by Haley Travis
“I like your shop,” he said, glancing around. His features were rugged, but his eyes were almost pretty. “I’ve been on the night shift for a few months, so this is the first time I’ve been able to drop in while you’re open.”
“So, did you pop in for donuts?” I joked.
He looked down at me with a glare, his eyes flashing sternly. Then he grinned, lighting up his entire face, making me realize once again that he was utterly gorgeous.
He quickly got down to business. “Yes, the police station needs donuts. You are our only hope, Bailey. Without your sustenance, we will be unable to save the city from itself.”
I laughed, surprised at how sweetly dorky he was. Grabbing a big white cardboard box, I went to the donut rack. “Mixed dozen?”
“Sure, if you could make sure there’s at least four dark chocolate in there.”
“No problem.”
“Oh – and what would you suggest for someone who is diabetic?”
My eyes grew wide and I handed him the box. “Hold on.”
I ran back to the kitchen while putting on my mitts. Pulling the mini garlic bread from the oven, they looked absolutely perfect. I placed two little loaves on a small metal tray.
Digging out a cardboard box sized for small cakes, I placed extra waxed paper inside so they wouldn’t stick to the bottom. I walked back to the front carrying the tray and the box. “Fresh herb and garlic bread. No sugar.”
“Brilliant,” he grinned. Then he took a whiff and his eyes grew wide. “Wow.”
I placed them on the counter “The only thing is, I hope you have a minute. They just came out of the oven, and I can’t box them yet.”
He made a face. “Yeah, picking melted paper bits from food is the worst.”
I was surprised that he was so animated. Not uptight at all. I’d never seen such a big, burly man being so relaxed. But I suppose that was the company I used to keep. “So, one of your coworkers is unable to eat donuts. Do they even allow them to be a cop?” I hoped that he wouldn’t be offended by my making a crack.
Thankfully he laughed. “It’s Kate, our office manager. She’s too organized to be an officer, even without the lack of donuts.”
“Well, that’s sweet of you to take care of her.”
“That’s how teams work.” He looked around the shop. “Do you usually work here alone?”
“Yeah. The unicorn lamp gives advice sometimes, but he’s too proud to work the register.” I looked up at him, realizing that I shouldn’t have been so shocked by his assistance earlier. “Thanks for helping out. That was kind of you.”
Daniel smiled warmly. “I come from that old fashioned line of thinking where neighbors should take care care of each other.”
I nodded. “I agree. It’s a family by proximity, in a way.”
He looked at me oddly. “That’s a strange way to say it, but you’re totally right.” He quickly paid for his snacks, then for a split second it looked like he didn’t want to leave. It shocked me that I didn’t want him to. For some weird reason, I was able to relax and talk with him a little. It was a welcome change.
“I’ll be on the day shift for several months, so I’ll try to check out your coffee soon,” he smiled. He truly did have the most amazing eyes. “The coffee at the station is only good when Kate makes it.”
I giggled up at him. “The unicorn and I would be honored to be your substitute Kate when need be.” Then I raised an eyebrow. “You know, you could just ask her what she does differently, and learn her ways for the good of the whole team.”
He leaned closer and shot me a wink. “But that won’t give me an excuse to visit you.”
He left quickly, and I was pretty sure that it was at least a full minute before my heart began beating normally again.
CHAPTER TWO
I often thought of what sort of man I would date someday when I finally felt like I’d gotten my old life out of my system. I didn’t want someone dark and devious again. And nobody who looked like a thug. No muscle men. Even though many of them were super hot, they were often either mean or full of themselves.
If Daniel wasn’t a police officer, and wasn’t quite so huge, he’d be perfect. Funny and sweet, and he seemed to really listen. Those incredible eyes actually made my knees a bit weak. Plus he made me laugh. Yet there was no way in heaven or hell I would let someone near me who could wreck my life if they found out about my past.
I wanted a clean, freshly laundered start. My parents had actually been the ones who accidentally introduced me to my ex-boyfriend Jenson. They knew his family or something, and we’d ended up at the same party when I was just twenty-one.
It had been a whirlwind romance, and he was delighted that I agreed to move in with him so quickly. He didn’t seem to notice my desperation to get some space away from my parents, brother, and uncles. It had always been a zoo of activity at their house, and I craved a calm space of my own.
Almost a year later, I certainly got my wish, when Jenson was arrested and sent away for ten to twenty years for the impressive volume of cars in his autobody shop that had been liberated without the owner’s consent.
I’d had no idea in the slightest. I simply worked at a local bakery, saved every penny, and taught myself as much as possible about business, marketing, and food service. I dreamed of owning my own shop someday. Jenson had thought I was nuts, and said I should be channelling my urge to feed people toward having a slew of kids.
Luckily, I went on the pill immediately and took them religiously. There was no way I was ready. I didn’t really feel secure that I knew enough about kids and how they should be raised, since my own childhood had been so abnormal. Now I was finally in a place where I could indulge every childish whim I desired.
This new life was almost relaxing, except for the constant hard work and the low-level hum of anxiety from me being completely on my own. But my life was cruising along pretty well now. I was just unbelievably lonely.
Keeping walls up around myself was a lot easier since I didn’t really meet anyone other than customers, suppliers, and a few neighbors. There was no way I’d be able to date anyone seriously for a few more years, but I couldn’t help thinking that a harmless flirtation might be just what the heart doctor ordered. I still couldn’t believe how close I’d been to kissing that police officer when I nearly ran into him in the rain. It was obvious that my body screaming for human contact, which was something that should definitely be kept under wraps.
I’d always craved cuddles but rarely got them. My body had been starved for it for so long. Now that I was reinventing myself, perhaps that side of me was desperate to get out. I’d find a way to keep a lid on it until I was more stable.
The shop had been busy all morning, and I noticed that from day to day, week to week, business was becoming steady. Although the shop had only been completely open for a month now, I had primed the neighborhood with a series of signs in the window ahead of time.
With a hot pink handwritten note that read, “Free taste testing Tuesday at 4 o’clock,” I’d easily been able to test various flavors of donuts, cookies, and muffins with happy volunteers. They couldn’t believe that the food was free. However, I did make them do their homework and fill out notes on their honest opinions of each sample. Plus, I made them promise with a hand on their heart that they would return for my opening week.
An added bonus was that now that they’d helped out the new shop, theoretically, they had a sense of connection to it. It was already partly their place.
By the time it was officially open, Teeny Tiny Temptations already had fans. It was an interesting creative challenge to keep my energy up, and constantly be inventing new things for everyone to try.
I popped a few samples in the oven at the late morning lull, which usually occurred around eleven am. This was my chance to work in the kitchen for a few minutes at a time, while cleaning anything that had sticky fingerprints. Toddlers were always very enthusiastic visitors.
When I hea
rd the bell over the door ring, I looked up to see Officer Hill in his crisp uniform. His frame was quite imposing, but that cute boyish grin made him look anything but threatening.
“Good morning, Bailey,” he said. “You’ll never believe what we need over at the station today.”
“Salsa dancing lessons?” I asked quickly.
“No.”
I cocked my head, dramatically thinking out loud. “A new swimming pool?”
His nose crinkled a bit when he laughed. “Not quite.”
I snapped my fingers. “I bet it’s a dozen mixed donuts with at least four dark chocolate.”
He threw up his hands as if in shock. “I didn’t know that our local baker had psychic powers.”
Pulling out a box, I arranged the donuts inside. “Do you need something non-sugary for your manager?”
He seemed impressed that I remembered. “Not today, thanks.”
Two mothers with toddlers in strollers came in as Daniel paid for his order, but he set it aside as if he had no intention of leaving for a while. Then a couple of teenagers came in, either skipping school, or making the most of a free period.
I couldn’t help grinning, since there was a favorite game I liked to play whenever there were more than seven people in the shop.
Deep down, I was a shy, quiet person. But I forced myself to play the part of the kooky baker lady since everyone seemed entertained by my wacky little oddities.
“Hey everyone,” I asked, “Should we have Officer Daniel ring the bell?”
It seemed like only one of the teenagers and one of the mothers knew what I was talking about. Daniel’s eyes followed my pointing finger to the big old-fashioned brass bell hanging from the ceiling with a long red cord dangling down. It looked like the kind of thing that would be used for last call at an old fashioned pub.
“Ring it,” one of the teenagers said excitedly. Daniel raised an eyebrow, then easily reached up to pull the rope.
As the bell rang through the shop, a recorded fifties game show announcer voice declared, “Freeeee cookie time!”
Pulling out a hidden tray from beneath the counter, I handed Daniel a chunky chocolate caramel mint cookie. Then I gave one to the rest of the customers in the store.
Everyone was absolutely delighted, and I knew it was the sort of amusement that people often mentioned on social media. For the price of a few free cookies, I had free promotion.
After the shop cleared again, Daniel wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’m not a cookie expert by any means, but good grief - I think that was the best cookie I’ve ever had in my life.”
A bell went off in the back, making me jump slightly, but I tried to hide it. I should be used to the timers by now, yet I nearly always twitched. “Hey, can I get your help with something for a minute?” I asked.
“Sure.”
I rushed to the back to take something out of the oven. “I’m testing two different new kinds of cookies and need a second opinion,” I called out to the front.
He laughed, following me back to the kitchen. “I thought maybe you needed a hand lifting something heavy.”
I laughed. “I don’t have time for the gym, so hauling some of the flour bags and running eighty-seven thousand laps of the shop and kitchen every day has to keep me in shape.”
I quickly transferred two of each cookie to a plate. “We just have to wait a minute for them to set.”
“Do you ever take a break?” Daniel asked.
I shrugged, touched at his concern. “I take two nights completely off per week.”
“What do you do in your free time?”
“I garden a little. I live in the apartment upstairs, so I have roof access. I grow my own lemongrass, mint, herbs – a lot of the fresh little extras.”
“You seem to be a very detailed oriented person.” He nodded as if that were a good thing. I saw his eyes dart to my white-board. “Wow. It looks like you’re planning global domination back here.”
“Ha – not quite yet,” I laughed. “Okay, these should be good to go. Try the lemon pepper oregano first.”
Watching his warm brown eyes as he took a bite made me melt inside. He was incredibly sexy, but didn’t strut around like he knew it. I realized I was staring at his lips and tore my gaze away to try a cookie myself.
“Wow,” he said. “I like that it’s not too sweet. The oregano is weird, but it brings out the lemon. If I drank tea, I’d dip this in like a biscuit.”
My shoulders shook as I practically bounced. “That’s exactly what I was going for!” I handed him another. “Tell me what you taste.”
He was so lighthearted, yet serious about this. I could just imagine him being relaxed in every situation. I bet he never got angry. There was just something about him that was indescribably comforting.
His eyes stared at the ceiling as he pondered. “First there is the mint. And coffee. And… salted caramel, I think?”
“I’m impressed. You’re very good at this.”
“Thanks,” he winked. “I’ve been practicing at bakeries all over the city for years, you know.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. “This one is to go with coffee, right? It’s a bit sweeter, but still has that richness.”
“Amazing. Thanks so much. These will be available tomorrow, if you happen to know any coffee and tea drinkers at the station.”
Daniel checked his watch. “Dammit. I have to run.”
I gasped in shock, placing my hands over the ears of the ceramic animal jar that held wooden spoons. “Officer, please watch your language in front of the panda.”
His rolling laugh filled me with a huge wave of joy. I didn’t know how or why I was able to be myself around him. Well, my new self. The light-hearted baker persona.
He stepped closer, reaching out to run his thumb along my cheek, holding it up to show the smudge of flour. “Have a great day. I’ll see you soon.” It was such a casual touch. Simple, sweet, and maybe considered normal among regular people. But it shocked me to pieces. My heart raced until well after the bell stopped ringing over the door and through the shop.
CHAPTER THREE
One of the many elements of being a police officer was learning to be incredibly observant, and watching the patterns of people. There is usually a rhythm and flow to every situation, and if something is suddenly extremely different, it could be a random glitch, or it could be a problem.
I’ve always found it interesting to study pedestrian traffic patterns. The way people move in groups, as singles, and flow around each other on sidewalks and at intersections.
I could easily lie to myself and say that I was checking out the neighborhood more than usual to learn more about it. But I tried not to lie to myself. I was watching the pattern of customers at Teeny Tiny Temptations so that I could try to pop in when Bailey was alone.
It was utterly impossible to stop thinking about her. She was so sweet and precious, but also unabashedly good. Watching her sneak an extra cookie to children, or make a big deal about someone’s birthday was so pure. It seemed to light her up from the inside.
She wasn’t just a good businesswoman, she was a good woman. Smart, funny, and full of light. But I also saw a sliver of darkness. She seemed a little jumpy about some things. Extra cautious. Just thinking about what may have made her that way made me uneasy.
Everyone in the force knew more about domestic violence than they ever wanted to, but I had first-hand knowledge that endless boxing training and years of therapy could never erase. No little boy should see his beautiful mother hiding her bruises with makeup so that she could drop him off at school without questions. I hated that my mind ran to that dark place whenever I saw a woman acting skittish.
Watching the clusters of people sleepily shuffle into Bailey’s shop, then leave smiling, showed how much she was improving everyone’s day. Then I noticed that the crowd from the last streetcar was leaving, and it was eleven-twenty, just before people started pic
king up lunches.
“Hey Kate, I’ll go pick up snacks for the noon meeting, okay?”
“Thanks, you’re the best,” she said quickly without looking up. She was the heart and soul of our police station, always knowing where everyone and everything was. Taking one thing off of her to-do list was always appreciated, never questioned.
Dashing across the street, I managed to enter the store just in time to hold the door for a woman and her stroller, waving at the tiny pink-cheeked toddler who was already covered in cookie crumbs.
Bailey’s pretty pixie face lit up as I came toward her, making my heart sing cheesy old love songs.
“Officer Daniel,” she said. “Officer Matthews already picked up donuts this morning. Or do you guys need extra sugar today?”
I laughed, her sweet smile instantly making me feel lighter. “There’s a meeting at noon, and since lunch will be delayed for some of us, I figured snacks would be in order. Whatever you think an office full of hungry people would like.”
“Sure. I’ve got a bunch of pre-made sandwiches. I could just cut them in fours. And some bagels. Maybe some muffins?”
“Sounds good. Whatever you think will keep ten people busy for half an hour.”
She flashed me a grin, then quickly dashed around putting everything together beautifully in two large flat cardboard boxes.
Looking around the shop, I was astounded at the variety of food. “Do you really go through this many biscuits every day?”
Bailey shrugged. “Almost every day. Whatever doesn’t sell gets picked up by someone from the homeless shelter up on Mortimer.”
“Really? That’s kind of you.”
“It’s a good deal, actually. I give them quite a bit of food, and they agreed to shovel the snow in winter, and clean the front windows every other week. They send a couple of guys down every Thursday morning when I get my deliveries to haul the heaviest stuff inside for me. It’s hard for them to find work, and everyone needs to feel useful, you know?”
I nodded, not surprised by her kindness. “How long have you been a baker?”