"You've been staring at that éclair for five minutes, Martha. Either buy it or stop blocking the display case." "I'm thinking, Doris. These things require contemplation. Unlike some people who impulse-purchased the entire lemon tart selection yesterday." "Research. I'm recipe testing for the church social, and these flavors are surprisingly complex." "Is that what we're calling stress-eating now? You only bake when you're nervous." "Speaking of nerves, I noticed the sheriff's cruiser outside your yarn shop this morning. Third time this week." "Routine questions about the break-in at the library. Nothing serious." "Since when do knitters need alibis for Tuesday night?" "Since someone used my best cashmere to strangle the thermostat in the mystery section. But I have witnesses." "The security footage suggests you were alone with the romance novels until midnight." "Research. Unlike some people, I don't leave engraved watches in brioche dough." "That vintage timepiece was an heirloom." "Mayor Hawthorne reported it missing three hours before Mildred nearly broke a tooth on it." "Flour gets everywhere in a kitchen." "Not with that specific inscription. Not since the town council meeting."