Roadside Attraction (Castle View Series Book 2) (6 page)

They were getting closer to the turnoff, but she didn’t want to interrupt his story. “I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that.”

Josh shrugged in the dim light. “Maybe, maybe not. But when I asked for a favor, the old man shut me down like I was a second cousin coming to him for money rather than his son.” He leaned forward and pointed to the sign. “There’s a lake up here?”

“Crystal Falls. That’s where we’re heading. It’s a popular spot with the high school gang, but they don’t start coming out until the temperature gets a little warmer, and then, only on the weekends. We’re lucky school doesn’t let out until next week. In two weeks, this place will be packed.” She pulled the car into the small dirt parking lot and shut off the engine.

He got out as well, looking at her over the roof of the car. The full moon lit up the lot like halogen streetlights just for their use. “How far is the lake? You really think it’s safe to hike this time of night?”

She pulled out a duffle from the back seat and took it to the hood, where she zipped open the bag. Rummaging, she finally felt what she wanted. She grabbed the metal cylinder and then tossed it to Josh. “Flashlight for the frightened.”

“I’m not scared. I just haven’t been here before. You probably spend every summer evening here for the last twenty years.” He turned on the light, then clicked it back off, after seeing it worked. “Let me take the duffel. I’ll carry the rest, unless we don’t need what’s in there.”

“Not every evening, but you’re right, I came here a lot. We might want the duffel.” She walked over and handed him the bag.

It was heavy. He looked at her, surprise showing in his face. “What’s in here?”

She grinned and started walking up the path. “Supplies,” she called back. “Come on, let’s get going before the moon hides behind a cloud and it really is dark out here.”

Maggie heard his footsteps behind her and soon he’d caught up and she could feel him stepping in the same rhythm. A few minutes later, they stepped into a clearing and the lake sparkled in front of them. A long dock intersected the lake and she aimed for it. “This way.”

As she got on the dock, she started stripping off her clothes. Goosebumps covered her bare skin. She looked at Josh who still held the duffel and watched her.

“Well, are you swimming or not?” She grinned as she kicked off the heels she’d worn at the restaurant and walking the half-mile path to the lake.

“I didn’t bring a suit.” He looked around at the secluded lake. When his attention came back to her, she had taken off the dress and stood in just her panties and bra.

She smiled and reached around to unhook her bra. “Neither did I.”

She turned and after taking off the last two items, dived into the lake. A second splash followed and all of a sudden, Josh’s arms encircled her body.

Again.

Josh rolled over in the soft bed with the even softer sheets and reached for her. Nothing. He sat up, looking around the room. Had he been dreaming? He took in the room, this definitely wasn’t the stark motel room he’d checked into a few days ago. No, he hadn’t been dreaming about last night. The feel of her body in that cold water. Her kisses, demanding and soft as the same time. He groaned as his body reacted to the memory. “Calm down boy, we need to figure out the lay of the land this morning.”

A door opened and Maggie stepped into the room wrapped in an oversized towel and using a second one to dry her hair. “Did you say something?”

“Just reacting to the view.” He stood and crossed the room. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When his grasp lowered and started exploring, she pushed him away with a laugh.

“Go take a shower. We’ve got to hit the Farmer’s Market this morning or we won’t have any fresh fish for tonight’s dinner. Dirk, the fish monger, sells out quick, then he leaves to go back out on the lake.” She crossed over to the dresser drawers and dropped her towel. “Of course, some of those fish probably died of shock if they were watching us last night.”

He groaned but turned to the door she’d come from, expecting it to be a bathroom. “You’re truly evil, Maggie Castle. And if we have a chance later, I’ll make you pay for keeping me at arm’s length this morning.”

“Just get showered. I’ll go down and start coffee.” Her laugh echoed through the room and stayed with him after he turned on the water. As he thought of her and last night, he pushed the memories out of his head. He wasn’t going to fall in love in the first town he stopped in. He had a plan for his life. A plan that didn’t involve cooking at a restaurant even if the owner was as lovely as Maggie Castle. He turned the water a little colder and thought of his motorcycle sitting at the auto repair shop.

Ten minutes later, with a towel around his waist, he wandered through the house, led to the kitchen by the smell of fresh coffee brewing. “Tell me you have eggs and bacon. I can make you an amazing breakfast. It will be better of course, if you have some Anaheim chilies, but I’m just dreaming now.”

He turned the corner and Maggie stood in the large modern kitchen, a cup of coffee in her hand. She choked when he entered the room.

“Come on, you have to have remembered I was here. We just talked in the bedroom…” Josh paused, seeing Maggie’s face turn beat red. He turned to where her gaze darted. A young girl sat at the counter between the kitchen and what appeared to be a family room.

She looked at the towel around his waist, then met his eyes. “Good morning, I’m Tami. And you are?”

“Getting dressed.” Maggie turned around and moved him into the hallway. When they were at the bedroom door, she lowered her voice. “She’s supposed to be at college. What possessed her to come home this weekend?”

“Maybe she had a feeling you were going to be having fun.” He grinned at her. “My sister-in-law says her kids have an uncanny ability to need her right when her and my brother are feeling romantic.”

Maggie grimaced at the thought. “Eeew, you guys talk about things like that?”

“Actually, she told my mother but I was in the kitchen making a sandwich and overheard. I’ve never let her forget it.” He pulled her close. “You aren’t sending her back to school just because of me, are you?”

“No, why would I send her away?” Maggie glanced behind her. “This is her home.”

“Wait, I’m getting kicked out?” He laughed. “You should see your face, it was a joke. Let me get dressed and I’ll make that breakfast I promised you.”

She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I mean, Tami’s never seen me with anyone. Maybe I should just take you back to the motel.”

“If that’s what you want, that’s fine.” He pulled her into his arms. “But maybe it’s a good thing for her to see you as a woman, not just a mother.”

“You’re talking like an adult here. Where’s the bad boy drifter I met a couple days ago?” Maggie rested her face on his chest.

Josh chuckled. “Oh, he’s still here. You’re just getting the version my mother is more familiar with.”

She pushed away from him. “Okay then, go get dressed and we’ll have breakfast. But don’t you dare mention Crystal Falls. Tami doesn’t need to know everything about us.” Maggie kissed him on the lips then turned toward the kitchen. He watched her steel herself before she took her first step.

Going into the bedroom, he closed the door and searched the floor for his clothes. Finding the last sock, he quickly dressed and on impulse, made up the bed before he left the room. Now he really felt like his mother’s favorite. What was it about kids that made adults try to hide the fact they even had sex? 

Entering the kitchen, he held his hand out to Tami. “Josh Reyes. And you must be Maggie’s daughter. She talks a lot about you.”

“Her foster daughter.” Tami shook his hand. “And she hasn’t said a word about you. I wonder why that is?”

Ignoring her question, he went to the fridge and started pulling out items. “I can’t believe how much food you have in here. Who do you cook for? The local football team?”

Tami laughed, pointing at Maggie. “She feeds everyone. I can’t tell you how many times we hauled food down to the senior center after she went off on a cooking binge.”

“You didn’t suffer in the meal department, so stop telling stories on me.” Maggie hugged the girl. “I can’t believe you’re here. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“You sounded so lonely last Sunday when we talked.” Tami nodded toward Josh considering the items on the counter. “I guess I misread the emotion.”

“Actually, Maggie and I only met a few days ago.” Josh started chopping onions. When no one said anything, he looked up at the women. Maggie’s face had gone stark white and Tami was trying not to giggle. “Wait, it’s not like that. I mean, I guess we moved kind of fast, but I’m only in town a few weeks.”

Maggie held up her hand. “Stop. I think you’re digging us deeper into trouble.” She stepped around the counter. “What can I do to help?”

He handed her the knife. “I need a cup each of chopped onions and tomatoes.”

“What she does is her own business. It’s nice to meet you though. You cook? Wow, you’re Maggie’s dream boyfriend.” Tami came around the counter and washed her hands. “Put me to work.”

Josh smiled as Tami turned the radio to the oldies station. The music filled the kitchen as the three of them cooked and for a while, Josh felt more at home since he’d put California in his rearview mirror.

***

“Tami likes you.” Maggie started the car and backed it out of the driveway.

Josh slipped his sunglasses on, leaned back and grinning. “Of course. I’m magnetic.”

“You are not. You’re full of yourself, that’s what you are.” Maggie giggled. “I’m sorry she just showed up. I love her, but when I walked into that kitchen and she was making coffee, I almost screamed.”

“Good thing you woke up first. I make my coffee before I get dressed. The towel was my attempt at modesty.” He watched out the window. “I thought you were taking me to the motel.”

“I told you, farmers market. We need to get there before Dirk leaves.” She glanced at the clock on the dash. “Crap, we only have ten minutes.” She stepped on the gas.

Josh grabbed the dashboard. “Slow down. You’ll get a ticket.”

“Ken Gaines is still sleeping off last night. There isn’t another cop in miles.” She flashed him a grin. “There are benefits to living in a small town. You know where the cops will be.”

They pulled into the crowded parking lot and Maggie took off for the line of booths on the north edge. Dirk had already cleaned off the front of his display and was discarding the used ice onto the grass section behind his booth.

“Don’t tell me I’m too late.” Maggie sagged in front of the booth.

Dirk turned toward her and grinned. “Okay then, I won’t tell you.” He glanced at his watch. “I sold out ten minutes ago. Where were you? Typically, you’re my first customer.”

Josh caught up with her and put a hand on her shoulder. “We risked our lives getting here and we’re too late?”

Dirk looked between Maggie and Josh, nodding his understanding, then scooped another bucket of ice and dumped it. “Now, that makes sense.”

“Not your business, Dirk.” Maggie looked around the rest of the booths. “Everyone else still has product. Why are you already sold out?”

“One, my fish is fresh and everyone knows it.” He leaned under the booth and pulled out a tray filled with gleaming trout. “And two, I set back some when you didn’t show up first thing this morning.”

Maggie squealed and leaned over and kissed the man’s cheek. “I adore you. Thank you for this.”

“You think I would stiff my best customer?” Dirk started packing the trout into plastic bags, then set them in a second bag filled with ice. He rang up the purchase and Maggie handed him her credit card. Josh watched as the card was swiped through an attachment on the fish guy’s cell phone.

“Neat gadget. I guess you can burn up your credit cards anywhere nowadays.” Josh reached out to take the bag Dirk handed toward Maggie.

Dirk held the cell out so Josh could see it. “I’ve tripled my business since I got this little doodad. The increase in business more than pays for the costs of taking credit.”

“Thank you for saving these back for me.” Maggie tucked her card back into her purse. “I’ll see you next week.”

“You two take care.” Dirk cleaned out the last of the ice. “Time for me to get back on the lake. The fish were biting strong yesterday.”

As they wandered through the other booths, Maggie bought so many vegetables, she sent Josh to make a run to the car twice to drop off bags. He put his arm around her as he returned. “Now I know why you brought me, you needed a pack mule.”

“A man has to have some useful talents.” She snuggled as she looked at the last booth’s selection of vegetables.

Josh leaned forward and picked up some chilies. “I don’t remember, do you have white cheese at the restaurant? I could make you some chile rellenos for today’s lunch special. My recipe is killer.”

Her mouth watered at the thought of the spicy dish. “You sure all you need is cheese? The kitchen doesn’t have much in line with Mexican ingredients.”

“I checked out the pantry yesterday before I started cooking. The sauce may be a little light on the heat, but I can manage. Believe me, you’ll love it.” He grinned and Maggie’s heart skipped a beat. Yes, she liked having the guy around. She just hoped when he left the hole he’d carved into her heart would heal quickly.

“Let’s do it. I’d love to try out a new menu item.” She watched as he picked out a bag filled with the green peppers, spicy enough that Maggie could smell the promise in the dish.

Her phone buzzed. Looking at the display, she groaned and handed her card to the vendor as she answered the phone. “Hey Mark. You’re up early.”

She signed the cell screen with her finger, then stepped away as Josh waited for the transaction to be complete. Mark was on a roll about her marketing plan. “Seriously, you sound like you want me to pull a rabbit out of my hat here. I have to have some marketing money. People expect us to be part of the community and supplying the senior center kitchen with food is part of our giving back campaign.”

Josh caught up with her and they walked toward the car. Maggie rolled her eyes and Josh laughed, holding his hand out for the keys. She dug in her pocket and gave them over, halting when Josh slipped in the driver’s seat. He pointed to the phone, then to the passenger seat, his message clear. If she was going to continue the call, he was going to drive.

Surrendering, she walked around the car to the other side. She couldn’t focus on fighting both Mark and Josh. Besides, this victory was a little thing. The Mark battle was ongoing.

They’d already reached the restaurant before Mark ran out of steam and things for her to change in her plan. Her head hurt and her heart was heavy thinking of the changes he wanted her to implement, just to keep the company alive. She’d fought to keep the sanctuary, Mark had reminded her, now it was time to put her marketing money where her mouth had been.

Josh parked the car in the motel parking lot and leaned over toward her. “If you need help getting the bags into the restaurant, let me run in and change and I’ll be ready.”

She shook her head. “Bryan will be there doing prep. I don’t need you until ten. Can Cari pick you up?”

“That was the plan last night when I left. I didn’t count on this. There’s been a lot of good things I didn’t count on lately.” He pushed her hair back away from her face and kissed her. “Last night was amazing. If you continue to surprise me like this I may not leave.”

She laughed. “Now who’s blowing smoke? Look, I know you’re not here for the long haul, and I’m okay with that. Can’t we just enjoy each other for the time we do have instead of making false promises?”

She put her hand on the doorhandle but his covered it and stopped her from opening the door. “See, that’s the thing, I’m having second thoughts about my escape plan. Maybe rural northern Idaho is far enough away from the folks that I could stay for a while.”

She shivered as she noticed his long, dark lashes. She licked her bottom lip before she could stop herself. “As long as this isn’t about us. I’m not sure what I’m doing yet. I like you. I like spending time with you. But I know you’re leaving.” She moved his hand and opened the door, escaping into the open air. “Let’s just take it a day at a time and see where we end. I don’t want either of our hearts to be in the mix.”