A Decent Proposal

by Teresa Southwick

  “I have the best boss in the world.”

  “She has three grown sons,” Syd pointed out wryly. “I guess it’s all sorted out?”

  “Yeah. I can keep Todd here with me for the lunch shift, then run him home when the sitter’s there.”

  “I’m not a baby.” Todd’s tone was defensive and resentful.

  “You’re right,” his mom said. “And your dad and I have raised you to use words. Hitting someone is never okay.”

  “Dad said I should defend myself if someone is picking on me.”

  Syd stared at Liam. She didn’t know him well but he seemed like a sweet kid going through a difficult time, not a bully. “Were you picking on Todd?”

  “No.” The single word was defensive and resentful. The two boys were obstinate and hostile.

  “Hi, Vi.” The waitress—her name tag said Carla—came over to the table to take their orders. “What can I get you?”

  When asked what they wanted the boys both lifted their shoulders in a shrug. Syd and Violet exchanged a glance then agreed on two Mama Bear combos and two Bear Cub combos that consisted of chicken nuggets, fries and a soft drink.

  When they were alone again Violet said, “Liam is new in town, Todd. In Blackwater Lake we make people feel welcome.”

  “I wasn’t mean,” he protested.

  Syd had a feeling any blame for the altercation could be shared equally and in the spirit of peace negotiations it might be best not to single either of them out.

  “You know,” she said, “sometimes stuff just happens and gets out of hand. I think the school sends everyone involved home to think about it and figure out how to handle things differently in the future.” She glanced at Violet, who nodded slightly.

  “Sydney’s right. This was a learning experience that you didn’t have to get sitting at a desk in the classroom. A teachable moment.”

  “Does that mean we have homework?” Todd’s expression was supposed to be innocent, but smacked of nine-year-old sarcasm.

  Liam snickered. “That was a good one.”

  And the tension was broken. Todd pulled a couple of superhero action figures from his backpack, which seemed to surprise his mother—the toys probably shouldn’t have been taken to school. A talk for another time. The boys each took a figure and started fake fighting with them, reaching across the table.

  “I see the potential spilling hazards of this,” Violet said. “But I don’t have the heart to break this up. They’re getting along. Talking.”

  “Like us.” Syd smiled.

  “Yeah. Who’d have thought?”

  “You know I realized something after you brought your car into the shop.” Syd unrolled silverware from her paper napkin and checked out the boys who were paying no attention to the adults. Still, she lowered her voice. “I was never in love with Charlie. We became a habit, not a couple.”

  “How do you know?” Violet looked surprised at the admission. “It’s been ten years. Maybe you’re just over it?”

  She shook her head. “Memories came back when we talked. And a little while ago outside school I knew you were trying not to laugh when I asked if Liam wanted to tell me what happened. It hit me. After you guys left, I missed you. I was mourning the loss of my best friend.”

  There were tears in Violet’s eyes when she reached across the table to grab Syd’s hand. “I missed you, too.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you moved back. I look forward to having my best friend around again.”

  “I look forward to that, too.”

  The food came then and they all dug in. With the air cleared all around, it seemed everyone was ravenous. A weight lifted from Syd’s shoulders that might not have if she hadn’t been Burke’s emergency contact. This lunch was a good move, for her and Violet and the boys, too. Not unexpectedly, they finished first.

  “Mom, I have to go to the bathroom.”

  “Me, too,” Liam said.

  Syd and Violet slid from the booth, letting the boys out. One of them said, “Race you,” and the two took off.

  “I was going to tell them no water fights,” Syd said, “but I didn’t want to give them any ideas.”

  “You have good mom instincts.” Violet dragged a French fry through ketchup.

  “I consider that a compliment. It has to be said that you handled this thing at school really well. No freaking out or overreacting. So calm and common sense.”

  “Thanks.” Vi got a look on her face, a tell that personal questions were coming. “So, you’re the emergency contact for Burke Holden’s son.”

  “Yeah.”

  “C’mon, Syd. Give. Details. What’s the story?”

  “We’re friends.” She shrugged. “He asked, and like you told Todd, folks in Blackwater Lake try to make newcomers feel welcome.”

  “I know you, Syd.” Violet’s eyes narrowed. “There’s something you’re not saying.”

  There were a lot of things she wasn’t saying and didn’t plan to. It was tempting to talk to her friend and share everything like she used to. But in this situation she couldn’t. Not that Violet would spill the beans, but it could get awkward for her. Syd didn’t want to put their newly repaired friendship in jeopardy.

  Before she could answer, she saw Burke enter the diner, look around and head in her direction. He stopped at the end of their booth and she thought her heart would jump right out of her chest. This was unexpected and she was really happy to see him. Too happy for her peace of mind.

  “I got here as soon as I could. What happened? Where’s Liam?”

  “In the restroom,” Syd said. Then she proceeded to explain about the fight and the fact that the boys had worked out their differences. There was nothing to worry about.

  “I’m really sorry to involve you, Syd,” he said. “And Violet, I apologize if my son caused you any trouble. It won’t happen again.”

  She laughed. “I appreciate that, but I won’t hold you to it. Kids are unpredictable. On the upside, stuff blows over pretty quickly. Don’t worry about this.”

  “That’s very generous of you.” He looked at Syd. “When I made you my emergency contact, I never dreamed that I’d really have to take you up on it. Liam will have consequences for this behavior, I assure you. I’m thinking in terms of grounding him for the rest of his life.”

  “I think a father-son talk might do more good,” she suggested. “He’s been yanked out of his comfort zone and is probably reacting to that. Besides, he and Todd seem to have made peace.”

  “And dare I say it?” Violet asked. “Maybe a friendship is budding?”

  “That would be great.” He looked at each of them. “As a gesture of goodwill, I took care of the lunch check.”

  “Very generous of you. Have you eaten yet?” Violet’s tone was full of questions that had nothing to do with his lunch and everything to do with Syd and any relationship she might have with the handsome hotshot businessman. When he shook his head, she said, “Please join us. But before you do, it has to be said that the boys have been in the bathroom longer than seems necessary. We need a man to go in there and make sure there are no water fights going on.”

  “I can do that.” He smiled at each of them. “Back in a minute.”

  “He’s cute,” Violet commented when he was out of earshot. “How did you meet him?”

  “He brought his car in to the shop for an oil change.” That was absolutely true. “And then things took off from there.”

  And how.

  Burke had said he liked her and would have gotten around to dating her on his own. Maybe that was the truth. Maybe it wasn’t. But they were after different things from a relationship. He didn’t want more children and that was a deal breaker for her. As far as she could see, there was no way to negotiate a compromise.

 
As far as she was concerned it would be better if he stuck to her proposal. That would be the decent thing to do.

  * * *

  On the drive back to work Syd had some time to think. Violet deeply regretted the way she’d handled falling in love with Charlie—she really was sorry about not being honest with Syd right from the start. Making peace with Violet was a relief and that realization made the burden of deceiving her father even more troublesome.

  She pulled in to the automotive lot and parked her car, then went straight to the main office, where her dad was behind his flat-topped metal desk doing computer work. Before she could say anything, he glanced up and something about his expression reminded her of being sixteen years old and waiting for a boy to pick her up. He was troubled about something.

  “How did things work out with Liam?” Tom’s voice was soft and even, as if he was trying too hard to appear unconcerned.

  “He’s suspended from school for the rest of the day. Fighting.” She slid her hands into the pockets of her work pants. “Coincidentally, the other boy involved was Violet’s son, Todd. We took them to lunch. Violet’s idea, actually. But I remembered how you used to do that with Alex and Ben when they were in some kind of trouble.”

  She was talking too much, a sure sign of being nervous. It wasn’t easy, but she forced herself to shut up.

  Even her compliment didn’t coax a smile from her father. “That’s good it all worked out.”

  “What’s wrong, Dad?” When he opened his mouth to protest, she held up her hand to stop what she knew was coming. “Save it. I know when something’s bothering you, so get it off your chest.”

  “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 bei
ng 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

  “Thanks 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.