A Decent Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page B

you?”
    â€œYeah.” There was an expression in his eyes that said he didn’t want to elaborate. “I think I’ll have the Papa Bear combo.”
    When they closed their menus it was a sign to Michelle and she was back to take their orders. “I’ll have these out in a few minutes.”
    After the diner owner was gone, Burke rested his forearms on the edge of the table and met her gaze. “So what questions do you think your father will ask?”
    â€œFor starters he’ll want to know where and how we met. Just so you know, he won’t go for an online dating service.”
    â€œOh?”
    Syd settled the paper napkin over her knees then straightened the knife, fork and spoon that had been wrapped up inside it. “He’s an old-fashioned guy and doesn’t believe ‘the machines,’ as he calls them, should be a part of meeting your soul mate.”
    â€œOkay. So it has to be a plausible face-to-face encounter.” He linked his fingers. “Where do you hang out that our paths could have crossed?”
    â€œBar None, the bar where locals go. Potter’s Ice Cream Parlor and The Harvest Café. Here at the diner. But word would have gotten out if we even talked for five minutes under the watchful eye of Michelle Crawford.”
    She looked around the diner, with its pictures of grizzly bears on the walls. At the front of the place there was a counter lined with swivel stools. The back half had scattered tables in the center of the room and booths lining the perimeter.
    â€œOkay. Any ideas?” he asked.
    â€œThere’s a multiscreen movie theater at the mall about forty-five minutes away.”
    â€œI’ve been there,” he said.
    â€œDo you like movies?”
    â€œYes. Besides that it’s something a person can do alone and not get pity stares.”
    â€œOh?”
    He nodded. “I’ve noticed that when you eat by yourself people give you weird looks.”
    She realized that he was lonely and it took considerable effort to keep pity out of the look she gave him. It was her sense that he wouldn’t appreciate the sentiment.
    â€œSo, Mr. Gazillionaire Real-Estate Developer, is the crown too tight? Are the jewels too heavy?”
    One corner of his mouth curved up. “I’m not sure what that means.”
    â€œJust that you have buckets of money, expensive clothes, a car that most people drool over and you’re concerned about the way people look at you?”
    He shifted on the seat. “When you put it like that...the correct response would be no.”
    â€œThat’s what I thought.” The glint was back in his eyes and she much preferred that. “So we could have met at the movies.”
    â€œIs that plausible for you?”
    â€œI go alone all the time. It’s relaxing after a marathon shopping spree. For the record no one pities a solo shopper.”
    â€œGood to know.” He nodded. “I’m guessing we’ll need to explore explanations for why no one has seen us around town together.”
    â€œThat one is easy.” She leaned forward. “People in this town talk and we just wanted to keep it quiet. Just for us.”
    â€œVery romantic,” he commented. “That works.”
    â€œSure does. It’s the explanation I got from my dad about why he kept his romance with Mayor Goodson under wraps. A lot longer than what you and I are talking about.” She was still irked about his secrecy. This small charade with Burke might be a little bit about payback. And her comment that she was made of sterner stuff wasn’t just hot air. She could have handled the news about his new relationship. “I’m too old for him to give me the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ line.”
    They discussed things and tossed questions back and forth until he held up his hands in surrender. “I feel as if I should be taking notes.”
    â€œYou’re