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and grumpy, and yes, I do need a pain killer.”
    After his mother left the room to clean up the kitchen and run a load of clothes, he thought about Destiny and her pressing engagement. Maybe she was seeing someone. Someone who didn’t like the fact she was locked up in a house alone with Brad. A smile curved his lips. “Too bad, buddy. She’s mine for at least a few weeks.”
    Then he took the pill, turned on the television, and drifted off to sleep listening to some talk show where the guy didn’t like his girlfriend’s family so he cheated on her with her sister. People are crazy, he thought, as he drifted in and out of a doze. Love makes you crazy, he amended, and his last thought was of Destiny.
     

CHAPTER 5
     
    Destiny cursed at the logging truck in front of her. The narrow highway was only two lanes and the truck had ignored the last few slow traffic turnouts. She eased her Jeep over to the left so he could see that he had three cars behind him, which made it a rule he had to take the next turnout. A rule most truckers and slow-moving motorhomes ignored.
    Lunch had gone longer than she’d expected and as she looked at her clock, she was already ten minutes late from the time she’d told Sandy she’d be back at the house. She needed this job, but no, she’d gone after the bird in the bush. Although the interview had gone well, Morgan Landue had made it clear he was still interviewing candidates and wouldn’t be ready to make any offer for at least a couple months. Which would be perfect, if he did offer her the job. She just felt bad about making Sandy worry. Besides, Brad was a total grump after lunch. She wouldn’t wish that guy on anyone.
    Using her Bluetooth, she had the car dial Sandy’s cell. It rang several times before she picked up, sounding wary. “Hello?”
    “Sandy? It’s Destiny. I’m so sorry I’m running late. Traffic on Highway 95 is crazy.” She spoke quickly into the dashboard, all too aware that the cell reception on the road could be spotty.
    “No worries, you just drive safe. Brad’s taking a nap and I tucked a book into my purse, so we’re fine here.” Sandy’s voice crackled.
    “I think I’m losing you, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.” As soon as Destiny finished her sentence, she lost the signal. “I hope she heard that.”
    The truck in front of her eased over to the turnout lane and Destiny put on the gas. She flew by the guy, wanting to show her annoyance in some way, but instead, focused on the road ahead. If she didn’t have any more delays, she’d be back at Castle View in less than an hour.
    As she caught up to the next car, she groaned. A minivan puttered in front of her, checking out every large pine and possible deer sighting. She turned up the radio and tried to calm herself down. Sandy knew she was on her way. For now, that’s all she could do. Especially since the traffic in front of her was determined to keep her at a snail’s pace.
    Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart , an old Elton John and Kiki Dee duet came on the radio and as she sang along, she thought about Brad. He was handsome, when he didn’t have that sneer on his face. According to his mother, Brad hadn’t dated anyone special for a while. She wondered why. The guy had a nice home, he ran a successful winery, and he was well read, something she wouldn’t have guessed. If she had thought about Brad’s reading list, she would have put him down as a non-fiction business books or history. He had all the attributes for a great boyfriend. So why was he still alone?
    “Because he treats people like they’re his servants.” The words came out before she realized she was talking to herself. She’d had that treatment from Brad, when she’d been working with his mother. But getting to know him now? He seemed softer, easier to talk to, and, actually, fun.
    Whoa. What? She thought about what she wanted out of life. Brad was definitely not it. So why was she attracted to him?
    She changed