The Proposition (32 page)

If he had been paralyzed by the emotions when
he felt the baby move, they were nothing compared with actually
seeing his son. A part of him was growing strong and healthy inside
Emma. A child that he had promised his mother he would have.

But his son was gone. And so was Emma. He had
thrown happiness away with both hands. Sinking down on the couch,
he allowed the sobs to roll through him. The last time he had cried
had been when he had lost his mother. Now he was experiencing
another soul crushing loss.

With trembling fingers, he reached for his
phone. After dialing the familiar number, he brought the phone to
his ear. “Please answer, please answer,” he begged.

“Hello?”

“Pop, it’s me. I’ve fucked up, and I need
your help.”

To be continued in
The
Proposal
out March 15, 2013

They say it takes a village to raise a
child, and it certainly takes one to make a book come to fruition.
The bulk of
The Proposition
came out of one of
the darkest times of grief and despair in my adult life. It was a
tiny ray of sunlight that broke through the dark clouds surrounding
me. Spending time with Emma and Aidan and the cast of characters
has been such a comfort and joy. I thank God from whom all
blessings flow for giving me a gift of story-telling.

First, I have to thank Kelli Maine, Emily
Snow, and Michelle Valentine for being treasured friends, writing
buddies, and critique partners over the last three years. I don’t
know what I would have done without you ladies in both the
professional and personal side of life. Thanks for talking me down
from the ledge numerous times!! YOU ROCK!! GGBT FOREVER!!

Thanks also to Emily Snow for all things
formatting and book trailers and questions!!!

Thanks go to my newest bestie and member of
the Naughty Mafia, Kristen Proby. I feel like people are put into
our lives for a purpose, and your friendship, help, support, and
“ending magic” is appreciated more than I can ever say.

To my other beta readers: Rachel M, Riley G,
Rachael A, Lori, and Rachel S: thanks for helping make
The Proposition
as amazing as it could be!!

To the ladies of LB for allowing me to share
snips for critiques & giving me great support and feedback.

To Marilyn Medina for her unending support
and pimping
The Proposition
as well as being an “eagle on”
on the scene for typos. I feel like you were brought into my life
as well—especially considering we are twinsies in so many ways!

I can’t help but give an ENORMOUS heartfelt
thanks to the writers, readers, and bloggers of the Romance
community. After being held POW in the Young Adult world for two
years, it has been a breath of fresh air being so warmly welcomed
by you. Your support, your fangirling, your camaraderie is like
nothing I have experienced before, and I am eternally grateful. You
made writing enjoyable for me again. 

Thanks also go to my family and friends who
have always supported me in everything I do, including my writing.
I love you all lots.

Katie Ashley
lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her two very spoiled dogs
and one outnumbered cat. She is a writer of Romance and Erotic
fiction. She has a slight obsession with Pintrest,
The Golden
Girls
, Shakespeare,
Supernatural
, and
Scooby-Doo
.
If speaking pretentiously, she has a BA in English, a BS in
Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English
Education. By day, she educates the Youth of America by teaching
high school English in the burbs.

She is the author of
The
Proposition
and
Music of My Heart
, which
debuts Winter 2012

The Proposal
, the sequel
to
The Proposition
, will be out March 15