Welcome to Serenity Harbor Read online

  Dear Readers,

  Welcome to Serenity Harbor, Maine.

  I know what you’re thinking – what’s this Jersey Girl doing welcoming anyone to anywhere Maine? It’s true that I was born and raised in New Jersey, but a number of years ago I was welcomed to the Pine Tree State by writing friends and have loved my visits there. So, who better to invite you in to meet the wonderful people who live in Serenity Harbor than me?

  Serenity Harbor is similar to other places in Maine but so unique at the same time. As many towns did, Serenity Harbor began back in the 1800s with immigrants coming from their homelands and seeking a new future in America. Unlike some though, Serenity Harbor was a mistake.

  The ship carrying many of the founding families from England and Ireland was heading further north, towards Canada, when it ran aground during a storm. The Serenity broke apart and the ship’s captain took it as a sign that the small island was where they were meant to be. It took some years of grueling effort, losses and sheer willpower before the town could be certain of its survival. But the Coopers, the Tuttles, the Fullers, the Parkers, the Manns and many more who would join them later never gave up or left the island. Not even a terrible fire in the 1940s that destroyed much of the town could drive them away. They stayed, they rebuilt and they thrived.

  Now, almost two centuries after that ship crashed onto the rocky coast, Serenity Harbor is a tourist destination that still keeps its small-town feel because of those families who yet remain as part of the town. It has its share of hotels and fancy restaurants, but small businesses like the Starlight Grille, Thompson’s Hardware, the White Pine Lodge B&B, Montgomery Lobster and Hanson’s Scapes are all owned by year-round residents. You’ll find lots of quirky little stores and places that represent the hopes and dreams of the people of Serenity Harbor.

  I invite you to take some time to get to know the locals, visit their shops, their homes and their lives as the seasons change and the year passes. Most importantly, I hope you will enjoy reading the stories about how they seek and find love in this special place in Maine where the people are survivors and fighters, the town is warm and welcoming and, well, the sheep sometimes get loose on Main Street.

  Welcome to Serenity Harbor, Maine.

  Terri Brisbin

  USA Today Bestselling Author of Kidnapped by the Highland Rogue

  PS – Don’t forget to try the cinnamon scones at the Trellis Bakery while you’re here. Ooh! And the fresh lobster at Montgomery Lobster. Mmmmmm! If you need more travel tips, let me know—I’ll point you in the right direction.

  Anthology Dedication

  It was on Maggie's back deck during brainstorming that the idea for this anthology hatched.Terri jumped on the bandwagon at our retreat, willingly sharing her knowledge of the publishing process with her Maine writer peeps. The Serenity Harbor Anthology wouldn't be possible without both of you offering your incredible guidance and dedication. Please know that your support of our endeavor has been as much a teaching tool, as a bonding of friendship. Your contributions have been limitless and very much appreciated. We could not have undertaken such an adventure without you. We, the Serenity Harbor Authors are forever indebted to you both. With gracious hearts, we thank you.

  Serenity Harbor

  Welcome to Serenity Harbor, Maine, where waves slap against the rocky shore and love is always in the air.

  Two centuries after a ship, The Serenity, brought the first families to this part of the secluded Maine coast, the town is home to their descendants and a destination for tourists and travelers seeking their own slice of heaven—and blueberry pie.

  Join nine Maine authors and their friends in their walk around Serenity Harbor, and maybe you’ll find the sheep that sometimes get loose on Main Street!

  Serenity Harbor Box Set

  Copyright © 2016

  Only You Copyright © Teagan Oliver

  It Had To Be You Copyright © Kat Henry Doran

  A Whole Lotta Love Copyright © Luanna Stewart

  Breaking the Story Copyright © Michelle Libby

  Love in the Library Copyright © Maggie Robinson

  The Legacy of Parkers Point Copyright © Delsora Lowe

  Storm to Forever Copyright © April Canavan

  Love in a Storm Copyright © Rose Morris

  Only This Kiss Copyright © Meg Kassel

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. With the exception of short quotes for reviews, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the individual author, except where permitted by law.

  These stories are works of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this collection are of the individual author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Published by Theresa S. Brisbin

  1st Edition, October 2016 ~ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Cover Art © Carrie Devine/Seductive Designs

  Photo copyright © Igor Goncharenko/Depositphotos • Photo copyright: © Ron Sumners/Depositphotos • Photo copyright: © Jacob Lund/Depositphotos

  Formatting by Nina Pierce of Seaside Publications

  Contents

  Welcome Letter * About the Serenity Harbor * Dedication * Copyright

  ONLY YOU

  Dedication * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9* About Teagan Oliver

  IT HAD TO BE YOU

  Dedication * Acknowledgements * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * About Kat Henry Doran

  A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

  Dedication * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 * Chapter 10 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 * Chapter 13 * Chapter 14 * Chapter 15 * Chapter 16 * Chapter 17 * Chapter 18 * Chapter 19* Chapter 20 * Chapter 21 * About Luanna Stewart

  BREAKING THE STORY

  Dedication * Acknowledgments * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 * Chapter 10 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 * About Michelle Libby

  LOVE IN THE LIBRARY

  Dedication * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * About Maggie Robinson

  THE LEGACY OF PARKERS POINT

  Dedication * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 * Chapter 10 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 * Chapter 13 * Chapter 14 * Chapter 15 * Epilogue * About Delsora Lowe

  STORM TO FOREVER

  Dedication * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 * Epilogue * About April Canavan

  LOVE IN A STORM

  Dedication * Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9* Chapter 10 * Epilogue * About Rose Morris

  ONLY THIS KISS

  Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9* Chapter 10 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 * Chapter 13 * Chapter 14 * About Meg Kassel

  MARCH

  Only You

  Teagan Oliver

  One kiss does not a romance make... especially when that kiss happened when they were 15. But for Kara Simpson, life is difficult enough trying to keep her business afloat and her wayward brother out of trouble. The last thing she needs is interference from Nate, even if it is well-intended.

  Helping Kara is a no-brainer for Nate Cooper. After all, isn't that what townsfolk do? But she's s
tubborn and proud and it's going to take a whole lot of convincing if he ever wants to find out what a second kiss would be like. And he definitely wants to know.

  Dedication

  For Keith

  To say thank you after all these years is not enough.

  Even now, it’s still only you.

  Chapter 1

  The second spoonful of crunchy peanut butter was halfway to her mouth when she heard the knock on her door.

  Kara Simpson leaned forward over the sink to look out the kitchen window, the forgotten spoon still halfway to her mouth, as she tried to see who had arrived unannounced.

  Sometime during her marathon bookkeeping session, the sun had made pretty good progress in going down. The sky still held a weak light; a golden sunset cast over the tops of the trees and reflected off the water near Sentinel Point

  The knock came again. This time it was louder.

  Damn, she wasn't expecting anyone. Heck, she hadn't had a visitor in months if she didn’t count her brother. And she didn’t, because he only ever showed up when he wanted money.

  No one braved the rutted dirt roads and giant potholes of the Point Road at this time of year unless you were visiting someone or looking to cause trouble.

  Skirting the room, Kara peered through the curtain beside the door. She hadn’t bothered to turn on the porch light and in the darkness, the most she could make out was a tall figure standing on her porch.

  “Damn it.” The oath was muffled by the thick door and followed by the sound of scratching.

  “Kara! I know you’re in there. Open up!” There was scratching and a clunk. The voice was definitely not Pete.

  Ignoring the stiffening brace on her wrist and the horrendous shot of pain slicing up her arm, Kara pulled her father's old shotgun from its hiding place next to the door and cradled it in the crook of her arm. The gun wavered, the weight of it hard to balance with only one good hand. She seriously doubting she could hold it steady and fire it. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to test the theory.

  “What the hell?” This time there was a definite crash from the other side.

  Kara hoisted the shotgun up to her shoulder, balancing it with her braced hand just enough to reach out with her good hand for the door handle. She cursed as her sore wrist rapped against the barrel of the gun.

  In one, almost swift action, she pulled the door open, letting it swing inward with bang. and used the element of surprise to level the shotgun to her shoulder and aim it at the figure silhouetted on her porch.

  "Chrisssssakes, Simpson,” he muttered. “Will you put that damn thing down before you shoot someone!"

  It took less than a second for her brain to recognize the deeply irritated tone of Nate Cooper. Not a burglar, just a pain in her butt.

  She chose not to lower the gun. Instead, she reached out and flicked on the porch light. A faded yellow circle of light shone down on his unsmiling face as he bent down to pick up a couple of cans that had fallen at his feet.

  "What are you doing skulking about on my porch in the dark, Cooper?"

  "Skulking? What the Hell? Are we in some sort of British drama?" He raised an eyebrow at the gun still pointed in his direction. "Do you mind putting the gun down while I pick up what I dropped trying to carry this crap up onto your porch in the dark? You really should keep a light on for safety."

  For a second, she considered giving in to her lifelong irritation with Nate Cooper and shooting him. It might be worth going to jail just to have him picking buckshot out of his rear. Instead, she let the gun drop and put it back into its spot next to the door.

  "I should just shoot you and do us both a favor."

  "Nice hospitality you got going there. And just when I come bearing gifts." He held up both hands, filled with large, overflowing, plastic shopping bags. She'd been so set on trying not shoot him she'd missed the bags completely.

  "Hospitality is for friends, Coop." She wasn't about to be dissuaded. The man considered himself a legend with the ladies in Serenity Harbor. Other than a quick Seven-Minutes-In-Heaven kiss in Megan Johnson’s closet when they were fifteen, he'd yet to get his charm to work on her.

  "Mum sent me out with a goodie bag. She saw you at the grocery store buying beans and peanut butter and figured you were starving."

  Kara groaned, her cheeks flaming hot. Nothing was private in Serenity Harbor, or any other place in Maine for that matter. It was the way of life in a small town.

  "Thank your mother for me, but tell her I'm not starving. It's a shame she sent you all this way for nothing." She started to push him back out of the doorway and almost succeeded, but he put his big foot in it.

  Nate held out the bags again. "At least take the food. You'll hurt her feelings if you don't."

  He had a point there. His mother had always been nothing but kind to her. Kara reached out to take the packages and Cooper took advantage of her concession to push past her into the cabin.

  "Damn it, Coop!" The last thing she needed was him in her home. "You just can't barge into someone's house uninvited." There was just too much of him for such a small space and she wasn’t sure her already stretched nerves could stand it.

  "Hey, you accepted the package from my mother and the package came with strict instructions. The first of which was to make sure you’re eating."

  He flung open the door of her fridge. "Haven't you ever heard of a vegetable? There's nothing even remotely healthy in here. Certainly not enough of anything to feed a mouse."

  She stalked to the fridge right behind him and tried to close it, but he held the door steady.

  "Don't you have anything better to do than barge in and look in my fridge? Shouldn't you be out on your ferry?" He ran the ferry service to the many outer islands off Serenity Harbor. Sometimes, he was the only link with the mainland they'd see for days or weeks at a time.

  Nate closed the fridge and opened one of the bags he'd dumped on her counter, pulling items from the mess.

  "I just hired Sam Perkins. He’s straight out of Maine Maritime and since we’re only making short runs this time of year, Jack volunteered to take him out to get some experience and I get a day off. So, you’re stuck, I'm all yours."

  She wanted to sputter at the comment, but she was too busy watching him pull items out of the never ending bags. There were a couple of the clear plastic bags of pre-mixed salad and several containers holding some dark colored liquid.

  "Mum sent along some of her pot roast and potatoes and salad to go with it. She included some of her homemade broth in case you want to make a soup out of the leftovers. Oh, and there's blueberry cake in here, also.

  His mother was the best cook in Serenity Harbor and her pot roast and blueberry cake was legendary at the church Pot Luck Suppers.

  Kara put up her hands in defeat. “You win. I surrender.” She was rewarded by the visibly slacking of his shoulders. For all his bravado, he hadn't been completely sure she wouldn't shoot him.

  Somehow that pleased her. Or, it did until he started rummaging around in her cupboards.

  “What are you doing? You can't just go through my things. Don't you have someone else to bug?"

  He turned to look at her as he pulled a couple of plates from the cupboard. “Told you, I’m on a mission from my mother. You can try all you want to get rid of me, but we both know she can’t be stopped. You might as well sit back and enjoy it. I’ll have it on plates in a minute.”

  “Plates? You’re eating with me?”

  “Yup, so you might as well relax and enjoy it. Besides, someone has to make sure you actually eat. Besides, I’m starved and my mother packed enough for a small army.” No doubt, his mother had planned it just that way.

  * * *

  Nate kept waiting for Kara to either kick him out, or shoot him. Hell, he hadn’t intended to do any more than drop off the food his mother had foisted on him. But one look at the shotgun she’d aimed at him, he knew he wasn’t going anywhere for a while.

  He couldn’t remember how
long it had been since he’d seen her, a couple, three months at most. Like everyone else, he’d gone into hibernation mode this winter, using the time to work on the boat he was building, and doing maintenance on the ferry.

  But the long Maine winter had taken a toll on her. There was a definite change, and he could see why his mother was concerned. Kara had never been very big, more the small and mighty type. But now she was reed thin and drop-dead tired with heavy shadows circling those big brown eyes.

  Nate opened another cupboard looking for plates and instead found six cans of baked beans lined up neatly on the shelf. Those, along with the package of red hot dogs he’d found in her fridge were a sure sign she’d been living frugally on real Down East fare.

  “Sit down, will you? You’re making me edgy with all the hovering.” He could feel her presence from near behind him. If he turned just now they’d be in each other’s arms. From there he could just… Damn.

  Nate slammed the cabinet door a little harder than he’d intended and she jumped. She was edgy. He was edgy. It didn’t bode well.

  “I’m not going to just go sit still in my own house while you’re messing around in my kitchen.” Her words were challenging, but she did retreat a safe distance away.

  The term messing around made him think again about his earlier thoughts so he stifled the groan which he knew would only piss her off.

  “I told you. My mother wanted me to make sure you had a hot meal.”

  The original orders had been to just deliver the food, but he had no doubt that his conniving, matchmaking, sweet, little mother had other ideas in mind when she’d sent him out here. She’d like nothing better than to see them paired off.

  “So, are you gonna tell me how you hurt your wrist?”

  “No.”

  He hadn’t really expected her to answer. He had his own ideas about how it happened.

  Pulling the top off the container full of roast beef, he stuck it in the microwave, punching the buttons. “Is it going to be in a brace for long?”