Run: 2026-02-16-01KHK1WXEW3R81FG81RKY7BJDR

The scent of warm cinnamon rolls hung heavy in the air, masking the tension between the two figures at the corner table. "You really think adding extra cardamom was a good idea? Mrs. Gable is particular about her morning bun." "She said she wanted something new. Besides, the spice covers the bitterness of the burnt batch from yesterday." "Burnt? I thought we tossed those." "We did. Most of them. But a few might have slipped into the display case before I noticed." A nervous laugh escaped, quickly stifled by a sip of black coffee. "If she finds out, she'll cancel the order for the town festival. We can't afford that." "Then we just don't tell her. Smile, nod, and hope she thinks it's a bold new recipe." "It's not just the recipe. Did you see who was lurking behind the shop this morning? That stranger with the notebook." "Probably just a food critic or a tourist. Small towns attract them like flies to honey." "He wasn't taking pictures of the pastries. He was watching the back door. Watching us." "Stop being paranoid. Finish your coffee. The lunch rush starts in ten minutes, and we still need to frost the scones." "If he comes back, what do we say?" "We say nothing. We bake. And we pray Mrs. Gable loves cardamom."