Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXPDSRDJS1SNXWE81PGXYBP

The bell above the door jingled as the scent of cinnamon and yeast wrapped around the newcomer like a warm embrace. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you’d gotten lost in your own thoughts again." "Wouldn’t be the first time. But no, I just had to stop by the post office. Mrs. Hargrove cornered me about her missing cat—again." "Still blaming the neighbor’s dog, I suppose?" "Still. Though between you and me, I saw that cat slinking around the alley behind the diner yesterday. Probably off chasing mice or causing mischief." "Or plotting world domination. You never know with that one." A tray of golden croissants was slid across the counter. "Fresh out of the oven. Consider it payment for listening to my rants about the historical society’s latest fundraiser." "Ah, so that’s why you’re being so generous. What did they do now?" "Want to replace the gazebo with a *modern* structure. Can you imagine? That gazebo’s been there since 1923. It’s where Old Man Jenkins proposed to his wife!" "And where half the town’s gossip gets exchanged. Progress is a terrible thing." "Exactly. Now, are you going to stand there yapping, or are you going to try the new lavender shortbread?"