A little late with apologies

My apologies for my late arrival...I was blindsided last night by a bit of a stomach bug.  But I'm upright and not moaning so much anymore (just the occasional one) and I wanted to be part of this fun event and to let everyone know about my latest work, Gambler's Moon, available now from The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4595).  This is the first novel I've written that I've set in my home state of New Mexico and that made my research fun.  I drive through Cuba all the time on my way to Albuquerque so it was interesting to stop and have a longer look around.  So please enjoy Gates and Ava as they work their way to ending their years long feud and beginning the romance that's always sizzled between them.
Excerpt from Gambler's Moon:

     “Explain that.” She pointed to the metal on the

desk.

     “Excuse me?”

     “I want you to tell me where it came from. Who

put it on my doorstep.”

     Gates held up the trap. “You think this came

from me? What, you think it’s some kind of vampire

love note? I’m pushing a hundred years old, Ava, old

enough to know there are a hell of a lot better ways

to let a woman know you’re interested than the ones

kindergartners use.”

     “I’m not saying you did or didn’t put it there

but—”

     Gates arched a brow at her. “You didn’t? Seems

to me it was implied in everything you did say.

Here’s one answer for you, Ava. When I give

presents, I do it in person. Especially when it

involves a woman.”

     “Yeah, I’ll bet.”

     “I’d be happy to take that bet, Ava. Anytime you

want me to deliver just say the word.”

     “No thanks,” she snarled. “And I told you I

wasn’t saying—”

     “Just what are you saying, Ava?” He slammed

the trap down on the desk, wincing at the dent it left

in the wood. Just one more piece of furniture he’d

have to replace. Growling, he stepped toward her.

She lifted her chin and refused to budge. 

     “I can’t help it that you jump to conclusions so back off,

McHenry. Wouldn’t think you’d be so touchy considering.”

     “Considering what, Ava?” He laced the threat

with danger.

     “Considering what you are.”

     She didn’t back down, and Gates had to admire

her for it.

     “I mean, it’s not like you aren’t acquainted with

being seen as a killer. That’s what your kind does to

survive, and we both know that so stop pretending

like it’s so absurd.”

     “Then you don’t know much because I haven’t

killed for food in a very long time.”

     Anger surged through the soft spoken words.

She put out her hands and pushed at his chest,

surprised when he obliged her and took a step back.

     “Okay, then I don’t know much.” She sank down

into the chair. “And that’s exactly why I came here

tonight, why I walked through the door of your

precious bar and why I made a scene out there.”

     “Maybe I’ll give you the courtesy of taking you at

your word, Ava. Maybe I’ll pretend to believe you

didn’t come here tonight to start trouble, to accuse

me of something you should damn well know by now

I wouldn’t do.”

     “McHenry, I—”

     Gates glared at her. “Enough word play, Ava. If

you don’t think I’m spending my nights making

threatening tokens of love to leave on your porch

then what the hell are you doing here? And see if

you can spell it out clearly this time because I’m

running out of patience.”