Secrets from the Heart

By Sean D. Young

Taking over her family’s charming and historic Red Rose Inn is a dream for Kira Davis—even if it means the extra stress of knowing the entire Davis clan is watching her every move. But ignoring her family’s wishes and hiring too-handsome Franklin Bennett as her temporary new manager might be a huge mistake…given their families’ decades-long feud.

Yet attraction still sparks between them, proving to ex–army engineer Franklin there’s something real beneath the surface. Something hopeful. Something unmistakable. But pursuing Kira could prove dangerous for a man with an uncertain future.

Now Kira and Franklin are caught between an ancient family feud and their feelings for each other. The only way they can love each other is by unraveling the terrible truth about what happened back then…and hope that love is strong enough to mend the break from so long ago.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Apr 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781649372062

Sean D. Young

Sean Young is a UCLA medical school professor and the founder and executive director of the UCLA Center for Digital Behavior (CDB) and the UC Institute for Prediction Technology (UCIPT), which have been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and Science, and on NPR, Yahoo Finance, TechCrunch, Mashable, CNN, CBS News, and other major media outlets. He has a PhD in psychology and a master’s in health services research from Stanford University. He lives in Southern California.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Content Warning

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Discover more sweet romance…

The Sweetheart Deal

The Do-Over

Accidentally Perfect

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2022 by Sean D. Young. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

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Suite 327

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Bliss is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Lydia Sharp

Cover design by Bree Archer

Cover photography by monkeybusinessimages, CHUNYIP WONG, and hikesterson/Getty Images

ISBN 978-1-64937-206-2

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition April 2022

At Entangled, we want our readers to be well-informed. If you would like to know if this book contains any elements that might be of concern for you, please check the book’s webpage for details.

https://entangledpublishing.com/books/secrets-from-the-heart

This book is dedicated to my aunt

Sherly M. Henton

For your fierce love of family

Chapter One

It probably seemed silly, but Kira Davis had never been so excited about voicemail messages. And not just one—she had six. Hopefully all of them in response to her job posting for an inn manager at her family’s boutique hotel.

After her long-time manager had to leave without warning two weeks ago, Kira had been pulling double duty, trying to run the Red Rose Inn alone. She needed help, and fast.

When her aunt hinted that she was looking to the younger members of the Davis clan to replace her when she retired, some of Kira’s cousins felt that she shouldn’t be considered. She hadn’t grown up in Clover Creek and didn’t know the people or the way the folks around here handled their businesses. That didn’t stop Kira, though, and she’d just been given the keys to the Davis kingdom by her aunt at a retirement party a week and a half ago.

Grabbing her notepad and a pen to take down names and numbers, she opened her voicemail, a giddy feeling bubbling up inside her. But that fizzled out as soon as she heard the whiny voice of Mr. Kauffman from the HVAC company.

She’d called him the day before when a few of the brand-new thermostats he’d just installed had failed. Kira made a quick note to call him back and then hit delete, anxious to get to the next message. This one had to be someone responding to her job posting—

Crap.

The second message was from the fast-talking lawn care company salesman.

She released a loud sigh of frustration, blowing her bangs up and away from her face. Delete, she said, pressing the button and shaking her head.

Her stomach fluttered with nerves as she hit the pen against the table a few times, mentally preparing for the next message. She still had a chance for a homerun…

Message after message, Kira felt like someone had taken the wind out of her sails. The fear of failure was creeping up on her—and she hated it.

Not one of the messages had anything to do with the job opening. Frustrated, she dropped her pen on the desk, pushing the pad farther away from her. Once again, she’d jumped the gun without waiting to see what transpired.

She was tempted to hang up without listening to the final messages. With a business to run, she couldn’t afford for anything else to go wrong, so with her chin resting in her right hand, preparing to be let down, she pressed the button to continue.

Ms. Davis, Franklin Bennett. Just following up about that vacancy you were anxious to fill.

Kira sat straight up in the chair, her pulse racing when she heard Franklin’s deep baritone voice come through the speaker. His commanding tone sent a chill down her spine. Then there was silence, and she wondered if he’d hung up. She looked down at her phone as if she might see his face on it. Then finally, he said, Can you tell me if the job is still available? Thank you.

No, I cannot, Mr. Bennett. Of all the people to call her about this… She shook her head. It was almost worse than not getting a call at all.

Kira couldn’t risk contacting Franklin about the job, or anything else for that matter. Their families hated each other, and hers would never forgive her if she hired a Bennett to help run the inn they’d entrusted to her.

Everyone in Clover Creek knew about the Bennett-Davis feud, and if she didn’t want World War III to break out in the middle of town square, she needed to think long and hard about hiring him as the manager at Red Rose Inn.

Releasing a long sigh, Kira tapped the table, contemplating whether she should listen to the last message. She figured it was a long shot that the caller would be someone looking for work. She was going to have to go another route, but she played the message anyway.

And then wished she hadn’t.

That was depressing, she said, tapping the delete button one last time. Tossing her phone face down on the desk, she rested her elbow on the table. She had to think of something quick. Out of all those notifications, only one person had called her about the job. But that person was all wrong.

She’d interviewed Franklin when he walked into the inn the other day and applied for the job on the spot. She had been excited at first, thinking that she’d filled the position quickly. But once she found out he was related to Charlie Bennett, the interview was over.

She tried not to be rude to him, so she told him that she’d be in touch. He’d held her to her word, apparently, and since she hadn’t contacted him, he’d called. Of course he did. That was the polite and professional thing to do. But this was an impossible situation that Kira didn’t know how to handle. Now she was beginning to think that her cousins may have been right. She might be in a little over her head.

She stared at the stack of flyers she’d printed earlier. No. She stood, grabbing the stack. I can do this.

Her father had told her to always have a plan B. But once again, she thought she had it handled. How hard could it be? She shouldn’t have gotten herself so excited. In her defense, though, she’d had no idea that Mrs. Potter was going to leave so suddenly.

Oh well. She swung her purse strap onto her shoulder, grabbed her car keys, and walked out of the office.

…

Sunbathed by the warmth of the sun on her face as she sat in her car, trying to push the butterflies in her stomach down, Kira rehearsed what she was going to say. She wasn’t afraid to ask for help, but she’d just started running the business and didn’t want to be seen as a failure.

If the shop owners on Main Street could help her in the search, she might find someone faster. Then she wouldn’t have to think about hiring Franklin.

There he was again; she could hear his voice playing in her head. Surprised that it affected her so deeply, she needed to get rid of these intimate thoughts. After sitting a few more seconds, she checked her watch. She was wasting time.

Okay, focus, girl. Focus. Hope this works, Kira said under her breath as she reached for her stack of papers and got out of her car.

For the last five years, she’d loved being a part of the Clover Creek community. She simply adored the shops in the downtown strip along Main Street. As usual, the area was buzzing with people. Folks going in and out of the stores, carrying shopping bags, walking their dogs, and couples taking their babies for a stroll. For such a small town, there was always something happening.

Hey, Kira! a young woman called to her from across the street.

Hey there, she yelled back, waving at the young lady who worked in the ice cream parlor.

Clover Creek was a quaint town forty miles outside of Nashville, Tennessee. All the businesses were run by local families, so she was sure they’d understand her situation. Everything that made shopping in a small town such a nice experience was there. The Sweet Spot bakery, Once Upon a Book bookstore, Second Time Around consignment shop, and they even had Wesley’s Television Repair Shop, which was something you rarely saw anymore. What she liked most of all was that the owners looked out for one another and had a strong bond.

Because Kira worked so closely with her aunt Mary Louise, who was active in a lot of the town’s community activities, most people knew her.

For a couple of seconds, she stood outside the hardware store owned by Hank and Beatrice Murphy. The bell chimed when she pushed the door open. There were a few people milling around inside, but today she was looking for Hank.

Moving from behind the weekly paint sale display, he’d spotted her, waving, and walked to the counter. Hi there, Kira.

She followed. How’s it going, Hank?

Not bad. How’s Mary Louise enjoying retirement?

Kira gave him a genuine smile. The Davis family had owned the Red Rose Inn for almost a century. It was a historic property in Clover Creek and one of the most precious things her family proudly owned. Her aunt had taken over the inn when she was a very young woman, and finally, after more than fifty years of dedicated service, she’d handed all responsibilities over to Kira. She’s doing great.

We had a ball at the retirement party. Thanks so much for inviting us.

Of course, she replied. We wanted all her friends to celebrate with us.

What’s that you got there? Hank asked, nodding toward the stack of papers in her arms.

It’s the reason I’m here, actually. Would you do me a favor and put this flyer in the store window? She handed him one.

Hank scanned the page. Still haven’t found anybody to replace Mrs. Potter?

She dropped her shoulders with a sigh. If Hank knew, then most of the people in Clover Creek did as well. No, I haven’t, so I’m hoping that maybe somebody will come in here and see the flyer.

Bea told me that Mrs. Potter’s daughter got some kind of fellowship in London, so she couldn’t help her brother out anymore with the children, since his wife was ill.

Just like Bea, always getting stuff wrong. Kira liked Beatrice Murphy, but she was one of the biggest gossipers in town. Her aunt always said, If you want to get the word out, tell Bea.

The woman was a fast talker, but like most know-it-alls, Beatrice almost always got some part of the story wrong.

Kira shook her head and smothered a laugh. She didn’t want to embarrass Hank, but she had to correct him. Remember, Wayne’s wife is still serving in Afghanistan. She won’t be finished with her tour of duty for three more months, so Mrs. Potter went to Detroit to help out.

Oh, I didn’t know that.

I’m sure.

Her son was really happy that she came right away, Kira said.

But it’s kind of left you hanging with you just starting and all, Hank replied. I don’t want you to worry. He taped the flyer up on his wall so it could be seen clearly through the side window. So, for now, you’re trying to go it alone?

Kira nodded. Yep, but I’m hoping that it won’t be for long.

Hey, why don’t you give me a stack of those? he said, reaching for the flyers. I’ll keep them right here on the counter for folks when they check out. He reached over and squeezed her arm. It’s going to be all right now; you just wait and see.

Thanks for your encouragement, Hank. I’d better get going, though, she said. I still need to stop by Sadie’s Beauty Shop, Milford’s Shoes, Dogs and Suds Hot Dogs, and Paradise Laundromat.

Don’t forget Susie’s Diner. You could put one of these up on the community bulletin board there.

Oh yes, I forgot about that, Kira replied. Thank you!

We got you. Between all of us, you’ll have a replacement in no time, Hank said eagerly.

This was exactly what she’d hoped for. She wasn’t alone, even though it was her business and responsibility. Knowing that someone else didn’t mind helping was a motivator in itself. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, Kira said, holding up two intertwined fingers. She picked up the rest of her flyers. Thanks again, Hank. I’ll see you around.

As she turned to walk away, her purse hit the display. She lost her balance as she tried to catch the products falling, and the papers slid from her hands.

Oh, I’m so sorry.

There’s that voice again.

Kira felt his hand on her arm before she saw his face. It all happened so fast that, when she looked up into the most gorgeous brown eyes she’d ever seen, she was speechless. Then he smiled—and her heart jumped, her fingers fumbled, and more flyers sailed to the floor.

Let me help you, he said, stooping to the ground to pick up as many as he could.

The very person that she was trying to avoid was standing in front of her. Franklin? she said, bewildered, as they chased the flyers until they’d collected them all.

How’s it going, Kira? Here you go, Franklin replied, laying the wayward sheets on top of the stack in her hand. Did you get my message?

Kira saw his lips moving, but she was so busy staring at their perfectly formed shape that she didn’t reply.

Looks like the job is still available. He lifted one of the flyers from her arms.

She couldn’t move her gaze from his when he looked up from the paper.

He was unforgettable, with his way-more-than-six-feet tall looming height. Standing in front of him, she only came up to his chest and she was five feet ten. She studied his smooth, dark brown complexion and his hair cut close to his scalp, then her eyes went to his large hands. An image flashed before her of those same hands on a very delicate part of her body.

Yikes, I need to get out more. Embarrassment heated her cheeks as her imagination got the best of her.

So, I guess you haven’t found the right person? Franklin pressed.

Well, um… Not knowing what to say, she tried to think quickly on how to respond—but came up empty.

Hank moved out from behind the counter. You two know each other?

A warning bell went off in her head. If she answered, that could start the folks in town talking, and she didn’t want anything to resurrect the feud. But before she could say anything, Franklin responded.

Yes, I met Kira the other day.

Fantastic. Now what?

She felt Hank’s eyes on her and wondered if he’d tell her aunt that Franklin had applied for the job.

You do know that this is Charlie Bennett’s boy, Hank pointed out, not bothering to even lower his voice. It was just a given in this town—a Bennett and a Davis didn’t mix.

Kira nodded and looked directly at Hank. Yes, like he said, we’ve met. She shifted her weight onto one foot, then the other, and turned to Franklin. There he was, someone who wanted the job, standing in front of her. Was it a sign? Her aunt Mary Louise always said that if something was meant to be, there would always be a sign. Maybe this was it. Franklin was the person she was looking for.

And besides, she had literally zero options. Either she hired a Bennett to manage her family’s inn or she did it all herself and ran headfirst into inevitable failure.

No, failure was not and would never be an option.

Standing in the middle of Murphy’s Hardware, Kira Davis decided to hire Franklin Bennett to be the manager of Red Rose Inn. It was a spur-of-the-moment, last-minute decision, and besides, she was getting desperate.

Looking directly at Franklin, she said, Do you have time to come over to discuss things further?

His face lit up, and there was that smile again. Yes— he started, but Hank interrupted.

Hey, Franklin, weren’t you coming in here to pick up something for your mother? Bea said the sink in you all’s laundry room was clogged or something?

Franklin shot Kira a long look while Hank returned to his place behind the counter, his face turned away from them, and they both chuckled. Franklin showed all his pearly white teeth and tilted his head toward Hank. Kira smothered a laugh.

It’s going to be okay. She watched Franklin the entire time as he interacted with Hank. He was mannerly and polite, removing his wallet from his snug, fitted jeans and stepping up to the counter. Yes, thank you so much, Mr. Murphy.

Hank reached underneath the counter and removed a large brown paper bag. Here you go. Now, if you have any questions, please let me know. I’m just surprised that Charlie hasn’t fixed that sink by now.

Nodding, Franklin handed him the money, then picked up the bag. Have a good day, Mr. Murphy. He turned around to face Kira. Is now a good time?

Now is perfect, she said.

I’m parked down the street a bit. I didn’t realize how much traffic there was in such a small town this time of the day. He turned and headed for the door.

Thanks so much for your help, Hank, Kira said, then hurried to keep pace with Franklin.

Any time. I’m here, Hank replied.

She didn’t even have to turn around to know he was watching them. Surely, tonight, he’d tell Beatrice all about the Bennett and Davis kids talking in his hardware store—and then leaving together.

Franklin held the door open for her. Was he always this nice, or was he just doing it to get the job?

Why don’t we go down to Dogs and Suds and talk there? she said.

I haven’t had one of their famous hot dogs in eons. Franklin held up his bag. Let me put this in my car and we can go on over there.

Walking alongside him gave Kira a tingly feeling inside as they moved to her car. She unlocked it, and he opened the door for her, again. Aw, he’s a real gentleman. I like you already, she said, attempting to make a joke before he smiled and