Aimée Thurlo - Restless Wind

The local cable news celebrity, besides having a degree in journalism, had curves in all the right places. Her early claim to fame had been as New Mexico ’s selection for a national beauty contest. “If he’s interested in her…”

“You think he won’t take more than a passing look at you?” Jenny said, finishing Dana’s thought. She shook her head. “First, you’re as pretty as Linda, and a heck of a lot smarter. But Ranger isn’t attracted just by looks. He met Linda while dating Chloe Vargas, the weather girl.”

Chloe was Linda’s polar opposite, and went counter to the old stereotype of the “all looks and no brains” weather girl often seen on major news outlets. Chloe was plain-looking and her only noticeable curves were around her bottom. Yet her intelligence and humor gave her an on-air sparkle that was responsible for her having landed the job.

“As I said, Ranger likes women,” Jen said in response to Dana’s surprised look. “No, let me amend that. Ranger loves women ll sizes and shapes,” she said. Lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, she added, “He and I never made love, but I’ve heard from a woman who shall remain nameless that once you’ve been with him, no one else quite measures up.”

That was possibly the last thing Dana needed to know. Her imagination had been working overtime. Now it was on hyperdrive.

“My source says that Ranger definitely knows how to use what nature gave him…and then some.”

Dana sighed openly. Despite all the reasons against it, he’d always been a temptation. Now it would be worse. But she had to stay focused.

Jenny turned, hearing her name being called, and saw the bartender motion to her with a toss of his head. “I better get back to work,” she said, taking Dana’s drink order.

As Jenny hurried away, Dana spotted Martin across the room, deep in conversation with a stunning black woman who’d just taken a seat by the bar. When he looked up, Dana ducked quickly, pretending to be looking in her purse. When she surfaced again, she saw that he’d moved with his new friend to an area where the patrons were playing darts.

Dana smiled with relief, but a man seated by himself two tables down smiled back, thinking her gesture had been directed at him.

The man, with wavy black hair and a big gold chain clearly visible in the spot where he’d left two buttons of his shirt undone, grabbed his drink and sauntered over. “Why in the world would any man leave a pretty lady like you all alone?”

She glanced at Ranger, but he was still talking to the bartender. When she turned back, “Wavy Hair’s” hand was on the table, still holding his drink. She could see a pale stripe around the left ring finger of the wannabe Romeo.

Thinking fast, Dana reached into her purse and brought out her small notebook and pen, then looked him squarely in the eye. “I’m a reporter for the Farmington Journal. I’m doing a piece for our lifestyles section on pickup lines men use when stepping out on their wives.”

“Oh…well, I’m not married so I can’t help you. Good luck with the story,” he said, picking up his drink and moving away quickly.

She was still chuckling, sipping the rum and cola Jenny had delivered, when Ranger finally joined her. “What was that all about,” he said, picking up his glass and taking a deep swallow of beer.

“I’ll tell you later. What did you get?”

“Not much, except that Trujillo himself has been here several times in the past few weeks, which was a surprise to me. Apparently, he started from scratch when he put his team together. But word’s out now, and those looking for work go straight to him. Have you seen any faces you recognized?”

“None of the men I’ve seen tonight were involved in the kidnapping.”

After they each took another swallow from their drinks, they decided to leave. They were halfway to the door when Jenny came rushing up.

“Hey, Ranger,” she said, beaming him a smile. “Barry said you’re looking for men Trujillo might have hired?” Seeing Ranger nod, she continued, her voice much lower now. “He’s got at least one guy on the payroll these days helping him screen out potential employees. The guy was in just last week. He wears some kind of uniform.”

“Military?”

“No,” she answered. “Works for the city, like in a shop. I recognized the city patch on his sleeve, but I was at the wrong angle to see the details.”

“Think hard, Jennifer,” Ranger said. “Can you give us anything more?”

She blew out a breath. “Just that the uniform was brown, like UPS, only a shade or two lighter. He was wearing a matching cap, too.”

“He could be in any of their shops, a utilities inspector, or even drive a disposal rig. Was he short or tall, fat or skinny?” Ranger pressed.

“He was sitting down. All I can tell you for sure is that he looked fit.”

“Like a weight lifter?” Ranger asked.

“No, more like a runner. He had a nice smile, too.”

Dana didn’t have to look at Ranger to feel his exasperation. “What made you notice him?” Dana asked, playing a hunch.

“That’s easy. Although he was dressed like a working man-no tie or white collar-he had expensive tastes. You know how I collect old-style money clips cause they remind me of my dad?”

Dana nodded.

“His looked like a real antique. It must have cost him a fortune. I was pea-green with envy when he peeled off a twenty for his tab.”

“A money clip?” Ranger repeated.

“Yeah, really beautiful. He held it out for me to take a closer look when he saw I was interested. It was gold and engraved with an intricate design, maybe an initial. And he had a gold watch that must have set him back five hundred bucks.”

After getting a quick description of the guy-unfortunately Jenny had spent her time looking at the money clip and watch, and couldn’t even remember the color of the man’s eyes-they left the bar.

A few minutes later they were underway. “As far as leads go, that’s a strange one, but I think I know how to follow it up,” Ranger said, turning toward a residential area. “We need to see a friend of mine who works for the city.” He picked up the cell phone. “Let’s just hope she’s home. If I remember correctly, Saturday’s her favorite night out.”

“A former girlfriend, and you still feel free to call and ask to drop by at this hour?” she asked, surprised. The fact that he’d remained friends with more than one woman from his past spoke well for Ranger.

“Do I detect a trace of jealousy in your voice?” he teased.

“In your dreams, guy.”

His grin widened. “Be careful what you wish for. My dreams are all X-rated.”

Her flesh prickled as her imagination fueled her already awakened desire. “Focus on business,” she said for her own benefit as well as his.

“You are my business.”

“The day I’m not, then we’ll talk more about our dreams,” she said softly.

“Count on it,” he answered with a nod. “And Dana?” She looked back at him. “I always keep my word.”

The ranch-style home, complete with stables and a riding area, was on a multiacre lot on the northwest outskirts of Farmington. Tall bluffs lined each side of a narrow valley that led north toward the foothills of the San Juan Mountains.

Maria Charley was a slender, beautiful Navajo woman in her early forties with petite, oriental features. She placed a platter of fresh fruit in front of them, then sat in a chair across from the leather western-style couch.

“It’s good to see you,” Maria said, looking at Ranger. “I hope he’s treating you well,” she added, looking at Dana. There was no animosity in her tone or her expression.