Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

as precarious as this one, where there were no medical personnel on site and the nearest hospital was more than ninety kilometers away.
    “You’re a good friend, Gustavo,” Fernando said.
    “Your mother would disagree. She’s very put out with me for planting the idea in your head.”
    “You may have planted, amigo. But, the seeds had already been sown. I would have been driven to this, regardless.”
    Gustavo didn’t argue because he knew it was true. He stared down at Fernando’s empty hand. “Where’s your sword?”
    “This is a test of skill today, nothing more,” he said, patting his friend on the shoulder. “I’m not in it for the kill.”
    “You might not be,” Gustavo answered. “But what about him?”

    “They’ve gone, señora,” Consuelo said. “You asked me to advise you.”
    Ana María sat staring straight ahead and sipping her sherry. She was on a bench in her rose garden, one of the places she loved best. “Did Gustavo tell you which bull?”
    “I’m not quite sure.” But by the way Consuelo averted her eyes, Ana María guessed that she knew. It was Alejandro, the most dangerous beast in the lot. They couldn’t even let him around the horses. The ranch hands all rumored Alejandro to be a little crazy. At one time, he’d been primed for the ring before being deemed too unpredictable. Ana María knew she should have sold Alejandro off long ago but had never quite had the heart. He would be put down immediately anywhere else. At least here he had some sort of life, as long as they kept him fairly well segregated.
    “Shall I serve a late dinner?” Consuelo asked.
    “No. Make it on time. I’m certain Fernando won’t be gone long.”
    But, deep in her heart, Ana María feared she was losing him forever. Perhaps it was an irrational fear or—worse yet—a mother’s intuition. She hadn’t dared to see Fernando off, afraid of inviting bad luck. Best to sit here and enjoy her garden, thinking only of happy things on this sunny afternoon.
    “As you wish,” Consuelo said, taking her leave.
    “Consuelo?” Ana María said, stopping her. “What did you think of the girl?”
    Consuelo pursed her lips in thought. “She was very beautiful.”
    “I meant, what did you think of her for Fernando?”
    “It’s not my place, Doña Ana María.”
    “It is if I’m asking you.”
    Consuelo perused her frankly. “In that case, I thought she was good for Fernando. And that he was good for her. They were two very strong people, even stronger together, it seemed.”
    “Thank you, Consuelo. I value your opinion.”
    “It’s sad it no longer matters.”
    “I’m sorry for Fernando that she’s gone too. He’s taken this really hard. But he’ll bounce back. He’s a de la Vega after all,” she said with a reserved smile.

Chapter Thirteen

    Jess couldn’t have been any more excited had it been her own birthday. The moment she’d made the connection between Fernando and today’s date, she’d viewed it as more than just a sign. Her leaving Iberia the day her new husband turned thirty-one clearly wasn’t the way to behave. Apart from their elopement and glorious wedding night, it was the first true celebration the two of them would get to share. Jess had many gifts in store for Fernando, not the least of which she hoped to deliver in bed.
    Her face heated at the memory of Fernando’s flesh pressed to hers. There was a matrimonial union she could get used to, and not just because Fernando was the most skilled lover she’d ever had. He was also funny and kind, thought the world of his family, and had promised utter devotion to her. Surely it hadn’t been long enough since he’d sincerely said his vows that Fernando had changed his mind.
    “Casa Garcia de la Vega,” she told the driver as she climbed into the cab at the small satellite airport. “And hurry, please.”
    Jess’s heart raced at the thought of seeing him. Would he reject her at once, still scorned from her earlier rebuke, or accept her with open arms, sweeping her off her feet and carrying her up to his bed? No, he probably wouldn’t do that straightaway, Jess realized. His mother most likely had a party planned. There’d be gifts to open and cake. And, if Consuelo had any say in it, a lavish birthday dinner besides. Jess checked her cell for the time as the sun sank low.
    It was a special smart phone Fernando had given her in Seville during their first night there. Since her other hadn’t worked in La