Teresa Southwick - A Decent Proposal

Normally that’s exactly what he would think, followed quickly by the thought that it was a wasted effort. He would never get married again. Once was enough, and he’d learned he wasn’t a very good husband. The best thing to come out of the relationship was his son, but he wasn’t a very good father, either.

“I appreciate you hearing me out, Burke.” She finished the wine in her glass. “I love my father very much and would do anything to see that he’s happy.”

“He’s lucky to have a daughter like you.”

Frustration tightened her delicate features. “If he was really lucky, he’d have a daughter who was settled and he wouldn’t have to worry about her. I think I’m a big disappointment to him.”

“I sincerely doubt that. And take it from me—settling down with the wrong person is a bigger problem than being alone.”

“Sounds like the voice of experience talking.” She studied him for a moment, then said, “But you don’t have to tell me about it. That’s personal, and on a need-to-know basis. I don’t need to know.”

“There’s not much to tell and if you really wanted the information it would be easy to do an online search.” He tapped his fingers on the bar. “Most people go into marriage believing it’s the right thing and I’m no exception. It wasn’t right. Things didn’t work and we got a divorce. Completely amicable and civilized. Including dealing with the custody of our son.”

“You have a child.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.” His fingers tightened on his beer bottle.

When he didn’t say more, she nodded. “You know, I have this ridiculous urge to say I’m sorry. But it sounds like you’re okay with everything.”

“I am.” Except for the fact that his son would always carry the scar of coming from a broken home and a mother who showed no interest in him.

“Anyway, think it over. My cell number is on the card I gave you.” She picked up her small purse from the bar and slid the strap onto her shoulder. “Give me a call and let me know if you’re in for round two of this covert operation.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

No, she hadn’t taken up nearly enough, he thought. “But you dropped off my car. How are you going to get home?”

“I’ll call Dad. Thanks for listening, Burke.” She slid to the edge of the bar chair, getting ready to go.

“Wait.” He put his hand over hers to stop her. “I have a question.”

“Okay. Shoot.” Her gaze lowered to where he was touching her, but she didn’t pull away.

“I can’t help thinking that every unattached guy in town would want to go out with you. Wouldn’t you be better off with one of them?”

“I had one of them.” Her eyes darkened for a moment before she smiled, an expression with just the barest hint of bitterness. “It didn’t work out. Ancient history.” She slid off the stool. “The fact is, you’re the guy who had the bad luck to pull into McKnight Auto Repair at just that moment. I shot my mouth off and you went along with it. Now you’re either in or you’re not.”

“And what if I’m not?”

“My father will not propose to the woman he loves and live happily ever after. If you’re okay with ruining his life...” A teasing smile turned up the corners of her full mouth. “No guilt.”

“Right. Guilt doesn’t motivate me.” Unless Liam was the one using it. “But count me in.”

“Really?” A bright smile lit up her whole face. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. I would love to have dinner with your father and the mayor. And you, of course.”

“Oh, Burke. I could kiss you.”

“Feel free,” he said generously.

“Right. You don’t really mean that.”

Yes, he really did. “I’m happy to help.”

“I don’t know why you’re willing to go along with this but I’m grateful. Seriously, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Oddly enough it had been an easy decision. The simple answer was that he’d agreed because she asked and he wanted to see her again. Granted, he could have asked her out, but he’d already have had a black mark against him because of turning down her request. Now she owed him.

She leaned against the bar, a thoughtful look on her face. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I know my father. He’ll ask questions. In fact he already did. We’re going to need a cover story. How we met. How long we’ve been dating. That sort of thing.”

“It makes sense to be prepared.”

“So we should get together soon and discuss it.”

“What about right now?” he suggested.

Her eyes widened. “You don’t waste time, do you?”

“No time like the present. Have you already had dinner?”

She shook her head. “Why?”

“Do you have a date?” If not, there was a very real possibility that she’d changed into the red blazer, skinny jeans and heels just for him. Probably wanted to look her best while making her case. Still, he really hoped she wasn’t meeting another guy.

She gave him an ironic look. “Seriously? If I was going out with someone, I wouldn’t have asked you to participate in this crazy scheme.”

“Crazy? I don’t know, it’s a decent proposal.” He shrugged. “So you’re free. Have dinner with me. What about the restaurant here at the lodge? It’s pretty good.”

“The best in town.” But she shook her head. “Too intimate.”

So she didn’t want to be alone with him. “Oh?”

“Something more public. People should see us together.” She snapped her fingers. “The Grizzly Bear Diner would be perfect.”

“I know the place. Both charming. And romantic.”

“You’re either being a smart-ass or a snob.”

“Heaven forbid.”

“You haven’t been there yet?” she asked.

“No, I have.”

He signaled the bartender and when she handed the bill to him, he took care of it. Then he settled his hand at the small of her back and said, “Let the adventure begin.”

* * *

Sydney sat in the passenger seat beside Burke as he expertly drove the expensive sports car from Blackwater Lake Lodge to the Grizzly Bear Diner on Main Street. She wasn’t sure what she itched to get her hands on more—the steering wheel of the hot car, again, or the man holding it. She’d said she would have hit on any single man who happened to drive into McKnight’s Automotive just then, but, wow, she couldn’t imagine anyone more perfect.

She would be lying if she said him having money wasn’t cool. But after talking in the bar, she was much more intrigued by his wit and sense of humor. There was a glint in his blue eyes that could be about mischief or something more sizzling and she didn’t particularly care which.

“Here we are.” He pulled the car to a stop right in front of the diner.

“That’s unusual.”

“What?”

She met his gaze. “Getting a spot out front. I guess since this is a weeknight and school just started up after the summer, it must be a slow night.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“Not really,” she said. “But more people would help spread the word to my dad that we’re an item.”

He exited the driver’s side and came around to open her door. Offering his hand to help her out, he said, “It doesn’t look very crowded but we’ll work with what we’ve got. Maximize resources.”

“Okay.”

When he locked the car and took her hand in his she was instantly stricken with a bad case of the tingles—from head to toe. Every nerve was on high alert and threatening to light up all her feminine hormones.

The buzz died when they walked inside and Syd recognized the new hostess, who just happened to be an old friend. Well, former friend. More of a frenemy. Violet Walker—actually it was Stewart now. The woman looked up from behind the wooden stand with the sign that said Please Wait To Be Seated. The automatic “welcome to the diner” smile froze on her face.