Chapter Text
Moving to Knockemstiff was, perhaps, not the first choice you would’ve made when you got out of college. But, there was a thing about small towns: the cost of living was relatively low, at least when you compared it to the city. If you were moving to Cincinnati, for instance, you probably couldn’t afford the tires on your car. Not to mention how much more difficult it would be to get a job. In a small town, though? People were practically begging for workers. Plus, everything was so much cheaper. You were able to get a 2-bed, 1-bath apartment all on your own. And you wouldn’t even need a roommate! The best part, though? Your apartment was right above your soon-to-be-opened bakery.
It was almost funny how small towns sometimes would lack things that bigger cities would have. Knockemstiff only had the one grocery store, where they would get any sort of food that they needed. What more could they want with their typical grocery items, the deli, and the bakery that the little Mom and Pop shop had? Everything they needed, all in one place. They didn’t need, or really want, anything else.
Well, to that, you’d say that they hadn’t tried anything you’d made yet.
The bakery was cute. Not quite how you wanted it to look from the exterior, but that was the price you paid for putting it right on Main Street. Every building there was considered historical, and the local Historical Society would serve your head on a platter if you ever dreamed of doing anything to ruin the aesthetic of Main Street. So, you bit your tongue on the matter and worked your damned hardest to make sure that, if you couldn't have the outside of the building to your preference, at least the inside would be exactly as you wanted it.
You worked tirelessly to make sure everything was ready. And finally, finally, it was all coming to fruition.
The local newspaper had come down earlier to take pictures of the grand opening. Something about a bakery coming to town was a big deal. You thought it odd, but figured it was just another one of those small town quirks. And, besides, it was free publicity. Your bakery would be front and center on the front page of the newspaper. Anyone who hadn’t heard of your bakery by now certainly would by the time they read tomorrow’s paper. And, if you were lucky, it might even draw in a few curious folks.
You stayed busy most of the morning. While you had been working on getting the bakery up and running, word had spread throughout Knockemstiff about you, and there were more than a few people who, for better or for worse, wanted to know what the big deal was. And, so it seemed, you only had satisfied customers, if the looks on their faces as they dove into their chosen treats were any indication.
Most of the morning rush had died down when you heard the little bell above the door ring. You don’t look up, busy placing another tray of chocolate chip cookies in the glass case, calling out, “Hi! Welcome to Sweet Sensations! I’ll be with you in just a moment!”
As you straightened back up, you realized that you had a crowd of people coming into your shop. The entire sheriff’s department, so it seemed with their uniforms and tools of their trade.
One man stepped up to the counter, glancing over the treats you had out on display. As you looked up at him, waiting for him to say something, you suddenly became aware of just how small you were, especially compared to him. You barely were taller than the cases you’d ordered, but compared to this man? Shit, he could probably squish you under his boot.
Then your eyes zeroed in on the shiny sheriff badge on his chest, then trailed down his arms to the wisps of a tattoo peaking out onto his hands. When you finally looked back up, unaware that you were licking your lips, the sheriff was smirking down at you. “What can I get for you today, sheriff?”
“Well, what would you recommend, sweet cheeks?”
“Um, everything?” you squeaked. Your eyes dart over the top of the glass cases, trying to figure out what would be best to recommend. “I, uh, think my favorites would be the personal apple pie, the red velvet cupcakes, and the peanut butter cookies.”
He nodded, stroking his chin like he was thinking. Finally, he said, “I’ll take one of those pies, a half dozen of the cupcakes, and a dozen of the cookies.”
You nodded, grabbing some boxes to put each of the orders into. “You got quite the sweet tooth, sheriff.”
“Lucky for me that I got a sweet little thing like you to satisfy all of my cravings.”
You paused as you stacked the boxes into a bag for him to carry. Did he just? No, surely he couldn’t have. He was just talking about food. Right? There was no way he actually said that, was there?
“That’ll be twenty-four dollars and seven cents,” you said.
He reached into his back pocket, retrieving his wallet. It was almost like he was taking his sweet time in pulling out his credit card, like he was doing his damned hardest to make this interaction last as long as possible. It almost made you melt. You couldn’t remember the last time someone was this dedicated to spending time with you.
The card reader was on your side of the register, so he reached over, his fingertips brushing up against yours as he passed you the card. You fought the urge to squeak at the contact, focusing entirely on swiping the card and ripping off the receipt that spat out from the register. But, as you passed the card and receipt to him and your fingertips brushed against his again, the squeak fell out before you could stop it.
His smirk was wide as he slipped the card and receipt into his wallet, before returning it to his back pocket. “Now, what’s a sheriff gotta do to get your number, sweet cheeks?”
You weren’t sure where the confidence came from, the feeling odd as you found yourself saying, “You gotta share a cheesecake with me first.”
“Ah. Well, I get off work around four o’clock. That good for you?”
Wait, he was serious? And he wanted to see you tonight? What kind of cheesy Hallmark movie nonsense had you walked into? But, shit, as you looked into his soft blue eyes, you couldn’t help but wish it stayed as sweet as a Hallmark movie—at least, minus all of the drama that comes with a movie. If it could just stay like this, you’d never complain.
“Just peachy.”
“See you then, sweet cheeks.” As he turned, ready to leave, you called out, stopping him in his tracks. He turned, the smirk on his face prominent, as he asked, “Yeah, sweet cheeks? You need something?”
“Only fair that I know your name before you come over tonight. My name’s—”
“Lee. Lee Bodecker. And don’t worry ‘bout tellin’ me your name. It’s my job to know who everyone in this town is.”
You frowned. “You already know my name?”
“Like I said, sweet cheeks, I got quite the sweet tooth.”
And, with a final wink, he turned and left, the little bell above the door ringing as he went. You stood for a moment, trying to process what the hell just happened. But, that would have to wait. You had a business to run, and a cheesecake to pick out for tonight. So, you straightened yourself up, brushed off the invisible dust from your apron, and called out, “I can help whoever’s next!”