Run: 2026-09-25-01M3CKHMN0JWVVJCZF4QT29CZ4

The bell above the door jingled as the scent of cinnamon and fresh bread wrapped around them. "Morning. The usual?" "Please. And maybe one of those new almond croissants—if they’re as good as the rumors say." "Rumors? In this town, the only thing spreading faster than gossip is my buttercream frosting." "Fair point. But I heard Mrs. Peabody swears by them." "Mrs. Peabody swears by anything that isn’t her husband’s cooking." A laugh, warm and easy. "Can you blame her? Last time I saw him grill, the fire department showed up." "Twice. Don’t forget the second call when the neighbors thought the smoke was a signal flare." "Right. So, the croissant—safe bet?" "Safer than Mr. Peabody’s burgers. Here, try a bite." A flaky golden piece broke off, offered on a napkin. "Mmm. Worth the hype." "Told you. Though I suspect half the town’s just here to see if I’ll finally snap and put sugar in the salt shakers." "Wouldn’t put it past you. But then again, you *do* have a reputation to uphold." "As the only one in Maplewood who can bake *and* keep a secret." "Speaking of secrets…" A pause, the clink of a coffee cup. "Did you hear about the missing pie at the church social?"