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- Herausgeber: Two Hearts Press
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
Enjoy this steamy, small town 20
th
century historical mystery romance set in 1979 Swan Harbor.
One small town.
Two scarred hearts.
No
room for mistakes.
Sally Miller didn’t come to Swan Harbor looking for love. She was searching for safety, for silence, for a second chance. But somewhere between the clink of coffee cups at Granny’s Diner and the slow rhythm of small-town life, she found more than refuge. Danny Patterson isn’t just any man, and it’s dangerous to let him close. Except maybe, just maybe, she’s ready to let down her guard for the man who sees through the armor she’s worked so hard to build.
Danny Patterson is a man of quiet strength. He’s given up dreams, buried desires, and worn the weight of responsibility like a second skin. But when Sally walks into his life—guarded, beautiful, and unexpectedly fierce—something primal awakens inside him. She makes him want more. Not just almost. Not just someday. But everything. The deeper he falls, the more he realizes protecting Sally might be the one fight he can’t afford to walk away from.
In a town where secrets settle as easily as sea mist, Sally and Danny never expected to find each other. She’s running from a past she won’t name. He’s anchored by a present he didn’t choose. They never expected that one look could ignite a spark that refuses to burn out. As tension builds and shadows close in, a powerful force draws Sally and Danny together, a force neither understands nor wants to resist. But the past has a way of catching up. And in a town where whispers carry and danger wears a familiar face, the question isn’t whether love is worth the risk. It’s whether it can survive what’s coming next.
Sometimes love isn’t the answer. It’s the risk.
Welcome to Swan Harbor
Welcome to Swan Harbor is part of the Historical Hope & Hearts from Swan Harbor series. It’s an instant attraction, workplace, and mystery romance with a guaranteed happy ending. In this small town series, you’ll find layered plots, complex characters, town gossip, and a strong sense of family.
Curl up with a copy of Welcome to Swan Harbor and fall in love with Sally and Danny.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
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WELCOME TO SWAN HARBOR
A SMALL TOWN, 20TH CENTURY HISTORICAL MYSTERY ROMANCE
HISTORICAL HOPE & HEARTS
BOOK 4
SOPHIE BARTOW
CONTENTS
Some Residents of Swan Harbor
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Guide to Swan Harbor
Other Books by Sophie
About the Author
Sophie’s Heart
Two Hearts Press
An imprint of LLIPSS, INC.
Copyright © 2022 by Sophie Bartow
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business or locales is coincidental.
This book was updated and new content added in April 2025.
Cover Design by Kate Semenyuk
Inspiration began …
when a lost girl fell for a lost boy
SOME RESIDENTS OF SWAN HARBOR
Sally Miller – New to Swan Harbor and a waitress at Granny’s Diner. She lives in Haven House.
Danny Patterson: Danny gave up his dreams to move back to Swan Harbor when his father had a stroke. He’s a lobsterman and the oldest of six kids.
Louise Carmichael – She owns Granny’s Diner and has an agenda of her own where Sally’s concerned.
Rupert Duncan – He’s married to Lois and is the caretaker of Haven House. His story is told in Guided by Love.
Mary: She’s a resident at Swan Harbor General Hospital and engaged to Clint Hunter.
Clint Hunter: He works at his family’s construction business and is engaged to Mary.
James Prince – He’s the Sheriff of Swan Harbor and the father of Robert.
Robert Prince – He’s a deputy with the Swan Harbor Sheriff’s Department andengaged to Ruth.
Ruth – She’s a teacher at Swan Harbor Elementary School and engaged to Robert.
Terri Patterson – She’s married to Dean and the mother of Danny, Bruce, Beverly, Troy, Laura, and Rhonda. Her story is taken inGuided by Light.
Dean Patterson – He’s married to Terri and the father of Danny, Bruce, Beverly, Troy, Laura, and Rhonda. He’s a lobsterman but has been unable to work since his stroke.
Paula Gates – She’s a waitress at Granny’s and twin to Patti.
Captain Jack – He’s a Navy Captain and friends with the Patterson family. Jack owns the Spanish galleon docked in the center of town. His story is told in The Journey to Love.
ONE
QUICK NOTE: If you enjoy listening to music while reading, Welcome to Swan Harbor has a playlist. Here’s the link for Welcome to Swan Harbor.
* * *
Granny’s Diner
July 13, 1979
5:00 p.m.
Is today the day?
Will he ask?
Should I say yes?
Be cool.
Sally’s heart ticked up several beats while she chose a song on the jukebox. She was sauntering toward the counter when the first beat of the song began, and they walked in. Five men, each special in their own right, but only one caused her breath to catch.
“Working For A Livin?” Paula noted the song. “I expected you to choose something else.
“I thought it was a good Friday song.” Sally grinned. “Which one did you think I’d pick?”
“Oh, maybe ‘You’re The One That I Want,’” Paula side-eyed her. “It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe, my ass.” Paula snickered. “You’ve been waiting months for him to ask you out.”
Which was true, but through no fault of his. That was all because of her. Mainly because it had taken more than a year for her to feel comfortable with the idea. Not just the idea of dating, but the idea of staying put. She’d not expected to feel anything for a place. Somehow, Swan Harbor had changed her way of thinking. Would he understand all that?
“Am I hoping for the impossible?”
“Ha!”
“Ha?” Sally frowned. “Why ha?”
“Danny’s been mooning over you since the moment he saw you.”
Sally glanced toward the door where the men were chatting with Granny, the diner’s owner. There was a familiarity between the older woman and the group of friends that made her envious. A feeling she’d never allowed before. However, now that she had …
Danny glanced in her direction, and their eyes met. That zip of excitement, whenever he was near, jumpstarted her heart and caused it to pound.
“Why have you held out?” Paula asked.
I have my reasons, Sally wanted to say. Instead, she offered, “He hasn’t asked—recently, anyway.”
“You could always take the initiative.”
The idea caused Sally’s hands to sweat and her stomach to feel funny.
“I don’t think I could do that.”
Paula studied her for so long, Sally had to fight to stand still. She knew her friend was curious about her past. However, any time the need arose to share her story, she squashed it back down. Except lately, something had changed.
She’d lived in Swan Harbor for more than a year. It had taken a while, but finally she felt safe enough to let down her guard. Was the fact the town claimed to be a ‘haven of hope for lost hearts’ helping to heal hers? Had she finally bumped up against a place where hope was stronger than her fear?
“Go.” Paula nudged hard enough that Sally almost fell.
“Do I look okay?”
“You look beautiful. Just go!”
“But …”
“Sally Miller,” Paula scolded. “You’ve told me many times you’re a strong, independent woman. Stop making excuses and go.”
“I’m going. I’m going.” Sally took a step toward the group and then another. The closer she was, the faster her heart raced.
“Welcome to Granny’s,” she greeted them. “How was work?”
“Work was work,” Sonny, the one with the biggest personality, grumbled.
“It was good.” Charlie, the bookish one, replied.
“Nothing major,” Robert, a deputy with the sheriff’s department, responded.
“Uneventful,” Clint, the man with the easiest smile, answered.
Once again, Danny glanced up, and their gazes met. Her heart jumped and then settled into a steady thump.
Daniel Patterson was the quiet one. He never said much, but when he said her name, he elongated the S in Sally. It made her feel as if he was caressing it.
“Okay.”
“Just okay?” she teased. “That’s it?”
“Juh-Just okay.”
He differed from any other man who’d ever caught her attention. Tall, easily six-feet-five-inches, with sandy blond hair, a kind demeanor, and brown eyes that visited in her dreams. How was she supposed to continue to fight her feelings, when all she wanted was to dive in and ask him to never let her go?
Sally slammed the brakes on those thoughts and gave herself a mental shake.
“Your usual?” she asked, taking out her order pad.
“Nuh-Not for me,” Danny replied. “I need to leave soon.”
“Oh. Okay.” His announcement was unexpected, and the last thing she’d wanted to hear. It had her fighting to maintain her neutral expression. “It’s not the burgers running you off, is it?”
“Not today.”
His cryptic comment had her wondering if she’d waited too long. “Well, okay then. Don’t be a stranger. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
And before she embarrassed herself anymore, Sally rushed into the back room.
* * *
“What was that all about, man?” Clint snapped the minute Sally was out of earshot. “You’ve wanted to ask her out for a year.”
“All three-hundred-sixty-five days of it,” Sonny muttered tongue-in-cheek.
“More like four-hundred or … so,” Danny mumbled, annoyed he’d let fear hold him back. “But what if she says no again?”
“And what if she says yes?” Robert countered. “You wait too long, and you lose.”
“I know,” Danny sighed. “It’s just that my life is—”
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Danny Boy,” Charlie groused. “Grab the bull by the horns.”
“Or in this case, the woman by the … bazookas,” Sonny snickered. “She does have a nice set.”
Danny pointed his finger at his friend, anger rolling off him in waves. “Don’t talk about her like she’s nothing.” Sonny’s twinkling eyes had him clamping his mouth shut. “What the hell?”
“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Clint replied. “You like her, and she likes you. Look around. Have you ever seen so many tables of males in here at once?
Danny hated admitting it, but what Clint said was true. The diner was full of single males—which, while not uncommon during the week, was on a Friday.
Families and steady couples filled the place on the weekends. Those who were single and, on the prowl, normally spent the evening at a bar or Randy’s Arcade. That they were at Granny’s caused the acid in his stomach to churn. While they might claim they were there for the food, he knew the truth. Sally was the draw, not only to him, but to every single male within a 50-mile radius.
He wanted to be the one to discover the secrets behind her blue eyes. Wanted to know what it was about her that mesmerized him. Wanted to know why every time he closed his eyes, he dreamed of her. Dreamed of how her blue-black hair would feel wrapped around his wrist or sliding down his body. She haunted his dreams, and he wanted nothing more than to tug her into his arms and kiss her until he’d had his fill. Except, he had a feeling that after one taste, she would ruin him for all others. And, right then, that’s what had him keeping her at arm’s length.
“Granny’s is always busy in July,” Danny tossed back.
“True,” Robert conceded. “Except there’s more. Sally’s smile was freer today. She wasn’t as tense. It’s as if she’s decided something. Don’t you want to know if you’re the one she wants?”
“What were you doing looking?” Danny growled. “I can’t see Ruth approving of your ogling.”
“Leave my fiancée out of this. I’m a deputy. I’m trained to observe.”
“Robert has you there.” Clint shrugged. “Face it. You’re just chicken.”
“Bwack bwack bwack,” Sonny clucked.
“You’re a bunch of children.” Danny stood to leave earlier than he’d planned. “Gotta go. Captain Jack’s waiting for me.” With a last glance in Sally’s direction, he started toward the door.
The ball of dread inside his gut grew when more males entered as he left. His friends were right. He was chicken, but he wasn’t ready to hear them say, ‘I told you so.’ Were they right about Sally’s behavior?
When they’d arrived, and their gazes met, her expression had been different. Almost dreamy. She was always friendly, but Robert’s assessment of her smile and body language had been spot on. Had she been sending him signals, and he’d missed them? If he asked her out, would she say yes? Or was he destined to be the man who never got his happy ending? Would he always be the ‘almost’ guy?
Almost drafted by the Flyers until he blew out his knee.
Almost married until he’d learned she’d only liked him because he was going to be a doctor.
Almost a medical school student until his father’s stroke. After that, he hadn’t felt right leaving his mother with all the responsibility of his siblings—of which he was the oldest of six. Plus, Dean Patterson was a lobsterman. If his father couldn’t take the boat out, his family couldn’t survive.
Except now, he’d met a woman who made him feel things he’d never felt before. Was he willing to ignore any potential possibilities between them?
His life wasn’t what he’d planned. Most days, he felt as if he was disappointing someone by not being what they needed. Could he put himself out there one more time? Even if it meant being let down?
* * *
Granny’s Diner
July 13, 1979
10:30 p.m.
Sally loved her job at Granny’s. Whenever you wanted to know something, all you had to do was spend time in the diner. Job interviews, make-ups and break-ups had occurred between its four walls. Somehow, instead of always being on the outside of everything, she’d stepped into the middle. The people no longer made her nervous, but gave her a sense of belonging.
It hadn’t been intentional. When she’d stepped off the bus on that dark, rainy night, she hadn’t known what to expect. But finding a place that felt like home certainly hadn’t been it. Nor was it to meet a man that called to her in ways she didn’t quite understand. In the past year, Danny, the town, and the people had become hers.
Hours after Danny had gone, Sally was still fighting her mad. Still fighting to keep her temper under control for misreading the situation. Fighting not to behave in a very un-Sally like way.
The residents of Swan Harbor didn’t know that Sally Miller. The one they knew didn’t have a temper. She never yelled, screamed, or threw things. In fact, she was rarely angry. Learning to blend in was her goal, and most of the time, that was just fine—until today.
“Damn fool man.” Sally practically threw the broom in the closet, then grabbed a cloth. “‘Not today,’ weren’t the words I’d expected him to say, and they certainly weren’t what I’d wanted to hear.”
She’d been wiping the same spot for who knew how long, when Granny stopped the motion. “Danny?”
Sally clenched her fist and backed away a few steps. “Yes,” she muttered, unwilling to say more.
“Come sit.” Granny led the way to her office and pointed to an old sofa. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Granny snorted. “Try again.”
“Nothing.” Sally hesitated a beat. “That’s the problem. Nothing happened.”
For the next few minutes, the only sounds she could hear were those of the diners. The clock’s ticking, the refrigerator’s hum, and the creaking of the building as it settled.
“I thought he would ask me out,” Sally huffed. “I can’t believe I read everything so wrong.”
“Oh, child,” Granny clucked sympathetically. “You didn’t read him wrong. He’ll ask.”
“Did you read that in your tea leaves?” Sally quipped. “I’m sorry, that was rude.”
“That wasn’t what I read.” Granny’s smile had Sally wondering about the double meaning. “Danny’s just slow and methodical.”
“Because of his stutter?”
“Oh, no,” Granny denied. “His speech pattern was never an issue. He just takes after his father. However, once he’s decided, watch out.”
Sally’s brows shot up. “For?”
“A ring.” Granny chuckled, as if she knew a secret. “Once Danny’s father, Dean, captured Terri’s attention, barely a month had passed before he proposed. And without taking her to Lover’s Cove.”
“I’m not too worried,” Sally scoffed. “I can’t see Danny Patterson asking me out. As for marriage, well, that’s not even on my radar right now.”
“Now, Sally,” Granny murmured. “Don’t give up on him. You’re right. Danny has his sights set on you.”
“Don’t give up on him?” Sally sighed. “Are you planning to tell me we’re written in the stars?”
“I don’t know about the stars.” Granny grinned. “But I know about connected hearts. Once your hearts connect, nothing can keep you apart.”
* * *
Haven House
July 13, 1979
11:15 p.m.
When Captain Jack asked him to work a party cruise, Danny wanted to decline. However, after everything the older man had done for his family, he’d felt obligated to help. Except, once they were out at sea, his thoughts weren’t on what he was doing. They were on the woman who starred in his dreams. The one he’d left back on shore, not because he didn’t want her, but because he was a chicken.
He should have been at Granny’s, going after what he wanted. Instead, he was out at sea being propositioned by scantily clad, somewhat drunk females. Once upon a time he’d enjoyed the party cruises, but those days were in the past. His heart wanted what his heart wanted, and it was time he listened to it.
As if being guided by a higher power, Danny left the docks and went after what he wanted. The woman he could no longer ignore. He arrived at Sally’s boarding house, just as she was heading up the drive. But then her steps faltered.
“What the hell?” Danny pushed away from the wall and went to check on her.
Less than a handful of steps later, he was flat on his back and Sally’s knee was on his chest.
“Danny!” Sally scrambled up in one smooth motion. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” He pushed into a sitting position. “It was stupid of me to surprise you like that.”
“It was stupid.” Her smile turned teasing. “Need some help?”
Danny closed his fingers around her proffered hand, and the current zipping up his arm had him taking a chance. He tugged, just hard enough for her to fall onto his lap.
“There.” He laughed. “We’re even.”
“What was that for?”
“We’re even.” Danny grinned. “I fell at your feet, and now you’ve landed at mine.”
Having her so close short-circuited his brain. The smells from the diner lingered in her hair and on her clothes. Yet she had an underlying unique scent. A little spice, a little musk, and Sally.
“I wouldn’t have landed on you if you hadn’t pulled me down.” Sally scrambled back a few steps. “Why are you here, Danny? It’s been a long day, and I’m tired.”
It was late, and he could hear fatigue in her voice. But there were things he wanted to know. For one, ‘where the hell had she learned to toss a man—a much larger man than she—to the ground so easily?’ However, the look on her face said this wasn’t the time to ask. It was time for action.
Danny took a step closer to her. “Wuh-Wuh-Would you go out with me?”
As soon as the question was out there, he fought to maintain eye contact. Fought not to give into the fear that still lingered inside.
His gaze dropped, then he immediately forced it back up. What he saw took his breath. Sally Miller completely captivated him.
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly. “Yes, I will go out with you.”
“Really?” he asked, just to make sure he’d heard her right.
“Yes, Danny. I really do want to go out with you.”
“Guh-Good, good. I’m glad.”
“When?”
Her question caused his thoughts to race. “How, how does Sunday sound?”
“Sunday sounds perfect.”
Danny let go of the breath he’d been holding and began thinking about plans. He wanted to take her somewhere new. Somewhere unique. Somewhere they could be alone.
“Sunday, then,” he murmured, unable to look away.
“I’ll look forward to it … Danny.”
The slight catch in her voice when she said his name conjured an image of them kissing. It was so real, and so vivid, he had to grab the banister to keep from reaching for her.
“Shall I pick you up at 6:00 p.m.?”
“You don’t want me to meet you someplace?”
“Hell, no! I’ll pick you up.”
Sally smiled. One so sexy, and so tempting, he needed to change the topic … and quickly.
“Could I see you home?”
Sally sashayed closer. The mysterious smile on her mouth, and the look in her eye, pulled at him. It caused his heart to race, and his body to harden.
“I’m good. I’ll see you Sunday.”
She started up the stairs, and on her way by, trailed her hand over his chest. A line of fire streaked straight to his balls.
Danny’s feet stayed on the ground only because he had hold of the banister. His shoulders relaxed, and something inside expanded. He wasn’t sure what he needed to do, but he was bound and determined, he wouldn’t be the almost guy when it came to Sally.
TWO
Haven House
July 15, 1979
5:45 p.m.
Sally slowly ran the brush through her long, black hair and thought back to March, the year before.
“Are you getting off here, miss?” The driver pulled up in front of the bus stop.
“This is it. Thanks!” Sally slipped her backpack over her shoulder and stepped down onto the curb. As soon as the doors closed behind her, the bus lumbered off with a smoky belch.
Silence surrounded her, and the darkness pressed in. There were no streetlights, store lights, buzzing power lines or car engines. It was as if she was the only person around. Yet her heart wasn’t racing with fear. Instead, the gentle thump in her chest gave her patience to decide on her next move.
Sally slowly turned 360 degrees, seeing nothing until she looked north. In the distance, a bright flash caught her attention. Somehow, the flickering light gave her hope. It beckoned, guiding her forward, rather than away.
She hitched her backpack a little higher and took the first step. With each subsequent one, the glow grew a little brighter until she reached a small building. It was a diner, situated in the center of town. When she opened the door, a sense of coming home washed over her and everything inside settled.
An older woman was sitting at a table right inside the door. Next to her rested a carafe and a coffee mug. Her dark eyes were watchful, but welcoming.
“Hello, child. I’ve been expecting you.”
“Me?” Sally stepped fully inside. “Are you sure about that?”
The woman smiled and filled the cup. She glanced up and the words, “Coffee with cream, right?” rolled off her tongue.
“Yes.”
“Folks call me Granny,” she replied. “Welcome to Swan Harbor.”
Freaking out because of Granny’s familiarity never crossed her mind. Her senses hadn’t shouted danger. Instead, they were relaxed. The moment the diner door had closed behind her, it felt like she’d come home.
Sally had always considered herself a fighter. Primarily because she’d been fighting her entire life. Especially since everything had blown up in her face. She’d only survived because she’d kept her wits about her and hadn’t stopped running.
Had she finally bumped up against a place where hope was stronger than her fear?
A question she’d thought about more than once since Friday afternoon. It had taken her a few days, but she knew the answer was yes. Hope had replaced her fear.
Don’t give up on him. He’ll ask you out.
It seemed Granny was the one with the crystal ball. Or were connected hearts her thing? Was that why she had such a strong reaction to Danny?
Her heart raced whenever their eyes met. Something pulled at her when she was near him. It was the only reason she could come up with for touching him Friday evening. Sally Miller didn’t freely touch others. Was that because their hearts were connected?
After almost three days, her fingers still tingled from touching him. Every word and expression still lingered in her mind. And after sitting on his lap, graphic image after graphic image flashed every time she closed her eyes. Was she ready to spend an entire evening with him? Was she ready for what he offered?
Three quick raps told her she’d better be.
Sally squared her shoulders and answered the door. “Danny, you’re right on time.”
“I try to be.”
His voice faded, and their eyes clashed. The man she saw at the diner every day enamored her. Those feelings paled when compared to ‘date’ Danny.
Tight, button-up jeans molded his long legs. A soft yellow t-shirt outlined his powerful chest. He had blond, artfully mussed hair and took her breath.
Just looking at him caused her to feel things she’d never experienced. Her heart raced, and her breath caught. It was so overwhelming she had to grab hold on to the door frame to stay upright.
“Duh-Duh-Do I pass inspection?”
Sally peeled her tongue off the roof of her mouth. “You look good.”
Danny brushed the petals of the red rose he was holding across her cheek. “And you … are beautiful.”
“I, I wasn’t sure where we were going.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Should I?”
* * *
Danny struggled to pull his thoughts out of the gutter. She was wearing one of those off the shoulder tops, exposing more skin than she’d shown before. It was tucked into tight black jeans, and he couldn’t stop thinking that all he needed was just one pull, and he could see what was beneath.
“Probably not.”
Her blue eyes darkened, and her red lips rounded into a perfect O. “What did you have in mind?”
“Come with me, and you’ll see.”
Sally grabbed her jacket and slipped her smaller hand into his. “I’m all yours.”
The unexpected response caused his body to harden. It had him wanting to tug her close and taste her red lips. Except, if it was too much, too fast, and she pushed him away, he wasn’t sure how he’d handle that.
“I hope so.”
She gave him a sweet smile, which caused his heart to flip. There was a war going on inside of him. One side was shouting ‘slow down,’ but the other part was whispering, ‘gimme, gimme.’
Rupert Duncan, the proprietor of Haven House, was waiting for them when they reached the bottom step. He tipped his hat in an old-worldly manner. “Good evening
Sally’s quick inhalation had Danny tucking her against his side. “Rupert.” He nodded to the older man. “How are things?”
“Good, good.” Rupert looked them over in such a way, Danny was reminded of picking up dates when he’d been in high school. “And where are you two headed?”
“Dinner.” Danny tightened his arm around Sally.
Rupert studied him for several seconds. “Just dinner?”
Sally gasped, “Rupert!”
“We are adults, Rupert,” Danny replied. “But because I’m a nice guy, I’ll tell you. Yes, just dinner. I’ll return her home in one piece.”
“See that you do.” Rupert gave them each one more assessing look, then quickly disappeared into the home he shared with his wife and daughter.
“Sorry about that,” Sally murmured. “I didn’t expect …”
“Hey.” Danny placed his hands on her shoulders and bent his knees slightly, forcing her to meet his eyes. “It’s no big deal …”
His voice faded when he realized Sally was crying. He cupped her jaw and gently swept away the wetness. “Hey, what’s this?”
“I just …” Her chin trembled slightly as she tried again. “I never expected to have people who …” She gave up and dropped her head against his chest.
Danny wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and carry her away. Except there was too much vulnerability in the way she was leaning against him. He was beginning to think he needed her trust more than he needed air to breathe.
“You’re not used to small towns, are you?”
“I’m learning.”
“There are very few secrets.”
“I like it.”
He hummed. “Give it some time. You might change your mind.”
“I doubt it.” A smile bloomed on her face that took his breath away. “You mentioned dinner.”
“I did.” They continued their walk, and once again, he tucked her close. “How does lobster, salad, garlic bread, and a little wine sound?”
“Wonderful. But …” Sally side-eyed him. “Where are we going to get a lobster meal at the docks?”
“I cooked.”
* * *
“You cooked?” she exclaimed.
“Hey,” he teased. “I’m a good cook.”
“I wasn’t besmirching your skills; it just surprised me. No man’s ever …” Sally clamped her molars together, not wanting to give too much away.
“No man’s ever?” he prodded.
“Cooked for me,” she mumbled, surprised he was tossing her off her game.
“It’s a privilege to be your first.” His brown eyes twinkled. “No father, brother, or uncle to cook for you when you were growing up?”
What could she say that wouldn’t beg for more questions? Ones she wasn’t ready to answer just yet—possibly never.
“None.” Sally hesitated a beat. “Who taught you to cook?”
The look Danny sent her said he knew what she was doing. However, when he started to talk about his family, she relaxed.
“I’m the oldest of six,” he explained. “Growing up, my mother taught me a few things, ‘staples,’ she called them. However, most of my cooking has been done since my dad’s stroke. I wanted to …”
There was sadness, pain, and something else in his voice that touched her deep inside.
“I’m sorry. How long ago?”
“Four or five years now.”
The nonchalant comment was so unlike Danny, Sally didn’t buy it. She’d bet he knew the exact moment it had happened.
“You were twenty-two?”
“Yeah.” Then he murmured, “It was October, and I’d just started medical school. However, it didn’t feel right to leave my mother to deal with my siblings alone. I dropped out and took over my dad’s lobster boat, thinking he’d be able to resume working. It’s been almost five years, and yet, here I am.”
The look on his face. The tenor of his voice. The love and affection he obviously had for his family. His sense of responsibility. Taken individually, Sally was touched. Together, though, how was she going to resist him? If she were being truthful, she couldn’t.
“How’s your dad now?”
Danny pulled her to a stop in front of a large ship. It looked like the kind used in pirate movies. While he talked, his thumbs were in constant motion, back and forth across her skin. His touch was so hypnotic, it was a struggle to stay focused.
“My dad was always one of those bigger than life men. He loved to laugh and was a hard worker. Since he had his stroke, he’s not the same.”
“Your father doesn’t like to laugh anymore?”
“No.” Danny’s voice grew so soft, she had to take a step closer to hear him. “He’s mean and takes it out on my mother. Where once she could do no wrong, now she can do no right.”
“That must be hard for her.”
“He’s pushed everyone away but her,” Danny went on. “I don’t know …”
“Your mom loves him.”
“I guess.” A frown flitted across Danny’s face before settling into a smile. “But I didn’t bring you here to spend a melancholy evening.” He waved at the ship. “So, what do you think?”
Sally wanted to say, I think you’re avoiding something, but since she wasn’t one to overly share, she let it go.
“I’ve wondered about this ship,” she admitted. “It’s really old, isn’t it?”
“Seventeenth century,” Danny replied. “It’s a Spanish galleon. I bet she has a lot of stories to tell.”
“Of pirates who plunder and pillage?”
“Maybe. Captain Jack’s family has owned her for years.”
“Are you trying to tell me Captain Jack’s ancestors were pirates?”
“Possibly. Its past remains unknown. Someday, Jack plans to turn it into a restaurant.”
“Why?”
“Too much upkeep?” Danny shrugged. “Who knows? Tonight, though, she’s providing us a bit of privacy.”
Sally’s breath caught at the implication behind his words. A part of her wanted to skip dinner and go straight to why they needed to be alone. However, the cautious side of her chose to live in the moment.
“Are you telling me you borrowed the ship’s kitchen?”
“Galley,” Danny corrected. “Smell that?”
The scent wafting through the air temporarily pulled her focus away from the man. Her mouth watered, and her stomach clenched. “Does it taste as good as it smells?”
“Just wait,” Danny promised. “You’ll love it.”
* * *
The Spanish galleon
July 15, 1979
9:00 p.m.
Their meal was done, and Danny had never felt more complete. He’d regaled Sally with stories of his wayward youth, hoping she’d reciprocate. However, she hadn’t followed suit. Instead, she’d only talked about her time in Swan Harbor, and he’d learned nothing of her life before.
As their time together wore on, Danny found his attention drawn more to her body language than to the words. She was much more relaxed than he’d ever seen her. Her eyes glowed, and her hands were in constant motion. It didn’t matter what she did, Sally turned him on. The more she talked, the farther down into the gutter he fell.
“It was a mess,” she shuddered. “There was sugar in my hair, down my shirt, and …”
Danny clenched his fists, as image after image of him peeling off her clothes and licking her clean flew through his head. They were so vivid he could taste the sugar.
Sally chuckled, and the sound rippled across his skin, causing his jeans to tighten even more. Sweat beads popped out on his upper lip, and the need to hold her pushed everything else from his head.
If he kissed her, what would she think? Would she let him hold her, even if it was just to dance? Was that moving too quickly?
“Danny? Danny?”
He gave himself a mental shake and refocused his attention.
“Sally?”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“Of course.” Danny struggled to bring his wayward thoughts out of the gutter. “You, you were talking about cinnamon.”
“And?” The twinkle in her eyes told him she knew he was lying.
“I …”
She tilted her head, and the glow from the candlelight caused her hair to gleam. He wanted to reach out and touch—to feel—to see if it was as soft as it looked. It distracted him just enough, he was back to thinking about carrying her to the sofa. Of stripping her clothes off …
“I need to get you home.” Danny jumped up, blew out the candles, and hustled Sally out.
“What about the mess?”
“I’ll get it later. We should hurry.”
His self-control was tested more than he’d expected on the way out. It was dark, and the hallway was narrow. He could have easily backed her against a wall and ….
The second they were off of the ship, Danny took a deep breath. The night air cooled him off —but only slightly. His blood still pounded through his system, and his jeans were not meant to fit as tightly as they felt.
“Wait.” Sally tugged on his hand and forced him to slow down.
“I’m sorry.” He glanced down at her. “Was I going too fast?”
She barked out a laugh. “Not hardly, but what was that back there?”
“What?”
One black brow went up as if to say, You’re going there?
“I told Rupert you’d be home in one piece.”
“Come on.” Sally took a step closer. So close, he could smell her perfume. So close, the tips of her breasts brushed against his shirt. “Danny,” she laid her hands on his chest, “talk to me.”
His skin was on fire where her palms lay, and her scent surrounded them. Before he could second guess his actions, he tugged her against him and kissed her.
“This was all I could think about.” Danny dove back in. The kiss was all tongues and teeth, both needing but not able to get close enough.
“What took you so long?”
With her full breasts pressed against his chest and her hips fitting perfectly into the cradle of his, Danny was quickly losing control. He’d wanted her too long, had imagined loving her too many times. “We need to stop.”
Sally opened her eyes slowly and damn if he didn’t see disappointment in them. The same need he was feeling. “I know.” She ran her finger across her swollen bottom lip. “But that kiss was a pretty good first kiss.”
Danny nodded, thankful she was going with the flow. “It was a damn great first kiss.” He slung his arm across her shoulder and tucked her against his side. “The first of many, I hope.”
She gave him that secretive smile of hers and slipped her fingers into one of his back pockets. “Don’t make statements you don’t plan to keep.”
“Oh, honey. Don’t you worry.”
As their steps fell into sync, he couldn’t help but think maybe their thoughts were as well.
* * *
Download a copy of Welcome to Swan Harbor and learn what brings Sally to town.
Welcome to Swan Harbor
GUIDE TO SWAN HARBOR
I HOPE IT BECOMES YOUR NEW FAVORITE SMALL TOWN.
While the first email in my NL sequence explains a little about my series, let me break it down a bit more.
Swan Harbor is a charming, fictional town nestled in southern Maine. Each book in the series blends the allure of steamy romance with the intrigue of a cozy mystery, all tied together in a happy ending. While you can enjoy each book on its own, reading them in order enriches your understanding of the town and its vibrant residents.
Swan Harbor’s timeline is continuous, with each epilogue written in the POV of a main character from the next book.
The Hope & Hearts from Swan Harbor series has seven novellas and 16 contemporary books in storefronts. To my newsletter subscribers, there are bonus scenes, a short story, and a novella that bridges a gap between book 13 and book 14.
The Novellas.
Guided by Light – Terri & Dean’s story set in 1952. It introduces the Patterson family, the diner, lighthouse, Cygnet Harbor and the ship – people and places important in the contemporary books.
Guided by Heart – Angie & Jimmie’s story set in 1964. It introduces you to the marina and Siren’s Cove.
Guided by Love – Lucy & Roman’s store set in 1969. It introduces you to The Agency ,and The Mountain View Lodge.
Welcome to Swan Harbor – Sally & Danny’s story set in 1979. Catch up with the Pattersons.
Finding Her Lost Heart – This is a dual timeline book set in 1983 & 1990. It draws from a dangling thread left in Welcome to Swan Harbor and introduces you to Two Hearts Lake.
Guided by a Kiss – Lanie & Wyatt’s story set in 1995. You catch up with the couples from Guided by Heart and Guided by Love and learn more about The Mountain View Lodge. A very important place in multiple contemporary books. There is also a time jump between chapters 10 and 11 & 12 that takes you to the Mystical Waters Canyon magnet.
The Novels
From there, the epilogue takes you into From Darkness into Love, Book 1 of the contemporary books. However, there is also a prequel to those books called Saved by Love.
From Darkness into Love is set ~ five years ahead of Saved by Love. And the Hope & Hearts Series covers four years.
Cygnets & Dreams is a Hope & Hearts bonus book. It bridges from the end of April in Book 13 and ends in January of the following year. This bridges current day time to the Mystical Waters Canyon Series.
Mystical Waters Canyon Series
There are four books and a magnet in this series.
Whispers of the Future – Suzie & Noah’s story. Suzie is first introduced in Guided by a Kiss. The saying ‘Listen to your heart. It always knows,’ is an important saying in Swan Harbor. This book introduces you to the place where the legend started and explains why the canyon no longer works.
Whispers of Luck – Justin & Shay’s story. Their book is all about fire and luck and discovering the magic of the canyon. Justin is first mentioned in The Lessons of Love, as his brother, Lee is a main character. He is also in the bonus book. Shay is ‘talked’ about in the bonus book.
Whispers from the Past – Hugh Simpson’s book, due to release in October 2025. He just recently moved to Swan Harbor, and is the football coach at the university.
Whispers of a Miracle – Eric Simpson’s book, due in December 2025. He’s a deputy with the sheriff’s department and is mentioned in Book 2.
Whispers of Love – Amy Simpson’s book, due in February 2026. She works for the sheriff’s department and shows up in Book 2 for the first time.
Promises Kept - Swan Harbor Books will introduce a spin-off in summer 2025. It will be Scott & Joyce’s story. You briefly met Joyce in Guided by Light. Look for the magnet set in 1955.
In each book, I’ve dropped clues about what’s coming in future books. (Believe it or not, hints dropped in Guided by Light show up again and again.)
If you’re still with me and ready to dive in. Pick up a copy of Guided by Heart and see what’s happening in 1964 Swan Harbor.
Sophiex0
* * *
More information about my books can be found on my website. SophieBartow.com
These books are available in Epub, and print. Many are available in hardback and Large Print. From Darkness into Love is available in audiobook.
Hope & Hearts Historical Novellas
GUIDED BY LIGHT - 1952
GUIDED BY HEART - 1964
GUIDED BY LOVE - 1969
WELCOME TO SWAN HARBOR- 1979
FINDING HER LOST HEART- 1983/1990
GUIDED BY A KISS - 1995
Contemporary Hope & Hearts
SAVED BY LOVE
FROM DARKNESS INTO LOVE
KITTENS, PUPPIES & LOVE
BROTHERS, HOPE & HEARTS
KISSES, FAMILY & HOPE
A TREE, MISTLETOE & A SUNSET
HOPE, HEARTS & FOREVER
THE MEMORY OF LOVE
THE INNOCENCE OF LOVE
THE FORGIVENESS OF LOVE
THE POWER OF LOVE
THE CHRISTMAS LOVE SONG
THE KISS OF LOVE
THE LESSONS OF LOVE
THE HEART OF LOVE
THE JOURNEY TO LOVE
Bonus Hope & Hearts
CYGNETS & DREAMS
WHISPERS OF LUCK
WHISPERS OF THE PAST
October 31, 2025
WHISPERS OF A MIRACLE
December 2025
WHISPERS OF LOVE
February 2026
THE PROMISE TO BE THERE
Series Prequel - May 2025
THE PROMISE OF TOMORROW
Book 1 - June 26, 2025
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sophie crafts small-town mystery romances that weave intricate plots with richly developed characters. Her female leads are intelligent, resourceful, and resilient, while her male characters, often stubborn, exude sexiness, wit, and a protective nature. She delights in building slow-burn romances, savoring the tension and delaying that first kiss for as long as possible. No matter the trope, every story she writes has a happy ending.
After a fulfilling 30-plus-year career as a speech-language pathologist, working with adult post-stroke and Parkinson's patients, she is enjoying her new journey. With their four children spread out, Sophie and her husband live in South Florida. They share their home with a pampered cat named Irma.
You can find her on her website: https://sophiebartow.com/Sophiexo
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