Roadside Attraction (Castle View Series Book 2) (7 page)

A few minutes later, as she pulled the car of the parking lot, she glanced into her rearview mirror and saw him standing where she left him, watching.

She’d put on a good front, but as she drove away, she knew that her heart had already been lost to the sexy drifter who only wanted to run away from home. His home, her home, it wouldn’t matter. The guy needed to wander and the sooner she accepted that, the easier his final goodbye would be when it came in a week or so.

No, Josh Reyes was a perfect starter boyfriend to get her back into the game. He just wasn’t the one who’d be her forever guy.

As she drove the road back to the Tiger Café, she wondered if there would ever be a ‘forever guy.’

“You sure you want me to come with you to your mom’s?” Josh pushed back the dark hair covering the face of the woman lying next to him in his motel bed. The sheets weren’t as soft as the ones they’d woken up in yesterday, but with Tami in the house, Maggie hadn’t felt right bringing him back to her home. He got it. Especially since she’d made it perfectly clear yesterday that he was temporary in her life. She got to him more ways than he’d ever admit, even to himself, but it was her ball field and he had to play by her rules. Or not at all.

Maggie blinked her eyes, then sat straight up, holding the sheets tight to cover her breasts. “Crap, I meant to leave last night so Tami wouldn’t be alone.”

He ran a finger down her jawline and tapped her lips gently. “You realize, I’ve seen you naked before, right?” He tugged at the sheet, but she had a death hold on it.

“I realize that we have to get moving. I’ll be back to get you about eleven.” She kissed him and pulled the sheet off the bed with her, uncovering him. Looking down at him, she grinned and then leaned down for a kiss. “Sorry to ruin your morning plans.”

He watched as she gathered up her clothes and headed to the tiny bathroom. Just before the door closed, she threw the sheet back at him.

“Thanks,” he called to her. He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back on the pillow. Maggie Castle was amazing. She made him laugh and their sexual chemistry was spot-on. Why was he even thinking about leaving St. Josephs? His father’s face loomed in his mind as an answer to the unspoken question. Papa Reyes hadn’t been happy when his youngest had told him off and left the next morning. His sister, Angelina, had called as soon as the family breakfast was over and Josh’s absence had been announced.

“What are you thinking? You come back and apologize. He’s furious with you,” she’d said into the phone, whispering as to not be overheard by the staff or worse, one of the family. He’d bet she’d locked herself into her room and then into her private bath before even dialing his number. And yet, she had still been afraid to talk at a normal volume level.

He loved his sister, but he wouldn’t be just the youngest son and the restaurant workhorse any longer. He loved cooking. Working at Maggie’s kitchen had reminded him of how much. But his father had put him in charge of the marketing, except- every decision he’d made had been overruled by the old man.

“Tradition works,” his father had bellowed during their last argument. “Just follow the plan. It’s brought in customers for many years.”

Of course, pointing out the fact that their market share was declining hadn’t changed his father’s mind. In fact, the announcement had just prompted the “work hard” speech Josh had been getting his entire life. 

Maggie, dressed and beautiful, even in last nights rumpled clothes came out of the bathroom. She leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll be out front at eleven. I’ll have Tami with me, so watch for us. I won’t be coming inside.”

He pulled her down for one last kiss. “I don’t have to go.”

“If you don’t, then Tami’s going to tell everyone anyway. We might as well head her off at the pass and let them study you in person rather than making up stuff.” She straightened and pushed her hair behind her ears. “Or telling me all the rumors they’ve heard about you.”

“I’m an open book. Who would gossip about me?” Josh grabbed the remote from the bedside table and turned on the television.

“You don’t understand small towns. Everyone’s been talking about you since you rented this motel room.” She turned to the door. “See you soon.”

As she left the room, he turned the television on mute until he heard her car start up and leave the parking lot. She was right about the small town gossip trail. Hadn’t he found out more about her in a day just from random conversations with town folk? He got out of bed and went to the bathroom. His long brown hair hung limply down to his shoulders. And his face sported at least three days’ worth of stubble. Time to clean up if he was going to meet the folks. Even a temporary boyfriend should appear presentable.

He jumped into the shower then dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He’d change when he got back. First, he had an errand to run.

Walking into town, he found the small barbershop he’d gone past when he’d walked to the auto shop. Checking the open sign in the window, he opened the door. A bell rang announcing his arrival.

An older man in a white coat stepped out of the back. “Well, I’ll be. I don’t think I’ve had a Sunday morning customer since school let out. Are you lost or is it time for you to stop looking like a girl?”

“I take it you don’t approve of long hair on guys?” Josh wandered toward the barber chair the man was motioning him toward.

Sweeping a cover-up over Josh’s body as he sat down, the man chuckled. “Son, I’m a barber. I get paid for cutting hair, not watching you young folks let it grow. So I guess I have a vested interest.” He spun the chair around and looked at him using the mirror. “My name’s Sam, by the way. You want a trim, Josh Reyes? Or a real cut?”

“A real cut, or as my father would say, show the world my ears. How did you know my name?” Josh met the man’s gaze and saw the amusement in the older man’s face.

“Small town, great rumor chain.” He combed out Josh’s hair and sprayed it with water from a bottle before he started cutting. “That bike of yours is a beauty. I think every guy in town’s been down to Norm’s to see it.”

“Thanks. She’s a gem.” He leaned back into the chair and listened while the old man talked about the town and the old geezers who typically hung out at his shop. “Not on Sundays though. Their wives have them sitting in those hard pews either over with the Methodists or the Catholics. We have a Mormon ward, but those guys don’t come to my shop to chat. They’re in and out, getting their hair cut and running off to a meeting or something.”

“I was an altar boy myself. But I haven’t been to Mass for months.” Josh grinned. “I’m sure my mother is praying the rosary for me as we speak.”

“Mothers worry about things like your eternal soul.” Sam started trimming the top. “Sandy Castle is one tough cookie. It’s a good thing you’re getting cleaned up before your dinner.”

“Wait, how did you know…” Josh paused, “Don’t tell me, the gossip chain?”

“Everyone knows you and little Maggie have been spending time together. That girl is a saint. I don’t think a week goes by without her stepping into my shop with a plate full of brownies or chocolate chip cookies for the guys.” Sam put his scissors down and grabbed a tube of gel. “Now, you look like you’re up to courting our Maggie.”

Josh stared into the mirror, rubbing his hand over his bearded chin.

Sam wiped his hands on a towel. “You want a shave too? Most young folks do it themselves or let their beards grow scraggly. It’s a treat. I have to say there’s nothing like a straight razor shave.”

“Give me the works.” Josh grinned. “I don’t want to disappoint Mrs. Castle.”

Sam grabbed a hot towel out of the steamer. “Now son, I didn’t say you’d disappoint her. In fact, I think she’ll be glad to see her daughter having a little fun. I’m just warning you if you think the Castles are pushovers, you got another thought coming. Bob Castle raised those kids to be smart and tough. Even little Maggie.”

After leaving the barbershop, he stopped at the local grocery and bought a bottle of wine and a bunch of flowers. Even if the wine didn’t go with Sunday dinner, Maggie’s mom could store it. He was surprised at the quality of wine they stocked in a store that was smaller than his own restaurant. He got back in time to change his clothes. He was smoothing down the new cut in the mirror when he heard Maggie’s horn blast. Time for the performance to begin.

***

Maggie felt her eyes widen as Josh approached the car. He wasn’t the guy she’d left in bed a few hours ago. Instead of the hot biker dude who’d walked into her bar a few days ago, this version could be an investment banker on holiday. He climbed in the front seat and handed the flowers back to Tami. “Those aren’t for you, but hold on to them, will you?”

“What happened to your hair?” Tami took the bouquet and sniffed. “Sandy loves flowers. You’re going to earn brownie points as soon as you walk in the door.”

“Maybe the flowers are for me,” Maggie pulled the car out of the lot, looking at Tami in the rearview mirror. “Did you happen to think of that?”

“Tami’s right. The flowers and the wine are for your mom. I’ve been raised never to go empty-handed to any dinner invitation.” He winked at Tami. “But I’m glad to know I hit the right notes.”

“You didn’t say what happened to your hair.” Tami set the flowers down on the seat next to her. “I liked it long.”

So did I.
Maggie looked at Josh for his explanation.

He shrugged. “Hair comes and goes. I felt like getting it cut, that’s all.”

“Somehow, I doubt that. I bet Sam told you everything about me, including who I went to Prom with senior year.” Maggie laughed. “My dad loved hanging out with the guys at Sam’s shop.”

“He told me he gets a lot of visitors, but not on Sunday morning. I haven’t felt like such a heathen for not attending service since my Grammy died. Man, that woman was by the book Catholic and went not just on Sundays but Wednesdays too.” Josh rolled down his window and leaned his arm against the sill. “She’s been gone for several years now, but I swear she paid her entrance into heaven with all the stuff she did for Father Neighbor.”

Tami giggled. “Stop it. Your priest was named Father Neighbor?”

Josh held up a hand. “I swear on my mother’s future grave. When I was little, I thought he was the Good Samaritan in the Bible stories. He seemed old enough to have been there.”

“You didn’t tell me he was funny.” Tami put her hand on Maggie’s shoulder. “I think if he followed you home, we should just keep him. You know Sandy’s policy on strays.”

“I don’t think I told you. Mom has a foster kid named Shane living with her.” Maggie smiled at Tami. “We found him staying in the barns and when Mark tried to call social services, Mom decided to take him in. I worry that a teenage boy is too much for her but she seems to like the company. And Shane’s a good kid.”

“When he stays out of the tiger cages.” Tami leaned forward. “Yay, Mark and Abigail and Becca are already here. I haven’t seen them in weeks.”

As soon as the car stopped, Tami flew out of the back seat. But before she slammed the door, she handed Josh back the flowers. “You take them in. That way, Sandy doesn’t think they are from me. I don’t want to ruin my cool girl street cred.”

“No one thinks of you as the cool kid,” Maggie called through the open window after Tami. She looked at Josh. “You look a little pale, you okay slugger?”

“Fine. I just haven’t met someone’s mother for a long time. Probably since Mary Lou took me home with her for Thanksgiving, first semester of college.” He ran his hand through his hair and seemed surprised by the short cut. “And that turned out pretty awful.”

“Brad’s a pill, Mark’s a hard-ass, but the rest of them are pretty amazing and normal.” She kissed him lightly on the lips. “Besides, since we’re on turbo speed for this relationship, it’s more than time for you to be introduced to my family.” 

“I want you to know, I’m not even in contact with my own family right now. Maybe this was a bad idea.” He glanced down the road like he was measuring how far he could get before Maggie caught up with him with the car.

“Come on chicken. You’ll have fun. Besides, I need some support here. My brothers are trying to convince my mom of something that’s just going to tick her off. I might need a getaway driver if things go bad.” She squeezed his hand.

“Now, that, I can do.” He kissed the inside of her wrist and her blood heated. He looked up at her, his eyes smoky. “I can make it worth your while to run now.”

I bet you could.
Instead of answering, she pulled her hand away and climbed out of the car. She stood at the front and waited for him to pull himself out of the passenger seat. She straightened his shirt and brushed a stray hair off his shoulder. “Tami was right, your long hair was rocking hot.”

“Like I said, hair can grow back.” He kissed her lightly. “You know, I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”

“I appreciate it. Besides, you might have fun.” She put her arm in his and they walked toward the front door. “You want me to hum a funeral dirge?”

“Not funny.”

She opened the door. “I thought it was funny.”

As they walked through the foyer, she noticed him looking around. “I know, it seems big, but when we were growing up, it was filled with people.”

“Actually, I was thinking how charmingly quaint. Papa built Mom a castle, or at least that’s what we called it. The house was excessively formal for raising kids, especially four boys. You should have seen the mess soccer cleats causes on hard wood floors.” He spun around the foyer. “Here, I can see boys being boys.”

“That’s exactly what I asked my husband for,” an older woman spoke from the hallway, “a house where we could raise a family, not a museum. Maggie, you didn’t tell me Tami was home this weekend.”

“Honestly Mom, I didn’t know until she surprised me yesterday morning.” Maggie kissed her mother on the cheek, then pulled Josh closer. “This is my friend, Josh Reyes. I told him he’d be welcome for dinner.”