A Decent Proposal (10 page)

“You're not going to like it.”

“Probably not. So let's get this over with.”

“I'm uneasy about your relationship with Burke.”

“But I thought you wanted me to be involved with someone,” she protested.

“He's not from around here.”

Even though she and Burke didn't have a real relationship, Syd felt compelled to argue that statement as a cause for concern. “You're nervous because he's an outsider? Seriously?”

“Yes.” He leaned back in his chair and linked his fingers, then rested his hands over his flat belly.

She could see stubbornness move across his face and set up camp. “This is where I point out that Alex and Ben both married women who aren't from around here. Jill Beck Stone married a doctor who moved here from Las Vegas. They're all happy couples and starting families. What makes you think that just because Burke is from somewhere else that he's unworthy?”

Syd actually knew the answer. That part about starting a family wasn't going to happen with Burke. But she met her father's gaze, refusing to look away.

“He's temporary, Syd. His business is based somewhere else. He's here to get the resort going and then he'll go back where he came from.” He sat forward and rested his forearms on the desk. “Plus he's got a son. Seems like a nice enough boy, but the fighting at school is a concern. He could be trouble.”

“Oh, come on, Dad. Alex and Ben were no angels at Liam's age. They had skirmishes at school when they were kids. And you're their father. Does that mean you're not a suitable man to date?”

“We're not talking about me. This is about you settling down, so—”

“So that you can move on with your life and be happy. I get it.” She had to tell him the truth and this was the time. “About that, Dad. I have something to say and you're not going to like it.”

“Okay.”

“Burke isn't really my boyfriend.”

Although Burke had kissed her as if he was and she'd kissed him back. She really liked kissing him and had been prepared to sleep with him before he got the call about his housekeeper. Syd knew her willingness to go to bed with the man colored everything a murky shade of gray. Technically he wasn't her boyfriend but he had said he wanted to date her. Casually. So she wasn't exactly sure what they were.

Her dad rubbed a hand across his face. “So when he drove in here and you introduced him as the guy you'd been seeing, that was a lie?”

“A big, hairy one,” she confirmed. “But, in my own defense—wrong thing, right reason.”

“That reason being an attempt to get me to commit to Loretta?”

“Yes. You have to admit you're practically living with the mayor. Isn't it about time you get her a ring? Make an honest woman of her?” Syd hoped now he really was in a place where he could hear her.

His mouth twitched, evidence that he was trying to maintain a stern face and failing big-time. “So you think we should get hitched?”

“Although that term brings to mind a horse attached to a wagon, if you're as smart as I think you are, you'll propose and get married as soon as possible.” Syd moved closer to the desk and settled her hip on the corner. “You deserve to have all the good things in life. I hope you know that. You have to squeeze the happy out of every single day.”

“I do know that.”

“Then get off your tush and quit wasting time.” Emotion and her passion to make him understand kicked up the pitch of her voice. “I can take care of myself. And if I need help, which I won't, isn't it better for me to have you and Loretta together? The way I see it, you're a twofer.”

A slow smile curved his mouth. “That's a nice thing to say.”

“I'm a nice person.” She grinned. “So now I have to come up with your power-couple nickname.”

“What in the world?”

“They do that with Hollywood couples. Combine first names. You and Loretta could be Lo-Tom. Or my personal favorite, drumroll please—Tom-Lo.”

“Stop.” He shook a finger at her, then turned serious. “Syd, thank you for trusting me with the truth.”

“Actually, I really hate deceiving you. Too much guilt to carry around.”

“And I have to confess that I didn't really buy the act. It was suspicious from the start.”

“I guess it's a compliment that I'm not a very good liar.” She folded her arms over her chest, not really surprised by his admission. As a kid, she could never pull a fast one without him being wise to it. “And in the spirit of full disclosure, the whole truth is that the day he drove in, I'd never seen him before in my life. But we spent time together pretending to be a couple.”

“And you like him.” It wasn't a question.

She nodded. “And he says he likes me. That he'd have gotten around to asking me out sooner or later.”

Just thinking about the look in his eyes when he'd said that made her quiver all over. The attention, especially from a man like him, was incredibly flattering and that was a problem. It could set her up for a really hard fall.

“I see.” Her father nodded thoughtfully. “It goes without saying that he has excellent taste. But, Syd, I can't help having concerns—”

“Objections,” she interrupted.

“That's too strong a word. He seems like a nice enough guy. I don't think he would deliberately hurt you, but my concerns about the two of you haven't changed. He's an outsider and unlikely to stay here in Blackwater Lake.”

“Understood.”

“Syd—” He got to his feet and said her name to stop her from leaving when she straightened away from the desk. “Before you go—I have to apologize. I didn't mean to push you into lying about your personal life. I've only ever wanted to be a good father. Protect you.”

“Oh, Dad—” She walked over and gave him a hug. “You're an amazing father.”

“I wouldn't go that far.”

“I would,” she said eagerly. “Watching you with Liam reminded me of when I was a little girl and how much I loved hanging out with you.” She stepped back and smiled up at him. “Still do. Thanks for being the best father I could ask for.”

“Thank you for loving me enough to do anything for my happiness.”

“If you don't ask Loretta soon, I may have to get really creative and wild. Who knows what I'll do?”

“Now you're starting to scare me. I promise I'll take care of it.” His voice was teasing, before his expression turned serious. “But do me a favor, Syd. Don't get hurt.”

“No need to worry, Dad. I've got it under control.” So she'd just told another lie.

The truth was she'd never felt about anyone the way she did about Burke. It was dishonest to say she had everything under control when every time he walked into a room she had less power over her feelings. All she had for sure was a bucketload of doubts.

Chapter Ten

“T
hanks for meeting me here, Syd.” Burke held out a hand indicating one of the visitor chairs in front of his desk. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Another one?” Her smile was teasing.

He really liked that smile. It felt like forever since he'd seen her, but just the day before he'd had lunch at the diner while Sydney, Violet and the boys kept him company. The whole experience had felt so completely normal and fun. He hadn't wanted to go back to the office and that was saying something for a man whose life was his work.

Today he'd asked her to come to the office when she left McKnight Automotive. Since she was busy when he'd called, there wasn't a chance to explain why he wanted to see her. But she wasn't wearing McKnight Automotive standard-issue pants and shirt, which indicated she'd taken the time to change. Her fashion instincts were spot-on. She looked chic and beautiful in straight-leg jeans, a white silk blouse, a navy blazer and low-heeled shoes.

“I hate to impose on you again,” he said. “It isn't enough that you helped me out with the fighting incident at school yesterday. Believe me I'm grateful.”

“And your way of paying me back is asking for more? You really were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, weren't you?” she teased.

Burke shrugged. It was a blessing and curse. Money didn't make your life perfect. If so, his mother wouldn't have died so young. On paper, a guy who'd grown up without a mom and was raised by his father should have been equipped to parent his own son whose mother had no interest in the job. But Burke's father had never been around and he had no blueprint for how to be a dad. Syd, on the other hand, had never even known her mother but had hit the dad jackpot. From him she'd absorbed great instincts.

“Before I get to the favor, I have to tell you that Liam and I had a greeting-card moment last night. Thanks to you.”

“Really? What did I do?”

“You suggested a father-son chat instead of grounding him for eternity.”

“Oh, that.”

“Yes. That.” He leaned forward, forearms on the desk. “I told him I wanted to talk about what happened at school. He was sullen and defensive at first, but eventually he opened up. It was—” He stopped, searching for the right description and finally said, “A first for us.”

She looked pleased. “What did he say?”

“That everything's different here and he doesn't like it. He's angry and feeling insecure.”

“He said that?” she asked, obviously surprised. “Awfully grown up.”

“Not in those exact words, but the message came through. It's not home, not what he's used to.”

“How can it be when this is only temporary?” She shrugged, but that didn't distract from the shadows in her eyes.

Burke had a feeling something was bothering her and didn't like it. He preferred her sunny-side up and wanted to fix any problem. That was new, he realized. Usually when a woman needed something emotional fixed, he headed for the nearest exit.

“What's wrong?” he asked.

Her lips compressed into a tight line. “If you hadn't called me, I was going to call you.”

He was glad to hear that, although her expression was a clue that her motivation wasn't necessarily similar to his. The favor he wanted to ask was a thinly veiled excuse to see her. One thing he'd learned since bringing his son to live with him—when a single father didn't have live-in child care, dating was complicated. He had to get creative.

“Why were you going to call me?” he asked.

“To let you know we don't have to fake it any more. Dad knows what I did.”

By that Burke was pretty sure she meant that their relationship deal was outed. But the truth was that after the first dinner with Syd and her dad, he hadn't been pretending to like her.

Which begged the question... “How did he find out?”

“I confessed.” She shrugged again. “I couldn't keep lying to him.”

“How did he take it?” Burke liked Tom McKnight and losing the man's favorable opinion bothered him. “Was he angry?”

“No. And that's the worst part. If he'd gotten mad, I could have been defensive and self-righteous. This was so much worse.” She shook her head at the memory. “He said he's just trying to be a good father. Protect me.”

Burke shared the man's inclination for that and could understand the motivation for putting off his own life for the sake of his child. But he could also understand Syd's determination to convince her dad she was okay and get him to commit to a new, personal phase.

“Should I talk to him?” he offered.

“Why would you want to?” She seemed surprised by that.

“Because I don't want him to think I make a habit of deceiving people.”

She tilted her head to study him. “You actually care what he thinks of you.”

“Yes.” Now he shrugged.

“It would be very noble of you and I have no objection. For the record, he claims he wasn't fooled for a second.” She shifted in the chair. “In the spirit of complete honesty, I did tell him what you said, that you'd have gotten around to asking me out if I hadn't approached you first.”

“So you told him everything?”

“Pretty much.” Her expression was guarded, indicating she'd held something back.

He decided it best not to push. “So I can make an honest woman of you now?”

“Others have tried and failed,” she joked. “So, don't keep me in suspense. What is this favor? Just so you know, I'm keeping a tab.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way.” He grinned and leaned back in his chair. “The idea actually came from my talk with Liam. It was his anger and insecurity that made me call you today.”

“Interesting. My expertise is with a car engine. I'm not a shrink.”

“Very funny.” This is where he had to sell the idea. “This is much easier than that. You're a local. I have an appointment with a real-estate agent who also manages rentals in and around Blackwater Lake.”

“Okay.” A puzzled look crossed her face. “I'm not sure how I can help with that.”

“The thing is, I think if I can find a house to rent, something more homey than the lodge, it might help Liam to feel settled. I guess it's a dad thing.”

“I think it's a good idea. But I still don't know what I can do to make it easier.”

“That's where being a local comes in. I need your advice on location, good or bad, and your general impression of the property. From a woman's perspective.”

“Well, I'm a woman.”

And how. Burke couldn't help it when his gaze dropped from her eyes to the top button on that silky blouse. She
was
a woman and he was the guy who almost had her. If only his cell phone had rung
after
they'd let nature take its course maybe he wouldn't ache to touch her now. And now was a lot more complicated than then.

“All I'm asking for is your educated opinion on what we see today.”

She nodded. “No one ever said I don't have opinions. I can do that.”

“Great.” He stood. “We're picking Liam up at Todd's house on the way to meet the agent at the first property. I have the list he emailed.”

She smiled. “Liam had a playdate?”

“Yeah. Progress. And if he's going to reciprocate, it would be nice to have a house to do it in. Not a hotel.” He looked at her. “Let's go.”

* * *

Several hours later, the three of them had racked up more frustration than miles. There hadn't been much to look at and for what they'd seen, the agent had used adjectives and descriptions like
rugged. Rustic. Diamond-in-the-rough.
Something a splash of TLC would fix right up.

After Burke had declined all of the rentals, they'd gone back to his office so she could pick up her car. The Holdens' collective discouragement was too much. Syd had invited father and son to her house for dinner. She didn't have the heart to send them back to Blackwater Lake Lodge. As nice as her sister-in-law, Cam, made the place, it wasn't a home. The least she could do was not condemn them to another meal in a restaurant. She offered to fix a home-cooked meal for the boys.

And if she was being honest, with her dad spending all his free time with Loretta, Syd was a little lonely eating by herself.

She and Burke were sitting outside in patio chairs at the round table that could accommodate four. They were sipping white wine while Liam kicked around an old soccer ball that had once belonged to one of her brothers. Glancing over, she noted that Burke's expression was troubled. Being unable to make a home happen for his son had to be really hard for a man used to holding power and getting what he wanted. Or making it happen.

“The first place wasn't that bad,” she said, trying to cheer him up.

When he met her gaze, his was wry. “If you like sharing your living space with a raccoon family.”

“You don't know animals were occupying it. That was the agent's speculation.”

“More like an educated guess. Based on the fact that the cabinets were rifled through and the place was trashed. Looked like wolves lived there.”

“Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Raccoon had a party and invited friends.” She sipped her wine, then said, “I know, maybe it was the kids. The folks were out hunting and gathering while the teenagers threw a kegger without permission.”

One corner of his mouth curved up. “Nice try.”

“I thought it was pretty good, actually. I can only conclude that you're determined to pout.”

“When you put it like that...” He was slumped in the chair, head resting on the thick outdoor pad. His gaze followed his son, running around chasing the black-and-white ball. “Look how much he's enjoying being outside. I don't think Cam would sanction him practicing headers and goal kicks in our suite at the lodge.”

“I would put in a good word, but you're probably right about that.” Syd laughed. “But it's not the end of the world. You have four walls and a roof over your head. A two-bedroom suite. Best in town.”

“And it's lovely.” He rolled his head to the side and glanced at her. “Can I just say that this resort can't be built too soon. Blackwater Lake needs more housing options.”

“I can see why you'd think so.”

“If only I didn't have to be here, but I've found that things go a lot faster and smoother if I'm on site from the beginning, meeting face-to-face with people, keeping everyone accountable for the work. Flying back and forth to troubleshoot really slows things down.”

She nodded. “I see your point.”

“For the record,” he said, “I'm not pouting. Just disappointed.”

Liam kicked the ball toward where they were sitting then flopped in the chair beside his father's. He took a sip from the glass of lemonade in front of him. “What are we gonna do, Dad?”

“About what?”

“A place to live.”

“It would appear that we have no choice but to stay where we are, son.”

“Really? No way. Todd lives in a nice house and has a really big backyard. We played tag today with his little sister. She was ‘it' all the time 'cuz we were faster.”

Syd wasn't sure how that information was connected to the current problem, but figured all would be revealed. “Sounds like you had fun today.”

“Yeah.” He looked at his father. “But you always say when you get invited somewhere you should invite them back. How can I do that? We can't play tag in a hotel.”

Burke's mouth pulled tight. “We'll think of some way to reciprocate.”

“What?” Liam rubbed a knuckle under his nose.

“Return the favor,” Burke explained.

“I don't see how.” He slumped in his chair and looked like Burke's Mini-Me. “I'm the only kid in my class who lives in a hotel.”

“Technically, it's a lodge,” Syd said. “And have you asked everyone in the class where they live?”

“No.” Liam thought for a moment. “But I haven't seen any of them at the lodge. And I would have if they lived there.”

“Good point.” She met Burke's gaze and whispered, “I think he's going to be a lawyer when he grows up.”

That got a grin, but it faded fast. Syd could see that it was killing him not to be able to give his son what he wanted most and blamed himself for the fact that he couldn't. She fully expected his next words to be about a trip to the toy store—to buy something to make him feel better. But his comment surprised her.

“I'm bummed about the situation, too, Liam. But there's not really anything I can do to change it. We're lucky to have a nice place to live and enough food to eat. There are a lot of people in the world who don't have that.”

“Yeah, I know. That doesn't mean it doesn't stink.”

“I hear you, buddy.”

“You know, Liam,” she said, “if you want to be outside with friends, there's the park. It's brand-new—just opened officially a few weeks ago.” One of her first very public “dates” with Burke. “There's lots of room to run and fun equipment to play on. Or you could come over here.” She held out a hand, indicating all the space available for running and playing. “This is a big yard and my dad still has my brothers' basketball and portable hoop, baseball and mitt. Lots of stuff to use outdoors. You're welcome to come over anytime.”

“Really?” Blue eyes so like his father's glowed with excitement.

“Really.
Mi casa, su casa
. And, before you ask, that's Spanish for my house is your house. Just give me a call before you come over. Okay?”

“Awesome! Thanks, Syd.”

“You're welcome.”

“I'm going to practice soccer again. It would be more fun if Todd was here, though.”

“We'll work on making that happen,” Syd promised.

“Cool.” Liam stood, then walked over, leaned down and hugged her. “Thanks.”