Curves for the Single Dad

“Yes, Sophie.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” she said and finally released the envelope, which I accepted like there were explosives inside. “Hey Mara, can I get a dozen croissants to go? Three of each, please.”

Even though I’d had no actual desire to go on any dates with anyone for a good long while, maybe ever, I was more than a little curious about the kind of men Sophie’s algorithm would match me with. My fingers tingled at the tips to open it, but I couldn’t.

Not with Sophie staring at me excitedly from the corner of her eyes. As soon as Sophie rushed off with her box of pastries, Mara let out a low laugh.

“What in the hell was I thinking?”

“That if you didn’t go of your own free will, your sister would have dragged you there by your gun belt?”

“True,” I laughed. “Still, this is crazy. Right?”

“Not so crazy, I guess, if you’re looking to get coupled up.”

“I’m not sure if I am,” I told her honestly. It wasn’t just about my ex, okay it was mostly about him, but I just wasn’t eager to get back out there, despite what my friends and my sister thought.

“You’ve already gone in and done all the other stuff, might as well go on a date or two and see who they pick. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I barked out a laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. I could go on a few dates with a guy that I really like, fall in love with him, and then he could up and move to Wisconsin out of the blue. And then marry someone else six months later.” No I wasn’t bitter about it. Not at all.

“Right,” Mara winced. “Sorry about that. But maybe this time try not to fall for an asshole?

She wasn’t wrong, and I let out a short laugh. “Yeah, thanks for the advice. Maybe I should sign you up so we can do this together.”

Her dark eyes narrowed in my direction as she leaned forward, speaking barely above a whisper. “Is it illegal to threaten an officer if you’re only threatening them as a friend?”

“Good question. Why don’t you call Xander and ask him?” There was some weird dynamic between them that I hadn’t been able to figure out yet, but I was desperately curious about it.

Something flashed in her brown eyes, but Mara recovered quickly. “Maybe I will. The answer might be worth it,” she said and slid the steaming cup and branded bag towards me.

I’d barely gotten into my patrol car before a call came in. A stolen bike. Another one. Even though it annoyed the ever lovin’ hell out of me, petty crimes like this gave me peace. There weren’t many major crimes other than domestic violence and minor drug stuff in the area, but the frequency was starting to alarm me.

“There you are Officer Beechum!” Lila Jacobs was at the passenger door as soon as I came to a stop, bouncing on her toes excitedly. “Someone stole my bike and just when I finished making the glitter cupcake for the basket.” That little pout was heartbreaking, but I gave myself a mental pep talk to keep it professional before I stepped out.

“Slow down Lila and tell me what you remember.”

Tears swam in her hazel eyes, and my heart went out to the little girl as she worked to get her emotions under control. Chris joined us and put a calming hand to her shoulder.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

“Perfect. Tell me what happened, starting with when you last had the bike in your hands.”

Lila closed her eyes and walked me through it with surprising detail. “I came back from riding with Brittany, her stepdad Steve took us around town, and I put it up against the fence because Daddy said to treat it like it matters to me.” She sniffled and let out another breath. “I left the kickstand down so it wouldn’t tip on me again and then me and Daddy had lunch, sandwiches and fruit. No chips,” she said with accusation in her voice. “I came back after lunch and it was gone!”

Poor kid. I remember the first time my bike was stolen and how heartbroken I was. “That’s a lot of detail, kiddo. Good job.”

“Thanks. You’ll get it back, won’t you Officer Beechum?”

“I’m going to do my best. Do you have a photo of the bike?” At the question, Lila nodded and ran inside the two story farm style house she shared with her father.

“Do you really think you’ll find her bike?” Chris was full of skepticism, and I tried not to think it was because I was just a silly little woman. Instead I put on my professional officer of the law smile and nodded.

“Probably. In a town like Pilgrim this is mostly a crime of opportunity. Some kid, or adult, doesn’t want to walk to the other side of town and they see an unlocked bike, so they take it. I’ll look around on patrol today and see if it turns up.”