Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

Fernando’s face.
    “Anything—and everything—to keep my new wife happy.”

Chapter Fifteen

    Jess snuggled down under the covers, happily embraced in Fernando’s arms.
    “For a man just bested by a bull, you do all right,” she said with a naughty grin.
    He gently stroked her arm. “I only had the wind knocked out of me. A few bumps and bruises, but I’m fine.”
    “Lucky for us both.” Jess kissed him sweetly.
    “Yes,” he said, squeezing her rump.
    “Fernando.” She raised her brow. “How did you do that thing with the horns?”
    “It’s an old trick my father taught me.” He grinned, and the adoration in his eyes warmed her through and through. “A self-preservation technique.”
    “So you practiced it before?”
    “My father threw me in the ring when I was five,” he answered. “I didn’t get to carry a weapon until I was twelve.”
    Jess cupped a hand to her mouth in horror. “You’re kidding?”
    “Nope.”
    Jess had heard of parents tossing their toddlers in a pool to teach them how to swim, but this seemed even worse. Truth was, neither scenario sounded very civilized to Jess. Surely Fernando wouldn’t think to continue the barbaric tradition.
    “Fernando…” she began with a tentative blush. “You wouldn’t actually. What I mean is, not with our child…”
    He tenderly massaged her belly through the sheet. “What was that you were saying about our baby, my wife?” he asked, giving her neck a sexy nibble.
    “That’s another thing I need to discuss with you.”
    Fernando tugged at the sheet, not dissuaded from his mission. “Boy… Girl… It doesn’t matter. I will absolutely adore them both.”
    “Not that,” she said, gripping the duvet and yanking it up from where it had nestled at their feet.
    Fernando twisted his lips and eyed her curiously. “Cold, querida ?”
    “No, no.” Jess’s face caught fire. “All the opposite. Thank you.”
    “Then, what?”
    “It’s about our marriage. The papers…”
    “We’ll get all that straightened out as soon as you’re ready.”
    Jess swallowed hard, gathering her courage. She hoped she’d done the right thing, making such an enormous unilateral decision. “I was ready about six hours ago.”
    “I’m sorry?” he asked, perplexed.
    “The package, Fernando. When I was in Madrid, I took it to the central post office and mailed it.” She ducked her head under the covers, not sure what sort of fireworks to expect. Her answer came in an explosion of laughter, a rich, rumbling tone that washed over her as Fernando gently peeled the covers away.
    “Is that a fact?” he asked, green eyes merry.
    She nodded silently.
    Fernando cupped her chin in his hand, surveying her with loving eyes. “That’s got to be the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.”

    Ana María impatiently checked her watch.
    “What is taking them so long up there? Maybe I should go and see.”
    Gustavo shot to his feet. “No, Doña Ana María. I’ll go.”
    She took another sip of her sherry, scrutinizing. While Ana María rarely had a second glass, it was late in the afternoon, and she’d had a long day. The doctor had left with assurance Fernando would be back on his feet in no time. Only a scare, he’d said. Ana María frowned, thinking it was more like a brush with death.
    Gustavo took his time on the stairs, dawdling, it seemed.
    “Have you lost your way?” she asked him.
    “No, señora,” he said, waving his cell in her direction. “Just checking my texts.”
    “Well, for heaven’s sake, do that later,” she said, annoyed.
    Gustavo quickened his pace, briskly moving up the stairs. Ana María didn’t care what sort of apology Jessica was administering; it was long past the time it should have been over. Ana María widened her eyes, hoping Fernando and she hadn’t been… But, of course, if she knew her son… Ana María sighed, supposing she should feel relieved he really was all right in that case.
    As further proof, Fernando and Jessica paraded down the stairs, linked arm in arm. Gustavo trailed them.
    “Feeling better?” Ana María asked, sternly raising an eyebrow.
    “Yes, much!” Fernando proclaimed brightly. “Mamá,” he said with a winning smile. “Jessica and I have the most amazing news.”
    Ana María listened to their story with the composure she’d taught herself to maintain under even the most trying circumstances. She wasn’t that old of a woman, but still, this episode had taken her to task.