Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXQ7MHDC97PCRQ4TFTBQB2S

The bell above the door jingled as the morning rush began to thin. The scent of cinnamon and butter hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint hum of the espresso machine. "Another blueberry scone, please. And a latte, extra foam." "Coming right up. You’re here early today." "Couldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind." The barista slid the scone onto a plate, warm and golden. "Trouble with the new book?" "Something like that. Or maybe it’s just the town gossip. You’d think a place this small would run out of secrets by now." A soft chuckle. "Secrets are the one thing we never run out of. Remember last year’s bake-off scandal?" "Oh, don’t remind me. Poor Mrs. Henderson still won’t speak to the mayor." "Well, if you need a distraction, I heard the library’s hosting a mystery book club tonight. Might be just the thing." "Hmm. Maybe. Though I’d rather solve a fictional murder than one of ours." "Fair enough. But if you change your mind, I’ll save you a seat." The bell jingled again as another customer stepped in, the conversation dissolving into the clatter of cups and the murmur of the morning.