Loretta shook her head and put her hand on his arm. “You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit, Tom. I know how difficult that time was for you, suddenly losing your wife. Then you were thrown into the deep end of the pool with two young boys and an infant daughter to bring up by yourself, while running your own business. The McKnight kids didn’t get to be successful adults without your guidance and being a steady role model for them.”
“You’re making me blush.” He took Loretta’s hand in his own and smiled tenderly at her.
“I could go on torturing you,” she teased. “I know how you hate to have anyone singing your praises.”
Burke watched the older couple banter and laugh, comfortable with each other and clearly in love. From what Syd had said and Loretta had just corroborated, he knew Tom McKnight had had a rough go of it and had been alone for a long time. Burke realized how much his daughter loved him. She wanted him to be happy and was going above and beyond so that he would take the next step in his relationship.
A small deception. Wrong thing; right reason. Theirs was a close and loving relationship forged by his being there day after day. It made Burke feel even more guilty than usual about the long stretches of time he spent away from his own son.
Dinner was really pleasant and surprisingly interrogation-free, right up until the dessert menus arrived.
Syd looked hers over. “I’d love some coffee and just a few bites of something sweet.”
“Order it and just eat what you want,” Burke suggested.
“That’s so wasteful,” she protested. “And, unlike my leftover steak, dessert can be pretty unappetizing the next day.”
“We could split something.”
“I’m not sure we could agree and I don’t want you to compromise for me.”
“I’d be happy to compromise for you,” he said. “But what if we do agree?”
“Okay. Tell me what your favorite is.” She tilted her head to the side, making her neck look longer and even more tempting.
Quite possibly a nibble right at the juncture of her neck and shoulder could be his favorite, but that wasn’t what she’d meant. So he answered honestly. “The mile-high chocolate cake. I’ve been all over the world and it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. Anywhere.”
“What do you know?” She smiled as if he’d given her the moon. “That just happens to be my all-time favorite, too.”
“Then the deal is sealed.”
When the waiter returned they ordered coffee all-around, one piece of cake and four forks. It was definitely enough for the whole table to share.
“Speaking of deals...are you two getting serious?” Tom glanced at Burke, then at Sydney.
“Dad!” She looked mortified. “Inappropriate.”
“Not for a father,” he insisted.
“Are you asking me what my intentions are?” Burke questioned.
“Sounds old-fashioned when you put it like that, but I guess that is what I’m asking.”
This potential line of inquiry hadn’t come up in their planning session. He looked at Sydney, wondering if she wanted to tackle that one, but she still looked shocked and speechless.
“Well, sir, for now we’re taking things slow. Just getting to know each other. We both agree that’s the best idea. Then we’ll see what happens.”
Tom mulled it over, then nodded. “Seems wise to do that.”
Burke had to conclude that they’d passed the first hurdle. He’d done his best to answer everything honestly and still keep his word to Syd. But he realized that he liked her a lot and that was another topic they hadn’t talked about. What if he actually wanted to date her?
In fact, tonight was their first official date and he was seriously considering taking things to the next level.
* * *
Sydney watched Burke charge the dinner-for-four to his room at the lodge and she was incredibly appreciative of the gesture. He and her father had done the masculine tug-of-war over the check that men always do, but Burke, as they said, was younger and faster. Although thanks had been expressed, she made a mental note to thank him again for his generosity the next time she saw him. And offer to split the bill with him.
The four of them stood and walked toward the restaurant exit, her father and Loretta in the lead. Burke leaned over and whispered close to her ear, “How do you think we did?”
It was difficult to form a reply, what with her unexpected breathlessness at his nearness. But she managed to recover. “We did pretty well,” she admitted. “Loretta jumping in for backup was unexpected, but certainly strengthened the narrative we were promoting.”
“Good. Apparently I played my part adequately, then.”
“Adequate sets a very low bar for what you did. Your act was perfect.”
Before she could say more, the couple in front of them stopped and waited. They were standing by the rustic stone fireplace in the lodge lobby with the registration desk nearby. Leather sofa and chairs formed a comfortable conversation area.
Tom extended his hand. “Burke, thanks again for dinner. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“Same here, sir.” He looked at the mayor. “I believe we have a meeting this week.”
She nodded. “We need to discuss local concerns about the resort.”
“I’ll be there to answer any and all questions.” He didn’t look the least bit concerned and his superior confidence was incredibly attractive.
“Are you ready to go, Syd?” her dad asked.
“You’re leaving?” Burke put his hand at the small of her back.
“I rode into town with Dad and Loretta. So...” She shrugged.
“Stay for a nightcap.” His eyes had just the right amount of intensity for a smitten man who didn’t want to say good-night yet. “I’ll drive you home.”
She wanted to protest that this wasn’t part of the plan, but that would blow their cover for sure. “You must be tired after a long day. I don’t want you to go out of your way.”
“If I can spend more time with you, driving you home is not going out of my way.” Now a definite challenge joined the intensity in his eyes.
Syd wasn’t sure what game he was playing and was wary of jumping in with her “come and get me” high heels. She’d picked this particular dress on purpose, knowing it was a little dangerous. The point had been to prove that she’d been dressing for a man’s approval. This was an inconvenient time to realize it had done the job maybe a bit too well. When push came to shove she really had no choice.
She gave him her most brilliant smile and said, “I would love to stay. You don’t mind, do you, Dad?”
“Of course not. As long as you make it to work on time in the morning.”
She kissed his cheek while her own was flushed with the implication that she’d spend the night with Burke. “I won’t be late tonight.”
“But don’t wait up,” Burke said. “When Syd and I start talking, we lose track of time.”
“Take good care of my girl.” Her dad had that protective expression on his face.
“I will, sir. Good night.”
When the older couple was gone, Burke took her hand and tucked it into the bend of his elbow before turning toward the lodge bar, where she’d first met him to propose this unlikely collaboration.