A Decent Proposal

by Teresa Southwick

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.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled, marveling at the abundance of youthful energy as he kicked the ball nearly to the back fence and ran after it.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Burke echoed. “I owe you. Again. It seems my debt to you just keeps growing, a helping-hand tab.”

  “No big deal. It’s like you said about returning favors. Paying it forward. When my dad needed help, folks were there. It’s the Blackwater Lake way.”

  “And this town is a great place. But—” He reached over and linked his fingers with hers. “I can’t think of anyone I would rather be in debt to.”

  Oh, my. The warmth of his hand made her tingle and the heated look in his eyes had her wishing they were alone. This presented her with a dilemma. Her dad knew the truth about them pretending to be an item. Burke knew her dad knew so there was no reason for pretense, no need to act as if they were attracted. Unless they really were attracted.

  He was voluntarily holding her hand and looking at her as if he wanted to take her upstairs and ravage her. And she would very much like to be ravaged by Burke Holden.

  But...how she hated that word. She also felt a swell of contentment. A peek into what it would be like to have a family of her own.

  And that was a problem.

  Sex was a purely biological need. But if the physical need became an emotional attachment, then things dipped into dangerous territory.

  The conversation with her friend Maggie echoed her father’s concerns. Burke didn’t live in Blackwater Lake. This was all temporary, with very little chance of working out in the long run. She had to keep her heart out of the equation, keep it from getting crushed.

  It had happened once and even though that was a long time ago, a girl didn’t ever forget how bad it felt. This was not a good time to remember that distance from Burke was what she needed. Unfortunately she’d just offered him her house as a playground.

  * * *

  About five minutes after Burke and Liam left Syd was still putting the finishing touches on cleaning up the kitchen. Hamburgers and paper plates didn’t make a big mess, but the sink needed a scrub and the granite counters could use a wiping down. She heard the sound of the front door opening and closing, followed by her father walking into the kitchen. He was holding the soccer ball in his hands.

  “Don’t tell me. This is a clue that you’re leaving the family business to train for the women’s World Cup.”

  “Very funny.” She folded up the dishrag and settled it over the hump between the two sinks. “You just missed Burke and Liam. I invited them over for dinner and got out the ball for the kid. He needed to run around.”

  “I see.”

  Syd hated when her father said that. It sounded so relaxed, rational and reasonable, but she knew it really meant he didn’t see at all. The words didn’t quite take on the impact of disapproval because the tone wasn’t there. But it was awfully close.

  As always
happened, those two one-syllable words goaded her into an attempt to change his attitude. “Burke asked me to go with them to look at rental houses. Now that his son is here with him, he’d like to get out of the lodge and into something more family-oriented.”

  “How’d that go?” Her dad tucked the ball underneath his arm, then leaned back against the island across from her.

  “You know as well as I do that there’s very little for lease around here that’s decent and available. It was a complete bust.”

  “You felt bad and asked them to stay for dinner.”

  She shouldn’t be surprised that he knew her so well, but somehow she was. “Yeah. Liam needed to let off some steam, get rid of that energy.”

  “I see.”

  There it was again. That response was starting to make her teeth hurt. She might as well put everything out there, including the standing invitation she’d initiated.

  “I told them that any time he needed a yard to play in ours was available.”

  “What about the park?” Her father’s voice was pleasant, the tone unchanged. His expression gave no clue about what he was thinking.

  “I mentioned it.”

  Tom nodded thoughtfully. “That’s nice of you to offer our yard.”

  “But?”

  He shook his head. “But nothing. It was a really nice gesture on your part.”

  “But...you’re wondering why I would do that.”

  Instead of confirming, he asked, “How do you feel about Burke?”

  “He’s a good guy.”

  “Romantically,” her father added.

  “There is no romantically. I just think he’s down-to-earth and fun. I like him.”

  “In spite of the fact that he went along with your scheme the first time you met?”

  “We already talked about this,” she reminded him.

  “Not all of it. I see the looks between you two when you think no one is watching. I know how a man looks when he’s got ideas about a woman—”

  “Dad.” She held up her hand for him to stop. They’d had this awkward conversation when she was about twelve and that was an experience she didn’t want to repeat. “I get your drift. Enough said. There’s no need to discuss this.”