Project Detour (Castle View Book 3) by Lynn Cahoon Read Free Book Online Page B

feelings he had for people when he had been a kid either.
    “All I know is for some reason, you are interested in a girl who a few months ago you thought was the hired help for Mom’s care.” She picked up the book by the bed, looked at the title, then set it back down. “This feels like high school.”
    “A few months ago, she was the hired help.” Brad put his hand on his sister’s arm. “Look, just tell me what I want to know and you can leave your stinky brother all alone.”
    “You don’t really smell bad. Except that whole boy thing, and I’ve kind of gotten used to it with Josh around.” She flipped back her hair, watching him. “Okay, but I think this is a bad idea. Destiny’s a good person. She doesn’t need you messing with her heart, especially with all the problems she has right now.”
    “I’m not messing with her heart. But tell me what I need to know.” Brad didn’t want to show his excitement. His sister had already kind of guessed the level of his interest, even though he’d tried to make it seem like it was just idle gossip.
    “Fine.” Maggie told him the whole story. That St. Joseph’s Physical Therapy was closing and Destiny was being courted by a new, bigger company out of Boise. She ended with, “Mom told me this in confidence, so don’t you be blabbing everything you know to Destiny.”
    Brad made a zipping motion and then threw the imaginary key over his back.
    “Funny guy.” Maggie stood. “Anyway, I better get going. I brought your lunch and put it in the kitchen. Any requests for dinner?”
    “Ask Destiny. It all pretty much tastes the same to me right now.” Brad looked toward the door. He saw Destiny peek inside, not wanting to interrupt his time with Maggie. The girl was too nice. People could and probably did take advantage of her. That must be the reason she lost the business. Not being strict enough in billing and collecting processes. He had it easier. His retail shop didn’t allow any ‘tabs’ and he kept a strict hold on the receivables, sending out email reminders when an account passed 60 days and putting a hold on new deliveries when it passed 90. So far, he’d been lucky and no one had stiffed him on a delivery. He’d offer to help Destiny with some ideas about collections, but from what Maggie had told him, the business was lost. He put on a smile, trying to not let his pity for the woman show. “We were just talking about you.”
    “You were?” Destiny looked at Brad and Maggie.
    Maggie’s eyes widened and he got THE LOOK. He smiled at her. His sister never did trust him. “Maggie wanted to know what we wanted for dinner.”
    He could see the relief on his sister’s face. What did she think? He’d break her confidence? He must have a bad rep with both of his siblings, and here he’d thought the trouble had just been between him and Mark.
    “I’m good with anything that comes from Maggie’s. I can’t believe I get paid for the job and get to eat your wonderful food every day.” Destiny came into the room and picked up Brad’s wrist to check his pulse. “I probably should be using the machine, but sometimes, the old ways tell us more about what’s going on in a patient’s body.”
    “So that’s all I am now, a patient?” He added a smile to the words, hoping it would ease the sting he’d felt.
    “Of course not.” Apparently satisfied with his pulse, she started to clear the glasses from his table. “You’re also a royal pain in the behind.”
    As Destiny left the room, Maggie exploded into laughter. “I guess she told you.” She looked at her watch. “I’ve got to get back. Would you like Mom and I to come over tomorrow night for cards? Josh is working the restaurant, but I need a night off.”
    “Sounds good.” He turned his head so she could kiss his cheek.
    She wiped her lipstick off his cheek. “You look good. Much better than you did at the hospital.”
    “The rumors of my death were grossly exaggerated.” He moved