Page 1 of Love at First Sip

Chapter One

Deanna York quickly applied her foot to the brake pedal as she caught sight of the older couple stepping out onto the crosswalk. With both hands in the ten-and-two-o’clock position on the steering wheel, she let out a deep breath and half waved at them with her fingers.

“Sorry,” she mumbled inside her car, embarrassed she’d let herself get distracted.

The older gentleman just sort of stared at her, a solemn expression plastered on his face. Meanwhile, his wife kept her arm looped through his while they both shuffled across the street.

Deanna had circled the block six times already, for no other reason than to look at the outside of the vacant storefront. She’d always dreamed of owning her own coffee shop, and now that dream was about to become reality. That is, if she didn’t chicken out at the last minute.

When the older couple was safely across the street, she looked both ways before easing ahead. Instead of making a right at the light like she’d done previously, this time, she drove straight ahead.

Expecting to have to walk a block or more, since she’d recently discovered the downtown area could become quite congested during the lunchtime rush, she’d worn her most comfortable pair of sneakers. She’d briefly considered dressing up but had talked herself out of it at the last minute, settling for a pair of her best jeans, perfectly hemmed sans of any rips or tears in the knees, and a chunky, heather grey sweater. Relaxing yet comfortable. Sure, a nice pantsuit or skirt would’ve probably been more appropriate for her bank appointment, but she was in Tahoe now, where things were much more laid back than they were in the big city of New York.

Off the top of her head, she couldn’t think of anything the two cities had in common. In fact, they were about as opposite as apples and oranges.

Other than a few acquaintances from the hospital and her best friend, Nelda, there was very little about New York that she missed. She could thank her ex for that, but had it not been for their divorce, she wouldn’t be on her way toThe First National Bank of Tahoeright now.

Deanna would be lying if she said she wasn’t a nervous wreck. Having tossed and turned for most of the night, she hoped no one noticed the dark circles underneath her eyes. Concealer had done wonders in her early twenties, but now that she’d joined the over forty club, makeup seemed to bring more attention to her imperfect skin-tone, rather than hide or cover it up. She didn’t actually feel forty-two, so maybe that was a good sign.

Surprisingly, the front parking spot is open and she quickly grabs it before anyone else does. She still can’t get over how much her little hometown has grown in the time she’s been away. Her parents had always enjoyed flying to New York City during the holidays to see all the touristy things, so she never felt guilty about not coming back. Until now.

Old friends, former classmates…seemed she’d missed out on so much. All that would change—she hoped—once she got the coffee shop up and running. She couldn’t wait to get reacquainted with everyone and to see what they were all doing these days.

Well, maybe not everyone.

She’d often regretted breaking Gavin Winston’s heart—her high school sweetheart—but the two of them just hadn’t seen eye-to-eye on their futures He’d wanted to get married and start a family right out of school, whereas she’d wanted to move to the big city and pursue a career in theatre.

Her acting career had come to a screeching halt, though, the day she was headed to an audition and she’d slipped and fell on the ice, breaking not just her arm but her leg as well. The physician’s assistant who’d tended to her in the emergency room that cold, wintery day had taken very good care of her during her brief stay in the hospital and when he’d called to check on her following her release, the rest, as they say, is history.

She and Don had had a good marriage for many years, until things slowly started to fall apart. It didn’t help that she was in charge of his office staff at the hospital and when his nurses started to ask questions concerning his behavior towards her, she’d felt even more at a loss not having any answers.

It was almost a relief the day she was served with divorce papers, knowing that her despair would soon be over. She and Nelda were sitting a table inside The Coffee Loft coffee shop at the hospital when it hit her—she wanted to own and manage one of these back home.

After many tears and words of encouragement from her best friend, she’d grabbed a pamphlet off the counter and called the franchise information number the very next day.

Don hadn’t been too happy with the check he’d had to write her following the judge’s ruling on their divorce, but she’d smiled all the way to the bank, knowing she was one step closer to being a business owner. Her parents were glad she was coming back to Lake Tahoe and if she were being honest, she couldn’t wait to breathe in the crisp mountain air. Oh, how she’d missed it.

Fluffing her bangs, she checks her reflection in the mirror one last time before climbing out of her car. She’d briefly met with Sloan Morgan, the bank’s head load officer, when she’d gotten into town last week, but everything else had been taken care of over the phone and online.Expect to be here about an hour,he’d told her.I’ve already got the keys waiting for you.

She was excited about bringing The Coffee Loft franchise to Lake Tahoe and she hoped the community embraced this endeavor as much as she did.

“Deanna, come on in.” Sloan stands up from his desk to shake her hand.

“I’m sorry if it’s sweaty,” she says and immediately brushes it across her pants leg as soon as he releases it. “In case you weren’t able to tell, I’m a little nervous.”

“Understandably so. Please, take a seat while I get the rest of your paperwork together.”

Deanna looks around the room, taking in all of the framed awards and certifications. Sloan was a couple of years ahead of her in school, and she was happy to see he’d done so well in the banking industry. She’d considered using one of the more well-known regional banks and at the last minute had opted to do her business with Sloan instead.

“You’ve been so helpful with everything,” she points out as soon as Sloan begins to lay the paperwork on his desk. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“The community is definitely excited. I’ve already had several people ask me when you’re planning the grand opening.”

“Oh, wow.” Deanna looks away, not wanting him to see the tear that’s suddenly appeared out of nowhere. “The contractor thinks he can have everything completed by the first of the year. I have a meeting with him later this afternoon and he’s hoping to get started right away.”

“This is such good news. Deanna, you’re going to love being back home.”

“I’ve been away for far too long.”

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