I start crying, big ugly tears flowing down my face.
“You’re freaking me out. Is that a yes?”
I jerk my head into a nod.
Reed grabs my hand and slips the ring on my finger, as though he’s worried I’ll change my mind.
I hold my hand closer to my face. “It’s beautiful, but it has to be at least three-quarter carats, Reed. We can’t afford this.”
“It was my grandmother’s. And it’s a little over one carat.”
I throw my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“I had this amazing speech prepared, and I forgot every bit of it after you gave me that book.”
Lexi comes down the hall, rubbing her eyes. “What’s all the commotion about?” She stops at the end of the hall and she jolts awake, her eyes focused on the ring. “Is that what I think it is?”
I wave my hand at her.
She runs to us and squats on the floor, squealing with excitement as she hugs us both. “When are you getting married?”
“I … uh….” I look at Reed.
“I just asked her, Lexi. We haven’t had a chance to figure that out yet.”
“What about this summer? After Caroline graduates?”
Reed grins at me, his eyebrows rising. “Well … what do you think?”
I’m so full of happiness I can hardly think straight. “Yeah.”
Lexi squeals again. “I want to help plan it! Are you going to make your dress? What colors do you think you want? What’s your favorite flower? ”
I laugh and glance at Reed. “I think you’re going to have your hands full for the next six months or so.”
He leans over and gives me a kiss. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
***
Look for BUSINESS AS USUAL (Off the Subject #3) in the Fall of 2013
If you enjoyed REDESIGNED, please consider leaving a review and recommending it to your friends. And if you do leave a review, please email me at [email protected] so I can thank you! I love to hear from my readers and try to answer all my emails. (Occasionally, one or two slip through the cracks.)
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Acknowledgments
They say that writing is a lonely profession, but I seem to find myself surrounded by people. There’s no way I could write and publish a book on my own.
Thank you to Trisha Leigh, my critique partner and biggest supporter. I couldn’t do this without her support.
Thank you to my beta readers: Rhonda Cowsert, Anne Childon, and Becky Podjenski—you’re insight and support was invaluable.
Thank you to two readers who won a contest and named characters: Lysa Lessieur who named Lexi, and Claire Taylor who named Brandon. I love when I have readers name characters, dork that I am.
A huge, huge thanks to the real mathematician Dr. Donald Knuth, who not only gave me permission to use his name in conjunction with Caroline’s gift to Reed, but also conversed with me via mail. I am not a math person (understatement of the year) but became a total Donald Knuth fangirl.
And as always, thank you to my children for loving and supporting me with this crazy life. I’ve never been happier.
About the Author
Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.
You can find out more about Denise and her other books at:
www.denisegroverswank.com
or email her at [email protected]
Contents
Title page
Other books by Denise Grover Swank:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Redesigned (Off the Subject #2) Page 26