A Visitor at Praline

TESSA

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the quiet streets of the city as we arrived at Praline. The moment I pulled the heavy glass front door open, the familiar, comforting scent of vanilla extract and roasted coffee beans washed over us. It took Ivy exactly one second to rip her small hand from my grasp and sprint across the black-and-white checkered floor.

"Martha!" Ivy shrieked, her br