Holding Out for a Hero (Baytown Heroes #9)

Chapter 7

7

That evening, as the vibrant hues of sunset painted the sky, Bess poured a glass of wine and walked into her living room. An explosion of red, blue, and purple greeted her like a kaleidoscope. Bright colors brought her joy, and decorating her small apartment had been a labor of love. She gained a zestful sense of being alive every time she stepped through the door, recharging her spirit even after the longest day.

Her apartment was modest in size, but she’d transformed it into a home that was uniquely hers. Living above the bakery afforded her easy access, and knowing she could be there at a moment’s notice gave her a sense of security. What was truly comforting was the delectable scent of roasted coffee beans, sweet vanilla, and warm cinnamon that wafted upward.

Peering through the slats of her closed blinds, she gazed at the parking lot. The view would be disheartening to many, but to Bess, knowing that just below was her bakery was glorious. Mine… all mine.

The autumn sun had now set. There were no customer cars in the parking lot and no lines out the door waiting for her to open and offer the treats and coffee that the North Heron County residents had come to expect.

Belinda lived in the apartment next to her, but since it was at the back of the building, her view was of the trees beyond the alley, giving Belinda a chance to watch the sunrise over the woods every morning.

Now, with her sister working the wedding, Bess sat on the sofa facing the television and sighed. She had grown accustomed to sharing evenings with Belinda, but now that her sister’s photography business had picked up, she was often busy on Saturday nights with wedding photography bookings. Bess enjoyed being around people and wouldn’t mind a night out on the town—well, as much of a night out as the Eastern Shore of Virginia offered. But she'd thrown herself into work since establishing her bakery a year ago.

She opened the shop doors at seven o’clock and closed them at three o’clock. She spent the later afternoon into early evening prepping for the following morning when she’d arrive at five o’clock to begin baking.

She cast her mind back to the start of her business. Has it really been a year since I opened? She’d stood on the sidewalk with the North Heron County Supervisor and several members of the local board and Chamber of Commerce in front of the Bess's Bakery sign. She’d felt nerves fluttering through her stomach until she’d looked out and spied Belinda and their parents facing her, their cameras held high.

“Smile, Bess!” Belinda had called out, eliciting a grin so wide that Bess thought her cheeks would never return to another expression.

Bess had vibrated with excitement as she held the huge, ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors in her hands. After the obligatory speeches, she’d cut the ribbon, and her baby was finally born—well, business baby.

Culinary classes at the vocational center during high school fed her love of baking, which had been developed early with her grandmothers. While attending college in Virginia Beach with dual majors in culinary arts and business, she’d worked in numerous restaurants—fast food, mom-and-pop diners, and a bar fixing nothing more than chicken wings, pizza, and nachos. Once she’d graduated, she’d gained employment and more training as a pastry chef in a large restaurant. But her love of the Eastern Shore of Virginia always called her home.

She knew the area needed a coffee shop and bakery since there was only one on the main street of Baytown but none in this part of the county. She’d added in barista training, and then finally, with the help of her parents, she was ready to open her own shop.

Pushing down her nerves, she’d shaken the hands of the county dignitaries who’d come by and raced inside to start handing out treats for the first day.

The small area was filled with white tables and red-and-white chairs for those having coffee and treats. On one side, a counter was filled with the bakery items she’d made early in the morning. The scent of coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon wafted past.

With her red hair piled on top of her head, she’d donned her apron with Bess's Bakery, and I’m Bess embroidered on the front.

That apron, plus others just like it, had become her customary costume almost every day since she’d opened her doors.

Now, Bess chuckled at the memories of last year and took another sip of wine. Leaning back against the sofa, she stared up at the ceiling as her mind drifted to Belinda, knowing the outdoor wedding location next to the Sunset Restaurant in Baytown provided the perfect backdrop for photographs.

If all went well, Belinda would meet with Aaron there. They’d met after the bakery had opened, and after a few dates, which included a Bergstrom family Thanksgiving meal, he’d ghosted her. By the summer, Aaron regretted his rash decision and had worked to earn Belinda’s trust again. Bess shook her head as her lips curved. She was protective of her older sister and hadn’t made it easy for him. But finally, taking pity on Aaron when he came into the bakery to ask her advice on getting back with Belinda, she’d simply told him to take the time to get to know her sister. I might have thrown in a threat or two about treating her right!

In truth, Aaron was a good guy, and she felt sure her sister would have a wonderful time at the wedding, sneaking in a dance at the end of the reception after the newlyweds had left for their honeymoon. She could already imagine her sister and Aaron spinning slowly around the dance floor.

That thought sent her mind drifting to who else would be at the wedding. Considering the groom was a deputy, she was sure many guests were from local law enforcement. And law enforcement meant someone else would be there—someone she had tried, with little success, to forget. Now, her thoughts drifted to the tall, rugged, ginger-haired detective who’d caught her eye… and other parts of her body. His presence had stirred not just her curiosity but ignited a primal longing she’d almost forgotten existed.

Well, at least before their short-lived connection went up in flames as it crashed and burned with an intensity that had left her reeling.

Brad Stowe. The name echoed in her mind like a bitter reminder of her folly. She’d known they were just a hookup when they started, but after spending the night, she’d allowed herself to entertain the possibility of something more. He’d squashed those thoughts with spectacular finality. Jesus, offering to pay me for sex!

A pang of guilt pricked at her conscience as she reflected on her silence about that ill-fated night. She and Belinda shared almost everything, but Bess remained zip-lipped about the night with Brad. At first, it was too embarrassing to admit she’d been so stupid to have been drawn in. Then it just seemed painful. As Aaron and Belinda grew closer again, Bess didn’t want to steal their spotlight with her own misfortune.

She’d rarely seen Brad since their night last summer but noted his sporadic visits to the bakery to talk to Aaron if he was in with Belinda. If Bess was behind the counter when he’d shown up, she ordered one of her employees to serve him while she’d stomped into the back. He’d never tried to talk to her again, and as far as she was concerned—good riddance. She was certain Belinda could notice the tension, but her sister had kept her curiosity to herself.

Sighing heavily, Bess drained her wineglass, then reclined on her sofa. Is it so hard to wish for a hero? With her back to the pillowed arm, her legs stretched out along the cushions. Her phone vibrated, jarring Bess out of her musings. Smiling at the caller ID, she answered, “Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, sweetie. I just thought I’d take a chance that you were in on a Saturday night.”

“Since when do you know me to be out on a Saturday night?” she quipped. “At least, not since getting the bakery up and running.”

“You work too hard,” her mother admonished. “Are you still trying to stay open six days a week?”

“You’ll be glad to know that starting in the new year, I decided to take Sundays and Mondays off.”

“Oh, thank goodness! Your father and I have been so worried about you.”

“You don’t need to worry about Belinda and me. You just take care of Aunt Gwennie and Nana Jules, and we’re fine. After a year of being in business, I no longer feel like a newbie at this. I’m staying open later Tuesdays through Fridays to accommodate the after-school crowd, then closing earlier on Saturdays. Who knew that teenagers love coming by to get their specialty coffees? Anyway, then I can take off Sundays and Mondays.”

“I think that’s a sound decision. Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

“No. I’ll probably just catch up on rest and try a new recipe. Belinda is at a wedding this evening, and maybe I’ll get to spend some time with her tomorrow.”

“I talked to her last week. It sounds like she and Aaron are getting closer.”

“He’s spent the past several months proving that he wants to be with her, and, in truth, he’s a good guy.”

“Well, he’s a detective, so at least I can rest knowing she’s safe.”

Bess barked out laughter, then quickly tried to cover it up. She knew firsthand that being a detective didn’t mean someone was a good guy or they’d necessarily be safe. “As long as she’s happy.”

“Well, your dad and I want both of our girls to be happy,” her mom said with emphasis.

“I am happy,” she protested.

“I’m not saying you have to have a man to be happy, but I’d like to know that you have some fun and not just work all the time.”

“Once I get two days off a week, I plan on having some fun.” She didn’t have anything planned but figured she’d go for a drive or walk along the beach with two days off. She even thought about driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to Virginia Beach to catch up with some old friends she hadn’t seen since she’d opened the bakery.

“I’ll say good night, sweetheart. Give Belinda our love, and I’ll call her in a few days.”

“Okay, bye, Mom. Love you.”

Bess stood and carried her empty wineglass to the sink, where she rinsed it. Flipping off the lights, she headed into her bedroom. After a quick shower, she pulled on a washed-soft and faded T-shirt with the words, Never Trust a Skinny Baker across the chest. After brushing her teeth, she climbed into bed and reached for her e-reader. Soon immersed in the story of a hero and the woman he’d do anything for, she eventually groaned. Placing it back onto her nightstand, she slid under the covers and stared at her ceiling. “Is it so hard to want to find a guy who thinks I’m special? He doesn’t even have to be a larger-than-life hero. Just a hero to me.”

No answers came, but then she hadn’t expected any. Rolling over, she finally fell asleep and dreamed of a man with deep-set blue eyes gazing into hers.