Only the Heart Knows

Lena Goldfinch

Dec 2016 · The Brides Book 4 · Indigo Road Publishing

About this ebook

When an advice columnist falls for a handsome rancher, she fears he'll never forgive her once he learns he's actually been sharing his secrets with a woman!

COLORADO 1880

Mandy MacKenna is secretly the voice behind Ask Mack, an advice column for men, addressing all matters ranching-related. And she's secretly in love with "Banks," one of her most devoted correspondents. But whenever she's around him, she can barely bring herself to make eye-contact with the man.

Adam Booker is a banker-turned-rancher, who's struggling to make his way after he inherits his uncle's place. If not for Ask Mack, he would have surely floundered by now. But the ranch is only one of his problems, because Mandy MacKenna - daughter of the region's wealthiest rancher - is far beyond his reach.

A lighthearted, sweet historical romance.

Only the Heart Knows is a standalone novel in The Brides Series.

THE BRIDES SERIES

The Unexpected Bride
Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe
The Bartered Bride
Only the Heart Knows

EXCERPT 

A look of alarm crossed the postmistress's face. "Miss Amanda! Behind you!"

Mandy spun around, expecting to find a crate on the boardwalk behind her.

What she collided with instead was a wall of chest. A man. Strong arms fastened around her, preventing her from tumbling backward off the boardwalk into the street. He set her back a bit without releasing her.

"I'm so sorry..." she said. Her words stumbled to a stop as she found her bearings and met the man's eyes. A pair of piercing blue eyes that reminded her of the deepest blue sky.

Those eyes.

Adam Booker's eyes.

He stood before her, so close. His face oh-so familiar. Freshly shaven, it looked like. Handsome. Refined. And yet entirely masculine. The ends of his dark, richly brown hair curling to just above his collar. Broad shoulders. That brown Stetson. A bright blue chambray shirt. A pair of nicely worn denims. Polished boots.

A banker in rancher's duds.

Lordy.

All Mandy's breath hitched up in her chest, making her lightheaded.

"Miss MacKenna," he said. She wondered if he was aware that he was idly smoothing his hands down her sleeves in a most familiar fashion. As if checking her for damage. Leaving a trail of tingles wherever he touched.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

She shivered. Not from cold. For she wasn't cold. Not in the least.

"I'm fine, sir. I mean, Mr. Booker. Sir." Oh, why had she said that? She'd called him sir. Twice. She sounded a fool, all breathless and overwhelmed with his closeness.

Mandy felt Miss Judith's curious gaze resting on them from the post office doorway. Miss Judith, who knew Mandy's secret. That she was the real face behind Ask Mack. Mandy had never revealed that Adam was Banks, but Miss Judith may well have figured it out.

Mandy answered Adam privately these days. And they'd become friends through their letters. A treasure she didn't wish to share with all of Cross Creek.

And here she was, Mack, standing with Banks on the boardwalk.

With his hands clasping her shoulders. Which felt so...right.

Something shifted inside Mandy. The usual butterflies danced inside her stomach, as they always did whenever she saw him, but this time she also felt the tiniest of clicks. Like something broken coming together. And with it came a rush of awareness that just yesterday she'd felt something missing in her life.

Was it this? That she belonged with him, Banks? A rather romantic notion. Especially since they'd only shared a few lovely dances. Adam couldn't possibly know when she looked at him, she saw a dear friend. And she could hardly expect him to view her with the same deep regard. Adam Booker didn't see her as a dear friend. How could he? He was possibly no more interested in Miss Amanda MacKenna than he was in a grasshopper hopping down the middle of Main Street.

He certainly didn't know she was Mack.

Not that she wanted him to know. He'd feel betrayed. Duped.

By her.

Ratings and reviews

It was great continuing story. I would like more. What about Ben's story? Ending with what happened to Creed? There are more people you could add. Can't wait to read

Sweet

About the author

 LENA GOLDFINCH writes sweet historical western romance / inspirational romance and books for teens. She's always been a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it's a novel or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests.

Discover THE BRIDES SERIES!

* THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE (The Brides #1)
... A Mail-Order Bride Novel
... "This old-fashioned mountain romance is an unexpected treat!"

* SLEIGH BELLS & MISTLETOE (The Brides #2)
... A Holiday Short Story, Sequel to THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE

* THE BARTERED BRIDE (The Brides #3)

* ONLY THE HEART KNOWS

Books for Young Adult & Teens
* AIRE
* SONGSTONE
* THE LANGUAGE OF SOULS
* HAUNTING JOY 1 & 2
* CHAIN REACTION: A Short Story (Prequel to HAUNTING JOY)
* TAKE A PICTURE

* HAPPY, a toddler picture book

"With unexpectedly fresh characters and twists, the imagination is kept on its toes, even while feeling entirely comfortable with the familiarity of the mail-order bride storyline... a great curl-up-on-a-cold-night read, so go grab a copy for yourself!" SERENA CHASE, USA Today, Happy Ever After, on THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE

"SONGSTONE...an original fantasy world inhabited by superstitious tribal nations and intriguingly developed characters." SERENA CHASE, USA Today, Happy Ever After