Not the treasure they expected to find
Trading the past for a simpler life in Miami is part of yoga teacher Takiâs path to better karma. But when a devastating theft brings federal prosecutor Reese Beauchamps into her life, things are suddenly a lot more complicated!
Sheâs drawn to gorgeous Reese in ways she canât explain. His analytical mind prevents him from understanding why spiritual intuition guides herâ¦and he reminds her of what sheâd rather forget. But chasing a criminal, they canât dodge the sizzle of attraction. Now, unless Taki trusts Reeseâs determination to protect her, she might run againâ¦and leave love behind.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
âI feel so close to you right now,â Taki whispered. âDo you feel it, too?â
Reese sucked in a quick breath, then released it. âYes.â
And it was true. He did feel somehow connected to Taki. What had happened to his common sense? His usual levelheadedness must have fled at the same time as his sense of balance. And that had all occurred when heâd met her.
She raised her hand to his cheek, stroking his face as if caressing a precious keepsake. âI know I met you for a reason,â she said, her voice full of wonder.
âTaki, Iâ¦â He cupped her neck with both hands and pulled her toward him, never wanting to
let her go.
Dear Reader,
This story began one evening when I saw a totally hot guy in the parking lot after yoga at the gym where I practiced at the time. His car and several others (not mine, fortunately) had been broken into, and he definitely was not happy. My mind played the what-if gameâand Reese, dedicated workaholic, spiced with the personalities of a few attorneys Iâd worked with over the years, was born.
Taki was inspired by one of my early yoga teachers, a lovely woman who always lived by yogic principles. She never worried about tomorrow or the past, didnât react to anything negative, always remaining serene and positive no matter what occurred. Weâd all be a lot healthier if we could behave like her.
Have you ever tried to stay totally in the present moment? Itâs not easy. Once, while hiking through a magnificent old-growth forest, surrounded by incredible natural beauty, I realized even then my mind wandered someplace else. Why? What better place was there for me to be at that moment?
Life is a beautiful journey for us all to cherish. The South Beach Search is the story of Taki and Reese, how they fall in love and change each other. I hope you enjoy their journey!
Sharon Hartley
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SHARON HARTLEY has been practicing yoga for over thirty years and became a teacher in order to share her love of this ancient practice. Sharon believes yoga can be healingâjust like a great story, and she loves writing stories as much as teaching yoga. Both can nourish our souls and teach us things about ourselves. She lives near South Beach with her husband, a Jack Russell terrorist and too many orchids. Sharon loves to hear from readers! Please visit her website at sharonshartley.com.
For Max, my soul mate. Without him, Iâd be forever searching for my other half.
CHAPTER ONE
HER BACK FLAT on the floor, Taki pushed into the yoga mat with both feet and lifted her hips toward the ceiling.
âPicture your spine as if it were a string of pearls,â she told her class as she demonstrated bridge pose. âRaise each vertebra one at a time and edge your shoulders closer together.â
Taki released the pose and stood to observe her students, making certain they didnât hurt themselves. Placing a block between one studentâs legs, she said, âRemember to keep your knees close together.â
A chorus of groans answered her reminder.
âBut only go to your personal edge,â she instructed. âWhen you feel resistance, back off. In yoga, we never want to cause any pain.â
Benny, one of her regulars, laughed and moaned at the same time. Taki glanced his way and hurried to adjust him. Poor skinny Benny. He tried so hard, but, at seventy, had little flexibility and she always worried heâd push too hard.
âNow make yourselves as comfortable as possible,â she said. âOur final pose is the most important one we do, where we give ourselves the gift of a few minutes of total relaxation.â
âTime for our reward,â Benny said with a deep sigh.
As her students covered themselves with towels or blankets for warmth, she dimmed the lights. They would all sleep better tonight after she helped them progressively relax each part of their bodies. In a few minutes Benny would likely start snoring.
âClose your eyes,â she said, making her voice gentle, âand allow your attention to focus on your breath.â Taki smiled, loving this part of the class where she helped her students achieve at least ten minutes of stress-free existence. Something everyone badly needed in this fast-paced world.