A Decent Proposal Read Online Free PDF

shook hands with them.
    â€œSame here. Welcome to Blackwater Lake.” Tillie’s brown eyes brimmed with sympathy when she looked at Syd. “Sorry to interrupt, but we saw you and Violet. You could just cut the awkwardness with a knife. I just had to make sure you’re all right, sweetheart.”
    â€œI am. That’s all water under the bridge. Or over the dam. Whatever the saying is. No need to be concerned about me.”
    Tillie looked relieved. “I’m glad. We always liked Violet and Charlie. Real nice to see them move back where they both grew up. It had to be hard, what happened between you.”
    It had been incredibly hard at the time, Syd recalled. “Time heals all.”
    â€œThere’s my girl.” Tillie smiled and said, “We’ll leave you two alone now. Come along, Pete.”
    â€œTake care, Syd. Truck’s due for that oil change soon,” the older man said.
    â€œSee you then.” She lifted her hand in farewell and watched their backs for as long as she could. When procrastinating was no longer possible, she met Burke’s curious gaze. “So you’re probably jumping to all kinds of conclusions.”
    â€œIt doesn’t take a world-class detective to connect the dots.”
    Syd nodded. “The Charlie they mentioned is a guy I dated in high school and college. I thought he was moving toward a marriage proposal. It turned out that he was—just not to me.”
    â€œViolet?” he ventured.
    â€œYes. She was my best friend since first grade.”
    â€œThat must have been tough.” He reached over and covered her hand with his own. “He’s the one you mentioned. The one who didn’t work out.”
    â€œYup.” She glanced away for a moment. “This is the first time I’ve seen her since all that went down.”
    â€œAnd?”
    She knew he was asking how she was feeling about it all. “I was shocked to see her since my father failed to share the news of her return. But...”
    â€œWhat?” he asked.
    â€œI was so hurt and angry back then.” She shrugged. “It’s all gone. It really is okay that they’re back. Their parents are here and I’m sure happy to have them close by again.”
    â€œSo you’re sure you don’t want to postpone our planning session for another time and place yet to be determined?”
    â€œI’m sure,” she said adamantly. “And even if I wasn’t, no way I would leave. McKnights are made of sterner stuff than that.”
    â€œOkay, then.” He grabbed the menus and handed her one. “What do you recommend?”
    â€œYou tell me. Seems you’ve been here enough that you’re on a first-name basis with people.”
    â€œIt’s a small town.” His look was ironic. “And there aren’t many dining choices. I’ve been here a little over a month and have made the rounds. More than once.”
    â€œIs this where you pitch the new resort as a solution to our cuisine choice issues?”
    â€œNo. This is where I remind you that even if I’d only been here once, I’d stick out like a fly in milk. I’m...memorable.”
    â€œTrue.” It was hard to believe she hadn’t met him before today. Not only because he was right about it being a small town. But she also felt as if they’d known each other much longer. She grinned. “As far as this menu—I like the She Bear burger.”
    He looked down and read the description and raised an eyebrow. “Jalapeño? Mushrooms, bacon and Swiss cheese?”
    â€œI hear disapproval in your tone. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
    He was studying the choices and a sort of tender look came over him. “Liam—my son—would like this place.”
    â€œYou’re looking at the Baby Bear combo.” When he nodded she said, “You miss him, don’t