Renegade Moon (CupidKey) by Karen E. Rigley, Ann M. House

certainly didn’t depend on any man for her emotional stability. But going with Lee was certainly preferable to making her debut solo into local society.
    Passing the Wagon Wheel on her way to her cabin, she stopped for a moment, snapping a couple of pictures. Constructed of rough-hewn wood and native rock, it sported the appearance of an Old West saloon. The area in front had been smoothed for parking. According to local stories, the proprietor had lived in the area for years, serving food and local color from a gaudily painted food trailer fronted by a small patio with a few rickety tables, while he constructed his dream dining and dance hall. It had opened not long before Destiny’s arrival and already had become a booming success, drawing locals and tourists alike.
    As she started to get back into the car, Eric’s truck zoomed past. She half-lifted her hand in a wave but he went by too fast for her to complete the action. Had he not seen her? And why was he just now passing by, when he’d left before she did? She slid under the wheel but before she shut the door, a Jeep roared by. The driver didn’t even glance her way, but she recognized him as the fellow who had come into the restaurant and talked to the Nazi, capturing Eric’s attention. Had Eric been with that guy? Is that what had delayed him?
    Curious, Destiny quickly wheeled out onto the highway in pursuit, but both vehicles were long gone. That Jeep. She was pretty sure it was the same one she’d seen and photographed at the landing strip.

Chapter 4
    “I didn’t expect such a big crowd,” Destiny shouted over the country-western band.
    Lee grinned. “There’s more social life out here than you’d expect in such an isolated place.”
    “New Mexico is full of surprises,” Destiny murmured, thinking of Eric as Lee guided her between tables. They crossed the giant cavern of a room with a dance floor set in the middle and adjoining band platform. Tables rimmed the area. One end of the central room opened out onto a covered patio. Scattered tables and benches furnished the patio, extending the western décor. There was a food service area on the north side that led back into the kitchen.
    Wes usually cooked on weekend nights. Lee said it could be anything that struck his fancy, from Mexican food to barbeque to home-grilled hamburgers. He would have Chinese night with plates of stir-fried veggies and rice, and after a trip to the Gulf Coast, he returned laden with seafood and cooked up a feast still talked about.
    “I wonder what he’s cooking tonight,” Destiny said as they chose a table.
    “Barbeque brisket,” Lee answered, holding a chair for her. “Trust me, it’ll be out of this world. What can I bring you to drink?” Wes offered buffet and bar service only.
    “Ginger ale.”
    “How about a Margarita?” Lee suggested, stroking his moustache in anticipation. “They’re so good here that you can speak Spanish after only two.”
    “Oh, no thanks. Ginger ale will be fine,” she declined with a smile. She gazed around while Lee fetched their drinks. The Wagon Wheel filled rapidly. Not many vacant tables remained. Lee returned, presenting her drink with a flourish.
    “For you, my lovely.” He leered comically.
    “Thank you, sir,” she replied, sipping. Again Destiny surveyed the room. She didn’t know what she sought until Eric George Montoya strode into the dance hall, sending her heart beating faster than the music.
    “Well, the great Eric George himself,” Lee quipped, downing the rest of his drink.
    Eric’s black eyes targeted Destiny. She couldn’t tear her gaze away. Seeming to take that as an invitation, he made his way to their table. She had to deliberately slow her breathing as she stared up at his carved copper features and into those dark mysterious eyes.
    “Good evening,” he said to her in his deep, smooth voice. “I see you’ve already discovered our local nightlife.”
    Before Destiny could answer, Lee spouted,