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Read a sneak peek from Whispers of Sweetwater by Mandy Magro

Hidden behind small-town charm, dark secrets rise to the surface in this rural-set romance and mystery from bestselling author Mandy Magro. Leaving her family home of Riverstone Ridge, veterinarian Brianna Steele moves to the country town of Sweetwater after buying the local practice. With this new business she can start afresh. That was the plan, except she can't help noticing the handsome local horse trainer. Hayden Pierce cherishes the hard-won peace he's found at Sweetwater Stud. Four years on, he's still devastated by the loss of his wife and has only survived by burying himself in his work. But now his friends think it's time he moves on and trick him into a bet to woo the pretty new vet. As the close proximity of Sweetwater binds them together, Brianna and Hayden discover a chemistry more serious than either of them can handle. But when a new friend's cafe is ransacked and threatening notes surface, Brianna and Hayden find a darkness that whispers behind all the small-town charm. Can they drag Sweetwater's secrets out into the light? And with their intense bond being based on a lie, is their love strong enough to weather the truth or will they be torn apart? A standalone novel loosely linked to Riverstone Ridge. Revisit for the story of Nina and Logan, Brianna's parents. ***** Admiring the countryside around her home, Brianna Steele paused and stole a breath. She’d been happy-dancing from the second her bare feet had touched the cool timber floorboards of the little Queenslander cottage, and all the while she’d kept wanting to pinch herself. Her big day was finally here. The very one where she’d step out of her comfort zone, and away from those she loved, to stride into a role she’d been dreaming of, working towards, for years. Having counted down the past fifty-nine sleeps, she couldn’t believe that as of one minute past midnight she was officially a small-business owner. A sole operator. Somewhat in charge of her own destiny. By golly she hoped she’d made the right decision, buying a mobile vet practice in a township she knew practically nothing about. But hey, it had been going for a steal with the owner keen to retire so he could travel around Australia with his wife. And now she’d signed on the dotted line, it was all up to her – she could choose to sink or swim, and she was going to embrace the latter with the unbridled passion both sets of her parents had instilled into her. Finding herself overcome with a myriad of emotions – accomplishment, excitement, apprehension, sadness – she tried to put on a brave face. Nestling against her mum, she looked out over Riverstone Ridge as it spread out beneath the vast expanse of an emerging blue sky in a mesmerising tapestry of horse paddocks, blossoming golden wattle trees and restored outbuildings. Standing within the beating heart of the property that had been her home for the past seven years, she relished being wrapped in the tender embrace of her biological parents, Logan and Nina. If it hadn’t been for them – and the haven this place had given her away from the despair of her adoptive parents going their separate ways just a week after she’d turned twenty-two – she wouldn’t have made it through her university degree. The fact that Max had chosen Melbourne to call home, while Ruby had gone to Perth, made it almost impossible to see either of them, especially given the added pressure of chasing her veterinary dream. Phone calls had sufficed. Just. Maybe, next year, she’d have time, and money, to visit both of them in person. Focus on the here and now, Brianna Rose! Sniffing back tears, she swiftly landed in the present by enjoying the warmth of the early-morning sunshine caressing her with its glow, and watching how the rays of golden light somehow held the three of them in this eternal moment. One she wished she didn’t have to walk away from to become her own boss after six months of working alongside the local vet. But independence called. And at twenty-nine, it was high time she pulled her big-girl boots on, nice and tight. Of course, she knew her mum and dad would give anything to have her stay right here, in their township of Huntingvale. They’d already made up for so much lost time since she’d accepted them back into her life when she was twenty-one. But now she had to carve her own path. With that almost overwhelming thought, a sob rose, but she swallowed it down while quickly reminding herself of the adventures that awaited her in the township of Sweetwater. From the week she’d spent there, alongside seventy-one-year-old Bill Garrettson, learning the ropes before he packed up his vet bag for the last time, it had seemed like a sweet little place, with friendly people. So, squeezing her loved ones a little harder, she enjoyed the sensation of her dad’s brawny arms enveloping her with the same protective love that had guided her through the hurdles of young adult life, and the smell of her mum’s botanic-scented freshly shampooed hair that gave her deep comfort, as if she recalled it from when she was a newborn, blissfully unaware she was about to be adopted. She felt for her Mum, barely fifteen, having to make such a heartbreaking decision. She unravelled herself before she chickened out of leaving, and the way her dad’s smile reflected her own, with a mixture of pride and sorrow at her departure, made her heart squeeze even tighter. ‘Well, you two, I guess I’d better hit the road,’ she said with a wobbly smile. ‘I’ve got four hours of driving ahead of me, and that’s without loo and fodder stops for me and my four-legged sidekick.’ ‘Yup, true that, you best get going, kiddo.’ Logan paused, his thumbs hooking into his belt loops. ‘Just make sure you remind yourself how you’ve worked super hard to get where you are, so don’t let anyone undermine that.’ His fatherly advice was delivered in a gentle tone. ‘And also remember that your mum and I are only a phone call away, day or night, okay?’ ‘I know, Dad, thank you.’ Brianna knew it was hard for both of them to see her flying the nest, especially since they’d had her in their lives for much less time than most families were given. And with this awareness, she turned to her mum, masking her rush of instant homesickness – heavens, she hadn’t even left yet. ‘Everything’s going to be hunky-dory, Mum, and before you say it, I promise I’ll text you as soon as I get there.’ ‘Thanks, my love – you know me, I won’t sleep unless I know you’re there safely.’ Sniffling, Nina brushed a dark strand of hair from Brianna’s face. ‘Be safe, think smart, and have lots of fun in between being the best damn vet Sweetwater has ever seen, okay,’ she added with a nod, her touch remaining as delicate as her smile. ‘I will. And I know I’ve already said it, but again, thank you for everything you and Dad have sacrificed to help me through uni and to this point in my life,’ Brianna replied with a catch in her voice before quickly clutching them both once more. ‘I couldn’t have done it without you.’ She breathed in the familiar scents of what had quickly become home – horse, leather, soil and unconditional love – as she again tried desperately not to cry. ‘More than anyone I know, you deserve this, sweetheart.’ Pulling back a little to hold her gaze, Nina gave Brianna’s shoulders a tender squeeze. ‘Now, go get ’em, my smart, funny, brave girl.’ ‘I’ll do my best, Mumma Bear.’ Brianna grinned and nodded. ‘Righto then, I’ll see you both soon.’ Although what with her dad juggling his policing duties at the understaffed Huntingvale station with helping her mum around the property, she knew it might be a little longer than that. With a final wave, she turned and made her way to her trusty old Hilux dual cab. It had recently been made hers by her dad, who had overhauled it mechanically and bodily, and boy oh boy it was amazing what a lick of paint had done. From dull white to an electric blue – she loved that he’d chosen her favourite colour. One whistle in her sidekick’s direction, and Sherlock, her loyal border collie, shot from the shade of the tack shed and bounded after her, his black-and-white coat shimmering in the sunlight. As soon as she opened the passenger door for his fast entrance, he leapt up and onto the seat with practised ease, his intelligent eyes meeting hers as if to say, I’m here for you, no matter where this road takes us. Smiling at her bestie, she shut the door, strode to the driver’s side, slipped in before she could run back to her parents for another hug, then revved the vehicle to life. Along with the grunt of the diesel engine, a symphony of cicadas and the static hum of the local country-music radio station serenaded her departure. Up ahead, the winding dirt track flanked by fields of golden wheat swaying like ocean waves sent ripples of excitement and nervousness within her. Bumping along the one-kilometre driveway, she dared one more glance in the rear-vision mirror and gave her parents one final wave before she turned a corner, disappearing from their view, then rolled down the windows to let the fresh country air rush in. The balmy breeze carried with it the whispers of the place that held so many happy memories. Ones she would hold in her country-loving heart forever. ‘All right, Sherlock, it looks like it’s just you and me now,’ she said, glancing at her companion, his ears perking at the sound of her voice. ‘You’re seriously way too adorable, buddy, but you already know that, right?’ With a short sharp ruff in reply, Sherlock held up his paw in anticipation. It was a gesture she knew all too well. But this time it wasn’t for a little helping of whatever she was eating, especially when it was hot chips. This time around, as if he knew the ins and outs of what was ahead of them, it was in support of their new adventure. And that made her heart melt. Little did her four-legged companion comprehend just how much his constant, unconditional camaraderie meant. If only the blokes who’d tried to woo her at university had learnt the art of loyalty, gentleness, respect. If only they had been more like Sherlock – or more like the always steadfast, always gentlemanly Logan Steele, the man she was so proud to call her dad. Then her admirers might have found her to be less – how had one of them put it? – frigid. Ew. Neanderthal. In less than a minute he’d reinforced why she’d sworn off the male sex in favour of her career. None of the guys she’d encountered had been bothered to get to know her, instead making it obvious all they really wanted was a romp in the sack. And when she didn’t oblige, it seemed to make them want her all the more. Most of them just seemed to want what they couldn’t have. And as for the others, they were either already snapped up by various lucky women, or in extremely happy same-sex relationships. Go figure. Taking a deep breath, she tried to sigh her thoughts away as the white lines of the highway carried her further from Riverstone Ridge, the sun-drenched horizon luring her forwards. As she flicked the sun visor down, then turned up one of her favourite Waylon Jennings’ songs, ‘Good Hearted Woman’, visions of being Sweetwater’s resident mobile vet played in her imagination. The amazing opportunity, which had landed in her lap one sunny Sunday morning while she flipped through her dad’s newspaper, was now a blank canvas ready to be filled with endless possibilities. She hoped it was going to be smooth sailing, but at the same time she wasn’t one to wear rose-coloured glasses. Tough times were a given; it was how she reacted to such moments that counted. And reacting the best way was going to be easier said than done without her mum and dad nearby to give her sound advice. Sidling closer to her, Sherlock nudged his nose against her hand, grounding her amid the whirlwind of change. She smiled at him, feeling the full spectrum of emotions mirrored in his kind brown eyes – the bittersweet farewell, the thrill of independence, and the boundless promise of the future. ‘I love you, buddy,’ she said, before breaking into the verse of the twangy country song, wholeheartedly and extremely off key. As for Sherlock, he did his usual trick of amusingly howling along with her. Three and a half hours later, with a toilet stop thrown in – a field for Sherlock and a public toilet block for her – along with a food scavenger hunt at an IGA, Brianna tried to unstick her teeth in a battle with a toffee lolly as she marvelled at the breathtaking landscape before her. All around, the endless expanse of the countryside stretched out like a patchwork quilt, with fields of green and gold flanking the ribbon-like road that led towards her new home. The ever-changing scenery, from flat paddocks to rolling hills, some with glimpses of the far-flung ocean, was a reminder of why she’d chosen this rural lifestyle alongside Nina and Logan over a city change with one of her adoptive parents. Her country-loving blood was why she felt so drawn to the land, and just knowing that made her feel even closer to the parents who had arrived in her life when she was barely twenty-one years old. At first she’d considered having nothing to do with them, but thank goodness she’d overcome her anger, because they had turned out to be the best parents, and she loved them with all her heart. Gazing in wonder at the ever-shifting scenery flashing past her windscreen, her wide sapphire eyes took in every detail as the scent of tropical fruit blossoms and damp rainforest soil wafted through the open window, filling her with a heady sense of both freedom and responsibility. Long gone was the drier landscape of Huntingvale, and the rainforest was a refreshing change. As if sensing the imminent end to their road trip, Sherlock – his safety tether latched into the seatbelt – balanced his front paws on the armrest of the passenger door and hung his head out the window, ears flapping like little flags. His nose twitched in overdrive, greedily sampling the cocktail of new scents – damp earth, distant livestock, maybe even the whisper of ocean salt far ahead – and his tongue lolled out the side of his mouth, fluttering joyfully in the breeze. Brianna’s gaze drifted from the winding road to the rolling paddocks that unfurled beyond the trees where vast, verdant fields were speckled with grazing cattle and majestic horses, their slow movements watched over by ancient paperbark trees. The Australian natives stood like sentinels, their bark peeling in elegant curls to reveal smooth trunks beneath, as if shedding the past to make way for the present. Something about their stature – stoic, towering, somehow wise – made her breath catch. These trees didn’t just exist. They endured. And she felt them, somehow. Felt them pulsing with a quiet strength that reached through the glass and settled inside her ribs. And then she saw it for the second time in her life. The welcome sign. Sweetwater. Population 7876. Her chest tightened as anticipation coiled inside her, ready to spring free. The letters on the sign weren’t just paint. They were a promise. A threshold. A new beginning. As if by a click of fingers, Sweetwater township materialised on the horizon like a mirage, a cluster of corrugated-iron rooftops and the outlines of weathered buildings, all etched against the midday sunshine. Leaning forwards in her seat, she felt something deep inside her shift as a quiet certainty unfurled. ‘Well, Sherlock,’ she murmured, her voice hitching slightly with emotion. ‘Here we are. Our new home sweet home.’ She eased her foot off the accelerator, letting the four-wheel drive glide past the old corner pub. Its name, The Gum Boot Hotel, scrolled across a timber sign, its letters chipped from decades of sun and summer storms. She couldn’t help but smile. It was quirky. Memorable. Exactly the sort of place where she imagined everyone would know everyone, and a newcomer wouldn’t stay a stranger for long. The pub, a grand two-storey Queenslander, sat proudly on its corner as if it had been holding court there for over a hundred years. And likely it had been. Its white-painted weatherboards were sun-faded and peeling in places, but that only added to its charm. A wide verandah wrapped around both floors like welcoming arms, with tropical vines spilling over the railings in thick cascades. Her eyes flicked to the side beer garden, nestled under a canopy of tree limbs that filtered the sunlight into soft golden patches. Wooden picnic tables sat scattered across the lawn. The scent of hops and grilled meat carried. Someone was cooking on the pub’s barbecue; the smoky tang of charred sausages made her mouth water as the familiar aroma filled her senses. The scent made her stomach stir with hunger, and something else. Longing, maybe. For community. For laughter that felt familiar. For a sense of family. Sherlock let out a soft huff beside her, his tongue still hanging from the corner of his mouth, tail thumping gently against the seat. She reached over and scratched behind his ears, not taking her eyes off the pub until it faded from the rear-view mirror. ‘Don’t worry, boy,’ she said quietly. ‘We’ll stop in soon enough, once we get ourselves settled in.’ She smiled. ‘I have a feeling we’re going to get to know that place real good, given that it’s apparently the best place in town to get a counter meal, or so Doc Garrettson says.’ Sticking to the forty-kilometre speed limit, she drove the Hilux down the main street where quaint storefronts lined either side. There was a butcher with a cheerful red awning, a florist bursting with blooms in every shade of summer, a general store with a hand-painted sign swinging in the breeze. Their awnings cast playful shadows that danced across the sun-warmed footpath. Everything about Sweetwater, so far, exuded warmth. A warmth that was more than just the heat of a tropical day, something deeper, like a sense of welcome, of belonging, of neighbours helping neighbours, of secrets kept and dreams chased, of stories half-told and waiting to be finished. And as she rolled past it all, her heart answered in kind. Turning left at a quiet T-intersection, she followed the narrow curve of the street beneath the dappling shade of paperbark trees, their trunks decorated with peeling bark and soft cream hues. The houses quickly thinned out now, giving way to deeper greenery, until the navigation system’s calm voice finally announced that she’d arrived at her destination – the only available rental in town. Pulling to a gentle stop at the edge of a gravel driveway, she felt her breath catch as she stared at the cottage nestled like a secret among the trees. A weatherboard two-bedroom haven with soft grey paint, white trim and a timber verandah that wrapped around the front like an embrace – it was even more enchanting than the photos had promised. She adored how the roof sloped gently, a patchwork of corrugated tin and dappled light, and how the whole structure seemed to exhale contentment, like it belonged to the land it rested on. Bougainvillea draped across one side in a riot of pink and purple, its petals fluttering in the breeze like delicate paper confetti, while yellow and crimson roses climbed the lattice of the verandah railing. She stepped out from the driver’s seat, her boots crunching on the gravel as she took slow, deliberate steps. As for Sherlock, he was already out of the passenger-side window, his tail a blur as he bounded up the wooden steps with an eager bark, pausing only to glance back at her as if to say, well, come on, what are you waiting for? After grabbing the key from the letterbox, where the owner had told her it would be, Brianna followed Sherlock slowly, letting her fingers trail along the verandah’s railing. The timber was warm beneath her touch, its grain worn smooth by time and weather and hands before hers. It felt as if it had simply been waiting, patiently, for someone new to arrive. She fumbled with the key, then her heart gave a soft flutter as the lock clicked open and her new dwelling was revealed. She kicked off her boots and stepped inside. Cool air greeted her first, with the faint scent of lavender and aged timber. The living room opened up in front of her, small but brimming with character. Honey-toned floorboards creaked gently underfoot, and whitewashed walls bounced the golden light pouring in through the bay windows. Lace curtains danced ever so slightly in the breeze, whispering secrets of past summers and long-forgotten mornings. The furniture was simple, homely, a woven rug sprawled across the floor, a cosy sofa in soft sage green, with bookshelves lining the walls, all of which, she guessed, had been left behind by the previous tenant. Sherlock nosed his way through the room with low snuffles of approval, his nails clicking softly on the wood as he explored every nook. Then he paused in the kitchen doorway, tail wagging, as if already imagining dinner. Brianna giggled at his antics as she turned in a slow circle, taking it all in. The cottage breathed around her gently, like a familiar rhythm she hadn’t known she’d missed. It was the kind of place where she could read by the window on rainy days, sip tea on the verandah at dusk, fall asleep to the chorus of frogs and wind in the trees. Her chest lightened as she imagined it, not with nerves, but with something quieter. Something warmer. Home. It didn’t matter that it was rented. Or that her boxes were still stacked in the back seat and tray of the Hilux. This little cottage, cocooned in greenery and steeped in birdsong and roses, already felt like hers. Like it had wrapped itself around her in a wordless welcome. And carrying that feeling with her, she stepped into the sun-drenched kitchen with pretty white and light-green tiles and open shelving on which sat some of the bare necessities. The sink was positioned beneath a window that looked out over the back garden, a wild tangle of native shrubs, lemon trees and, if she wasn’t mistaken, a small chook shed tucked in the corner. She let out a soft laugh. Of course a place like this would come with a chicken coop. Now she’d have to find herself some chickens to fill it. Turning back towards the living room, she caught sight of Sherlock curling up on the rug, his head resting between his paws, already looking perfectly at home. Wandering towards him, she dropped her keys into a little ceramic dish by the door and flopped onto the couch, letting the silence settle as she typed the quick promised text to her mum, then rested back. She didn’t know what this next chapter would bring – not really. But for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of the blank pages. She was ready to write on them because she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. * * * Two hours later, the gentle whimper of Sherlock brought Brianna out of her impromptu afternoon nap. ‘Crap, sorry, bud, I didn’t mean to crash.’ Stretching awake, she smiled at how his eyes twinkled with a shared sense of adventure. Sitting up, she sighed softly, contentedly. ‘Come on then, buggalugs, let’s unpack before we run out of daylight.’ After unlocking her Hilux, she lifted a cardboard box labelled ‘Kitchen’ from the back seat, feeling the satisfying stretch of her muscles as they engaged in the task. The box found its perch on the centre butchers block that served as the anchor for the kitchen space, its well-worn surface telling stories of past meals and cherished memories. She swung open the doors of the cupboards, their soft creak a warm embrace welcoming her crockery and glasses as she carefully placed each piece into its new home. Her fingers brushed against the cool porcelain of a teacup, one of a set gifted by her treasured parents, Logan and Nina, for her university graduation. And as she continued to grab boxes then unpack her personal effects, each item had its own place in this symphony of new beginnings, an affirmation of her fresh start. All the while, Sherlock lay sprawled near the front doorway like a steadfast sentinel, his presence a comforting constant amid the chaos of moving boxes and belongings. As evening tiptoed in, casting a dusky light upon the cottage, Brianna stepped back to admire her progress. The rooms were slowly taking on her signature touch – a patchwork quilt thrown over the back of the sofa, a cluster of framed photographs adorning a floating shelf, and a stack of veterinary textbooks claiming their spot on the bookshelf. All in all, a job well done, she thought. A sudden knock at the door broke her quiet concentration and sent Sherlock into a barrage of excited woofs. She shushed him as she crossed the room to answer it. Swinging the door open, she was greeted by a woman with a smile that seemed to radiate from within, her bright, bubbly energy somehow igniting the twilight air around her, as did her shock of wild auburn hair. ‘Hi, Brianna, I’m Molly Matherson,’ she announced, extending a hand adorned with beautiful silver jewellery that clinked melodically. ‘I own the little bookstore and café down the lane, Chapter One, and I’m also your landlord.’ ‘Ah, yes, hi! Nice to finally meet you in person, rather than emailing back and forth.’ ‘Yes, indeed it is. Welcome to Sweetwater, Doc Steele,’ Molly continued, her eyes twinkling like stars. ‘I knew you’d be busy settling in, but I just wanted to poke my head in and let you know that if you need any help, or if you’re looking for a good book or a decent cup of coffee, my place is just a hop, skip and a jump away.’ ‘Thank you, I really appreciate it,’ Brianna replied, touched by the genuine hospitality. ‘And if you have any questions about this quaint little house, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s been in my family for generations and there’s so much love soaked into these old walls,’ Molly added, her gaze drifting affectionately over the lattice and roses. ‘It feels like the perfect place to start anew,’ Brianna mused, her voice softening with reverence for her new surroundings. ‘Indeed,’ Molly agreed, her boho dangly earrings swinging as she nodded. ‘Well, I’ll leave you to it. But remember, Sweetwater takes care of its own. You’ll always have friends here, especially being the new vet. We need you around here, with all our four-legged family members.’ Then, with a final nod, Molly retreated down the path as the fading light cast elongated shadows behind her. ‘Catch you later.’ She offered a wave. ‘Nice to meet you, Molly!’ Brianna called after her, watching her new landlady until she blended into the backdrop of the town before turning back to the embrace of her new home. * * * The following morning sun spilled its golden light across the lush, verdant tapestry of Sweetwater, casting patterns on the worn path that led to where Brianna stood on the front verandah, a steaming cuppa in hand. Drawing in a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air, her sighed exhalation helped to soothe her slightly restless spirit. She had no idea what her first day would entail, and she was equally nervous and excited. As she was about to head back inside, to her laptop and the preparation of her day, in the distance she noticed a figure approaching with a woven basket tucked under one arm. ‘Good morning, Bri!’ Molly called out, her voice as warm and inviting as the sunbeams dappling over Brianna’s toes. ‘I come bearing delicious gifts.’ Her confident stride left prints on the dew-kissed grass as she made her way towards her. ‘Oh, hey, Molly,’ Brianna replied with a smile, her eyes reflecting the clear blue sky as she spotted mouth-watering delicacies. ‘Oh my gosh, it smells like you’re about to spoil me.’ She leant against the wooden railing as the aroma of freshly baked goods enveloped her in a sweet promise of comfort and community. ‘Aw, it’s nothing,’ Molly said with a bright smile, extending the basket towards her. ‘I thought you might like some homemade scones and rosella jam to start your first day on the job right.’ ‘Oh wow, thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you,’ Brianna responded with genuine gratitude as she accepted the tasty offering. ‘My pleasure, treasure.’ Stopping shy of the top step, Molly leant on the railings across from Brianna. ‘We’re a close-knit community here. We look out for each other and like to make any newcomers feel a part of the township as soon as possible.’ Feeling drawn by the soft, gentle cadence of Molly’s voice, Brianna reached out and briefly touched her arm. ‘Thanks, that’s really sweet.’ ‘Trust me, everyone will want to meet the new vet,’ Molly continued with a chuckle that sounded like a melodic note dancing in the quiet morning air. ‘There’s plenty of critters around here for you to take care of. From cattle to kangaroos, I bet you’ll see it all.’ ‘Kangaroos?’ Brianna’s lips curved into a delighted smile. ‘Yes-siree, I mean, this is Australia after all, hey,’ Molly winked playfully, her laughter echoing. ‘I can already tell that you’ll fit right in. With Bill becoming increasingly grumpy, especially in the last couple of years with his back giving out on him, your gentle nature is just what Sweetwater needs.’ Brianna smirked. ‘Grumpy?’ ‘Yes, we could all tell he’d had enough of the job, but he hung in there because his wife didn’t want him under her feet at home.’ Molly looked left to right, as if making sure nobody was listening. ‘She’s a bit of a grump herself, at times. They’ll make a right pair, trapped in a caravan together for a year, lord help them.’ Grimacing, Brianna dropped her voice to match the whisper of Molly’s. ‘Now they can live grumpily ever after.’ ‘Yes, exactly.’ Molly chuckled. ‘Bless them, though, they are lovely people, and town relics, given the fact they’ve been here their entire lives.’ ‘Well then, it will be good for them to get out and about, exploring,’ Brianna said with a smile. Their conversation flowed a little longer, natural and unforced, carrying tales of some of the townspeople that made up the community. With every anecdote and shared laugh, Brianna’s roots grew deeper into the fertile soil of what sounded like a lovely little town with a heart of gold and lots of soul. Tapping Brianna’s hand resting on the timber banister, Molly inhaled sharply. ‘Anyhoos, I best be off, and leave you be. I’ve got me a café to run, and books to balance.’ ‘Okay, it was nice chatting, and thanks again,’ Brianna held the basket up, ‘for this.’ She felt blessed, having a landlady like Molly. Ninety minutes later, with her belly nicely full and dressed in her crisp new workwear, Brianna took a deep breath, filling her lungs with determination. As she gripped the handle of her well-worn veterinary kit, filled with years of knowledge, her drive to build a thriving business burned as bright and fierce as the Australian sun above. ‘Come on, Sherlock,’ she called out to her loyal companion, who trotted dutifully to her side. ‘Let’s get cracking.’ ABOUT THE BOOK: Whispers of Sweetwater Hidden behind small-town charm, dark secrets rise to the surface in this rural-set romance and mystery from bestselling author Mandy Magro. Leaving her family home of Riverstone Ridge, veterinarian Brianna Steele moves to the country town of Sweetwater after buying the local practice. With this new business she can start afresh. That was the plan, except she can't help noticing the handsome local horse trainer. Hayden Pierce cherishes the hard-won peace he's found at Sweetwater Stud. Four years on, he's still devastated by the loss of his wife and has only survived by burying himself in his work. But now his friends think it's time he moves on and trick him into a bet to woo the pretty new vet. As the close proximity of Sweetwater binds them together, Brianna and Hayden discover a chemistry more serious than either of them can handle. But when a new friend's cafe is ransacked and threatening notes surface, Brianna and Hayden find a darkness that whispers behind all the small-town charm. Can they drag Sweetwater's secrets out into the light? And with their intense bond being based on a lie, is their love strong enough to weather the truth or will they be torn apart? A standalone novel loosely linked to Riverstone Ridge. Revisit for the story of Nina and Logan, Brianna's parents. Get the book here