Labyrinths of the Heart — Lindsay Buroker

After months of working in his uncle's mine, Yanko longs to see his family and friends again, especially Arayevo, the woman he has adored from afar since he was a boy. When she travels two days and asks to see him, his mind dances at the possibilities.

But the mines are busy: there's a political delegate to humor, a maiden in distress to help, and a wedding that must go perfectly -- or else. Yanko will be lucky if he finds a chance to talk to Arayevo before she disappears from his life forever.

Labyrinths of the Heart is a 21,000-word novella.