Project Detour (Castle View Book 3) (2 page)

Destiny unpacked her bag into the guest room Sandy had shown her to just a few minutes ago. The entire family had shown up, waiting for Brad’s arrival. They’d hired a private ambulance to bring him home from the Spokane hospital. She set her laptop on the small antique desk that must have cost the man a fortune. And from the looks of the room, it hadn’t been used, not since being placed here. Or maybe Brad Castle just had an excellent cleaning staff. The sheets were crisp and new and the down comforter, expensive.

She hung her few clothes up in the closet and then put the remainders into two drawers in the massive chest. Shoving the battered suitcase, she’d brought into the closet, she looked around the room. She imagined an expensive hotel room looked like this, even though she had no experience in anything costlier than the Holiday Inn in Spokane.

A knock sounded on her door and Sandy Castle peeked inside. “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“Come in to my castle room.” Destiny swept her arm toward the couch that sat in front of the room’s fireplace. “Oops, I didn’t mean it as a joke. This room is just so crazy. I’ve never been in something so lovely.”

“Brad went a little overboard when he built the house. It does feel like a castle.” Sandy went to the wall and flipped a switch. “It’s a gas fireplace, so if the temperature ever drops one night, you can just sit here and read.”

“June weather doesn’t give me a lot of need for a fire.” Destiny sank to the couch and watched the flames. “I might just have to crank up the air so I can do that before I leave.” She patted the couch next to her. “What’s on your mind?”

“Am I that transparent?” Sandy left the fireplace burning and sank into the overstuffed sofa.

“You seem like you have something on your mind.” Destiny shrugged. “We spent a lot of time together last winter when your hip was healing.”

“I think of you as more than just my physical therapist. You know that, right?”

Destiny narrowed her eyes. “I hear a but in that sentence. Spit it out. I’m not some wilting flower. Did you find someone else to do the job?”

“No. You’re stuck here with Brad until he’s released by the doctor.” Sandy smiled. “You’re not getting out of this that easy. I just wanted to warn you that he’s been a bit grumpier than usual. Okay, he’s been horrible.”

“I’ve dealt with troublesome clients before.” Destiny patted the older woman’s hand. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t give up on him. I need the job.”

Sandy played with the hem on her tunic. “I heard the gossip about the practice. Is it true you’re closing down next month?”

“I don’t see any other way.” She took a deep breath. “But with what you’re paying me to help Brad, I’ll go out on my own terms, not slink out of town in the dead of night to avoid my creditors. I appreciate your offer more than you know.”

“Well, just don’t let that son of mine be mean to you. If he won’t mind his manners, you just call me and I’ll come over and give him the rules.” Sandy looked at her watch. “Maggie should be here any minute with food. She and Mark will stay until early evening to help Brad get settled. Then, I’m afraid, dear, he’s all yours.”

“That’s what you’re paying me for, right?” Mark was newly married and had an elementary school aged kid. Maggie had just started living with the chef at her restaurant. The guy, Josh, was hot. Destiny could see why either sibling couldn’t just pack up their lives and move in with Brad. She stood and helped Sandy to her feet. “Do I have time to do some work before we eat?”

“Of course. I’ll send Mark up when we are sitting down to lunch. No need for you to get immersed in Castle business before you have to be.” Sandy made her way to the door. The woman walked with a spring in her step. “I hope you land on your feet after this. You deserve a break.”

Tears threatened to well up in Destiny’s eyes as she watched the door close. Sandy Castle was a class act. That’s all she had to say. She turned off the switch to the fireplace as the room was already too warm and went over to the desk where she booted up her computer. Time to send out resumes and hope that the bites she got were from places she wanted to work.

An hour later, she was at the table with the family, enjoying a lunch of lasagna, garlic bread, and a tossed salad. “I bought several types of soda because I didn’t know what you liked,” Maggie held out four cans.

“Typically, its water or iced tea, but I’ll splurge today.” Destiny grabbed the Coke and smiled. “It’s a vice, what can I say.”

“If that’s your only vice, you’re one stand-up lady.” Mark took the Pepsi from his sister’s hands, leaving her with a Dr. Pepper.

“Just because you’ve given up all fun doesn’t mean the rest of us have to.” Maggie paused at her mother’s chair. “What can I get for you, iced tea or a soda?”

Sandy plucked the last can out of her daughter’s hand. “This will do nicely. Now come set down so we can start.”

Maggie kissed her mother’s head and sat down across from Destiny. This family was close and these three people were loving, caring, and funny. Now, the patient on the other hand was negative, standoffish, and didn’t have a funny bone in his body. It was going to be a long six weeks locked up in a house with Brad Castle.

After they ate, Destiny helped Maggie clean up the dishes. Maggie held out the half-full baking pan. “All you have to do for dinner is heat this up in the microwave for three minutes or put the entire pan in a 300-degree oven for twenty minutes. Whichever’s easier. And if he doesn’t want that, there’s a lot of different soups in the freezer from the restaurant.”

Destiny put the last plate into the dishwasher. “I have to admit, I’m much of a cook, but I can reheat with the best of them.”

Maggie laughed. “Just don’t let Brad bully you into making him something special. My brother can be a real pill sometimes. And that’s on his good days. I don’t envy your job here.”

“Believe me, your mother is paying me enough that I could deal with the devil for six weeks.”

Maggie shrugged. “You kind of are.”

When the doorbell rang, they went into the living room where Sandy and Mark waited. Maggie patted her on the back. “Time will pass a lot quicker than you think.”

Destiny wasn’t sure why she was nervous as the door opened and a medical assistant wheeled a gurney into the foyer. Brad Castle was no different than any other patient she’d taken care of since she started working as an CNA at the hospital to pay for her college tuition. His face was turned away so all she could see was his sandy blond hair that looked like it needed washed.

“Welcome home, Brad.” His mother grabbed his hand as they moved the gurney into the makeshift bedroom that had been Brad’s home office. They transferred him onto the bed and Sandy covered him with a bright blue down comforter.

Destiny could tell he wasn’t asleep as his eyes were shut tight. When he opened them, he focused on her. Anger seethed from the man as he finally spoke. “I need a pain pill.”

***

Brad didn’t want to talk to his family. He didn’t want them there, watching him. Pity pouring out of their eyes like it was tears.

He ignored everyone except Destiny. If his mother wanted to hire the woman to take care of him, he’d let her think he was on board. But once they left, he needed to start working on getting stronger and back to the winery. Mark would drive the place into the ground. He had no clue on how to run the business. Sure, he was good with the big picture financial planning for the corporation, but he didn’t do good with deals.

“Brad, aren’t you going to say hello?” His mother took his hand. “Mark and Maggie worked so hard to get your room ready for you. Can you at least say thank you?”

He glared at his brother and sister. “Thank you.” Then he turned back to Destiny. “Why don’t I have a pain killer yet?”

She looked up from the file she was reviewing with the medical assistant. “Because I haven’t reviewed your chart. Besides, according to this, you had one mid trip.” She glanced at her watch. “Which means you’re not due another one for two hours. What’s your pain level between one and ten?”

He didn’t answer her.

“Mr. Castle, the only way you’re going to get another pain killer is if you vocalize your pain and I judge it’s because of the travel.” Her voice was calm, controlled. And he hated her for it.

“You don’t get it. I hurt. My body’s been torn apart. The least you can do is give me a freaking pill when I ask.”

“What’s your pain level from one to ten?” She asked again, not looking at him, but at the chart.

“Fine, it’s a ten. Are you happy?”

Instead of her getting his prescription bottle, she looked at the chart, then at him again. “Where are you hurting?”

“What is this? Twenty questions?”

She didn’t answer, just looked at him, waiting for an answer.

“You
are
stubborn. Fine, it’s in my right leg. You know, the one that’s broke?”

Still she didn’t get the medication. Brad was getting annoyed. Steamed actually. No one ignored his orders and stayed around. He’d fire this woman right now, except he didn’t have his cell to get a replacement.

She lifted the blanket and bent over him. He felt her hands, cool on his bare legs and couldn’t stop his shiver. As his penis hardened, his first thought was Thank God that still works. He second thought was about all the people standing around his bed. His face burned but then he felt the brace on his leg give a bit and the pain stopped.

The smile on her face told him she’d seen his reaction to her touch. But instead of laughing at him, or shying away, she took his wrist in her hands, checking his pulse. “Your brace moved when they transferred you. That’s why you were in pain.” She nodded. “Your heartbeat’s slowing. Feeling better?”

He didn’t answer.

“Brad? You should answer Destiny. She just wants to help. Are you still in pain?” His mom repeated the question.

“I’m not hurting as bad.” He was actually not in pain at all but he didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of admitting that she’d helped him.

“Well, since you’re settled,” Mark said, “we better get back to work. Mom? Maggie? Are you ready?” His brother moved toward the door.

“I thought we were staying longer.” His mother adjusted his comforter. “Are you hungry? Do you want me to make something for you?”

“I’m fine.” He looked at the side table where the remote control to the large television sat. “Go ahead and go. I’ve got a show I want to watch.”

He turned on the TV and started flipping through channels. Since he rarely watched, he wasn’t sure what he might find, but at least he didn’t have to see his mother’s pain.   The group left the room and for a second, Brad could breath. Being strong was going to be harder than he’d imagined. But at least he was out of that hospital. He looked around the room. It was filled with bookshelves and books he’d bought with the plan to read, someday. He’d have that woman get him a few, then she could go pound sand until he needed her. No way was he going to have her fussing over him all the time.

When she didn’t come right back, he tried to watch the show on African tigers. The Castle View compound included a big cat sanctuary, one that Mark’s wife ran. Brad had to admit, was almost in the green financially. Maggie swore that the sanctuary brought her in more diners to the restaurant she ran, but Brad still believed the winery would be fine, with or without the mangy cats.

“They are so lovely.” Destiny’s words interrupted his thoughts. He hadn’t heard the woman come back into the room. His mouth dried as she set up a bottle filled with ice and water along with a plate of Maggie’s oatmeal cookies
.
“
I enjoyed visiting the barn in the evenings when they were relaxing. It’s almost like they could read my mind.”

“What’s this?” He waved his hand over the offering dismissively.

“I know what they serve at St Marks. I thought you might enjoy your sister’s cooking now that you’re home. Besides, you need to eat. You look like you’ve lost ten, maybe fifteen pounds.” She pointed to his hands. “You’re dehydrated and I don’t want to re-hook up the IV unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

  His stomach growled at the sweet smell of the cookies. He was hungry. Why did admitting that feel like he was losing a battle? “Can you grab me a few books off the shelves? Tom Clancy or Harlan Coben will be fine.”

She walked over to the section of the bookcase where he pointed and ran her hand over the spines of the books. “You have an amazing collection.”

When he didn’t answer, she began pulling books. Then she arranged them on the table next to him and waited.

“What now?” The woman just got under his skin.

She looked at the table. “Anything else you need? Do you need to go to the bathroom before I leave you alone?”

He felt his face flush. They’d had him on a catheter in the hospital for a short time after his surgery. He hated watching the nurses check his ‘output’ as they called it. Now, he’d have to tell Destiny when he had to use the toilet. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I’m fine, for now. How do I reach you if I need you?”

“I’ll check on you every ten minutes. Your brother bought you a new cell phone as yours was destroyed in the accident. It’s in the drawer next to you. If you need me, my number is is the contacts. I’ll carry my phone with me everywhere.” She smiled. “We’ll get through this, no problem.”