Roadside Attraction (Castle View Series Book 2) (10 page)

“You haven’t heard a word I said, have you?” Cari’s voice broke up his thoughts and he realized she already parked the truck in front of the restaurant.

“Of course.” He paused and cocked his head to look over her shoulder. Parked in front of the restaurant was his Indian. A grinning Norm stood next to the bike. He opened the truck door and jogged toward him. “I didn’t think you’d get this done for another week.”

Norm stroked the gas tank as Josh kneeled on the asphalt, checking out the new cable. “My buddy just happened to have someone coming up this way, so he dropped it off. I had to try it out so I rode it up here hoping you were working today. Of course if you weren’t, it would have just given me more time to test ride.”

Josh looked up into the big man’s grinning face. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”

“Smooth as a Cadillac. You’ve got a good one there. Make sure you keep an eye out on the maintenance on your trip. You don’t want to get stuck in some remote area and have to walk out.” A horn blared from the pickup parked across the lot. “The old lady has to get to work. I better go.”

Josh dug in his wallet, but didn’t have enough cash to pay the bill. “I’ll stop by after work and settle up with you.”

“Works for me. Mostly you’re just paying for my time and as anyone around here will tell you, I’m kind of cheap.” He slapped Josh on the back and headed to the red truck with Norm’s Auto Body painted on the side of the door. The woman inside waved to Josh before motioning to her husband to hurry up.

“Margo’s had him on a short leash since they were high school sweethearts. But he adores her.” Cari stood next to Josh watching the truck leave. She stroked the silver handle bar of the bike. “I guess we’re losing our new chef now?”

He pocketed the key and stepped away from the bike. “I’ll stay until Maggie gets the new chef hired. I hate to have Bryan have to prep and cook all by himself.”

“He’d probably try and the kitchen would be a complete mess. Maggie would probably have to cook.” Cari fell into step beside him and when they reached the entry door, pulled out a ring of keys. “At least now, I don’t have to be your driver. You were beginning to be quite a bother.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute. However, I do appreciate the rides.” He smiled at her as he headed into the kitchen. “Time to cook.”

As he worked with Bryan that morning, the food didn’t distract him from a vague feeling of emptiness. When he’d left home, the excitement of “what could be” filled his thoughts as he packed. Now, there was just a hunger for one woman. And even though she’d said she’d think about going with him, he knew in his heart she’d never leave.

Staying here was just prolonging the agony. Hopefully, Maggie would find a replacement chef fast so he could leave sooner than later.

“So, Destiny, what do you do?” Sandy Castle’s question seemed to come out of the blue after they’d been seated at the best table overlooking the tiger enclosure. The fact that it was the exact table Maggie had been at when she‘d first saw Josh wasn’t lost on her. She’d been watching Thor pace the side of his outdoor cage, understanding the huge cat’s unease. He might be stalking something Maggie couldn’t see from this angle. She
had
seen Josh’s bike parked in her lot when they’d arrived for lunch. She’d paused so long in front of the bike that Brad had to come back from the doorway and put his hand on her arm to get her moving. Now, over cups of steaming hot coffee to start the meal, the real show was about to begin.

Destiny put her cup down and started to answer, but Brad cut her off. “Destiny’s opening a new business in town. Castle View Holdings is looking into supplying her some capital outlay for the start up.”

Maggie jerked her head toward her brother. Seriously, he was just going to lay it out there? They were bribing the woman to take care of mom and Brad just told her about the carrot they were offering.

“Brooks, that’s not a local name, is it?” As Mom spoke, Brad’s words seemed to seep into her brain and she frowned, looking at Maggie and Brad. “I’m not sure we’re in a position to take on new projects. Have you cleared this with Mark?”

Maggie hid her smile behind her napkin. Brad was a genius. Now her mother thought that they were trying to pull one over on the older brother, not her. She pointed to an item on the specials list that Cari had printed up that morning. She ignored her mother‘s question and addressed Destiny. “Our new chef has experience in Latin flavors. You should try his enchiladas. They’re only on the menu for a short time.”

Mostly because now that the bike was ready, Josh would be leaving and a new chef would be bringing his or her own experience to the kitchen. She thought of the email the employment service had sent her yesterday with a list of possible candidates. All she had to do was call and set up interviews. A task she would complete this afternoon, before Josh could tell her exactly when he’d be leaving.

“My folks live in Ohio, I’m not from the area. I just love it here.” Destiny focused on the menu. “I went to Mexico last summer on a charity jaunt. My class spent two months working in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Mexico City. It was eye-opening how little access they have to health care there. Of course, the food was amazing. Very rustic and sometimes—people brought in pots of soups and stews to pay for our services.”

“So you’re in healthcare.” Mom started the questions again, but then Cari arrived at the table with a sampling plate of appetizers.

“From the chef, he didn’t want you to be hungry while you wait.” Cari took out a notepad and a pen. “Since I’m here, have you decided on your order?”

Destiny handed her the menu. “I’m going with the enchiladas.”

When Brad and her mother chose the same item, Maggie handed off her menu as well. “Might as well make it four.”

Cari put her pen and pad into her apron. “I don’t even need to write this order down.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

Maggie looked around the almost-filled dining room. She’d known reservations had increased this week, but it seemed like they might just have a full house by the time noon arrived with a waiting list. The restaurant was thriving. If she wanted to leave, this would be a perfect time to hand the reins over to a new manager. One Mark could bully into making the changes that she knew would only hurt business.

Stop thinking about leaving
. Maggie watched the people sitting around the table and took a deep breath. Focus on the moment. The right decision would come to her if she stopped over-analyzing everything. She focused on Destiny. “Mexico, huh? That’s a long way from St. Josephs or Ohio. Tell me about the Mayan ruins, did you get to go there? I’ve always wanted to see them.”

Her mother shot her a look, but then Destiny started talking and before they knew it, the meal had finished. Maggie pushed away her plate, still tasting the green chili sauce and smelling the peppers that somehow, didn’t overwhelm the dish. She was going to miss Josh for many reasons, his cooking was only one of them.

“So, I’m looking for a place to stay.” Destiny took the last bite from her own plate and looked hopefully at Sandy. Maggie’s mother must have felt the pressure because she put her own fork down.

“Have you checked into the hotels in St. Josephs?” Sandy put her napkin on her plate and a bus boy came to clear the dishes.

“I’m over at the Colonial Inn now. I was hoping to find somewhere I could rent a room in a real house. I’m very quiet, I don’t smoke, and I don’t have any pets. Although that will be fixed as soon as I buy my own house. I’m already volunteering at the rescue and walking dogs there. It’s funny how much love those animals can show just for a bit of kindness.” Destiny smiled and as Maggie watched, her brother melted.

“I’d offer you a room, but Tami hasn’t quite moved out yet. I want to make sure she feels like she has a home to come to during her school breaks.” Maggie pursed her lips like she was thinking. “Mom, what about my old room? You and Shane could use another person to fill up that big house.”

Mom narrowed her eyes but then slowly nodded. “I guess we could try it out for a while. I’m sure once you get settled, you can find a perfect house to buy.”

“That’s the plan. I’m just hesitant to go all in. Opening a business is scary enough. I’d rather not plow into adulthood with a business, a house, and a dog in one fell swoop.” Destiny grinned. “I promise. I’ll be a great roommate. I can’t cook like Maggie’s chef, but I make a mean potato soup.”

“We’ll figure out the details later.” Sandy smiled at the young woman. “When do you want to move in?”

“My rent at the hotel is paid through Friday. Can I move in this weekend? Mostly it’s clothes and books, nothing heavy.” She paused. “You do have a bed I can use, right?”

“Of course.” Sandy reached over and patted her hand. “Brad will stop by on Saturday morning and bring you and your things over.”

Destiny’s eyes went wide as she looked toward Brad. “I don’t really need help.”

“No problem. I don’t have a thing planned this weekend.” Brad smiled. “Now, if you ladies are ready, I need to get back to the winery.”

“And I need to get to my office.” Maggie stood and smiled at Destiny. “Welcome to Castle View. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”

She kissed her mother on the cheek. As she leaned close, her mom whispered in her ear, “Did you see the way Brad looks at her?”

Maggie nodded as she rose, giving her mother a conspiratory wink. So that was why Mom had agreed to take on a new roommate. One that she didn’t realize was there, not for Brad’s sake, but her own. Man, they were all going to be in trouble as soon as the truth came out. As she through the dining room, she wondered if her mother hadn’t been right in her assessment. Maybe Brad Castle had finally fallen under someone’s spell? Of course, they were as different as night and day. And even though she liked the giving, comforting Destiny, she didn’t know what the girl might see in her egotistical, self-centered brother. But his attraction had gotten the results they’d wanted. Her mom would be safe.

As the night wore on, she realized she’d left her car at the winery. As they were serving the last table, she poked her head into the kitchen. Bryan was cooking with Josh watching over him.

“Perfect. If you make sure your pan is hot and the scallops are dry, you’ll always get great color.” He slapped Bryan on the back, then turn and saw her watching them. “Hey Maggie. Bryan’s picking up quick. Before you know it, you won’t even need me.” His smile seemed forced and disappeared as soon as he turned away.

And that’s exactly how you want it.
Maggie pushed away the retort and pasted on a smile. “Maybe I should put off hiring an executive chef and just hire another line cook. What do you think Bryan?”

“Man, I’m so not ready. This guy makes everything look easy. I swear I’ve learned more from him this week than I ever learned from Tony. That guy was an idiot.” Bryan didn’t meet her gaze as he plated the last order. “You need to keep Josh around so we can up our game here. I can’t believe how much a few tweaks can change a dish for the better. Service.”

The waitress came to deliver the plates as Bryan turned off the ovens.

“Can I talk to you?” She motioned to Josh.

He shrugged. “We’ve got a lot to do before we’re done for the night.”

“Go ahead, man, I can get a start on this.” Bryan’s grin filled his entire face. “Then I want to write down what we talked about so I can try it at home tomorrow morning before I come in. You’re a food genius.”

“Food god, but who’s bragging.” Josh nodded to Maggie and they stepped out of the kitchen into the hallway. “You want to have this conversation on your couch?”

She shook her head, pressing her lips together. “All I wanted to ask you was if you’d give me a ride to the winery to pick up my car. Brad drove me here when we had lunch with Mom.”

“I heard about that. Everything okay?” He searched her face and Maggie wondered what he saw there. Concern, fear, desire?

“Better than okay. I’ll tell you about it later.” She nodded to the kitchen door. “Let me know when you’re done. I’ll be in my office.”

She didn’t wait for a response, but as she turned, he grabbed her arm and turned her toward him. He kissed her quickly on the lips. “Glad to know.”

Then he disappeared back into the kitchen and she was left standing there in the hallway, wondering again what she was going to do.

She’d just finished the newest draft of the marketing plan for Mark when the door to her office opened.

“I thought you forgot about me.” She looked up into Cari’s face and quickly explained her surprise. “Oh, I thought you were Josh. He’s giving me a ride to my car.”

Cari pointed to the phone where a blinking light showed a call on hold. “You need to take that.”

Maggie glanced at the wall clock. It was almost midnight. Who would be calling now? “Seriously? Did we put someone in the hospital with our food tonight?” She grinned and reached for the phone.

Cari put her hand out to stop her. “Honey, it’s Mark. Your mom was Life Flighted out to Spokane a few minutes ago.”

Maggie batted Cari’s hand away and picked up the phone. “What happened?”

She listened as her brother explained that their mother had fallen down the third floor stairs. Apparently, from what Shane had told him, she’d been cleaning out Maggie’s old room and taking a box up to the attic for storage.

“Is she okay?” Maggie couldn’t breathe. “I should have told her I’d come get the last of my stuff. Why was she even cleaning?”

“We don’t know. Abbie and I are already on the way to the hospital. Shane’s staying with Becca.” She heard noise from the car. “Look, I need to call Brad. I’ll let you know when I hear something.”

“No way. What hospital is she at, I’m coming too.” She wrote down the name of the hospital, ended the conversation with her brother, and then grabbed her purse. She took two steps and stopped in her tracks. She didn’t have her car.

Cari waited in the doorway. Not trusting that the tears wouldn’t start falling, she didn’t tell her everything, just asked one question. “Can you take me to the winery?”

“Of course.”

They started to the door when Josh arrived. He looked between the two women. “What’s wrong?”

Maggie lost it. She fell into Josh’s arms and told him about her mother’s accident. As she talked, he walked her outside, and handed her his helmet. “Get on the bike.”

They made the short trip to the winery in record time. As she struggled out of the helmet, he helped her unbuckle the strap. “Give me your keys.”

Digging in her purse, she sniffed. “I can open my own door.”

“I’m not opening your door. I’m driving you to Spokane. You’re in no shape to drive.” He held his hand out. “Your keys?”

She made a decision. She was too tired to fight. Besides, that way she’d actually get through the mountains without wrecking her car. He walked her over to the passenger side and opened the door for her. He put his helmet into the back seat.

As he started the car and backed out of the parking spot, he glanced at her. “I do need one thing though.” He paused the car at the edge of the parking lot.

“What?” She rocked in her seat, willing the car to move.

“Directions to Spokane and the hospital.”

She pointed left, then after a few false starts, had the address keyed into the GPS device Brad had bought for her as a joke last Christmas.
Just in case you ever have to go anywhere
, the card had read. And of course, except for taking Tami to school, she’d never used the thing. Now she was glad to have it.

As the miles passed, she closed her eyes and prayed for her mother.  She felt his hand cover her own.

“Are you okay?”

She took a deep breath. “I don’t know if I can go on if I lose her too.”

“She’s going to be okay.” He swore under his breath and she felt the car jerk, then speed around something in the road and then return to their lane.

She took tissues out of her glove box and wiped her eyes. “You don’t know that.”