Harlequin American Romance May 2014 Bundle: One Night in TexasThe Cowboy's DestinyA Baby for the DoctorThe Bull Rider's Family

by Linda Warren

  After Destiny had given Buck a tour of the area on Sunday, she’d received a phone call from Custer and he’d invited her to Phoenix to meet with him and his staff. She’d refused, insisting that if the CEO had something to say he should talk directly to the residents of Lizard Gulch. Evidently the developer had never even stepped foot in the town. He’d sent Mitchell to do all his negotiating.

  “Is the hotshot here?” Bernie entered Lucille’s, the sheriff’s star pinned to his T-shirt. He joined Buck at the bar.

  “Custer’s supposed to be here by five,” Buck said.

  Hank poured Bernie a glass of beer. “He’d better not be late.”

  “Why’s that?” Buck asked.

  “Wednesday night is bingo night.”

  What did one have to do with the other?

  “The ladies will be spitting mad if bingo doesn’t start on time,” Bernie said.

  As if on cue, the ladies of Lizard Gulch filed into the saloon—eleven of them, dressed in their Sunday best. Their husbands made a beeline for the bar.

  “Myrtle’s wearing that god-awful red dress with the matching feather hat and scarf again.” Bernie chugged his beer. “Thought we’d decided someone should accidently set that outfit on fire.”

  “We did,” Hank said, “but she locks her home up like Fort Knox and we can’t get in to steal it.”

  Bernie tapped a finger against the plastic badge. “I’d be willing to look the other way if someone abducted Myrtle after bingo and demanded she strip out of her clothes.”

  Buck spun his stool to see this infamous red outfit for himself. The hat perched on Myrtle’s head looked suspiciously like a bird’s nest, and she wasn’t the only woman in the crowd who resembled a feathered friend. Violet, the lady who’d loaned Destiny her wedding veil, could easily be mistaken for a canary in her teal-blue pantsuit, melon-colored blouse and yellow sneakers.

  Ralph sauntered up to the bar. When he noticed the others staring at Myrtle, he said, “Sonja claims Myrtle shops at the Goodwill store in Kingman.” He nodded his thanks when Hank set a beer in front of him. “You’d think by her age she’d have learned how to dress.”

  “You’re the last person who should be mockin’ Myrtle,” Bernie said.

  “Why’s that?” Ralph’s nostrils flared like a bull ready to charge.

  “Your wife dresses like a hooker.”

  Buck choked on his water. These old men didn’t pull any punches.

  “You calling my wife a prostitute?” Ralph slid off his stool.

  “Man’s got a point,” Hank said. “Those spandex pants Sonja wears don’t leave a whole lot to the imagination...front or back.”

  Ralph jammed his elbow into Buck’s side. “You got something to say about my wife’s clothes?”

  “No, sir,” Buck said, even though he sided with the sheriff.

  Melba waltzed into the bar and gave orders to push the tables together then she signaled Hank, who then disappeared into the back room and returned a minute later with a Las Vegas–style bubble top blower filled with white plastic balls. He set the machine on the table at the front of the room and plugged it in, while Melba handed out scorecards and Elvis and Betty Boop bingo markers.

  “You gonna buy in tonight?” Bernie asked Buck.

  “What do you mean buy in?”

  “A dollar a bingo card. You gotta buy at least ten cards if you’re gonna have a chance to beat Melba or Violet,” Bernie said. “They’re the bingo queens.”

  “I thought bingo was a lady’s game,” Buck said.

  “What else is there to do in town on a Wednesday night?” Bernie squinted. “It’s not like we can go down to the pier and fish.”

  Buck imagined his brothers’ expressions if they discovered he’d played bingo with a bunch of old farts.

  “Melba won three hundred dollars last month,” Bernie said.

  That wasn’t small change.

  While the ladies finished setting up the tables, Bernie droned on about chartered bus trips to Reno that the group had taken in the past. Buck was on the verge of excusing himself when the saloon door opened and Destiny walked in.

  She wore a tight knee-length pencil skirt, a white silk blouse that showed a hint of cleavage and a matching suit jacket, which flared at the waist. His eyes zeroed in on her sexy tanned legs and trim ankles. She’d secured her red curls at the back of her head with a fancy clip, leaving a few wisps loose next to her face. This couldn’t be the same woman who’d worn leather pants to her wedding, drove a Harley then threw on a pair of coveralls and got her hands dirty with engine grease.

  “She’s got her don’t-mess-with-me getup on,” Bernie whispered.

  Right then, Mitchell entered the saloon, took one look at Destiny and stopped dead in his tracks. A slow smile spread across his face, and Buck’s gut tightened with jealousy. He didn’t like the way the former mayor leered at his girl.

  Your girl? Buck ignored the voice in his head. Now wasn’t the time to mentally debate his developing feelings for Destiny.

  “Look,” Bernie said. “Here comes Custer.”

  The door opened and the CEO joined the gathering.

  “Listen up, everybody,” Mitchell said. “This is Jack Custer, the CEO of Wyndell Resorts.”

  The tall man with jet-black hair and silver at the temples spread his arms wide. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the good citizens of Lizard Gulch.” He grasped Melba’s hand and kissed the back of it. The motel manager preened and batted her eyelashes. Then Custer walked through the bar, greeting the ladies and ignoring the men. When he stopped in front of Destiny, his expression sobered. “Hello, Ms. Saunders.”

  Destiny didn’t offer her hand. “Whatever you came to say...say it. Bingo night kicks off in a few minutes.”

  Certain Destiny could handle Custer and Mitchell, Buck made himself comfortable on his stool and settled in for the showdown.

  “Ms. Saunders, I’m here in person to officially present my offer to the townspeople.”

  Custer was doing his best to intimidate her, but Destiny refused to be cowed. Half the residents counted on her to defend the town, and the other half wanted her to get out of the way and allow the CEO to take over. Come hell or high water she’d prove to her constituents that Custer didn’t have their best interests at heart.

  “Mr. Custer has kindly agreed to meet with us and answer any questions you have about his plans for Lizard Gulch.” Destiny made eye contact with each person in the bar. “I expect this gathering to remain orderly. Raise your hand if you’d like to speak. Mr. Custer won’t leave town until every one of your questions has been answered to your satisfaction.”

  The first hand went into the air. “My name is Ralph Estevez and—” he pointed across the room “—that there’s my wife, Sonja. We live rent free in Lizard Gulch.” Ralph straightened his shoulders. “Your eighty thousand dollars ain’t gonna go far. The average rent in a trailer park for two decades is a hundred-twenty grand.”

  Custer’s laugh sounded like a bark. “I’m all for having a positive outlook but that’s a stretch, believing the old ticker will work twenty years from now.”

  Destiny bristled and opened her mouth to demand Custer be more respectful, but Ralph wasn’t finished speaking. “We’re gonna suffer emotional stress if you force us out of our homes. Who’s gonna pay for our shrinks?”

  Custer’s mouth dropped open, and Destiny covered her amusement behind a fake yawn.

  “A fairer price for our land would be a hundred fifty thousand,” Ralph said.

  Sonja clapped her hands. “You tell him, Ralphie.”

  Custer’s expression grew strained. “I understand your concerns and I’ll consider compensating you for part of your moving expenses. As for any future psychiatric care—” he spread his arms wide “—wouldn’t you be happier in a place where people like you—”

  “People like us, what?” Bernie shouted.

  “Retired people,” Custer said. “There are several communities in Arizo
na that cater to couples in their twilight years.” He motioned to the bingo machine. “There are lots of other activities—”

  “You got something against bingo, Mr. Custer?” Melba asked.

  “No, ma’am, but there’s more to life than stamping cards.”

  Before a brawl erupted, Destiny raised her arm and the group quieted. She was aware Buck watched her every move, and part of her wanted to impress him—show him she had the upper hand with Custer and that she wasn’t just playing at being the mayor. She didn’t have a college degree, but she had plenty of street smarts and gut instinct insisted any offer the developer put on the table would only benefit him. “Mr. Custer, I think you need to explain how the payout works.”

  “After you send your paperwork to my lawyers—”

  “What paperwork?” Hank spoke up behind the bar.

  “The deed to your property,” Custer said.

  “Wait a minute.” Bernie slid off his stool and approached Mitchell. “You told us we didn’t have to own the land our places sit on to get the buyout.”

  “You misunderstood the offer,” Mitchell said.

  “You calling me stupid?”

  Destiny stepped between the men. “There will be no name-calling.” She pressed a hand against Bernie’s chest until he backed up a step and then spoke to the CEO. “Mr. Custer, are you saying the only people eligible to receive the $80,000 payment are those who own land?”

  Custer nodded.

  Destiny faced her constituents. “That means, only Hank, Melba, Frank and Enrich would receive any money because they own their businesses. The rest of us wouldn’t qualify.”

  A gasp rippled through the saloon. Custer took a swig from the bottle of water Mitchell handed him then said, “I assumed all of you owned the property your trailer sits on.”

  Bull hockey. The CEO believed he could get this town for next to nothing.

  “I’m not moving unless I get paid to move.”

  “Me, neither.”

  “Add me to the list of squatters unless I get money.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Me, three.”

  “Me—”

  “You told me everyone was on board with my plans!” Custer shouted at Mitchell.

  “They were until—” Mitchell nodded to Destiny “—she stirred things up.” It took all of Destiny’s willpower not to laugh in the men’s faces.

  “I did what any responsible mayor would do,” she said. “I made phone calls, asked questions and uncovered the truth about Wyndell Resorts’ offer.”

  “Don’t worry,” Melba said. “I’m not selling the motel.”

  “I’ve got the best lawyers in the business, and rest assured I’ll get my hands on this town,” Custer said.

  “If you’re gonna play dirty, so will I.” Melba climbed onto a chair. “Anyone living behind the motel can buy their pad from me for one dollar.”

  “That raises the buyout to a couple million,” Destiny said.

  Custer’s face turned ruddy. “I’ll offer each resident fifty thousand whether they’re a landowner or not.”

  “Take a vote, Destiny,” Hank shouted.

  “Yeah, let’s vote before Mr. CEO changes his mind,” Frank said.

  “All in favor of selling out, raise your hand.” Destiny counted fourteen. “Opposed?” She raised her hand and said, “It’s a tie.”

  “This town needs to think long and hard about its future. Life is short and all of you are nearing the finish line.” Custer shoved Mitchell. “If I don’t own this town soon, you’re fired.” Then he spoke to Destiny. “I’ve never lost a land deal, Ms. Saunders, and I don’t intend to start with this town.”

  When Custer made a move to step past her, she blocked him. “Be prepared for a fight, because I don’t give up. Ever.”

  Custer left the bar, and Destiny grabbed Mitchell’s arm when he tried to follow his boss out the door. “Are there any more questions or comments for Mr. Mitchell?”

  “Yeah,” Ralph said. “Tell your boss to shove his resort up his you-know-what.”

  “Anything else?” Destiny said.

  Bernie stepped forward. “What happens to Maisy, Victor and Antonio if Custer buys the town?” In addition to being the sheriff, Bernie had been assigned caretaker of the cemetery. “We can’t let them desecrate the burial plots,” he said.

  “I agree. That’s bad karma,” Melba said. “If I have to leave here, I don’t want any ghosts following me.”

  “I don’t know what will happen to the cemetery.” Mitchell jerked out of Destiny’s hold and left the bar.

  “Melba, it was generous of you to offer to sell the trailer pads for a dollar, but you’ll need to hire a lawyer to make sure everything is legallike, otherwise Custer’s minions will find a loophole.” Destiny’s eyes landed on Buck, and she wondered what was going through his mind. Her stomach felt queasy so she smiled at the group and said, “Get on with bingo night and have fun.” Before her stomach erupted in public, she spun on her heels and left the saloon.

  As soon as the door shut behind Destiny, Buck spoke to Hank. “What are the chances of Destiny, or anyone for that matter, stopping Custer?”

  “Zero to none,” Hank said. “Destiny’ll do what she can to slow down the process, but it’s only a matter of time before Custer gets his hands on this town. None of us has the resources or legal connections to fight him.”

  That’s what Buck figured. He stood.

  “Aren’t you playing bingo?” Hank asked.

  “Maybe next time.” When Buck stepped outside, he spotted Destiny entering the garage. He hurried after her, but got as far as the cemetery before Bernie intercepted him.

  “Got me a few questions for you.” Bernie turned his head and spit tobacco juice at the ground. “Seems kind of funny...your truck breakin’ down and you decidin’ to stay in town awhile.”

  The sheriff should be sharing his concerns with Destiny since she’d stranded Buck.

  “Is Custer payin’ you to cozy up to Destiny so you can persuade her to sell out?”

  Buck felt something bump his ankle and glanced down—a cat was weaving figure eights between his legs.

  “Look, Bernie. I don’t want to become involved in the town’s dispute with Custer. I’m only here until my truck gets fixed, then I’m moving on.”

  “Maisy would vote against selling out.” Bernie stared at the tree in the cemetery.

  “Maisy’s dead. She doesn’t have a say in the town’s future.” A cold feeling enveloped Buck and he shivered.

  “I wouldn’t go pissin’ off Maisy, if I were you,” Bernie said.

  Buck didn’t believe in ghosts. The cat’s purring grew louder and he decided to move on. “See you later.” He left Bernie standing in the middle of the street and hurried to the garage. He walked around back and climbed the stairs then knocked on the door.

  When the door opened, Buck suddenly lost his voice. Destiny had changed out of her business suit and into a pair of lounging pants that hung low on her hips and a tank top that exposed her tanned belly.

  “What is it, Buck?”

  The question jarred him out of his stupor. “Got a minute to talk?”

  “Sure.” She flipped the lock then opened the door. Buck stepped inside the tiny apartment. He noticed two doors off the living area and assumed one was a bedroom and the other a bathroom. The main room was sparsely furnished—only one photograph of a gray-haired couple rested on the sofa table.

  “Sit down,” she said. “Would you like a drink?”

  “I’m good, thanks.”

  She went into the kitchen area and removed a bottled water from the miniature fridge. There was no stove, only a hot plate and a microwave. She sat in the chair across from the sofa and tucked her feet beneath her. Where was the confident mayor who’d stood up to Custer and Mitchell a short while ago? She looked young and vulnerable, as if she drove a Honda Civic and not the Wide Glide hog parked in the garage.

  “Buck?”

 
He blinked. “What?”

  The warmth in her eyes elevated his testosterone another level. “You’re staring at me,” she said.

  “Can’t help it. Every time I see you, you look different.” He studied her outfit. “I’m trying to figure out what else you are that I don’t know yet.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve seen the jilted bride, the motorcycle mama, the car mechanic and tonight a mayor.”

  Her face turned red, and he suspected there was another part to Destiny but she wasn’t sharing it. “I ran into Bernie on the way here. He said Maisy doesn’t want the town sold.”

  “Maisy talked to Bernie?”

  “I don’t believe in ghosts. I’m just conveying his message.” Buck cleared his throat. “That was impressive the way you caught Custer off guard when you clarified the payout offer. I think he believed he could pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.”

  “I chitchatted with Custer’s secretary before seeing him and she spilled the beans.”

  “The town needs a lawyer, Destiny.”

  “We can’t afford one.”

  “There’s no way you’ll prevent Custer from taking what he wants. If I were you, I’d cast your vote with those who want to sell and negotiate a better deal.”

  “I’m not giving up on Lizard Gulch.”

  “You’re young and you own a wrecker. You can open a business anywhere.”

  “Can I?” She jumped up from the chair and paced in front of the couch. “I barely have any savings, certainly not enough to pay the first month’s rent for an apartment in Kingman let alone buy a property for my car-repair business.”

  “Work for someone else until you save enough money.”

  “I don’t want to.” She swept her arm in front of her. “This is where I want to live. This is home now.”

  “I don’t understand why a woman your age wants to hang out with old people.” He raised his hands. “I have nothing against geriatrics. Shoot, I was raised by my grandparents.” He shook his head. “But most women your age are out shopping, barhopping, having fun and looking for Mr. Right to settle down with.”