My Light: No More Secrets, #1

By Ani Bishop

Ella loved Braden for the year they'd been together, she'd missed him for the eleven months he'd been gone. She had to admit that her reaction upon seeing him again proved she wouldn't stop loving him anytime soon.

Braden left Ella for many reasons, but not the ones she thought he had, especially not the lie he'd told her to keep her safe. Would she ever believe him after the way he'd hurt her?

When the truth is revealed, will they embrace their second chance? Or is it too late to reclaim the light they'd found in each other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ani Bishop
• Release date: Aug 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516397372

Book preview

Thank you for reading My Light! I loved writing Braden and Ella. They were a surprise for me and I couldn't wait to show everyone the things they went through. This book came to be after I’d started writing book 2, which I thought would be the beginning. My mind had other ideas.

Braden and Ella were the first couple I sat down and wrote from start to finish. I didn’t open—or look at—another partial manuscript while I was writing, and I think this makes them even more beautiful. There was no pause, no second thoughts, nothing. And even though I rewrote a part of the book, it hasn’t changed them. They are still very much the characters I imagined. I hope you like it because, I certainly loved having them in my head.

To my two little souls. Even when I wanted to duct-tape their mouths so I could work in quiet, I loved them. Even when my daughter sang Let It Go from the bottom of her little lungs, I still loved her. Even when my son interrupted my creative process to cuddle with me, I loved him. There is not a moment when I’ve been lonely since I had them, and I thank God he gave me my perfect little monsters.

I didn’t believe in myself enough when I was writing, editing, rewriting. But I had someone that believed in me all the time, every step of the way, Patti Korbet. My editor, my friend and the one person who’s opinion I appreciate the most. It’s been an amazing journey that’s really just starting. Happy to do it all with this woman beside me.

My mom—she’s the one who had me reading in the first place, so I have her to thank for my love of reading. Since the young age when I first saw her with a book in hand, I wanted what she had—the world of wonders, fantasy, love. So, I made my way to the library, and started. My firsts were fairy-tales, but since then, I've read a whole lot of other books. She’s very happy I'm publishing this book, even if she still hasn't read it.

To my sisters—thanks for not telling me that I’m crazy to even think of going in this direction, for standing beside me in tough times, and having my back when I haven’t even asked it of you. You are amazing.

I love you all! I wouldn’t have believed in myself enough to do this, to put myself out there as I’m doing now, if I hadn't had so many of you to stand by me and show support. Thank you everyone. Happy reading!

Ella

Excitement zinged through Ella Donovan as thousands of butterflies took flight in her stomach. She tapped her foot and her eyes flitted around the cafe. Shouldn't Braden be here by now?

The night before with him had been perfect. Dinner had been more romantic than any other meal they'd shared. Candles had cast a soft glow, and the red roses he’d scattered, through the house and on the bed, had led to a memorable evening.

That morning, they went separate ways, holding those memories close as they kissed goodbye. How was it possible that after a year together, her stomach still flip-flopped and shivers overwhelmed her body? Every nerve stood on end.

Since they were practically living together, she often wondered why they hadn't taken the next step, but every time she'd attempted to ask him about it, she’d chickened out. Something held him back, and she wouldn't let her emotions rush him and drive him away.

Ella glanced around the cafe, this time to occupy her mind. This place had been the best decision she could have made when she’d bought it from her grandma’s best friend. Her dream come true. The charcoal walls, with hand-painted flowers, offered a sense of pride. She’d personally drawn every curved line of the bright red rose blossoms. Overstuffed, chocolate leather sofas created conversation spots where customers could sip their warm drinks while they enjoyed the delicious pastries from the adjoining bake shop.

Kayla, the bakery owner, worked with Ella on cross-promotion and supply purchases. Now, they both had a lot more business and the duo worked well together. Since the first moment the young woman opened her shop next door, she’d been a great friend.

Ella hadn’t believed what Kayla did for a living when she’d met her. Although Kayla looked like a model-type, she was far from it. Yep, the woman actually baked like a goddess and looked like a damn model.

To calm her fidgeting nerves, she nibbled the boysenberry muffin on the plate before her. She'd inhaled too many of these lately. If she continued to eat this much, she'd be big as a whale soon. These days, she couldn't say no when they enticed her from the front case with their delicious, crumbly topping and purple berries bursting from the sides. When she looked down again, the pastry was gone.

She’d cut back tomorrow. That’s what she'd told herself daily for the past month.

As she plucked the last crumb from her plate and sucked it into her mouth, Braden breezed through the front door in his nonchalant way. Every girl’s head turned to watch her fine specimen of a man walk through the cafe. Tight jeans molded to his thighs, a white shirt stretched across his muscles and revealed his bulky shape. His square jaw clamped shut as he strode to where she sat. Dark brown hair fell down the side of his face and hid his eyes. His rugged appearance always made her hot under the collar. Now was no different.

She hadn’t fallen in love with just his looks or his bedroom skills, although that aspect of their relationship was still hot and frequent. No, she’d fallen for his surprisingly sweet side she'd discovered on their first date. He had a dangerous vibe, which reflected his broad frame and frequent scowl, like right now as she watched him move closer. He looked like a big teddy bear—fierce and dangerous on the outside, cuddly and warm on the inside.

Better not to mention that thought. He wouldn’t enjoy being called cuddly and warm.

From across the room, she saw that his normally-bright blue eyes held a storm in them. She sat straighter and furrowed her brow, while his whole face stayed contorted in a grimace and his footsteps echoed in the bustling space.

Braden eased into the seat beside her without a single word or touch, despite their close location in the tight corner. From this vantage point, you could see the whole cafe, but had ample privacy. It'd always been their favorite spot.

She frowned, gazed at the side of his face, tried to think of a reason for his strange behavior. They'd always been magnets, their lips attracting immediately when close enough, kissing until breathless.

Now, however, he refused to sit close to her.

The scent of his masculine, edgy cologne drifted toward her and she basked in it. There was no pretending with him, and it suited his no-nonsense attitude.

Ella slid closer to him, her hand grazing his knee. He tensed and balled his hands into fists. What the hell had caused him to act so out of character?

She lowered her voice to a softer tone. Braden what happened? What’s wrong? She waited for him to turn his ocean blue gaze toward her, to show her that the dread which cursed through her veins had no reason to multiply.

His eyes focused on the counter across the room, more interested in the girl Ella had working the counter, than the wild emotions which clawed at her tightly wound control. Couldn't he hear her erratic heart?

Braden worked his jaw back and forth, and panic flooded her. Frustration, along with fear, rose like a Tsunami inside her.

Ella....I need to tell you something. A slight tremble entered his voice and she held her breath. Whatever he had to say would irrevocably change them.

I’m done. We’re... Um, we’re done.

Frozen, she stared at the side of his face. While his couldn’t have been clearer, her brain tried to process the words he'd uttered, but had no luck in doing so.

It’s not true. He didn’t say it. He was just kidding, right?

As much as she wanted this to be a dream, it was real. Her body shook. His heartless, cold words pierced her skin and slammed into her heart. If she had to hold herself together against the onslaught of overwhelming emotions, it might crumble what was left.

"What did