Run: 2026-02-20-01KHYBAB66D8DYX019DJH084MX

The bell above the door jingled, and the scent of warm brioche curled out after Mrs. Peabody, who paused at the counter where Lila wiped flour from a wooden board. “Stranger in town,” she said, tapping her cane. Lila glanced up from stacking danishes. “Lost?” “So he said. Asking for a ‘vanilla swirl.’” Her voice dropped. “I don’t bake no vanilla swirl. Not in ten years, since my Florence—” She cut off, clearing her throat. Lila’s fingers stilled. The cat napping in the wicker basket under the window lifted its head, eyes half-lidded. “Maybe he meant a croissant?” “Croissants don’t need a swirl. Not like that.” Mrs. Peabody reached for her usual black coffee, her gaze sliding to the back door, where a car idled, its driver’s side door open. Lila followed her stare. The engine ticked. And somewhere, a clock chimed two.