âMikala.â His voice was husky, almost raw.
She knew what he wanted. But he wouldnât take it, not unless she gave the signal she was willing. They both remembered prom night. They both remembered the other kisses theyâd shared. She could see the need in his eyes, feel it in the tension that crackled in the air between them.
She leaned toward him, ever so slightly. His arm came around her. When she turned toward him, her leg brushed his. His face was so close, his lips simply a whisper away.
She could still pull back. She didnât have to let this happen. But she suddenly wanted Dawsonâs kiss more than sheâd ever wanted anything in her life.
Dear Reader,
I remember the first time a boy asked me to dance, the color and softness of his sweater, the step into a closeness Iâd never experienced before. Becoming lost in the music while being held is an experience like no other.
My heroine, Mikala, danced with Dawson at her prom and the night of the reunion. Music has become her life. A music therapist, Mikala helps children who need her. Dawsonâs son needs her. Although she and Dawson havenât seen each other for fifteen years, their high school reunion brings back the pastâthe night Dawson became her white knight. Mikala falls deeply in love with him, but can the music in her heart help him heal his own past hurts so they can find a future together?
The CEOâs Unexpected Proposal is the third book in my REUNION BRIDES series. I hope this romance touches your heart the way it touched mine.
All my best,
Karen Rose Smith
KAREN ROSE SMITH is an award-winning, bestselling novelist of over seventy published romances. Her latest series, REUNION BRIDES, is set near Flagstaff, Arizona, in Miners Bluff, the fictional town she created. After visiting Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and Sedona, she felt that the scenery was so awe-inspiring that she had to set books there. When not writing, she likes to garden, growing herbs, vegetables and flowers. She lives with her husbandâher college sweetheartâand their two cats in Pennsylvania. Readers may e-mail her through her website at www.karenrosesmith.com, follow her on Facebook or Twitter @karenrosesmith, or write to her at PO Box 1545, Hanover, PA 17331, USA.
In memory of my mother, Romaine Arcuri Cacciola,
who gave me my love of music. I miss you.
JulyFifteenth Year High School Reunion
Her heart racing, Mikala Conti watched as Dawson Barrett crossed the cafeteria floor and extended his hand.
âWould you like to dance?â
She hadnât seen him for fifteen years. The blue-and-yellow streamers decorating the ceiling and the spinning silver mirror ball faded away as she remembered catching glimpses of him in this cafeteria so many years ago. Memories sifted around her, like the reflective silver light. One stood outâprom nightâand the way Dawson had rescued her from a terrible situation.
âItâs been a long time,â she said, shaking off the flash from the past as she took his hand and rose to her feet.
He guided her a short distance away to a free spot on the tiled floor and took her into his arms.
Mikala felt breathlessâsort of light-headedâand she knew she had to get a grip. She wasnât like this. She was never giddy or impulsive or even daring. But as Dawsonâs hand skimmed across her back under her long, wavy black hair, as it came to rest on the silky fabric of her sedate yet dressy black dress, she couldnât seem to control any of her bodyâs reactions.
He seemed to enjoy the moment, too. When she gazed up into his eyes she remembered the boy heâd been and realized what an absolutely sexy man heâd become. They danced together as if they had done it more than once before. His green eyes didnât reflect all the years between then and now. They reflected a bond theyâd once had.
But then he saidâ
âI didnât come tonight just for old timesâ sake. I needed to talk to you. I know youâre a music therapist. My son needs your help. Will you consider taking him on as a patient?â
Remembering again the night of her prom, Mikala knew sheâd do anything she could to help Dawson.
For old timesâ sake.
January
Mikala checked the music-note-shaped wall clock, her heart pounding faster with each passing minute. Her studio, a two-room cabinlike structure in the backyard of the Purple Pansy Bed-and-Breakfast, was her second home. Growing up, sheâd wrapped herself in musicâlistening to it, playing it, getting lost in the emotion of itâwhenever life got complicated.
Now Dawson Barrett wanted her to use music to help his son.
Last summer theyâd reconnected at their high school reunion. Then before Christmas Dawson had called and confirmed heâd be moving back to Miners Bluff and putting Luke under her care.
The cabinâs chiming doorbell melodically announced Dawsonâs arrival. Heâd said heâd be here at one-thirty, and it was one-thirty on the dot. Sheâd dressed with more care than usual, wearing a deep purple cowl-neck sweater over gray slacks. Smoothing her hands down over her hips, she took a deep breath and pushed her long, black hair over one shoulder.