Teresa Southwick - A Decent Proposal

“I hear disapproval in your tone. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

He was studying the choices and a sort of tender look came over him. “Liam—my son—would like this place.”

“You’re looking at the Baby Bear combo.” When he nodded she said, “You miss him, don’t you?”

“Yeah.” There was an expression in his eyes that said he didn’t want to elaborate. “I think I’ll have the Papa Bear combo.”

When they closed their menus it was a sign to Michelle and she was back to take their orders. “I’ll have these out in a few minutes.”

After the diner owner was gone, Burke rested his forearms on the edge of the table and met her gaze. “So what questions do you think your father will ask?”

“For starters he’ll want to know where and how we met. Just so you know, he won’t go for an online dating service.”

“Oh?”

Syd settled the paper napkin over her knees then straightened the knife, fork and spoon that had been wrapped up inside it. “He’s an old-fashioned guy and doesn’t believe ‘the machines,’ as he calls them, should be a part of meeting your soul mate.”

“Okay. So it has to be a plausible face-to-face encounter.” He linked his fingers. “Where do you hang out that our paths could have crossed?”

“Bar None, the bar where locals go. Potter’s Ice Cream Parlor and The Harvest Café. Here at the diner. But word would have gotten out if we even talked for five minutes under the watchful eye of Michelle Crawford.”

She looked around the diner, with its pictures of grizzly bears on the walls. At the front of the place there was a counter lined with swivel stools. The back half had scattered tables in the center of the room and booths lining the perimeter.

“Okay. Any ideas?” he asked.

“There’s a multiscreen movie theater at the mall about forty-five minutes away.”

“I’ve been there,” he said.

“Do you like movies?”

“Yes. Besides that it’s something a person can do alone and not get pity stares.”

“Oh?”

He nodded. “I’ve noticed that when you eat by yourself people give you weird looks.”

She realized that he was lonely and it took considerable effort to keep pity out of the look she gave him. It was her sense that he wouldn’t appreciate the sentiment.

“So, Mr. Gazillionaire Real-Estate Developer, is the crown too tight? Are the jewels too heavy?”

One corner of his mouth curved up. “I’m not sure what that means.”

“Just that you have buckets of money, expensive clothes, a car that most people drool over and you’re concerned about the way people look at you?”

He shifted on the seat. “When you put it like that...the correct response would be no.”

“That’s what I thought.” The glint was back in his eyes and she much preferred that. “So we could have met at the movies.”

“Is that plausible for you?”

“I go alone all the time. It’s relaxing after a marathon shopping spree. For the record no one pities a solo shopper.”

“Good to know.” He nodded. “I’m guessing we’ll need to explore explanations for why no one has seen us around town together.”

“That one is easy.” She leaned forward. “People in this town talk and we just wanted to keep it quiet. Just for us.”

“Very romantic,” he commented. “That works.”

“Sure does. It’s the explanation I got from my dad about why he kept his romance with Mayor Goodson under wraps. A lot longer than what you and I are talking about.” She was still irked about his secrecy. This small charade with Burke might be a little bit about payback. And her comment that she was made of sterner stuff wasn’t just hot air. She could have handled the news about his new relationship. “I’m too old for him to give me the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ line.”

They discussed things and tossed questions back and forth until he held up his hands in surrender. “I feel as if I should be taking notes.”

“You’re right.” She nodded. “Kiss rule.”

“Excuse me?” One eyebrow rose questioningly. The look in his blue eyes turned a little sharper, a little sexier and a lot interested.

“ K-I-S-S. Keep it simple, stupid.”

“Ah.” His gaze never left hers and the intensity level escalated.

“You were thinking something else?”

“Yes. And before you judge, remember this is logical.”

“Enlighten me,” she said drily.

“We may be forced into kissing. After all this—you and me as a couple—needs to be convincing.”

Their burgers were delivered, breaking the sensuous spell. But all through dinner she had a hard time not staring at his mouth and wondering what his lips would feel like against her own. Was he a good kisser? She would put money on it.

Sydney found she was looking forward to “dating” Burke Holden and was intrigued at the prospect of kissing him.

Chapter Three

Two days after his strategy session with Sydney at the diner, Burke was sitting in the five-star restaurant at Blackwater Lake Lodge nursing a Scotch while waiting for her to join him with her father and the mayor. He was watching when Tom McKnight and Mayor Loretta Goodson walked in with a stunning, dark-haired woman wearing a little black dress. He recognized Sydney, but...holy shoot, it felt as if all the blood drained from his head and proceeded to points south of his belt. Fortunately muscle memory and manners took over so he was able to not embarrass himself and politely stand up as the trio approached.

Burke held out his hand to the older man and said, “It’s good to see you again, sir.”

“Likewise.” Tom McKnight looked at the older woman beside him. “I think you already know Loretta?”

“We’ve had a number of meetings about the resort.” Burke shook her hand. “Madam Mayor, it’s always a pleasure.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Burke.” Loretta Goodson was a very attractive brunette and probably looked a whole lot younger than she actually was. All those meetings had proved that she was a tough negotiator who cared deeply about her town.

Syd smiled up at him. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” He slid his arm loosely around her waist and bent to kiss her cheek. It wasn’t the way he really wanted to kiss her for the first time, but appropriate for the situation. “Why don’t we all sit.”

“Good idea,” Syd agreed.

The Fireside Restaurant service was impeccable and tonight was no exception. When the newcomers were seated, their waiter appeared to take drink orders, then promised to give them time before bringing over dinner menus.

“So, where did you two meet?” Tom didn’t waste any time and had come right to the point.

Since the man was looking directly at him Burke fielded the question. “I’m something of a movie buff and when you’re alone in a new town it’s an entertaining place to kill a couple of hours.”

“Syd likes movies, too.” Fortunately her dad jumped to the implied conclusion. “But how is it you managed to keep secret the fact that you’re seeing my daughter?”

“Come on, Dad,” Syd admonished. “Isn’t that a little like the pot calling the kettle black?”

“She has a point, Tom.” Loretta’s voice was quiet but firm. “We’ve been seeing each other for months. I know some of that was about protecting your children, but part of it was about keeping it just for us.”

Burke looked at Syd who had an “I told you so” expression in her eyes. She’d definitely called that one.

The waiter brought their drinks, then came back with menus when Burke gave him the signal. It was quiet at the table as everyone scrutinized the choices. He’d eaten here enough in the last few weeks to know what he wanted and would much rather have looked Sydney over. Tonight she’d pulled her hair off her face and back into a messy side bun, leaving her neck bare.