Page 4 of In the Arms of a Hero

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 wouldprobably call itmommy 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.”

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