Free The Mighty Quinns: Cameron by Kate Hoffmann Page A

maze of elevated runways with bar stools lining the edges. Cameron settled in a few seats away from Walter Fredericks, then ordered a beer from a scantily clad waitress.
    He wasn’t quite sure where to look. Everywhere he turned there was naked flesh, but it wasn’t the naked flesh he wanted to see. It was difficult for him to believe that any man found this atmosphere sexually arousing. He was more turned on by the scent of Sofie’s hair than the sight of a half-clad female writhing in front of him.
    Cameron observed the dancers distractedly as he sipped his beer, his mind wandering to the woman waiting for him out in the parking lot. His mind substituted an image of Sofie, dressed in lingerie, her lithe body moving in front of him.
    He watched out of the corner of his eye as another waitress delivered lunch to Fredericks and the older man took a huge bite of a burger. Food. The perfect conversation starter.
    “How’s the food here?” Cameron asked. “Any good?”
    Walter wiped his mouth with a paper napkin and nodded, still chewing. “It’s not bad,” he said, nodding. “Stick with the burgers and sandwiches. Everything else is pretty bland.”
    “Thanks,” Cameron said. He took a sip of his beer. “Can’t go wrong with a cold beer and a little entertainment.”
    “Nope, I’d have to agree with that,” Walter said.
    “So, do you live here in town?” Cameron asked.
    “Yeah, I’ve got a place nearby. But I spend most of my time in Albuquerque. Where are you from?”
    Cameron slowly turned on his stool, bracing his arm on the edge of the bar. “Seattle. But I’m thinking of settling around here. I’m tired of the rain. You’ve got plenty of sun around here.”
    “We do have that in abundance. So, are you looking to buy or rent a place?”
    “I’m not really worried about buying somewhere to live right now. I’m just looking for some good investment opportunities.”
    Walter stood up and moved over another seat, sliding his plate along the bar. “Well, now, you picked the right place. And I just happen to be a real-estate broker. I could show you some things.”
    “I’m not just interested in real estate,” Cameron said. “I’m looking for anything that can make me some fast cash, if you know what I mean.”
    “So, you’re willing to take some risk for a big reward?”
    “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m looking to do,” Cameron said.
    For the next fifteen minutes, Walter regaled him with stories of his own investment schemes, ranging from golf courses to oil wells. Unfortunately, nothing the man mentioned came close to being illegal. Cameron decided to play hard to get, hoping that Walter might tempt him with something more interesting, but the older man obviously still had a few suspicions.
    “You mentioned you were from Seattle. What do you do up there?”
    “I design custom sailing yachts,” Cameron said.
    That brought a look of surprise and Walter laughed. “If you’re looking for waterfront property, you won’t find it around here.”
    Cameron laughed, then glanced down at his watch. “Oh, hell. I’ve got to go. I have an appointment with an agent here in town and—”
    “Cancel it,” Walter said. “You’re not going to find anyone better than me. I’m plugged in. I know everyone in town.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a business card, then slid it along the bar to Cameron. “Give me a few days to set up some things. I’ll let you in on a deal or two that no one else has access to. Monday morning would be—”
    “I’m really interested in looking this weekend,” Cameron said with a shrug.
    Walter sat back and sighed. “Hey, I wish I could, but I’ve got plans.” He lowered his voice. “Truth is, my girlfriend is taking me to a spa in Taos for our anniversary. What the hell am I going to do at a spa?”
    Cameron took a swig of his beer. “Hell if I know.”
    “Well, you know how the ladies love their pampering. You married?”
    Cameron