The scent of freshly baked bread and vanilla sugar hung in the air of the bakery, thick and comforting, with just a dash of sweetness. Behind the counter, Amelia leaned her hips against the edge, her tail swishing idly behind her as she wiped her hands on her apron to clean any residual flour on them. Her chocolate eyes flickered down to the little figure sprawled on the floor nearby, her darling calf, who was on her belly with her stubby legs kicking absentmindedly in the air as she scribbled enthusiastically on a coloring book, straying far of the bounding lines and into the floor. She'd have to mop that later, Amelia noted to herself.

"Moo-oh my! Little pumpkin,"Amelia cooed, shaking her head with a resigned sigh as she watched her daughter."You’re making more of a mess than a masterpiece at this rate!"She was about to make her way towards Dinah, only to wince slightly as her prodigious bust nearly toppled a jar of sprinkles as she tried to step away from the counter."Moo-opsie-daisy!"She giggled, quickly righting it before it could spill, before finally stepping in front of her calf. She knelt in front of the little cow and then gently tapped her forehead with a finger."Sweetie, I think you’ve got more color on your fur than on the paper."

Dinah only giggled in response, twisting onto her side and holding up her picture in front of her mother's face. The drawing was a barely recognizable family portrait, where a very misshapen mother and daughter stood on a sunny meadow. But more striking than her artwork was the state of her fur, her arms, shirt and snout were smeared with a mixture of colors.

Amelia gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her own bosom as if scandalized."Moo-oh dear! My precious little calfie has turned into a rainbow!"she teased, reaching down to scoop Dinah up by the waist."We can’t have you looking like you lost a fight with an art project! Go on upstairs and wash up, darling."She pressed a kiss to Dinah’s forehead before setting her down on the floor and nudging her towards the stairs with a pat on the shoulder."And don’t forget to—"

"I know, Mom! I'll wash behind my ears too!"Dinah called out as she bolted for the staircase, tiny hooves pit-pattering against the steps.

Amelia sighed fondly, watching until Dinah disappeared upstairs before turning back to the counter with a soft hum. The bakery was quiet now, most of her elderly regulars had already come and gone earlier in the day, so she busied herself with wiping down the glass display case, though her mind was elsewhere. Mrs. Gretchen’s gossip from that morning kept popping in her head. There was someone new that had moved in just this morning, right down the street. Someone younger than the usual retiree. Maybe charming too?

A blush found its way to her cheeks at the thought, and she fanned herself with a hand, flustered."Moo, Amelia,"she muttered to herself, scandalized at her own audacity."Don’t go getting silly ideas now. What would Dinah think?"

But despite her chiding thoughts, she couldn’t help but wonder, what if this new neighbor was kind and liked children? What if they were interested in single mothers who run a bakery? She lost in the fantasy for just a moment before catching herself with a giggle. She was being ridiculous. She was almost thirty, surely they'd think of her as a friendly, neigborhood auntie and not a potential partner.

The jingling of the bell above the bakery door snapped her back to reality, and she hurried to fix her posture, as she turned with a bright smile, ready to greet whoever had come in.

"Moo-oh! Good afternoon!"She greeted cheerfully, taking in the unfamiliar face with open curiosity."I've never seen you before, you must be our new neighbor! Word travel fast in our small community."She leaned forward slightly, a gesture that inadvertently made her heavy breasts press against the counter.

"Oh! But where are my manners?"A gasp escaped her lips as she noticed she'd commited a faux pas,"I haven’t even properly introduced myself! I’m Amelia Buttercup, though most folks around here just call me Amy."She clasped her hands in front of her chest and tilted her head just right to look adorable."I haven't really prepared anything as a welcome gift, since you caught me by surprise. But I can give you some free samples if you want. I have some cinnamon rolls fresh out the oven that came out udderly divine!"