proud of myself for even being here.

After what feels like forever the women step back in and they are holding three ribbons. First, second and third. Georgia steps up to the center. "We've all had such a wonderful time today and everyone worked so hard."

"I want to thank everyone who applied today and brought in their items." She pulls out the third place ribbon. "In third place is Anna with her cookies and cream cupcakes."

Anna hops up and down and happily takes the ribbon. She leans over to the man next to her and shows it off. "Next, in second place we have Harold with his pumpkin pie." She walks over to the man she was chatting with today and hands over his ribbon.

His smile is so wide. He leans over and gives all three ladies a hug and winks at them. My stomach is starting to feel upset and I calmly breathe in and out.

"And last but not least we have first place. This was a hard one but in the end us ladies knew who was first. In first place we have." I close my eyes and breathe in and out.

"Nova." The world stops all around me and I freeze. I open my eyes. I won. I actually won. Oh sugar cookies everyone is looking at me. Georgia walks over and places the ribbon in my hands.

"Your chocolate coke cake was incredible. We've never had an entry like this before and it stood out. The cake was moist and fluffy. The buttercream was so sweet and smooth. You did a wonderful job Nova. Welcome to town." I look down at my hand and admire the silky ribbon.

I look around me and everyone is clapping. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I squeak out a little "Thank you." The clapping slowly stops and people start walking towards me.

I'm getting claps on my back and handshakes. When they are all done I see Madz walking towards me, the crowd making way for his big figure.

"I told you Nova. I told you how perfect you are. Everyone knows it now. I'm so proud of you sweetheart." And with that I start to sob. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.

Madz pulls me in for a deep hug and strokes my hair. His sweet whispers remind me that everything is okay. After I settle down and I pull away I see Georgia stomping over.

"Madz what In God's name did you do to this poor woman." She seems to be very angry. "Why is Nova crying? What did you say to her? Madz lets go of me and turns to her.

"Mom. I didn't do anything." Mom. Wait what. She's his mother. What in the world is going on right now. "Mom, this is my ol' lady Nova. Nova, this is my mom Georgia." I stand there staring at her like I haven't met her before.

"Girl friend? Girl friend. Madz why didn't you tell me you were dating anyone." She smacks him in the back of the head and a few men who showed up start to laugh at her.

"Mom it was new and I didn't want her to know about you until after the competition was over. I didn't want people to think you picked her to win first place because she's mine." His mom glances back over to both of us.

"Nova won this all on her own. Her cake was the best cake we've had in years." I can't believe this is his mom. Now that I see them together. They have the same eyes. Wow, what a day.

"Are you okay now Nova? Do you need anything?" Now that he's asking, my throat feels really dry.

"Some water would be nice. Please." One of the men heads for me and hands over a bottle of water. "Thank you for this." The man waves me off and I see on his vest the name reads Ryder. He's built like a tank. Wide shoulders and dark brown hair. He has a sweet face though. I can tell he is a caring person.

"Are you ready to go look around darlin'?" I nod and he grabs my cake carrier and puts it under the table. "We can come back for this later. Let's go eat some food."

"Madz, don't you walk away from your mother. We need a family dinner. I'd love to get to know Nova better." I smile at Georgia and she smiles back at me. "Nova congrats again."

Madz walks over and gives his mom a hug. They whisper words I can't hear and I walk over to the bench and sit down. Gripping the ribbon in my hands. "Thank you for watching over me dad. I love you and miss you so much."

Madz walks away from his mother and squats in front of me. "Are you really okay Nova. We can leave at any time. You say the word." I place kisses all over his face and laugh.

"Madz we have games to play and food to eat. Let's have some fun." He helps me to my feet and we walk towards the fair. I'm glad our accident happened.