Arrow: Stryker County PD, #7

By Kali Hart

Mandi

It's my dad's birthday.
I always get him donuts from his favorite bakery.
I'm running late and there's nowhere to park.
I know it's a bad idea, but I park in a tow zone.
It doesn't take long to get donuts, right?
Wrong.
Apparently it takes longer to get donuts than to get my car towed.

Arrow

I've given out one too many warnings to cars parking in the tow zone.
Today, I'm not having it.
But I'm not prepared for the fiery, curvy beauty that gives me a piece of her mind.
I can't help but want a piece of her heart, too.
How was I to know she's my boss's daughter?

Sweet & steamy short story instalove romance with an older police officer hero and younger curvy woman with an HEA. NO cliffhangers. NO cheating.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Aug 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9798223258841

Book preview

1

MANDI

You’ve got to be kidding me, I mumble, circling the block for the third time. Of all the donut shops in town, why does my dad’s favorite have to be Donut Haven? If it wasn’t his birthday, I’d just pick up something else.

But it’s a tradition I started when the two of us moved to Stryker County three years ago. From separate time zones to living within five minutes of each other, I cherished every bit of quality time we juggled between his job at the police department and mine at the library. Besides, he’s the only reliable family I’ve got. My mom… Okay, let’s not spoil Dad’s day by thinking of her.

Karma, be kind, I mutter, pulling into the only spot left and scanning the area for cops. Yes, it’s marked with red lines and a big no parking violators will be towed sign. But I’ve seen hundreds of people park here and never have a problem.

I’ll be quick. In and out.

Coast clear, I make a mad dash into the store muttering, It’s for a good cause under my breath like some kind of protective shield. I placed my order online three days ago. It should be fast.

But the moment I step inside the cramped space, I can barely find room to stand. An odd scent fills the air, mixing with the usually irresistible aroma of freshly baked donuts. Did something burn?

The donut cases are practically empty. The majority of customers look grumpy.

What do you mean you’re almost out of donuts? I hear a man at the counter holler.

"You burned them?" Another woman chimes in.

Excuse me, I say, forced to gently elbow my way through the mob of donut enthusiasts to the to-go case in the corner. They aren’t particularly obliging, too caught up in their own frustration. In two seconds flat, I’m smothered in a sea of people. I can’t see out the window to my car. It’s a miracle I can see the top of the donut case.

I need two dozen donuts! a shrill woman’s voice demands.

Yikes, I feel for the people behind the donut counter, firing off apologies and offering gift cards as quickly as they can. But people aren’t leaving. Odd.

I want my money back!

What do I tell my wife?

How long will it take to make more?

The mob grows so loud I can’t hear myself think.

Best I can figure through the chatter is that the bakery had an oven malfunction that morning and it ruined half their donuts. Luckily, my Donut Haven app reassured me my online order was filled half an hour ago. But dammit, it’s almost impossible to get over to the case. With my luck, I’ll be the first person to ever get mugged for donuts.

I take a deep breath, puff out my chest, and march forward.

I’ll give you fifty dollars for those, an elderly balding man offers, shuffling through his wallet and pulling out the cash. I don’t like the creepy look in his greedy eyes.

Sorry, no, I say in apology. Dad’s birthday.

"He needs that many donuts?" The judgement in the man’s voice is enough for me shove by him without another glance. I shiver, feeling his eyes follow me through the still shouting mob. Crowd be damned. I’m outta here. Boxing both arms around my treasure, I duck my head and keep walking until sunlight hits my face.

I’ve never been so relieved to get out of Donut Haven in my life. The cool, crisp air feels refreshing after the essence of burnt donuts and angry customers. I close my eyes and inhale deeply.