A Decent Proposal

“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked. “It’s the least I can do. What with you going out of your way to bring my car back here to the lodge.”

“I’d like that.” She gracefully slid onto the bar stool beside his. Without hesitation she said, “Chardonnay, please.”

Burke signaled the bartender and asked her to open the best white she had. He toyed with the empty beer bottle in front of him. “I can’t decide if this delivery system of yours is good customer service or you just wanted to drive my car.”

“Both. And for the record it’s a really nice car,” she said, grinning. Then the amusement faded and she couldn’t quite meet his gaze, which was different from the uniquely direct woman he’d met this morning.

“You look very chic.”

She glanced down. “Thanks. Are you surprised?”

“Because you make your living working on cars?” He thought for a moment and decided to be completely honest. “You’re a beautiful woman, Sydney. I was surprised from the very first moment I saw you this morning.”

“What a lovely thing to say. And I appreciate it.” Her smile was a little shy, but also...nervous? “Because there’s something I’d like to ask. A really big favor—”

“Your drinks.” The twentysomething blonde waitress put down a small, square napkin, a wineglass and another beer in front of him. She picked up the empty bottle and said, “Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Will do. Thanks,” Burke said. He held up his beer. “To new friends.”

Sydney touched her glass to his bottle. “Friends.”

She was definitely nervous about something. Then her words sank in. Favor. Something to ask. “What’s up?”

“This is harder than I thought.”

“Just spit it out,” he advised. “That’s usually best.”

She took a long drink of Chardonnay, then set the glass down and looked him straight in the eye. “Nothing ventured...”

“Now I’m really curious.” His impression of her from their first meeting was of a confident, forthright woman so this hesitation struck him as out of character. “The worst that can happen is I’ll say no.”

“Actually that’s not the worst. And saying yes would not be the smartest answer.”

“Come on, Syd.” Shortening her name came easily and naturally, but he didn’t have time to wonder why that was. “Just tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “I really need you to go out with me on a date.”

Chapter Two

“You probably think I’m a gold-digging stalker.”

“Why would I?” Burke was more curious and intrigued than anything else.

“Today at the garage you said your company owns the property on the hill that’s going to be developed. As in the way people say my company is doing a hostile takeover but I just work for them and do what I’m told. As in a highly placed executive or something. It didn’t cross my mind that you owned the company. I had no idea you were in the same league with Camille’s family. The one where billionaires come to play.”

“Surprise.”

Sitting on the bar stool, she angled her body toward him. “And I hit on you!”

“It happens.”

“I just bet it does.” There was humor in her dark eyes.

Usually getting hit on turned him off. Sydney McKnight had the opposite effect. Color him shocked by this unexpected reaction to a small-town girl.

“Seriously, Burke, I wasn’t hitting on you. Not exactly. Not you...you. Any single man who was in the right age group and happened to drive up at that moment would have done just as well.”

“Way to let the air out of my ego balloon.” He took a sip of his beer.

“I’m not being mean. Just honest.”

“I like that about you, the honesty part.” And so many other things. Like the graceful arch of her dark eyebrows. The way her full lips curved up as if she found something secretly amusing. And the intelligence sparkling in her eyes.

“The thing is, Burke—and I don’t mean this in an offensive way—but what you think of me isn’t my biggest problem.”

He rested his elbow on the edge of the bar and half turned toward her. “That would imply that you might be in a bit of a predicament.”

“That would be accurate.”

“I see.”

When he moved his leg, her knee bumped his thigh and it felt oddly intimate for a bar setting. More people had wandered in for drinks but it seemed as if he and Sydney were alone. He found himself wishing they were.

“Did I hurt your feelings, when I insinuated that your opinion of me isn’t important? That certainly wasn’t my intention.”

“Not at all. Do I look like my feelings are hurt?”

She sipped her white wine and studied him. “I don’t know you well enough to make that determination. There was just an odd expression on your face.”

Hmm, she was very perceptive. He’d have to watch himself around her. “I assure you my feelings are just fine. So tell me about your problem.”

“Well it’s like this. My father is a little skeptical about our relationship.”

Burke laughed. “Can you blame him? It does feel suspiciously like a scenario from a TV sitcom.”

“I don’t know what came over me.” She sighed and shook her head. “You have no reason to believe this but I swear I’ve never done anything like that in my life. Accosting a strange man and pulling him into my situation.”

“Accost is sort of a strong word.”

She grinned. “I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you’re very good at going with the flow. Lying without really telling an untruth.”

“Thank you, I think.”

“Seriously, it was very generous of you not to rat me out on the spot.”

“I’m a generous guy.”

“Why didn’t you, by the way? Tell my dad I was crazy, I mean.”

That was a very good question and one he didn’t really have an answer for. “Chalk it up to curiosity about what you were up to.”

She nodded, then looked down and toyed with her cocktail napkin. “The thing is...” Her gaze lifted, meeting his. “Dad wants proof that we’re actually dating.”

“You mean like photographs with a time and date stamp? Movie-ticket stubs? Eyewitness accounts?”

“If only.” She sighed. “He wants to go out to dinner. A double date. You and me. Dad and Loretta—Mayor Goodson.” She held up a hand to stop any protest and went on quickly. “Just think about it. I swear this isn’t a scheme to snag a wealthy husband, but I can see where you might think that.”

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.

Still holding Syd’s hand, Burke must have felt a reaction because he asked, “Something wrong?”

Other than the fact that she’d come face-to-face for the first time in years with her former bestie who’d stolen and married the man Syd had expected would propose to her?

“No,” she answered in a tight voice. “Everything’s just peachy.”

They walked closer to the other woman and Syd said, “Hello, Violet.”

“Sydney. Hi.” The familiar blue eyes were filled with guilt.

“I didn’t know you—and Charlie—were back.”

“Surprise.”

Syd was pretty much at her tolerance limit for surprises tonight. That didn’t stop her from noticing that Violet’s thick brunette hair was shorter, cut in an edgy bob that was very flattering.

“You look great, Syd.”

“So do you.”

That was no automatic response. Violet was curvier and it looked good on her. She’d always been too thin. If anything she was even prettier now than when she’d begged forgiveness for falling in love with Sydney’s boyfriend.

Violet looked at the man still holding Syd’s hand. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Holden.”

“It’s Burke, remember?” His tone hinted that he’d said it more than once. But he’d said he knew the place, which probably meant he’d been here a few times.

“Right. You’ve been in here enough to know everyone’s name.” The other woman’s smile was strained. “Two for dinner?”

“Yes. A booth in the back if you have it.”

“Right this way.”

There weren’t many people in the place, but all of them were long-time residents of Blackwater Lake who knew what had happened between the former best friends. As they walked clear to the back of the diner, Syd felt all of them looking, wondering, and decided a slow night had been a blessing in disguise. Not that news of her and Burke wouldn’t spread, but it was easier to see Violet again in front of a smaller crowd.

Violet stopped at an empty booth. “How’s this?”

“Perfect,” Burke responded.

“Enjoy your dinner.” The words were professional and matched the smile on her face.

When she was gone and they were seated across the table from each other, Burke asked, “So, want to tell me what that was all about?”

“Not really, no.”

He opened his mouth to ask more, but the diner owner walked over. Michelle Crawford, a brunette whose hair was streaked with silver, was somewhere in her fifties. Her brown eyes were filled with concern.

“Hi, Syd. Burke, it’s good to see you again.” She settled a look on Syd. “You didn’t know Violet and Charlie moved back, did you? And this is the first time you’ve seen her since...” She lowered her voice. “You know. I could tell by the expression on your face.”

Any hope that no one had noticed her reaction went right out the window. “No,” she said, “I didn’t know they were back.”

“Oh, honey—” Michelle touched her shoulder. “Your dad should have warned you.”

“He knows?” The words were automatic, but obviously he did. “Probably a heads-up slipped his mind. But it’s fine, Michelle. Been a long time. Don’t give it another thought.”

“All right, honey. Glad you’re okay.” She smiled, then pointed to the menus stacked behind the napkin holder. “I’ll let you look over the choices and be back in a few minutes to take your orders.”

When she was gone, Burke’s eyebrows drew together. “Whether you want to or not, it’s probably best that you bring me up to speed on your ancient history.”

“Are you going to tell me about yours?” He was divorced and had a son. She was curious about that.

“As it pertains to our agreement, yes. Like you said—need-to-know basis. But Blackwater Lake is your turf. And what happened to you is probably something you would tell a boyfriend.”

Before Syd could respond, an older couple walked over to the table. Tillie Newman and her husband, Pete, were friends of her father and brought their Ford F-150 truck in for an oil change every six months, like clockwork.

“Hi, you two.” Syd looked at them, trying to figure out how to deflect what she knew was coming. “Mr. and Mrs. Newman, have you met Burke Holden? His company is building the resort we’ve heard so much about.” She glanced at him. “Burke, this is Tillie and Pete Newman.”

“Nice to meet you.” He stood and shook hands with them.

“Same here. Welcome to Blackwater Lake.” Tillie’s brown eyes brimmed with sympathy when she looked at Syd. “Sorry to interrupt, but we saw you and Violet. You could just cut the awkwardness with a knife. I just had to make sure you’re all right, sweetheart.”

“I am. That’s all water under the bridge. Or over the dam. Whatever the saying is. No need to be concerned about me.”

Tillie looked relieved. “I’m glad. We always liked Violet and Charlie. Real nice to see them move back where they both grew up. It had to be hard, what happened between you.”

It had been incredibly hard at the time, Syd recalled. “Time heals all.”

“There’s my girl.” Tillie smiled and said, “We’ll leave you two alone now. Come along, Pete.”

“Take care, Syd. Truck’s due for that oil change soon,” the older man said.

“See you then.” She lifted her hand in farewell and watched their backs for as long as she could. When procrastinating was no longer possible, she met Burke’s curious gaze. “So you’re probably jumping to all kinds of conclusions.”

“It doesn’t take a world-class detective to connect the dots.”

Syd nodded. “The Charlie they mentioned is a guy I dated in high school and college. I thought he was moving toward a marriage proposal. It turned out that he was—just not to me.”

“Violet?” he ventured.

“Yes. She was my best friend since first grade.”

“That must have been tough.” He reached over and covered her hand with his own. “He’s the one you mentioned. The one who didn’t work out.”

“Yup.” She glanced away for a moment. “This is the first time I’ve seen her since all that went down.”

“And?”

She knew he was asking how she was feeling about it all. “I was shocked to see her since my father failed to share the news of her return. But...”

“What?” he asked.

“I was so hurt and angry back then.” She shrugged. “It’s all gone. It really is okay that they’re back. Their parents are here and I’m sure happy to have them close by again.”

“So you’re sure you don’t want to postpone our planning session for another time and place yet to be determined?”

“I’m sure,” she said adamantly. “And even if I wasn’t, no way I would leave. McKnights are made of sterner stuff than that.”

“Okay, then.” He grabbed the menus and handed her one. “What do you recommend?”

“You tell me. Seems you’ve been here enough that you’re on a first-name basis with people.”

“It’s a small town.” His look was ironic. “And there aren’t many dining choices. I’ve been here a little over a month and have made the rounds. More than once.”

“Is this where you pitch the new resort as a solution to our cuisine choice issues?”

“No. This is where I remind you that even if I’d only been here once, I’d stick out like a fly in milk. I’m...memorable.”

“True.” It was hard to believe she hadn’t met him before today. Not only because he was right about it being a small town. But she also felt as if they’d known each other much longer. She grinned. “As far as this menu—I like the She Bear burger.”

He looked down and read the description and raised an eyebrow. “Jalapeño? Mushrooms, bacon and Swiss cheese?”

“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?”