Spring's Surprise: Music City Hearts, #2

By Cynthia Gail

Sara Michaels is single again. And she's celebrating her thirtieth birthday with a head-to-toe makeover at La Bella Vita Day Spa and a day of boutique shopping with her two best friends. After a ten-month battle for freedom, a long weekend in Nashville, Tennessee is just what she needs to erase the memories of a broken heart.

 

Jack Tanner is the soon-to-be new partner at Chester & Dorsey Development Firm. Jack's love life has been on the back burner for years as he's built a successful career. But the moment he meets Sara, he takes a hard look at his life and his priorities.

 

Sara throws caution to the wind and spends an unforgettable weekend with Jack. She's never felt so carefree. Until she realizes too late that three days can change everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Willow Tree Romance
• Release date: May 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958355022

Book preview

One

You can open your eyes now.

Ta da.

Give me a second. Sara took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart. An entire day at La Bella Vita Day Spa had culminated into this single moment of revelation.

Her pampering had started with what felt like a full body wax—legs, bikini, eyebrows, and lip. They’d even waxed her underarms. Next came a ninety-minute body massage and aromatherapy. A mint, seaweed body wrap, followed by a five-phase rejuvenating facial, and a deluxe pedicure and manicure.

They’d taken away all access to mirrors when Beth’s top beautician pulled out the scissors and highlighting foil.

Steeling herself, she counted.

One.

Two.

Three.

The silence was deafening by the time she opened her eyes. And blinked. She barely recognized the beautiful woman staring back at her. Sara slowly lifted her hand and touched a soft, blond curl that fell to the edge of her shoulder.

It’s more than long enough to braid, Beth said. I kept my promise.

You’re stunning. Jenny sounded as breathless as Sara felt, yet she couldn’t take her eyes from the image in the mirror. Somewhere in the depths, she caught a glimpse of her old self.

Her hand moved, almost of its own accord, to her cheek. "My skin glows."

What do you think of the eyelashes?

Those had been Jenny’s idea. She’d reluctantly agreed, only with Beth’s assurance they were the latest trend and guaranteed she wouldn’t look like a raccoon. Trust us had been the reoccurring theme for the day.

I feel like a new woman. Sara’s vision blurred and suddenly her hands were filled with tissue.

Don’t cry, Jenny said, and her two best friends simultaneously blotted the corners of her eyes.

Sara picked up the magazine she’d been pretending to read and fanned her flushing cheeks. I’m okay. Really, I am. She cleared her throat. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so wonderful.

I told you life begins at thirty. Beth handed her a mirror as the stylist removed the cape and turned the seat around so she could see the back of her hair. At least ten inches had been cut from the length. Highlights and lowlights, plus a clear glaze for added shine, accentuated the full-bodied waves.

Eat your heart out, Alex. Sara hadn’t meant to speak out loud, but the words gave her renewed confidence and the shock on her friends’ faces was priceless. Relax. It’s okay to say his name, now. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the past ten months. She stood and squared her shoulders. Even if he wanted to come back, I’d rather be alone than married and lonely. I’m ready to start over.

Sara picked up her purse and took another glimpse at her reflection. She couldn’t help the giddy smile that spread across her face as another piece of her soul healed. You mentioned shopping?

Sara felt the start of a drool as Jenny led her through the front doors of Trés Chic, the trendiest boutique in town. Immediately ushered to the back of the store, they were met with a glass of champagne, three dressing rooms lined with clothes, and an eager sales clerk ready to indulge their every whim.

She hadn’t been shopping in months. After their day at the spa, Sara felt too amazing for words and she needed new clothes to go with her new look and new attitude.

Beth joined them in her own dressing room just in time for the show to begin. They tried on everything already in their rooms, plus several more items they’d spotted on their way in. Everything from designer cocktail dresses to business suits, jewelry, shoes, and matching lingerie.

Sara felt like she was eighteen, instead of thirty. They strutted the hallway of the dressing rooms and modeled every piece as if they were on the runway. They laughed until their sides hurt and they almost cried.

In the end, the sales clerk was not disappointed. All three women left the shop wearing a new evening dress, shoes, and accessories. They also made arrangements for the rest of their purchases to be packaged and delivered to Jenny’s home the following day.

I can’t believe how good I feel, Sara said as they waited for their car to pull up.

She’d been daring—a gorgeous tangerine halter that showed off her figure to perfection. A conservative cut that enhanced her natural curves in the front, but plunged in the back to her waist. The straight skirt fell to just above the knee and had a back slit for easy movement. A simple pair of beaded earrings, black pumps, and a splurge on a new designer clutch finished the sexy ensemble.

For some reason, she’d always had confidence in the career aspect of her life. As the owner of a consulting firm, Sara worked with CEOs and vice presidents of national corporations every day. But that same confidence had never spread into her personal life.

Until now.

The blinders were finally off. For the first time, Sara didn’t see that twenty-year-old, lanky girl who married too young. She saw a real woman. An accomplished and successful woman who had a lot to offer the world.

Her two best friends glanced at each other and grinned as the town car pulled up.

The evening has just begun, Jenny announced. Our coach awaits!

---

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Carlino’s. I had to pull some strings to get us a table on such short notice, but you’re going to love it. Beth stepped out of the car. They have an amazing chef, not to mention a piano bar, and a lounge with a dance floor.

Sara and Jenny followed Beth into the restaurant lobby, where she checked in with the hostess.

Your party has already arrived. Please follow me and I’ll show you to your table.

Sara leaned in and whispered to Jenny, Our party?

Nick. Beth’s been dying for you to meet him. She wanted it to be a secret, so I promised I wouldn’t say anything.

Hello, ladies. You are stunning this evening. A tall and extremely handsome man stood and tugged Beth into his arms. After whispering something in her ear that made a flush rise to her cheeks, he reached out to shake hands.

Jenny, always good to see you. I trust Brandon’s been keeping you busy with the start of our new advertising campaign?

Very busy. And it’s good to see you, too. I can’t remember the last time you joined us for our monthly meetings.

I’ll be back soon, but I have complete faith in the two of you.

He turned to Sara and held out his hand. You must be Sara. Happy birthday.

Thank you. I’m thrilled to finally meet the man who stole Beth’s heart. Congratulations on the engagement.

What can I say? Nick winked at Beth, who was still wrapped in his arm. She took my breath away from the first moment I saw her.

When his attention returned, Nick motioned to the two gentlemen standing with him.

"Sara, this is Brandon Dorsey. He’s my business partner, in charge of PR and advertising, among many other things.

And this is Jack Tanner. He’s an old college roommate, in town for the weekend.

Both men reached out to greet the three women. Sara’s heart almost stopped as she shook Jack’s hand. An immediate tension flowed through her body as their eyes met. She’d felt revived and renewed after their day of pampering, but this eruption was something altogether different.

An awakening she hadn’t expected.

Two

Jack’s gaze lingered on Sara, and he released her hand slower than he should have. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about her grabbed him and he had a hard time looking away.

He considered himself an irregular on the dating circuit. Sure, he dated . . . some . . . on occasion . . . okay, he wanted to. The problem was, he didn’t have time for a high-maintenance relationship. He’d worked long hours building a successful career. He’d become the youngest executive vice president in company history just this past year.

Even though most women say they want a man with a substantial career and income to match, they’re not willing to accept the time and commitment required. Many of the women he’d met in the past were more attracted to his money and status than to him personally.

Most of his friends were either married or in a serious relationship and although he wasn’t against commitment, he wasn’t ready to think about marriage any time soon. He wasn’t sure what he wanted; he just knew that he hadn’t found it yet.

He often wondered why he couldn’t just meet someone he enjoyed spending time with and see where it went. A woman who liked him for who he was. How could something so simple be so difficult?

Beth sat on Nick’s right and motioned for Jenny to sit on his other side, next to Brandon. As Jack turned to pull out a chair for Sara, he caught the unspoken message that passed between her two friends.

Sara? Nick asked.

Yes?

Jack noticed the color rise in her cheeks. What was she thinking? Was she embarrassed at her friends’ cheeky grins or had she felt the same connection he had?

How long are you in town for? Nick continued.

Just a few more days. I have to leave on Tuesday morning.

Nick shifted his attention to Beth. "I have tickets to the wine festival this weekend. And your favorite jazz group is playing Sunday night. If you ladies would like to join us."

Beth beamed. That would be great. I’ve been so busy with the spa lately I forgot they moved the event up this year. Have you made any other plans, Jenny?

Nothing definite. Sara got in late last night and we haven’t really talked about it.

You mentioned taking us out to the stables for a ride tomorrow morning, Sara said. I can’t believe it’s going to be eighty degrees the first week in April. The festival sounds like a lot of fun.

Good. Nick turned to Beth again. Call me in the morning and we’ll talk about what we want to do.

Okay. Can we order? I’m starving. We’ve had a long day of pampering and shopping. I plan to top it off with a great meal and maybe a dance or two.

As if on cue, the waiter arrived, took their dinner order, and refilled their glasses. Nick stood and grabbed Beth’s hand, leading her to the dance floor.

Jenny eyed Sara, then looked at Jack. You two should dance, she said. We’ll stay here. I need to touch base with Brandon on a couple of things.

A slow, jazzy little song was being played on a baby grand piano sitting at the corner of the dance floor. The far wall of the restaurant was all glass, overlooking the river and city lights. He had to admit . . . Nashville was an amazing town.

Jack stood and held out his arm, slowly taking in the exquisite view of Sara’s long legs as she turned in her seat. Would you do me the honor?

I’d love to. She had an amused expression on her face that told him he’d been caught, but he didn’t care. A jolt of electricity went through him as she took his arm. Their eyes held, and for a moment, he thought maybe she’d felt something, too. Finally, his free hand covered hers and he led her to the dance floor.

Sara was the perfect fit as a dance partner. Jack guessed she was about five-feet, ten-inches tall. Even with her heels, he stood several inches above her. As they stepped onto the dance floor, he watched her golden-blond hair sway around her bare shoulders and caught the whiff of a soft perfume.

Heat rose in his veins as he touched the delicate curve of her waist and felt the naked flesh of her lower back. It took every ounce of his self-control to keep a respectable distance between them as his free hand took hers and they began to move in harmony across the floor.

Why do I have the feeling we’re being set up this weekend? she asked.

If I know Nick, I’d say you’re right. But I can think of worse setups than spending an evening with a beautiful woman. Your legs are great, by the way. He did his best to look penitent.

He wasn’t usually this forward with an almost complete stranger. But he’d already been caught stealing a glance, and from her amused reaction, he knew she hadn’t been offended. Maybe his honesty would be an icebreaker.

Thank you, she said with a hint of laughter in her voice. For both compliments.

He took that moment to slowly twirl her across the dance floor and inch her a little closer.

You have great feet, she said. I can’t remember the last time I danced like this.

She smiled up at him with total delight in her eyes. Jack’s chest grew tight as he tried to concentrate on his steps, while ignoring the feel of her body brushing against his every time they swiveled or swayed. She was so graceful as he led her through turns and pivots around the other dancers on the floor.

I hope you ladies don’t mind our intrusion this weekend. I don’t think Nick can stay away from Beth for a full three days.

When Nick had originally mentioned the potential group activities, Jack had been less than enthusiastic in his response. He didn’t like blind dates, even when they were with a group. He’d only agreed out of loyalty to his friend.

Sara was one of Beth’s closest friends from college. A roommate, if he remembered correctly. He could oblige his friend—it was just dinner, after all. But now that he’d met Sara, he liked the idea of spending more time with her while he was in town. His change of heart would also make Nick happy and more flexible with their upcoming business negotiations.

I think we can forgive the imposition. Sara’s voice was soft and endearing. He could almost lose himself in the sound.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear, Thank you.

The twinkle in her ocean-blue eyes was hypnotizing. He wasn’t sure how long he stared back at her, but it startled him to realize how much he didn’t want to turn away. They both remained silent as the song ended and he led her back to their table. He gave her hand a light squeeze, pulled out her chair, then sat down next to her.

The next few hours felt like an out-of-body experience. Comfortable and at ease, Sara forgot about everything but the present. Beth told the story of how she and Nick had first met. Nick had come into La Bella Vita to buy a spa package for a birthday present.

I was so embarrassed when he overheard Gina and me discussing how eating a Caramello ranked higher than our sex lives, Beth said.

She got over her embarrassment rather quickly, Nick said. "I wasn’t in the shop ten minutes before she had me lying on a lounger in the tranquility room, giving me a temple rub. She said it was an example of the Magic an all-day package created." He laughed, but gazed at Beth with a love and admiration that touched Sara.

You bought the package, didn’t you? Beth added with a smirk.

I did.

How long did it take him to ask you out, Beth? Sara asked.

My parents persuaded me to attend his grandfather’s Christmas party the following week. He waited until I was leaving to even hint at a date.

"You can’t blame a guy for taking

Reviews for Spring's Surprise

[blsfan68 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good read but predictable. Wish there had been an epilogue. Maybe we will find out more in the next book in the series. Hope so.