Chapter 3
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.”
Eager to jump at the chance, he nodded. “I’d love a cup of coffee.” He leaned back and looked at the almost empty bakery case. “Look at that. There’s one last éclair.”
Laughing, Belinda reached for the éclair and placed it on a plate. “I saved that for you. I wasn’t sure if you’d come back, but I thought you might like it if you did.”
The sweet gesture struck him, and he eagerly followed her to one of the small tables. “Sit with me.”
Bess had locked the door and put the closed sign up before heading back into the kitchen. When he’d stopped by, he had no idea if he would have the opportunity to talk privately with Belinda, but the fates and her sister had contrived to give him just what he wanted as she sat across from him. He jumped right in and said, “I’ve been curious about your real job since you say you’re just helping your sister here.”
Her face beamed as much as Bess’s had when he complimented the bakery, and he was once again reminded of the similarity between the two. “I’m a photographer.”
Unable to hide his surprise, he jerked his chin down. “Really?”
“Yes. Really.” She tilted her head to the side. “Is that so hard to believe?”
“No, not at all,” he rushed. “It’s just that I’ve never known a photographer. I mean, a professional photographer who does that for a living.” Hoping he hadn’t insulted her, he added, “But you said you were in the photography club in high school, so you were able to turn something you loved into a career.”
She nodded, then aimed the spotlight back at him. “That sounds like something you understand. Did you always want to go into law enforcement?”
“To be honest, when I left high school, I only wanted to follow in my older brother's footsteps, so I joined the Navy. But he went into marine technology to begin with, and I went straight into being military police.”
“That’s Andy, right?”
“Yeah, that’s my brother. Do you know him?”
“No, not really. I’ve met the woman he’s dating. She’s come into the bakery several times and seems really nice.”
“Yeah, Ivy is a great woman.” He was aware that the conversation rolled back to him. Determined to learn more about her, he prodded, “So tell me about being a photographer.”
“My work is diverse. I do events, weddings, anniversary celebrations, family gatherings, baby pictures. I even do headshots for professional events, although those aren’t my favorite. But I enjoy working with people and have bills to pay, so I don’t turn my nose up at any job. I also love nature photography.”
“Living on the Eastern Shore certainly gives you an opportunity for nature shots.”
He knew he’d said the right thing when her face brightened even more. “Absolutely! I like to go out in the early morning and get pictures of the beach, the birds, the shore, and anything in the area.” She heaved her shoulders and sighed. “Nature photographs sell occasionally, but hardly enough to live on. So I do pretty much anything I can with my cameras to earn money. Honestly, I just like to take pictures.”
“I can really feel your passion.” He wondered what else she would be passionate about and shifted slightly in his seat.
Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice his movements and nodded enthusiastically. “I feel incredibly lucky that I can make a living as a photographer.”
She looked around, then returned her gaze to him and sighed again. “I hate to kick you out, but I need to wipe down the tables and clean the floor. It was nice of you to come back and see me again.”
He took to his feet, making sure to clean up the crumbs from his table. “It was my pleasure, Belinda. I’m sorry I didn’t know you in high school, but it’s great to meet you now.”
Laughing, she patted his arm. “Please, don’t worry about high school. I’m much too old to worry about teenage angst by now. I think at that age, we’re all just trying to find someplace to fit in.”
Her words scored through him, and he nodded. “I think you’re right.” He walked to the door with her beside him. Lisa had been wrong about him earlier. It wasn’t that he never went on dates, but he tried to be discerning. Find someone he could date for a while, hoping it might last. But it had been months since he’d wanted to get to know someone and had asked them out.
Belinda leaned past him to unlock the door to let him through, and he looked down at her. “Would you be interested in having dinner with me sometime?”
“I’d really like that,” she answered without hesitation.
“What about Friday night?”
Beaming, she nodded. “That’s perfect. I have a photo shoot scheduled for Saturday afternoon, so Friday night would be great.”
His smile widened. “I’d love to pick you up, but I understand if you’d prefer to meet me.”
“I’d usually just meet you, but since you’re a deputy, I feel certain you must be trustworthy.” She laughed. “You can pick me up out front here. I live upstairs.”
“Really?”
“Yes, there are two apartments up there. I live in one, and Bess lives in the other.” She hesitated, then pulled her phone from her pocket. “I don’t want to sound too forward, but could we share phone numbers in case something comes up and we need to get ahold of each other? I promise I wouldn’t use it for any other reason than?—”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” he assured. They quickly exchanged phone numbers and settled on a time for Friday night. “Good night, Belinda. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow?”
Chuckling, he said, “I gotta start my day with coffee before I keep the county safe.” With that, he walked out, smiling at the look of delight on her face.