Free Roadside Attraction (Castle View Series Book 2) by Lynn Cahoon

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