A Polish Heart

By Stephanie Burkhart

Darrin is a hard-working architect who finds comfort in his routines. It’s work, sleep, and family obligations for him. With Easter just around the corner, his company puts out a call for a two-week assignment in Poland. After careful contemplation and with a nudge from his intuition to go outside his comfort zone, Darrin puts in an application for the job. A tad nervous, a tad excited, Darrin steps off the plane ready to challenge himself. The one thing he didn’t expect, though, was to find himself attracted to his beautiful Polish interpreter.
Sofia loves her career. She works for Warszawianka Construction as an interpreter. She’s also focused on her family, especially during Easter when old-fashioned traditions mean a lot to her. Sofia has no intention of disrupting her life and its rhythms, despite Darrin’s sudden appearance.

Both Darrin and Sofia can’t deny their attraction. It’s that uncomfortable feeling that keeps them up late at night contemplating what’s next. A date? A kiss? Are they both willing to go outside their comfort zones and trust in a higher power that they can make it work despite an ocean between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie Burkhart
• Release date: May 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798989144860

Stephanie Burkhart

I was born and raised in Manchester, NH. When I was 18, I joined the Army. I spent 11 years active duty from 1986-1997. Currently, I work for LAPD as a 911 Dispatcher.As of APR 2024 the following books are avail on Amazon as an Ebook:Night of MagicJourney of the HeartMr. Christmas ElfChristmas in BayeuxArrow Through the HeartA Polish HeartMoldavian Moon Book 1:The Wolf's TormentThe following are available In Print on Amazon:A Polish HeartChristmas in BayeuxThe Wolf's TormentThe following Children's books are available at 4RV Publishing:The Giving MeadowBrady's Lost BlanketJoseph's CradleFirst Flag of New Hampshire

Book preview

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Smashwords Edition

A Polish Heart

Copyright © 2024 Stephanie Burkhart

All rights reserved.

Digital ISBN: 979-8-9891448-6-0

Cover Design by: Laura Shinn Designs

http://laurashinn.yolasite.com

Licensing Notes

All rights reserved under U.S. and International copyright law. This ebook is licensed only for the private use of the purchaser. May not be copied, scanned, digitally reproduced, or printed for re-sale, may not be uploaded on shareware or free sites, or used in any other manner without the express written permission of the author and/or publisher. For permissions contact: [e-mail]

A Polish Heart is a work of fiction. Though actual locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author except for the inclusion of actual historical facts. Similarities of characters or names used within to any person – past, present, or future – are coincidental except where actual historical characters are purposely interwoven.

Author’s Website: http://StephanieBurkhart.com

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Available online wherever books are sold!

Night of Magic

Mr. Christmas Elf

Journey of the Heart

Young Witchcraft

Christmas in Bayeux

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Author’s Note:

"A Polish Heart" is intended as a

Contemporary Inspirational Romance.

Darrin is a hard-working architect who finds comfort in his routines. It’s work, sleep, and family obligations for him. With Easter just around the corner, his company puts out a call for a two-week assignment in Poland. After careful contemplation and with a nudge from his intuition to go outside his comfort zone, Darrin puts in an application for the job. A tad nervous, a tad excited, Darrin steps off the plane ready to challenge himself. The one thing he didn’t expect, though, was to find himself attracted to his beautiful Polish interpreter.

Sofia loves her career. She works for Warszawianka Construction as an interpreter. She’s also focused on her family, especially during Easter when old-fashioned traditions mean a lot to her. Sofia has no intention of disrupting her life and its rhythms, despite Darrin’s sudden appearance.

Both Darrin and Sofia can’t deny their attraction. It’s that uncomfortable feeling that keeps them up late at night contemplating what’s next. A date? A kiss? Are they both willing to go outside their comfort zones and trust in a higher power that they can make it work despite an ocean between them?

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2011 Dedication

All the Ladies at the Book Spa. Thank you for your support. I’d also

like to thank author James Conroyd Martin whose book

Push Not the River made me fall in love with Poland

and reinvigorated my love for my Polish Heritage.

# # #

2023 Dedication

For my cousin, Amanda

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Author’s Bio

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Chapter One

2011

This was going to be the most challenging trip Darrin had ever taken in his life – and he was looking forward to it. Opportunities like this only happened once in a lifetime, and Darrin couldn’t turn it down. He’d felt a strong intuitive urging to accept this assignment, and he had learned at a young age to follow his instincts. Darrin was convinced this was how the Lord answered his prayers.

The Boeing 747 descended lower and Darrin popped some gum in his mouth to help his ears adjust. As a young boy, he loved constructing buildings with Legos. His parents wanted him to take an interest in just about anything else, but he stayed the course and took every challenging math and engineering class he could find. While in college, he developed an interest in the aesthetics of architecture and turned that passion into a career. In his current employment, he put in a lot of long hours developing his talent, and he knew he wanted to be an architect for the rest of his life.

Darrin gazed out the window as the jet skimmed the skyline. He was glad for the opportunity this trip offered, which included a nice breather from his family pressures, though they did expect him to return in time for Easter.

The airplane touched down on the tarmac and taxied to the gate at the Frederic Chopin Airport. He didn’t know much about Warsaw, let alone Poland, but when the opportunity came to bid for the job, Darrin prayed on it, as he usually did with big decisions, and, following his instincts, put in his application. It was a competitive pool, and to his surprise, he’d been hired. The job entailed reviewing the plans for the next phase of construction at the National Stadium, which included the aesthetic elements of the building, and to inspect the structure for any aesthetic flaws that might conflict with the engineering designs. The National Stadium was going to be a 56,000 seat soccer stadium in the heart of Warsaw. From the plans, it was an amazing building.

The plane taxied right up to the gate. Darrin rubbed his hands, thrumming with excitement. He’d been on a ‘high’ ever since finding out he was selected. What an opportunity - to travel and do work that he enjoyed, but there was something more - something he couldn’t put his finger on. He felt something was going to happen. He wasn’t sure what - but something. He shook off his anxious thoughts and focused on what he’d seen so far, that strange dichotomy of architecture from the air. He observed an unique blend of the old and new with very few buildings in between.

He grabbed his backpack from the overhead bin and slung it over his shoulder, opting to travel casual. The flight had been long and Darrin wanted to be comfortable, wearing a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt. It had taken seven hours from Boston to Frankfurt and about an hour from Frankfurt to Warsaw. He slept on the Boston to Frankfurt leg. It was 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning now, and his body thought it was 4:00 a.m. An early morning start to the day indeed!

Darrin walked into the airport and studied his surroundings. Passengers coming and going shuffled around him. Hearing the Polish language unsettled him a bit. His family’s ancestry was Scottish and French. He had taken French in high school, but Polish? It was a language he didn’t know much about. He tried to practice a few phrases on the flight.

The Polish company who had hired him was supposed to send a translator. Darrin glanced around, but there were only passengers in the terminal. Maybe the translator was waiting for him in baggage claim.

He followed the departing passengers toward a set of escalators. A knot tweaked in his stomach, but he brushed it aside, feeling fairly confident he’d find his translator soon. He paused next to the escalator and looked down onto the baggage area.

A cluster of people crowded around a conveyor. At first glance, he didn’t see a man holding his name on a card so he took another long look, slowly surveying the crowd. There it was – Mr. Darrin Riverton. He arched an eyebrow. His translator was a woman. Darrin straightened his shoulders.

She was slender, with a light, flawless complexion and round doe-like chocolate brown eyes. Her soft brown hair was laced with auburn highlights which carelessly tumbled down her back. He hitched his breath. She could pass for a model on the cover of a magazine.

Darrin flexed his back, a gesture that helped to steady his composure. He took another peek, trying to be more discerning. She appeared very business-oriented, wearing a floral print dress and a yellow shawl around her shoulders, perfect for the spring weather. He paused, just standing there in the moment. A cacophony of feelings rushed through him - curiosity, attraction, desire. His nerves unraveled and radiated throughout his limbs. Had he been guided here - to meet her? He rubbed his hands together, acknowledging the idea, and he decided not to meet her empty handed.

Darrin walked back toward the gate where he saw an older lady selling flowers out of a cart. He pointed to an arrangement of red poppies and orchids. How much? he asked in English.

She shrugged her shoulders, like she had no idea what he’d asked. Darrin frowned, and paused for a second. Money always talked. He reached for his wallet and withdrew several Polish Zloty, showing her the bills.

The lady’s eyes lit up with a hint of relief. Was she happy to have a sale? He held up a bill – 500 Zloty.

The flower lady held up three fingers.

Three of these? he asked.

She nodded.

He gave her the bills. She gave him the flowers.

Satisfied, he took the flowers and headed toward the escalator, excited to offer this small token of appreciation to the lovely woman who would translate for him.

Sofia stared at the crowd of people gathered around the conveyor belt looking for their luggage. She hoped Darrin Riverton would reveal himself soon.

She tapped her foot and ran a hand over her hair. Oh, she had translated before, but this was different – Darrin was an American and she wanted to make a good, professional impression. She had worked for Walter Czyinski and Warszawianka Construction for five years now. Sofia had a natural aptitude for languages, studying English for two years at the University of Warsaw and then another two years in London at the King’s College. When she returned, Mr. Czyinski hired her on the spot. He was pleased with her work, and she knew she was his go-to translator. Sofia helped oversee several construction and renovation projects. Warsaw was becoming more modern every day and she was glad she had a front seat to the changes. Sofia couldn’t be prouder of her country. Poland had a resilient heart that had overcome adversity time and time again.

A tall handsome man with broad shoulders wearing a long-sleeved navy-colored polo shirt walked toward her holding a bouquet of poppies and orchids. He appeared clean-cut and lean. His cerulean blue eyes sparkled with kindness, and his stride radiated self-confidence.

He stopped in front of her and held out the flowers. Dzien dobry.

A wide grin crossed her lips and she lowered her sign. Hello, Mr. Riverton.

A look of relief passed over his face. You know, I practiced that phrase all morning on the plane.

I admire the effort. Are the flowers for me?

Yes.

Sofia took the bouquet, mesmerized by his smile, made that much more attractive by the light in his eyes. She held