Teresa Southwick - A Decent Proposal

The urge to taste her skin just below her ear was very powerful and if the two of them were alone at a quiet table in the shadows, that’s exactly what he would have done. The strong attraction he felt certainly helped to pull off the pretense of having an interest in her because it really wasn’t a pretense.

He was interested.

When everyone was ready the waiter took their orders. As it happened, he and Sydney chose almost the same things. Fireside chopped salad, although she asked for it without blue cheese crumbles. Filet mignon, medium rare. Baked potato with sour cream, butter and chives on the side.

Syd gave him a look that was half saucy, half surprised. “You have good taste.”

Tom’s expression was still just this side of skeptical. “He hasn’t brought you here before?”

“If he had, you would have known about it,” his daughter reminded him. “Camille owns the place and is normally the soul of discretion when it comes to lodge guests. But family is a different matter entirely. She couldn’t keep something like that from you.”

“It’s a good quality in a daughter-in-law.” Tom leveled his gaze at Burke as if to say he’d better have equally good qualities.

“Toast.” Loretta raised her glass of white wine. “To new beginnings and happy endings.”

They all touched glasses then took a sip of their respective drinks. When he glanced at Syd, he noticed a guilty look on her face and questioned whether or not he would have recognized the expression if he wasn’t in on this scheme of hers. It made him wonder about her growing up and who better to ask than her father.

“What was Sydney like when she was a little girl?”

The older man looked fondly at his daughter. “Stubborn. Determined to get her way. She didn’t like dolls the way other little girls did, but that could be from having two older brothers.” He grinned. “Of course, she had me wrapped around her little finger.”

“You did a wonderful job raising her,” Burke said and sincerely meant it.

“She raised herself.”

Loretta shook her head and put her hand on his arm. “You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit, Tom. I know how difficult that time was for you, suddenly losing your wife. Then you were thrown into the deep end of the pool with two young boys and an infant daughter to bring up by yourself, while running your own business. The McKnight kids didn’t get to be successful adults without your guidance and being a steady role model for them.”

“You’re making me blush.” He took Loretta’s hand in his own and smiled tenderly at her.

“I could go on torturing you,” she teased. “I know how you hate to have anyone singing your praises.”

Burke watched the older couple banter and laugh, comfortable with each other and clearly in love. From what Syd had said and Loretta had just corroborated, he knew Tom McKnight had had a rough go of it and had been alone for a long time. Burke realized how much his daughter loved him. She wanted him to be happy and was going above and beyond so that he would take the next step in his relationship.

A small deception. Wrong thing; right reason. Theirs was a close and loving relationship forged by his being there day after day. It made Burke feel even more guilty than usual about the long stretches of time he spent away from his own son.

Dinner was really pleasant and surprisingly interrogation-free, right up until the dessert menus arrived.

Syd looked hers over. “I’d love some coffee and just a few bites of something sweet.”

“Order it and just eat what you want,” Burke suggested.

“That’s so wasteful,” she protested. “And, unlike my leftover steak, dessert can be pretty unappetizing the next day.”

“We could split something.”

“I’m not sure we could agree and I don’t want you to compromise for me.”

“I’d be happy to compromise for you,” he said. “But what if we do agree?”

“Okay. Tell me what your favorite is.” She tilted her head to the side, making her neck look longer and even more tempting.

Quite possibly a nibble right at the juncture of her neck and shoulder could be his favorite, but that wasn’t what she’d meant. So he answered honestly. “The mile-high chocolate cake. I’ve been all over the world and it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. Anywhere.”

“What do you know?” She smiled as if he’d given her the moon. “That just happens to be my all-time favorite, too.”

“Then the deal is sealed.”

When the waiter returned they ordered coffee all-around, one piece of cake and four forks. It was definitely enough for the whole table to share.

“Speaking of deals...are you two getting serious?” Tom glanced at Burke, then at Sydney.

“Dad!” She looked mortified. “Inappropriate.”

“Not for a father,” he insisted.

“Are you asking me what my intentions are?” Burke questioned.

“Sounds old-fashioned when you put it like that, but I guess that is what I’m asking.”

This potential line of inquiry hadn’t come up in their planning session. He looked at Sydney, wondering if she wanted to tackle that one, but she still looked shocked and speechless.

“Well, sir, for now we’re taking things slow. Just getting to know each other. We both agree that’s the best idea. Then we’ll see what happens.”

Tom mulled it over, then nodded. “Seems wise to do that.”

Burke had to conclude that they’d passed the first hurdle. He’d done his best to answer everything honestly and still keep his word to Syd. But he realized that he liked her a lot and that was another topic they hadn’t talked about. What if he actually wanted to date her?

In fact, tonight was their first official date and he was seriously considering taking things to the next level.

* * *

Sydney watched Burke charge the dinner-for-four to his room at the lodge and she was incredibly appreciative of the gesture. He and her father had done the masculine tug-of-war over the check that men always do, but Burke, as they said, was younger and faster. Although thanks had been expressed, she made a mental note to thank him again for his generosity the next time she saw him. And offer to split the bill with him.

The four of them stood and walked toward the restaurant exit, her father and Loretta in the lead. Burke leaned over and whispered close to her ear, “How do you think we did?”

It was difficult to form a reply, what with her unexpected breathlessness at his nearness. But she managed to recover. “We did pretty well,” she admitted. “Loretta jumping in for backup was unexpected, but certainly strengthened the narrative we were promoting.”

“Good. Apparently I played my part adequately, then.”

“ Adequate sets a very low bar for what you did. Your act was perfect.”

Before she could say more, the couple in front of them stopped and waited. They were standing by the rustic stone fireplace in the lodge lobby with the registration desk nearby. Leather sofa and chairs formed a comfortable conversation area.

Tom extended his hand. “Burke, thanks again for dinner. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

“Same here, sir.” He looked at the mayor. “I believe we have a meeting this week.”

She nodded. “We need to discuss local concerns about the resort.”

“I’ll be there to answer any and all questions.” He didn’t look the least bit concerned and his superior confidence was incredibly attractive.

“Are you ready to go, Syd?” her dad asked.

“You’re leaving?” Burke put his hand at the small of her back.

“I rode into town with Dad and Loretta. So...” She shrugged.

“Stay for a nightcap.” His eyes had just the right amount of intensity for a smitten man who didn’t want to say good-night yet. “I’ll drive you home.”