As though she could read his mind, she shook her head. “No, seriously. My sister is very strict about not making the sheriff’s department and rescue workers on duty pay for their coffee.”

  “Okay, what about the éclairs?”

  She leaned forward and grinned. “Those are my gifts to you,” she said, pulling out some bills from her pants pocket and putting them in the cash register.

  “You can’t do that!” he protested, not believing she was paying for his éclairs.

  “Don’t worry,” she said, tossing out a wink along with her smile as she leaned her elbows on the counter. Now that she was closer, he could tell her blue eyes were darker, giving them an almost violet hue. “Just tell all your friends about Bess’s Bakery, and that will more than make up for the cost of a couple of éclairs.”

  When he walked in and saw her light blush, he wondered if she would be shy or intimidated by his overt flirting, but as she turned her twinkling eyes to him, he realized she was in the moment with him.

  Encouraged, he leaned on his elbows and nodded, putting his face closer to hers. “Then I’ll make sure to stop by here when I’m not in uniform, and I can give you what you’re owed.”

  The bell over the door rang, and she straightened, her gaze moving from the newcomers to him. “I’m only here in the early morning hours to help out my sister. After that, I have my own job.” She scrunched her nose and added, “Although my job doesn’t have steady hours, so who knows? I might be here after all.”

  He started to ask her what her other job was, then decided he would wait until the next time he was at the bakery. His radio squawked, and he shoved a couple of dollars in the tip jar before turning and calling out his goodbye as he jogged outside, knowing he’d be back. He’d see the beautiful Belinda again if things went as he hoped. Very soon.

  Belinda looked over as Bess came bustling from the back, carrying a tray loaded with filled croissants, éclairs, and apple fritters. Hurrying to help her sister place the items in the case, she said, “You’ve had a good day so far. It seems your advertising has paid off.”

  Bess beamed as she nodded. “I can’t thank you enough for helping out.”

  “It’s no problem. I can be here most mornings, and it gives me a chance to spend time with my favorite sister.”

  Bess popped her with a dish rag. “You’re my only sister.”

  “So that also gives you the title of being my favorite!”

  Bess shook her head. “Who was the cute deputy you were flirting with?”

  Unable to keep the blush from crossing her face, a curse from being a redhead, Belinda sighed. “That was Aaron Bergstrom. He would’ve been a senior when you were a freshman at Baytown High School. He was one grade ahead of me.”

  Bess startled slightly, still smiling. “So you two know each other?”

  “You must be nuts!” Belinda rolled her eyes. “Lest you have forgotten, my dear sister,” she replied in an imperial voice, “I was one of the nerds. A guy like Aaron Bergstrom—Mr. Athlete, Mr. Personality, and Mr. Popular—would hardly have given me a second look.”

  Bess scrunched her nose and nodded. “I hear you. You were the nerd in the photography class, and I was two years behind you as the nerd in the chemistry class and vocational culinary arts class. No one could understand how I loved the idea of the chemistry of cooking and baking.”

  Belinda walked over and wrapped her arms around Bess. “Well, I think you’re brilliant!”

  “Somehow, we got to talking about me. What I want to know about are those looks I saw Deputy Bergstrom giving you.”

  “It was a little harmless flirting on his part with a woman he didn’t know. And a little flirting on my part, knowing that I still might be a photography nerd, but I’m no longer a shy teenager afraid of bantering with the hottie.”

  Bess hugged her back and grinned. “We’re two kick-ass sisters who are no longer held back by the constraints of adolescence!”

  “Hear, hear!”

  The bell rang over the door, and another group of women walked in. The sisters separated to greet their old friends. “Belle! Carrie! Welcome!” Belinda called out.

  Belle Simmons’s and Carrie Hudson’s smiles were wide as they made their way to the counter.

  “Oh my God, just the smell of this place will put pounds on my hips!” Carrie exclaimed.

  Belle worked as the administrative nurse at the local nursing home, and her gaze drifted over the pastries. “You know, I will make my staff so happy if I order a platter of pastries for our next meeting. Hey, Bess,” she called out. “Do you take large orders?”

  Bess popped her head through the kitchen door and grinned. “Absolutely!”

  The bell over the door rang again, and Hannah Freeman-Hunt walked in, wearing the police chief uniform for the small town of Easton. Belinda smiled and pointed at the sign that proclaimed first responders got free coffee.

  “Damn,” Hannah said, her smile wide. “Then I’ll take a coffee and one of those apple turnovers!”

  Belinda stayed several more hours despite Bess's protestations. “It’s your first week, and you need the help. Anyway, I didn’t have a photography job today. Plus, once the news got out that you were open, it was crazy busy.”

  The two sisters grinned and turned in unison as the bell rang over the door once more.

  3

  “How much do I owe you for the coffee and pastry?” Lisa asked.

  The two deputies had been pulled into a traffic stop by another set of deputies, and the driver became belligerent after being asked to take a sobriety test. They returned to the sheriff's office to meet with Hunter and Brad about the pawnshop robbery.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Aaron said. “The coffee is free to first responders in uniform, and the pastry was covered.”

  He hoped she would leave his explanation alone, but she laughed and shook her head. “Why do I feel you managed to flirt with a server and get them for free?”

  He knew he had a reputation as a charmer, but he’d never used his reputation for anything other than getting a date. “I’ll have you know I have never talked a server into giving me free food! That’s against anything I’d do, even if it wasn’t against regulations. I put the amount and more into the tip jar.”

  Aaron wasn’t the type of man who played with women’s hearts on purpose, but he managed to go through girlfriends. He liked the idea of having someone special but could never find what he was looking for. The tantalizing idea always seemed to be just outside his reach. Hell, an armchair therapist would probably call it mommy issues, but all he knew was that he’d never met a woman he cared about enough to give his heart or his trust.

  They walked into the bustling bullpen, where the detectives’ desks filled the space. The atmosphere was charged with the energy of pursuit, a reminder of the career he yearned to further obtain. He couldn’t help but feel the familiar pang of excitement, hoping that he’d be a detective in six months and could keep his employment here in North Heron. Heading to Hunter and Brad, he and Lisa slid into the two chairs next to the double desks. They spent fifteen minutes going over the information about the robbery.

  “We’ll give the information to the other deputies, but our only description is from the security camera. The perpetrator wore black, including gloves and a hood. They kept their face from the camera, so they were familiar with the placement of the cameras,” Hunter said. “As soon as we have more information, we’ll pass it along in case any deputies see anything about the missing jewelry.”

  After Hunter gave his summary, Brad leaned back and said, “I need some coffee that’s not sludge. Anyone try that bakery near the pawnshop?”

  “Aaron went in there,” Lisa said. “The coffee was good.”

  Aaron wanted to kick her but just maintained a professional expression. The last thing he wanted was for Brad to go in before Aaron had a chance to ask Belinda out. She’ll be gone in the afternoons. “It was good, but the mornings are rushed and crowded. It’s probably better to hit them in the afternoon.”

  Brad nodded. “Thanks, man.”

  Lisa glanced at Aaron as they stood and walked out of the detective’s room. “Something wrong? You seemed curt for someone who loved coffee and éclairs.”

  “No, nothing’s wrong.” He laughed. “I just don’t see any reason for Brad to get stuck in their morning crowd.” Stepping outside, he slid on his sunglasses. “Let’s get back on patrol. I’m ready to roll.”

  The following morning, Aaron left his house in the early light of dawn, ensuring he had time to go by the bakery before he reported for his shift. Once more, the bell over the door rang as he stepped through, and the warm scent of sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and coffee immediately enveloped him. The hum of conversation mingled with the hiss of the coffee machine. His gaze was drawn immediately to the beautiful woman behind the counter. Belinda’s warm smile greeted every customer who came in. He watched her intently for a few minutes as he inched his way up the line, observing her mannerisms before she saw him. A few of the men had extra smiles for her, and a strange feeling of jealousy struck him. But as he continued to watch, she wasn’t flirtatious with any of the customers. Tucking that little fact away, he smiled.

  There was no doubt that she was sincere in her friendliness. She smiled, cooed over the babies and toddlers held in their parents' arms, and offered encouraging words to those who appeared to be heading off to work. He recognized a couple of the local paramedics. She waved off their payments for coffee, but he noted she allowed them to pay for their pastries. That was another little fact he tucked away with a smile.

  As he edged closer to the front of the line, his gaze stayed pinned on her. When he was only two customers away from ordering, she glanced over, and her eyes met his. His breath caught ever so slightly in his lungs, then rushed out when her smile widened, and it seemed her blue-violet eyes brightened.

  Finally, it was his turn, and he stood before her. He gave his order and leaned closer so his words could be heard over the noise of the other patrons. “It’s nice to see you this morning, Belinda.” The simple sentence was filled with an unspoken promise of beginnings he hoped she felt, too.

  “You know my first name, but I only know you as Deputy Bergstrom.”

  “Aaron. Aaron Bergstrom.”

  The morning light streamed through the front windows, casting a glow over her face. Her eyes twinkled as she nodded slowly. She lowered her lashes when she handed him his coffee, then peered up with an impish expression. “I have to be honest, Deputy Aaron Bergstrom. When I saw your name yesterday, I thought I recognized you. I was a year behind you at Baytown High School.”

  His chin jerked back in surprise, and he tilted his head, his gaze roaming her face carefully, scrutinizing her features.

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said, waving her hand as she brushed off his perusal. Her smile was still warm on her face, matching her words. “You were Mr. Popular, and I was truly a nerd in high school. We wouldn’t have run in the same circles.”

  He searched her face, trying to discern if she was hurt that he didn’t recognize her, but she turned her back to fill his pastry order. High school was a long time ago, but he was struck with memories of cliques, and he regretted the idea that he would have ignored someone just because of the unspoken hierarchies. Baytown High School was certainly large enough that he wouldn’t have known everyone outside his class.

  His mind turned to his brother, who’d recently reconnected with a girl whom he’d treated badly in high school. Ivy was wonderful, and thank goodness, she’d forgiven Andy for the words he’d thrown at her many years earlier. Aaron had to admit he was self-involved in high school, and with the typical cliques, he could have easily hurt someone’s feelings without meaning to.

  He cleared his throat, continuing to look for clues in her expression that she harbored ill feelings when she set his pastry bag on the counter. Not seeing any, he breathed a little easier. “I feel foolish. How could I have missed a beauty like you?”

  She threw her head back and laughed. The melodic sound wrapped around him like a hug, in stark contrast to the hollow exchanges of past flirtations. When he was younger and interested in hookups, he quickly discerned there was no sincerity in the mannerisms, including laughter. But hearing Belinda’s delight only made him smile wider.

  She dropped her chin and, still smiling, held his gaze. “Believe me, I had braces during most of high school and spent all my spare time with my face hidden behind the lens of a camera. I was in the photography club and took pictures of football and baseball games. I’m sure you must have been in my camera sights at some point.”

  By now, his pastry bag sat on the counter next to his coffee, and she’d taken his money. The next customer behind him was inching forward, but Aaron longed to have more time with her. This delightful woman had observed from the sidelines, capturing moments he’d lived on the field.

  By now, a woman interested in his charms would usually leave her phone number for him. But other than friendly conversation, Belinda had not indicated she was interested in seeing him again. Seizing the moment, he asked, “Any chance we can talk sometime when it’s less crowded or you’re not at work?”

  He fought not to squirm as she peered at him intently. He wasn’t used to such intense scrutiny and tried not to chafe under the perusal.

  Belinda’s lips remained curved upward as she nodded. “I have a morning and early afternoon job appointment, but I told Bess I’d come back to help her clean when she closes up about four. You’re more than welcome to stop by.”

  With the promise of a quieter rendezvous, his spirits lifted, and he nodded, his wide smile aimed her way. Glancing at the woman in line behind him trying to keep a toddler entertained, he waved. “Hey, Melanie! How’s little Suzette?” Melanie was married to Jose, an officer with the Virginia Marine Police, the same department his brother Andy worked for.

  “Oh, hi, Aaron. We’re all good.”

  He tossed down extra money and said, “I’ll pay for Melanie's order since she’s been kind enough to wait.”

  Melanie offered her thanks, but the wider smile on Belinda’s face was what he craved. “I’ll see you after my shift.” With that, he walked out to the parking lot with a strange, unfamiliar feeling in his chest—a combination of excitement and regret. He hated that he didn’t remember her when she had recognized him. But that was high school.

  Hours later, after a long-ass shift, he and Lisa pulled into the station’s parking lot. She turned to him and said, “I swear you’ve looked at your watch continuously for the past couple of hours. Have you got a hot date lined up?”

  “No!” He belatedly realized his one-word response came out more vehemently than he wanted.

  Lisa laughed. “I should have known. You never get excited about a date… or even a girlfriend… or whatever you call them.”

  He just grinned, refusing to acknowledge that his mind had been centered firmly on Belinda all day. Something that definitely didn’t happen with just a date. Once inside, he signed out and then jogged back to his vehicle.

  The sheriff’s department was located in the tiny town of Easton, the county seat. Thankfully, the bakery was only a five-minute drive away. Truthfully, he would have driven much farther, but considering he didn’t want to miss her, he hurried into the bakery as soon as he parked and ran his hands through his hair.

  The door chimed when he walked inside, and Belinda looked up from behind the display case where she was wiping it down. She smiled, and he could have sworn his heart beat faster. He shoved whatever the fuck was going on with his insides when he saw her to the back of his mind. Slapping on what he’d been told was his panty-dropping smile, he walked to the empty counter.

  “Nice to see you again, Deputy Bergstrom. How are you?” she greeted with a twinkle in her eyes.

  He leaned on the counter in the same position he’d taken this morning, smiling when she leaned toward him from her side. “I’m doing fine, Belinda. But don’t you think you could call me Aaron?”

  “You’re in uniform,” she stated as though that explained everything about her greeting. “I want to show the level of respect you’re due.”

  “Well, when I’m out of uniform, you can call me Aaron.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized the double entendre. Of course, at a bar, the typical hookup would’ve just laughed, winked, and commented about how they’d like to see him out of his uniform. But Belinda’s reaction was different. She blinked, and for a second, he thought she would call him out on his flirting. But she simply laughed and said, “If you ever come into the shop when you’re off duty, I’ll be sure to call you Aaron.”

  Before he had a chance to say anything else, Bess walked through the door from the back. She smiled widely, her appearance much like Belinda's. “Hello! I think you’ve come in several times to my shop. I’m Bess, Belinda’s sister.”

  Belinda laughed. “Bess, you should brag that you’re the owner of Bess’s Bakery!”

  “Being your sister is the most important thing,” Bess retorted, her hands on her hips.

  The two women wrapped their arms around each other as they faced him. “Bess, this is Deputy Aaron Bergstrom, a new devotee of your shop,” Belinda said. “And this is the kick-ass owner, my sister.”

  Bess added, “You’re welcome here, anytime.”

  He chuckled at the two sisters' loving relationship and nodded at Bess’s warm greeting. “Your shop is really nice.”

  “I hope you’ve been telling the other people in the sheriff's department about us. It seems like the word is getting around because we’ve had a lot of traffic in here.”

  “It’s well worth it. Best cup of coffee I’ve had in a long time, and your pastries are great.”

  Bess beamed, then turned to Belinda. “I’m going to lock up and just be in the kitchen working on my prep for tomorrow.” She smiled at Aaron and added, “You’re more than welcome to coffee and something to eat. You can sit here, and Belinda can keep you company.”