A Decent Proposal

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.

“Who?”

She 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.”

One corner of his mouth rose but with the sunglasses she couldn’t see his expression. Her father joined them and there wasn’t time for the stranger to respond.

“Sydney Marie McKnight, what in the world is going on? You’ve got some explaining to do.”

“This is my dad, Tom McKnight.” She slid her hand into the man’s large palm and smiled up at him. “Dad, this is... This is the man I’ve been going out with.” Dear God, she didn’t know his name! She was holding his hand and didn’t feel a wedding ring, so that was something.

The man she’d “been going out with” pushed the sunglasses to the top of his head. Amusement sparkled in his eyes. They were blue—a shade just on the other side of piercing and guaranteed to make a woman weak in the knees.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” He held out his right hand. “Burke Holden.”

Okay, then. The sports-car-driving, expensive-suit-wearing stranger didn’t plan to rat her out just yet.

Her father shook the man’s hand, but suspicion was written all over his face. “So you’re going out with my daughter.”

“That’s what she tells me.”

Very smooth, she thought. Quick, too. Fate would no doubt charge an exorbitant fee for putting a man with exactly the right skill set directly in her path. But that was a problem for another time.

“I haven’t seen you around Blackwater Lake.” Tom folded his arms over his chest.

“My company owns that property up on the mountain.” It wasn’t a direct response, just the insinuation that he’d been spending a lot of time here.

“Where the new resort is going to be.”

“Yes, sir.”

Syd liked the feel of her hand in the stranger’s since the contact made it much easier to play this part. “You know better than anyone, Dad, that Mayor Goodson has worked hard to promote expansion in Blackwater Lake. She’s determined to do it in a responsible, balanced way—not duplicating established businesses but attract new ones. And that will create the need for more services, jobs, build the tax base in a slow, steady, stable way. More people move to town and their cars need maintenance and repair.”

“Part of the resort deal includes building a small regional airport,” Burke explained. “There’s no point in expanding anything without giving folks transportation choices to get here more easily.”

“Makes sense.” Tom nodded. “So you’re not looking to put Blackwater Lake Lodge out of business? Because my daughter-in-law owns it.”

Her family did actually, but Syd decided to keep that thought to herself. Camille Halliday McKnight had married her doctor brother, Ben. In the beginning, she’d had her doubts about the heiress but Cam was the sweetest, most down-to-earth filthy rich person Syd had ever met. And her brother was happy, which was the most important thing.

“No, sir. My company is interested in building condominiums with retail space below. A mixed-use development. The project is big enough to bring in revenue to existing local businesses. Workers will need lodging and food. It’s a win for everyone.”

“Maybe.” Eyes narrowed, Tom looked down at her but directed the next question to Burke. “How long have you known my daughter?”

Oh, boy. Time to jump in and help. “Dad, have you ever met someone and right from the beginning you felt as if you’d known them your whole life?”

“No. And in case you’re wondering, I noticed you didn’t answer the question.”

“Look, Dad—” The sound of the office phone ringing interrupted.

“I’ll get it. But we’re not finished with this, Sydney.” Her father gave her a dad look then headed inside to answer the call.

When they were alone, Syd blew out a long breath. “Thanks for going along, Mr. Holden—”

“Burke, please. After all, we’re going out. I’m the guy you met and felt as if you’d known all your life.” His voice was teasing, his smile incredibly attractive. “So, do you want to tell me what that was all about?”

“Not really, but I owe you an explanation.” She gathered her thoughts. “Here goes. Twenty-five words or less. You’re obviously a busy man.”

“Yes, but this is the most intriguing thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“I doubt that, but okay. If you say so.” A man who looked like him probably had intriguing encounters with women every day. “My dad has been a widower for a long time, actually since the day I was born.”

“Your mother died in childbirth?” He looked shocked.