Teresa Southwick - A Decent Proposal

“Who?”

Sydney blinked up at her father. “What?”

“Who are you dating?”

Her gaze slid to the stranger, and she thought maybe white knights did ride to the rescue. It was worth a shot. What could happen? Even if this backfired, maybe her dad would get the message that she was serious about convincing him to back off.

“Him.” She angled her head. “I’m going out with him.”

Before her father could turn and look, she was on her way over to the man. Stopping in front of him, she looked up and said in a low voice, “I will forever be in your debt if you go with me on what’s about to happen. It’s a family thing.” She put a fair amount of pleading into her tone and her expression. “I’m begging you. And I’ll make it up to you. I swear.”

The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake:They won’t be single for long!

A Decent Proposal

Teresa Southwick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

TERESA SOUTHWICKlives with her husband in Las Vegas, the city that reinvents itself every day. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Mills & Boon.

To my nephew, C.J. Boyle.

Your courage and determination inspire me every day.

There’s no question that you have a hero’s heart.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “Who?” Sydney blinked up at her father. “What?” “Who are you dating?” Her gaze slid to the stranger, and she thought maybe white knights did ride to the rescue. It was worth a shot. What could happen? Even if this backfired, maybe her dad would get the message that she was serious about convincing him to back off. “Him.” She angled her head. “I’m going out with him.” Before her father could turn and look, she was on her way over to the man. Stopping in front of him, she looked up and said in a low voice, “I will forever be in your debt if you go with me on what’s about to happen. It’s a family thing.” She put a fair amount of pleading into her tone and her expression. “I’m begging you. And I’ll make it up to you. I swear.” The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake: They won’t be single for long!

Title Page A Decent Proposal Teresa Southwick www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author TERESA SOUTHWICK lives with her husband in Las Vegas, the city that reinvents itself every day. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Mills & Boon.

Dedication To my nephew, C.J. Boyle. Your courage and determination inspire me every day. There’s no question that you have a hero’s heart.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Sydney McKnight knew there was no way a white knight would ride in on his stalwart steed and save her, but a girl could hope.

Needing a good save is what happens when first thing in the morning your father, who was also your boss, hits you with the “are you seeing anyone?” question. It was a sure bet this conversation wasn’t headed anywhere she wanted to go.

Standing outside the office of McKnight Automotive, she glanced around for an escape, but short of making a run for it, there was no way out. Time to get the attention off herself and back where it belonged. On her father, who she and her brothers just found out had been seeing someone in secret. For months. And now Tom McKnight was looking to find out if his daughter would be in a committed relationship anytime soon so that he could take the next step in his own.

“Dad, you didn’t have to sneak around and date. The boys are fine with it.”

“It wasn’t Alex and Ben that concerned me, Syd. It’s you.” He met her gaze and there was no looking away or mistaking his meaning. “I will always have a special place in my heart for your mother.”

Complications from childbirth had caused her mother’s death. Syd knew she wasn’t to blame for it but that didn’t stop a small stab of guilt. “For years everyone has been telling you to get on with your life, Dad. Now we know you did, a while ago. With Mayor Goodson. It’s about darn time and I’m completely fine with it. Fly. Be free. Be happy.”

Her father’s expression tightened into a mask of stubborn resolve. “How can I be happy until I know your personal life is in order?”

That was code for having a man. What her father didn’t get was that first you had to want a man messing up your personal life and Syd didn’t. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation, but she was going to do her best to make it the last.

“Dad—” She stopped and took a deep breath, tapping into her well of patience, which at this point was hitting rock-bottom. “I know you want to protect me, make sure I’m okay. And it’s really sweet, but I’m a big girl now.”

“I know you are, honey, but I can’t help worrying about you. Sue me. I want you to be settled, safe and happy.” He ran his fingers through his thick silver hair. “Maybe it’s about me being emotionally unavailable to you after your mom died.”

Emotionally unavailable? “You’ve been watching TV talk shows again, haven’t you?” she teased.

“Maybe.” His grin was fleeting.

“There’s nothing to make up for, Dad. I understand. Losing your wife was a shock. You’re a terrific father. The best. You did a great job. Alex, Ben and I turned out pretty awesome.”

“You’ll get no argument from me about that.” His blue eyes twinkled with paternal pride. “The thing is, honey, your brothers are both married and have started their families.”

And she was still very single, which translated to all alone. He didn’t say it, but the implication hung in the silence between them.

Over her father’s shoulder, Sydney saw an expensive, low-slung sports car growl to a crawl on Main Street in order to make the turn into McKnight Automotive. The beautiful, red, high-performance vehicle said something about the person driving it. For one thing, whoever it was didn’t mind being noticed. A machine like that was an attention magnet. Her fingers itched to get a look at what was under the hood—of the car.

Focus, Sydney, she thought. “Alex and Ben were lucky to find their wives, Dad. You wouldn’t want me to marry in haste then find out it was a mistake, would you?”

The sports car pulled into the driveway then roared past them and stopped under the covering that connected the business office and service bays of the garage. A dark tint on the windows prevented her from seeing who was behind the wheel, but she realized anticipation was swelling inside her to get a look at this person.

“Of course I don’t want you to rush into marriage,” her father said. “But I know how it feels to be alone. At least if I knew you were dating someone...”

“I date.” Sort of.

“Anyone steady?”

If steady dating was the formula for a lasting relationship, she’d be married now. She’d had a boyfriend for years and the whole thing had blown up in her face. “Dad, don’t worry about me. Just move on with your life. You deserve to be happy and I won’t stand in your way.”

“So, you’re not dating,” he said.

“Sure I am.”

The sports-car driver got out and her heart actually skipped a beat, which had never happened to her before. The driver was a man. Aviator sunglasses hid his eyes, adding to his mystique, but she could see enough to know he wasn’t a troll. He was thirtysomething and had dark hair. An expensive suit perfectly fit his tall frame, broad shoulders and narrow hips.