Donuts and Handcuffs

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.