Read Project Detour (Castle View Book 3) for Free Online

finally moving into next week. “That cottage is just way too small for three people. Especially with as active as that Becca is. She can wear me out. I know I shouldn’t complain since she’s my only grandchild. Especially since you and your sister haven’t seen willing to get married and provide me with babies.”
    “Mom, I’m a little beat up to be hitting the single bars just to find the one to birth your grandbabies.” He looked down at his legs. “Besides, there’s no way I could two-step and you know that’s my best move. Women love my mad dancing skills.”
    She patted him on the arm. “I’m being insensitive. I’m sorry. But your sister, she’s already in a relationship. I don’t know why they don’t just get married and stop this courting stuff.”
    “Maggie and Josh have been a couple for less than six months. You need to have some patience. Seriously, you never pushed any of us into settling down. What’s the hurry now?”
    “Sure, throw my own words back at me. I just didn’t want you to marry the first girl you thought you were in love with. Is it so bad for a woman to want grandbabies?” His mother bit into her fish sandwich and groaned. “Besides, Josh is an amazing chef. She needs to seal the deal on this guy before he gets a better offer.”
    Josh Reyes was so deep in love with Maggie, Brad thought the guy might just walk on hot coals to prove his feelings. “The guy loves her. Why? I have no idea. Maggie’s always been a little bit of a diva.”
    “She is not. She’s just the only girl. You and your brother had each other, but Maggie didn’t have a sister to lean on.” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you teasing me?”
    “Nope, I was just proving my point. Maggie always was and continues to be your favorite child. Mark was Dad’s favorite. And I just got scraps from both of you.” He smiled to take the edge out of the words, but he’d always felt like the extra. First born, Mark did everything right, from being the earliest kid in his scout troop to earn his Eagle rank to being not only captain of the football team and school council president his senior year. Brad had earned better grades, but that didn’t attract admiring glances from the girls or made a kid popular with his classmates. He shook the thoughts away. The drugs must be making him melancholy.
    “Both your dad and I loved all of you kids the same. You are all just so different. Mark’s the natural leader, Maggie loves people and food, and you are the perceptive businessman. Very suave and charming. I’m surprised you didn’t leave Castle View for a larger city. I always saw you as the Seattle type.”
    “You wanted me to leave?” He set his fork down and drank the glass of milk in one motion. The lump in his throat didn’t ease. “I guess I’ll make plans when I’m finally able to leave my bed.”
    “That’s not what I said or meant, Bradley James. I just see you as more cosmopolitan than your siblings. I didn’t think St. Joseph’s would be big enough.” She set her empty plate on the side table. “Are you feeling all right? You seem to be grumpy. Do you need a pill? Destiny said you’ve been taking a painkiller after your lunch.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “Is she pushing you too hard in your therapy? I could talk to her.”
    “No. You won’t talk to her. Destiny is doing her job. Nothing more, nothing less.” Even if had he wanted her to see him as more than a patient, she had set the boundaries early. She wasn’t there for anything but to be a caretaker.
    Yet, he still reacted when she massaged his shoulders and arms after a long therapy session. He kept an extra blanket on the bed, telling her he needed it because he was chilled, but honestly, his body wanted the woman. He just didn’t have the mobility.
    “Look, Mom, as soon as I’m back to normal, I promise you I’ll go looking for a woman to birth my babies.” He pushed away the plate. “But right now, I’m tired