Run: 2026-10-07-01M4AVK9W1N29H120HBM7YV9BK

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, everything’s a rumor until it’s a scandal." "Speaking of scandals, did you hear about the mayor’s garden gnome?" "Stolen again? That’s the third time this month." "Third? I only heard about the second." "Well, the first time was hush-hush. He didn’t want it getting out that someone took it right off his porch while he was inside watching his stories." "Sounds like he’s got a personal vendetta against that poor gnome." "Or maybe the gnome’s the one with the vendetta. Ever think of that?" A laugh bubbled up. "Now that’s a theory. Maybe it’s haunting him." "Or maybe it’s just old Mrs. Peabody. She’s been eyeing that gnome since the day he put it out there." "Mrs. Peabody? She’s more likely to knit it a sweater than steal it." "True. But then again, you never know in this town."