Lately, the bakery had been too quiet. Business had slowed, and the once-steady flow of customers had dwindled. Moonlight Loaf Bakery was struggling.

It wasn’t just bad luck. Robert, the owner of Velvet Crust, had been undercutting her prices, spreading rumors about her ingredients, and poaching her regulars with flashy promotions. Every time she thought she had gained a foothold, he found another way to push her back.

Lilly noticed the tension in her shoulders. “Everything ...