Chapter 1
Sweet Beginnings, Bitter Goodbyes
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of HeavenLEE Bakery, painting the countertops with gold light. Heaven Lee Jones wiped her hands on her apron, inhaling the sweet aroma of fresh bread, cinnamon, and vanilla. Today was hectic—but perfect. Her pastries were selling out, the espresso machine was humming, and for a moment, she allowed herself to just breathe.
“Morning, boss lady,” Lena Morales greeted, sliding a tray of warm croissants across the counter. “You survived the morning rush.”
Heaven laughed, tucking a stray braid behind her ear. “Barely. But it’s my last morning in Fayetteville before Ozark. I’m savoring every moment.”
Lena grinned knowingly. “Then we celebrate tonight. I’ve already scoped out a place with live music and dancing. You, me, maybe a little wine, and absolutely no thinking about bakery spreadsheets or logistics.”
Heaven’s smile softened, a little wistful. “Sounds perfect.” She set the tray aside and glanced at the framed photographs on the wall: smiling customers, community events, and a small corner dedicated to her childhood memories. It had been ten years since she’d last seen Jace, and somehow, the idea of leaving Fayetteville felt heavier than just closing a store.
“You okay?” Lena asked, noticing the faraway look in Heaven’s eyes.
“Yeah… just thinking,” Heaven said, shaking her head. “It’s silly. I’m excited for Ozark, really. Just… Fayetteville has been home for a long time.”
“Then tonight, we make one last memory,” Lena said firmly, grabbing Heaven’s hand. “Dance. Laugh. Maybe flirt a little if some cute guy shows up.”
Heaven laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t think tonight’s about flirting.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Lena teased, sliding on her heels. “Come on, it’ll be fun. You’ve earned it.”
By evening, the bakery’s closing time was a blur. Heaven swept the floors one last time, smiling at the gleaming counters and glass cases that had held her labor, her love, and her dream. Lena locked up behind her, and the two of them hopped into Lena’s old Jeep, music pumping, hair flying in the warm night air.
“First stop: Dancing,” Lena announced, grinning. “Second stop: You not thinking about tomorrow, Ozark, or Jace.”
Heaven laughed again, feeling a bubble of excitement she hadn’t felt in months. For tonight, there was no bakery, no logistics, no distant memories—just laughter, music, and the anticipation of a carefree night out.
And yet, deep down, she couldn’t shake the little tug of nostalgia… or the faint memory of someone with inked arms and stormy eyes who had once felt like family.
The neon lights of downtown Fayetteville bathed the streets in electric pink and blue as Heaven and Lena stepped into The Velvet Lounge. Music thumped through the floorboards, a live band sending waves of energy across the packed dance floor.
Heaven grinned, feeling a thrill she hadn’t felt in years. Tonight, she wasn’t the baker rushing to meet orders, nor the ambitious entrepreneur thinking about expansion—she was just Heaven, hair braided into a playful style, cherry-red lipstick highlighting her warm smile, and a swing dress that made her look like a modern-day pinup girl.
“Whoa,” Lena whispered, nodding at her friend. “You look… wow. Stop making me feel underdressed here!”
Heaven laughed, twirling to let the skirt flare. “You’re the one who insisted on this outfit!”
The band kicked into a jazzy swing number, and Lena grabbed Heaven’s hands, pulling her into the crowd. The two laughed as they danced, spinning and stepping with carefree abandon. Around them, strangers cheered, couples swayed, and the world felt impossibly wide and full of possibility.
Heaven caught herself glancing around, half-expecting to see someone familiar in the crowd. A fleeting pang of nostalgia hit—memories of summer nights in Port Lavaca, of laughter with Jace echoing in her mind. But she shook it off, letting the music sweep her worries away.
For hours, they danced, drank, and laughed until their cheeks burned. Heaven’s energy was infectious; people smiled when she passed, charmed by her brightness. Every twirl and every carefree laugh reminded her how much she had grown, yet how much of her heart still clung to the past.
Lena leaned close, brushing hair from Heaven’s face. “One last song, Heaven. Let’s make this night unforgettable.”
Heaven nodded, lifting her chin, heart light. She felt alive, radiant, unstoppable. The world outside, tomorrow, and her Ozark plans could wait a little longer—tonight was theirs.
The music swelled, the band’s brass section hitting a perfect crescendo, and Heaven spun once more, laughter spilling into the warm night air. In that moment, she was entirely herself—free, vibrant, and untouchable.
Heaven spun under the disco lights, letting the music carry her, when Lena nudged her shoulder. “Uh-oh,” Lena said with a sly grin, nodding subtly toward the bar.
Heaven followed her gaze and froze just for a second. Leaning casually against the counter was a biker type—leather jacket, inked arms, a rough, ready look that screamed trouble in the best possible way. His dark eyes scanned the room, and Heaven felt her cheeks warm as they briefly met hers.
Lena elbowed her lightly. “Oh, yeah… he’s definitely checking you out. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.”
Heaven waved her hand dismissively, though her pulse raced. “I’m not—he’s… I mean, come on, Lena. Focus.”
Lena laughed, shaking her head. “Please. You look like a pinup tonight; you think he doesn’t notice? He’s practically staring.”
Heaven rolled her eyes, trying to regain composure, but she couldn’t help sneaking a glance. The biker lifted his brow, a half-smile playing on his lips. Her stomach fluttered in a way that reminded her of… someone from long ago. A familiar tug of nostalgia teased the edges of her mind, though she pushed it away, determined to enjoy the night.
“Lena,” she whispered, “stop teasing me. I’m here to celebrate, not to get distracted by some stranger with tattoos.”
“Mm-hmm,” Lena said, smirking. “Sure, just ignore the guy who looks like he could ride through a hurricane and still look good doing it.”
Heaven laughed despite herself, spinning again, letting the music drown out the playful tension. For tonight, it was all fun—music, dancing, and the glow of neon lights—but somewhere in the back of her mind, a tiny spark of curiosity lingered.
For the first time in a long while, Heaven felt truly free, alive, and untouchable, unaware that her life was about to be jolted in a way she could never have predicted.
By the time the band slowed their final set, the dance floor had thinned. Heaven and Lena were laughing breathlessly, their cheeks flushed and hair slightly mussed from hours of spinning and twirling.
“Okay,” Lena said, sipping her drink, “I think we survived the last night of Fayetteville in one piece.”
Heaven smiled, nodding. “Yeah… it’s been perfect.” She leaned back against the bar for a moment, letting the music’s echo fade. The carefree energy of the night lingered, but underneath it, a wave of nostalgia began to settle in.
Ten years ago, she had left Port Lavaca, Texas when her father retired. At eighteen, the small coastal town she’d grown up in had suddenly felt both too small and too full of memories. She’d moved to Arkansas for college, chasing independence and a life that wasn’t defined by the past, by family expectations, or by who she had been.
College had been hard at first—making new friends, figuring out her identity in a strange state—but she’d thrived, fueled by curiosity, determination, and a love of baking she’d cultivated since childhood. By age 22, she had opened HeavenLEE Bakery, small and unassuming at first, but full of warmth and heart. Five years of tireless work later, her bakery had become a local favorite, a place where people didn’t just come for pastries—they came for Heaven.
She glanced at Lena, smiling softly. “It’s strange,” she said, voice almost dreamy. “Sometimes it feels like Fayetteville has been my whole life… and other times like it’s just a stepping stone.”
Lena nudged her. “Stepping stone or not, you’ve left your mark. And you’re about to do it all over again in Ozark.”
Heaven nodded, feeling the bittersweet weight of leaving a place that had shaped her. The night had been light, joyous, carefree—but now, alone with her thoughts, she felt the pull of memories: late nights baking in the small kitchen at her first location, the friends she’d made, the people who had become like family, and… the people she’d left behind, including a certain someone from her past.
She shook her head, brushing a stray braid from her face. Tonight was a celebration. Tomorrow, she would step into the unknown, into Ozark, ready to expand, to grow—but part of her heart would always linger here, in Fayetteville, in the streets she’d danced tonight, and in the memories of someone who had once been everything she didn’t realize she wanted.
With one last laugh and a shared grin, Heaven and Lena stepped into the warm night air, the neon glow fading behind them as they walked toward Lena’s Jeep. The night was ending, but for Heaven, a new chapter was about to begin—though she had no idea how soon her past and present would collide.
Heaven and Lena had just pulled up to the curb in front of HeavenLEE Bakery for a final stop before heading home. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of baked goods and city lights. Heaven’s laughter still lingered, a soft echo of the carefree joy she had felt all evening.
She reached into her purse for her phone, intending to check messages or set a reminder for the Ozark trip. Her fingers froze when the screen lit up with “Dad” flashing across it.
Chet Jones. Her father rarely called at night. The suddenness of it made her chest tighten.
“Hello?” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Heaven… it’s Jace,” Chet’s voice was tight, strained with worry. “He’s in Tulsa… he’s had a major accident. You’re the closest person to him right now—I… I don’t know who else to call. You have to get there, Heaven.”
Heaven’s stomach dropped. The music, laughter, and carefree joy of the night evaporated instantly. Her heart hammered, adrenaline surging. “What happened?” she asked, voice trembling.
“I don’t have all the details,” Chet admitted. “He’s in serious condition, and the hospital needed someone he trusts nearby. That’s you.”
She dropped onto the curb, the world tilting as panic and disbelief collided. Jace… after ten years… the thought of him lying injured sent memories crashing back: childhood summers in Port Lavaca, endless laughter, and a bond that had always been more than friendship.
“I… I’ll leave immediately,” she said, gripping her phone as Lena appeared at her side, eyes wide with concern.
“You okay?” Lena asked, sensing the shift in Heaven’s energy.
“I… it’s Jace. He’s hurt, and I’m the closest to him. He needs me,” Heaven said, her voice tight but resolute. A fire sparked in her chest, stronger than fear: she would get to him, no matter what it took.
In that moment, the night of celebration, music, and carefree laughter became a distant memory. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with worry, love, and danger. But Heaven knew one thing with absolute clarity: she had to be there.
And she would.
