A Light Shines in Manhattan - Sweet Clean Romance

By Johanna Jenkins

Jessica Stone grew up in the South Bronx to an alcoholic mother and an abusive father. Determined to overcome her dysfunctional childhood, and the poverty she was born into, Jessica became a successful and wealthy real estate agent with an apartment in Manhattan. At thirty-two years old she has it all. The large apartment, the expensive sports car, and money in the bank. But, despite her continuing achievements, there is something missing in her life. 

Nothing can fill the hole in her heart or the void in her soul. Known by her colleagues at work as being a loner and "the Ice Queen," Jessica longs to find some kind of happiness, but it constantly eludes her. Meeting Ryan Steele, a successful investment banker, appears to bring a small glimpse of joy and a promise of romance, but Ryan too is bogged down with his own demons. 

Then, a chance encounter with a mystery woman and her friends, changes Jessica's life forever. But will Ryan accept Jessica now that God has transformed her? Or will Jessica have to make a choice between the new life she has found, or her old life with Ryan?

A Standalone Short Story with no cliffhanger! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clean & Wholesome Romance Club
• Release date: Nov 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386672302

Book preview

A Light Shines in Manhattan

Chapter 1

Manhattan was melting under the hottest summer on record. Even the encroaching darkness of a late sunset didn’t ease the high humidity or the suffocating heat. From her luxury apartment in Washington Street, Jessica Stone watched as the orange ball of fire began slowly sinking beneath the horizon. A dark black cloud hovered above it, teasing her with the promise of a cool, relieving thunderstorm. She cranked up the air conditioner, wishing that this long, hot summer would soon end.

The shrill ringing of the phone interrupted her train of thought. Jessica Stone Real Estate, she answered, knowing that the only people who called her after hours were wealthy clients wanting to purchase a condo or a studio apartment in the affluent areas around Manhattan. Can I help you?

A deep husky voice answered. Hi, my name is Ryan Steele. I’m an investment banker with the Manhattan Bank, and just looking to buy in the area closer to work. Do you have anything available that has two to three bedrooms and security parking?

Jessica grabbed her laptop quickly, doing a search of her current listings. Well, I do have a couple of condos in that area overlooking the park and with nice views of the harbor. Would you like to make an appointment to have a look?

Yeah, sure. That would be great. Does tomorrow morning suit you? Around nine, nine thirty?

Umm, can we make it ten? I have a prior appointment before then. Do you know where my office is? We could meet there.

Yep. Ten’s fine, and I have your address already. So I’ll see you there. Tomorrow at ten.

Jessica hung up the phone and switched it to take messages. She was too tired to take any more calls, and she wasn’t as motivated to make money anymore. After all, she’d worked damn hard to get where she was today. At thirty-two she had worked her way up from selling real estate for a growing New York company to opening up her own agency in Manhattan. The commissions from her sales had enabled her to buy her own top-floor penthouse with magnificent views, and a sleek sports car. She was lucky to have invested wisely, and now had a healthy bank account. She had everything she thought she needed, including good looks, a great figure, thanks to working out in her home gym, and a lifestyle that she had created herself. After leaving the dismal slums of the South Bronx where she grew up she had found opportunities and success in the affluent world of Manhattan.

But, despite having it all, a constant emptiness gnawed away at her. It was as if her soul was lost, swimming away looking for some kind of fulfillment that money could not buy. Pouring a glass of wine, she sat on her chic, leather lounge watching as the last rays of the sinking sun disappeared and night arrived to cloak the city in darkness. A darkness that was interspersed with the flickering lights of a city that was coming back to life as people emerged from their mundane working lives to enjoy the music of