Page 1 of Into the Light

one

ELLIE

No one toldme living my dream would be so constantly terrifying.

It was a warm and sunny Thursday in October, my favorite month, but instead of enjoying it, I was stressed out. My shop, Moonbeam Jewels, was brimming with people, an unusual occurrence for an autumn weekday. This warmer weather we’d been having led to a late influx of tourists in Moon Harbor, and the fear of not being able to pay my bills in the winter kept me hustling. But while my bank account appreciated the extra tourist dollars, I had to admit I was ready to have my quiet town back.

A calm settled over the place in the off season. Locals banded together to enjoy the spaces usually overtaken by outsiders. The streets would be empty and the barstools ready and waiting for us. But for now, I was trying to wrangle every last sale I could.

This was the first year I actually made a profit. It wasn’t much, but it was all mine, and all due to my vision and hard work. So while other business owners in town were flush with cash this time of year, I was cautiously saving and counting every single penny. Which wasn’t that different to how I normally lived, just a few more pennies to account for. Which felt pretty darn nice.

“Hey, Ellie!” my soon to be sister-in-law Alex walked through the door with two cups of coffee in her hands and god bless her for that.

“Hi. Please tell me one of those is for me. I haven’t had a sip of caffeine since seven this morning.”

Alex smiled and handed one over.

“But of course. Sara made you some special new latte she said you were obsessed with.”

“Oh heck yes. Salted caramel dirty chai. It’s to die for.” I took a sip and closed my eyes in delight.

“Ooh, I should have had her make two.” Alex looked around and shimmied behind the counter. “This place is a madhouse. You need any help? I’m free all afternoon.”

“Well I wouldn’t ask, but I won’t turn it down if you’re offering.”

“You can always ask, babe.”

And I knew I could, but I refused to. My brother Sam was always trying to help, and I secretly adored him for it, but I also hated that he thought he needed to. I could do this on my own. Ihad todo this on my own.

“Maybe just for a little bit, so no one feels ignored,” I said, and Alex nodded in understanding. She was also a business owner, heading up her own IT and web design company. And our other best friend, Sara, owned The Witch’s Brew, the best cafe for miles. It was a cool coincidence that we all had different passions, yet similar paths. And I admired their success, wanting to be at their level one day, that is, not so worried about my bank account.

We greeted customers, and answered simple questions for the next half hour. I had to admit it was convenient having help in the store when it was so busy. Maybe I’d consider hiring a part time employee next season. At a lull in the shop, Alex came back to the counter to stand with me again.

“You’re going to Rafael’s thing tonight, right?”

Shit. I’d been trying to think of an excuse for days to get out of Raf’s birthday party at the Anchorage tonight, but came up empty.

“Uh, yeah. I should be there. What time is everyone meeting again?”

“Sam reserved some tables at eight. We’re getting old, that’s party time for us,” she laughed. I was years younger than everyone else in my friend group but it didn’t always feel like it. Eight o’clock sounded just fine to me. “Did you get him a gift yet? He’s so hard to buy for, no one even knows what he likes.”

“No, I’ll have to figure that out after I close up.” That was a lie. I already had his gift picked out. Raf was an enigma for the most part, but not to me. Because I’d always paid him more attention than I should have. Which was why I didn’t want to go to his party tonight.

I’d spent years nursing a crush on my older brother’s friend—one of hisbestfriends—and the man acted like I didn’t exist. At least, most of the time. The only time he paid me any attention was when he was trying to act like another overprotective big brother and chase away dates. I already had one of those, I didn’t need another. And I certainly didn’t want to think of Raf as abrotherfigure. I also sure as hell didn’t want him thinking of me as a sister. But I’d recently come to the conclusion that it was all I’d ever be to him. So I was trying to preserve my heart by keeping my distance as much as I could.

But Raf didn’t ask for much. He was always there for everyone else and never made anything about him. So I’d be a pretty big jerk if I missed his birthday, the one day we forced him to be the center of attention for two hours. I’d go. I’d smile, bring a gift, be nice. But my heart would break the whole time. And I’ll probably end up eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s alone in bed afterward.

“Excuse me, miss?”

I shook my head free of that image and turned to see an older lady with her hand up, looking for assistance by the glass display case on the side wall of the store. The case that held all the most expensive pieces. I tried to not let my excitement turn me giddy, and plastered on my warmest welcoming smile.

“Hello, there. How can I help you?”

“I was just admiring this necklace here.” She pointed to a piece I’d made with sea glass set in eighteen karat gold. Score.

“Ah yes, that’s from one of my favorite collections.”

“Do you make all of these?” she asked, as I pulled the piece from the case and set it on a black velvet display board.

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