Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

going to Fiji. Afterwards, she’d offered to help Fernando revamp his business here. Garcia wines held a lot of promise. If they started exporting their product, that promise could double. Jess didn’t know wines, but she knew international business. Plus, she’d have a willing partner to help her along. Fernando loved the idea of her becoming involved in the family business, and Ana María was thrilled Jess had taken an interest too. Jess’s mom and Evie were invited to visit at any time. By the look in her best friend’s eye, Jess thought with a smile, Evie’s next trip to Iberia might be coming soon.

    THE END

THE CHRISTMAS CATCH

    John turned his attention on Tyler, waiting eagerly nearby.
    “Ever been on a toboggan, young man?”
    Tyler shook his head.
    “Well then, you’re in for a treat. Hop on!” he instructed, positioning Tyler right behind Mason. Tyler promptly wrapped his arms around the dog, who leaned back to lick his face.
    “Will he be all right?” Christine asked with concern.
    “Sure. You’ll be right behind him, holding on.”
    “And where will you be?”
    “I’ll be hanging on to you.” John grinned and her heart melted.
    Christine warned herself not to get carried away. It was just an outing in the country. But when John settled in behind her and snuggled her and little Tyler securely in his arms, she couldn’t help but blush in his embrace. He was so strong and capable. Though the steep slope ahead looked formidable, Christine had no qualms about her and Tyler heading down it with John.
    “Ready?” he asked, as Christine gripped Tyler.
    “What about Mason?”
    “That old daredevil?” John asked with a laugh. “He’ll be fine!”
    Then they were off, gliding at lightning speed down the snowy white slope.
    “Whee!” Tyler shouted. “Whoohoo!”
    Christine laughed with giddy delight, feeling like a child again herself.
    “What do you think of Vermont?” John asked with a husky whisper.
    The truth was that she loved it. Loved it even more than she could have imagined.
    “It’s perfect,” she said with a happy sigh.
    John hugged them a little tighter and settled his chin on her shoulder.
    “I’m glad.”

Chapter One

    Christine sat at her drafting table and focused intently on her sketch. In the background, cheery Christmas music played from her high-end system. Dan had bought it three years before as a Christmas gift for her. Christine tightened her lips in concentration, ignoring the familiar ache in her heart. She couldn’t quite get the angle of the sleigh. Perhaps if she brought it down closer to the rooftop…
    “Mommy, it’s almost—”
    Christine startled at the tug on her sleeve, nearly upsetting her coffee. She gripped the mug to steady it. “Tyler! How many times have I told you not to—?”
    Saucerlike eyes brimmed with tears. “But I’m late for school,” he said, flagging his tyke-size cell in her direction. He clutched his big, black teddy bear, the one with the tattered ear. Christine’s cheeks sagged as her baby boy stood before the snowy window. Flakes beat down harder outside, but work—and preschool—would go on. This was Chicago, after all.
    She drew Tyler into her arms, awash with shame. How many times had she snapped at him this week already? And it was only Tuesday. “Mommy loves you very much,” she said into his charcoal curls. “I’m so sorry.”
    “I love you, too, Mommy,” his tiny, muffled voice returned.
    Christine hugged him tighter, her gaze caught by a framed photo of Dan in his military fatigues standing with his new bride. He’d been so handsome and hopeful at the time. When Tyler smiled, he looked just like him. Christine thought back to the happy, carefree brunette Dan had fallen in love with, wondering what he might think of her now. Her role as a single parent clearly didn’t allow her to be carefree, but she wouldn’t trade being a mother for the world. Dan had left her with a host of happy memories, but the best gift he’d supplied snuggled up against her here.
    Ellen was right in urging them to get away. Apart from being Christine’s boss at the greeting card company where she worked, Ellen was also her best friend. Ellen had noted the toll these last two years had taken on Christine and declared Christine was becoming ragged around the edges. Not only that, she was losing touch with her growing son. Christine denied it at first, but she could see it was true. A single tear slid down her cheek as