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Chapter One

“You going to get up there and sing tonight?” Jen Randall asked, tucking a lock of blond hair behind her ear

“I’led her longneck beer—“before that happens”

It had been a busy week but a good one It had taken seven years of saving, planning, and hard work, but Annie’s Café was finally up and running She was ready to put down the pastry bag for one night and throw back a couple with her best friend

“Hey, you could do some Britney Spears!”

Annie just about choked on her beer “In a two-step bar? We’d have a riot on our hands”

It was more like a two-step toeet Hill was nestled in the heart of Washington, surrounded by apple orchards All of which were owned by the Jacobs family

The thought left a sour taste in herand the nah to escape it, and Annie really wanted to escape it Especially since the last time she saw Luke Jacobs—and by saw, she ht

“Yikes, what bit your ass?” Jen asked loudly, swiveling on her barstool to face Annie

“What?”

“You just got a mean look on your face Don’t like the Garth Brooks rendition Big Saul is pulling off?” Jen pressed her finger against her ear and gently shook her head “Can’t say I blame you, if that’s the case”

“No, it’s not Big Saul” However, the six-foot-plus overall-clad co was obviously tone-deaf The wood planks of the tiny stage at the front of the bar weren’t the only thing screeching

“Aw, I should have known” Jen eyed Annie “It’s your heartbreak anniversary”

“Don’t call it that It makes me sound like a pathetic crazy person,” Annie said before taking another swig of beer It o years since she’d seen the bastard who stole her heart—and her panties—and took off for the East Coast, never to be heard froain

“How about it’s your sex-a-versary?”

“That’s even worse”

Jen still didn’t seeh, but you finally have your café, and your s to celebrate”

Annie nodded Her dad had walked out when she was a baby, and her mother had habits—mostly men—that didn’t leave a lot of tirand her own business one day