The CEO's Unexpected Proposal by Karen Rose Smith

Author:Karen Rose Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The following Saturday Mikala stared at the package on her desk in her studio and swallowed hard. Removing a pair of scissors from her desk drawer, she snipped the tape along the edges and opened the lid. She was staring at the wrapped package inside when there was a knock at her studio door.

“Come in,” she called automatically.

Dawson opened her door, and as always, her heart leapt when she saw him. A joyful feeling inside had her sending him a smile as she remembered his Valentine’s Day kiss.

He smiled back, started to say, “I have someone—”

But Luke said from behind him, “Granddad is here. I want you to meet him.”

Dawson shrugged. “I hope we’re not barging in on anything.”

She left her desk and motioned them all in. A man not quite as tall as Dawson, but who had the same strong jaw, the same high forehead and the same patrician nose came in behind his son with his hand on Luke’s shoulder.

His gaze ran over the studio, then up and down Mikala in an assessing way. He extended his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Conti. It’s good to meet you.”

“It’s good to meet you, too. Is this a surprise visit?”

“I called Dawson last night, told him I could get away for a couple of days. So I surprised Luke this morning.”

“Granddad and I are going to spend the whole afternoon together, just the two of us!”

When Mikala searched Dawson’s face, she saw that he didn’t seem upset. He obviously understood the bond between grandfather and grandson. If he felt left out, he wasn’t going to show it.

“What are you going to do today?” Mikala asked Luke.

“I’m going to show him the ice skating rink, then we’re going to the movies and then we’re going for Chinese food.”

“You’ve got the day planned. Sounds good.”

“Can we go now?” Luke asked his grandfather.

“I don’t want to cut this short,” Dawson’s father said in apology.

Mikala was quick to jump in. “I know how much Luke likes spending time with you. Have fun.”

After the two of them left, Dawson came over to Mikala and sat on the corner of her desk. “Luke’s almost a different kid when Dad’s around. It’s great to see. I just wish he could be that way with me.”

“It’s getting better, isn’t it?” Mikala had seen changes between Dawson and Luke since they’d arrived and she hoped he could see the progress, too.

“Yes. He does talk to me sometimes now, but not about the important stuff.”

“You’d be surprised what’s important to a ten-year-old.”

“Maybe so.” Dawson nodded to the package on Mikala’s desk that was wrapped in silver with a glittery white and silver bow. “What’s that?”

His gaze held curiosity and a little more. Did he think the present could be from someone important to her? “It’s from my mother.”

“You don’t sound as if that’s a good thing.”

“I’m almost afraid to open it. This is probably something from her spring line.”

“So open it and see what you think,” he suggested.

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