Changing Hearts

By Zaria Sky

With heartfelt characters and a charming romance, Zaria Sky’s Changing Hearts is an enchanting tale of love enduring over time and a family coming together.

In the struggling small town of Willow Creek, Kiera Shaw has done all she can to provide for her little girl, even while Kiera is between jobs. It breaks her heart every time Abigail asks about her dad. What more can Kiera tell her little angel? She doubts they’ll ever see him again. But when Kiera finally lands a good-paying job, she never expects to be working for her old flame.

Jaxon Quinn isn’t the type to settle down. A dedicated workaholic, Jaxon has avoided building connections since his mother passed away years ago. But when he’s assigned to revitalize the original branch of his family’s tour company, Jaxon didn’t think he'd ever see the one person he felt a connection with: Keira.

Thrown together by fate, Kiera and Jaxon fight the temptation to fail back into old habits. But Kiera has been keeping a secret for the past six years that will change their lives forever. And now that Jaxon is back in town, time is running out for Kiera to confess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Oct 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094424583

Book preview

Chapter one — Kiera

Disappointment weighed heavily on Kiera Shaw’s shoulders as she walked toward McBean’s. It wasn’t noon yet, so she knew there wouldn’t be a lunch crowd. But she still needed to get her emotions under control. Her eyes glossed over with tears as she got closer to the entrance and her shoulders slumped. She stopped suddenly and closed her eyes for a few seconds, wiping at them.

When she opened her eyes, she took a few deep breaths and forced a smile.

You need to be strong now, she whispered and pushed the door open.

Her eyes immediately drifted to the little girl who was sitting in the corner booth. In only a few seconds, all the love she had for her daughter flooded her mind. She was the focus of all Kiera’s decisions. Her future was all that Kiera worried about. Her happiness was all that mattered.

Mommy! Abigail shouted with glee as she got up and ran toward Kiera who scooped her up and kissed her cheeks.

Hi, my sweet girl, Kiera said softly. She fought back the tears once more and squeezed her daughter tighter. What did you do today?

Well, I drew mostly, Abigail said before snickering.

What else did you do? Kiera put the laughing Abigail down. Abigail slipped her hand into Kiera’s and led her to the booth. The table was covered in colored pencils and crayons. A drawing stood in the middle that made Kiera smile instantly. You made this today?

Yes, Abigail said, beaming. We can hang it in your room.

Sounds perfect. Kiera kissed Abigail on her forehead and blinked a few times. Sadness coursed through her once again and she pushed it back as she looked at her daughter’s drawing. Abigail’s happiness was her main objective. It was her responsibility.

The drawing had three people: a woman with black curly hair that she knew was her, Abigail wearing her favorite pink dress, and a man she had come to recognize over the years. It was Abigail’s image of her father.

The man in the drawing had brown hair and amber eyes like Abigail. She had learned from a science show that eye and hair color could be genetic and was obsessed with meeting her father for a while. The memory jabbed at Kiera, and she pushed it back. She had told her daughter many times before that her father was no longer around. But Abigail was always hopeful.

Is he dead? Abigail had asked, shocking Kiera.

No, she had said. I don’t know.

"Then maybe I will meet him someday. Maybe he just doesn’t know where to find us."

Maybe, Kiera had whispered. Truthfully, he had no idea Abigail even existed. But that wasn’t something she could share with a six-year-old.

Months had passed since that conversation and Kiera hoped Abigail had forgotten, although she knew her curiosity couldn’t be curbed. She had no way of finding Abigail’s father. It had been too long. And her numerous searches online, with what limited information she had, didn’t bring her any closer to finding him. She had long given up.

We are at the fair! Abigail said, pulling Kiera from the memory. We have cotton candy, and I won a huge bear.

Kiera chuckled at her daughter’s proud smile before eying her suspiciously, knitting her brows as she looked between the drawing and Abigail. Are you trying to tell me something? she asked.

Abigail snickered. No.

Blue and yellow cotton candy are her favorite, came the voice behind them.

Keira looked around quickly and smiled at her friend and weekend boss, Kate Cromwell, who was walking toward them. Her blue eyes danced with mischief, which only made Abigail snicker louder. As soon as she was close enough, Kate pulled her into a hug and Kiera allowed her walls to fall for a few seconds.

Still nothing, she whispered.

Kate squeezed her tighter. I am sure something will work out. My parents used to say that nothing happens before its time.

Kiera sighed and pulled away from Kate. She tried to smile but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. At least that was the impression she got from the way Kate was looking at her. A glance at Abigail showed her lost in another drawing, her feet dangling from the chair. There was only one customer in the café, but he was content in his own world and his back was turned. But Kiera pulled Kate out of earshot just to be sure.

None of the places wanted to take on a new hire with things still this bad, Kiera said. Since everyone recovered from the last storm and things were starting to pick up again, I… I thought— Her voice cracked, and she closed her eyes and allowed the emotions to pass. She covered her face with her hands, willing her mind to stay in control. She didn’t want to break down in public, especially with Abigail there.

I wish I could give you more hours, Kiera, Kate said.

I know. Kiera removed her hands from her face and met Kate’s gaze. You are only keeping me on because of my situation. That is what makes you a great friend. Thank you.

They had seen each other around for years since they went to the same high school, but they never really had a conversation. That all changed two years earlier when Kiera responded to an ad in the window for a weekend waitress. She had never been in the shop before — because she never had enough extra money to buy coffee or cakes. Whatever she couldn’t make at home, she did without. That was how she grew up.

Her aunt never gave her any money to spend on treats, and when she started working part-time as a teenager she didn’t see a reason to do that either. It wasn’t that she was a miser or anything. She just never had enough money to go around.

She expected Katie — the name she wanted to retire because she insisted Kate sounded more serious — to turn her away back then. But instead, she hired her on the spot and taught her everything she needed to know. Kate even allowed her to bring Abigail to work when she didn’t have any childcare. Kate was nothing like she had imagined. She was kind, honest, and a good support system for Kiera. She was her best friend.

I will find something, Kiera whispered. You are doing a lot by watching Abby when I have interviews or whatever. And you have helped out in other ways, more than anyone else in my life. That is all I can ask for.

Kate nodded and blinked a few times, fighting back her own tears. Kiera smiled at her then, the smile radiating from her eyes and the core of her heart. She was a great friend. Everyone deserved someone like Kate Cromwell in their lives.

How about we get out of your hair before the lunch rush? Kiera said, sniffling a little.

Come back anytime, Kate said as she reached across to squeeze Kiera’s shoulder gently. I am sure something will work out for you soon. But until then, let me help out in any way that I can.

Thanks. Their friendship was as solid as it could get. Kiera appreciated Kate. But she didn’t want to take advantage of her kindness. She didn’t want to push their friendship to the limit, so she made an internal vow not to burden Kate too much going forward.

Kiera helped Abigail pack up her art supplies and then they walked the few blocks home. It wasn’t exactly a permanent home, but it was all she could afford. For the past few years, they’d been living at Brooks Apartments. It was close to the center of town so she could easily walk to her job at Rose Car Rentals on weekdays and McBean’s on weekends. She was also close to the kindergarten that Abigail attended.

When she had finally saved enough to move somewhere nicer, Rose Car Rentals went bankrupt. That was over six months ago and now she was broke. For six months she had been looking for another job without success and she was on the verge of giving up.

The apartments were small, but she had managed to get a two-bedroom because there weren’t many people clamoring to live there. The outside was clearly neglected — the paint in need of a new coat, the lawn left to grow wild most of the time, and the parking lot riddled with cracks and potholes. All ten apartments were on the ground floor, and they all had a view of the parking lot and Mainstreet.

Go draw in your room while I get some food ready, Kiera said as soon as they entered.

Okay! Abigail said, running to her room and unpacking her bag on her desk.

Knock! Knock!

Kiera knew who it was before she opened the door, so she slipped outside and pulled the door closed behind her — she didn’t want Abigail to overhear; it wasn’t her burden to bear.

Where is my money? Bobby Brooks was standing with his hands across his chest and a scowl on his face.

He towered over her, his bleach-blond hair standing on ends and his purple eyes staring daggers. Kiera almost rolled her eyes at him — he had red contacts the day before, and that made her wonder how many the man owned.

But the question was immediately replaced by the difficult situation she was in.

I don’t have it yet, Bobby, she murmured.

He grunted, towering over her, his frame blocking her view of the parking lot.

You asked me for more time a week ago, Bobby said. It has been a week and two days. I need that money, Keira.

She could smell the alcohol on his breath and that put her on high alert. She didn’t want to do or say anything that would make the situation worse, make him angry. She had seen her fair share of mean drunks and didn’t want Abigail to have the same experience. If things got too loud, her daughter would come to check on her.

I know, Kiera said in a hushed tone. I will get it. Just give me a few more days. Please, Bobby.

He just stood there staring at her, the wheels obviously turning in his head. And then he smiled. She had seen that look before and she didn’t like it.

You better get it, he said finally. Two days.

She nodded, though she had no idea where she would get the rest of the money.

If you don’t have it by then, I will have no choice but to put you out, he announced.

Bobby’s eyes traveled down her body and then back up again and Kiera cringed.

I need a paying tenant, he said, smacking his lips together. I need to make a living just like everybody else around here.

She stood there, frozen. Because that was better than the alternative. She didn’t want to lash out at him and lose the extension. Sure, there were laws and rules for renting, but she knew what she was getting into when she agreed to live there. The best thing for her to do was to move on, but she couldn’t even afford to stay.

Bobby turned on his heels and left. Kiera released a sigh before hurrying inside. A glance at Abigail’s room saw the little girl lost in her art. Kiera went to the table and opened her laptop to check her email and send out more applications. Her phone beeped then, and she glanced at it. There was a message from Kate.

Send your updated resume to this email, it said. They are expanding soon and want some fresh faces.

Kiera glanced at the email address and frowned. The main domain was Maxis Adventures and that name brought back a

Reviews for Changing Hearts

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

All sparkly sunshine and rainbows and unicorns type of story. Abigail was a cutie and I liked Kierra too. Jaxon not as much. I am glad he ended up staying with them.

[Tara Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartfelt easy read with the all the emotional feelings both parties experienced past and present.